JANUARY 2011
Highlights in January included a Bittern at Seamer Road Mere (27th and 31st), Iceland Gull and Great Northern Diver at the harbour, Black-throated Diver in South Bay (10th), two or three Great Grey Shrikes in Langdale Forest plus one in Wykeham Forest, and a Rough-legged Buzzard near Yedingham (8th and 22nd). Little Auks were picked up (1st and 28th), plus one lingering off Marine Drive (29th and 30th). A Red-necked Grebe flew past Marine Drive plus one in South Bay (1st), also four Velvet Scoters flew by that morning with three in South Bay (8th), and two (15th). Two White-fronted Geese were at Friar Dike (8th), and three at Wykeham Lakes (22nd). Good numbers of Whooper Swans around; up to 23 at Thornton Marishes, 5 at Sherburn Ings, one at Wykeham Lakes, and 13 at Cayton Carrs. An escaped Ruddy Shelduck wandered around The Carrs (to 22nd). Other wildfowl of interest were Pintails at Seamer Road Mere and Wykeham Lakes, and a Red-breasted Merganser in South Bay. Five Mediterranean Gulls were at Holbeck and up to 40 Purple Sandpipers roosting at the harbour. There were two Little Egret sightings in The Carrs, and a Little Gull at Cayton Carr/Burton Riggs (9th). Five Lapland Buntings were in stubble at Long Nab (9th-15th), and a welcome count of 20 Corn Buntings at Willerby (25th). Six Waxwing records in the month, the largest party being 12 at Newlands Park (9th). A Hooded Crow was at Harwood Dale (30th), Dipper at Peasholm Glen (3rd-9th), and Hen Harriers at Stony Marl Moor (18th), and Long Nab (29th).

FEBRUARY 2011

The Iceland Gull continued to visit the harbour and up to four Mediterranean Gulls were at Holbeck car park. Rough-legged Buzzards were seen at Ebberston (2nd) and Troutsdale (3rd), with up to 19 Common Buzzards around Sherburn. The Great Grey Shrike performed regularly at Wykeham Forest and good numbers of Crossbills were evident. Two Little Egrets were in The Carrs (5th and 22nd), also a Short-eared Owl near Wykeham Lakes (21st). Great Northern Divers were in South Bay (5th/6th) and also in Cayton Bay (6th). A White-fronted Goose accompanied the Canada Goose flock, at Scalby Lodge (6th), and Throxenby Mere (14th). A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was heard at Wykeham Forest (20th), still a rare bird in the district. Ninety-five Stock Doves at Seamer (22nd) was a record count. At Long Nab Lapland Buntings peaked at 24 (27th).

MARCH 2011

Highlights in March included a Common Crane at Boggle Hole (7th) that flew over Scalby the next day. A Raven was over Fylingdales Moor (6th), and a Hawfinch was seen at the Wykeham Forest Raptor Viewpoint (23rd). The Iceland Gull remained along the coast all month, favouring the harbour. Two Great Northern Divers flew past Marine Drive (5th), and ten Velvet Scoters were in South Bay (6th). A Slavonian Grebe put in a brief appearance in North Bay (5th). In the forests two Red Kites passed through (21st), and two Mealy Redpolls were by Wykaham Forest nurseries (14th). A Waxwing showed at Crossgates (15th), and up to three Lapland Buntings were at Long Nab. In The Carrs two Little Egrets were at Seamer Carr (6th), and one at Flotmanby Carr (20th). Thirty Corn Buntings at Low Marishes was a welcome record (17th). The first signs of spring came with two Chiffchaffs at Scalby Beck (17th), followed by a Swallow and two White Wagtails at Harwood Dale Lake (26th), and a Little Ringed Plover and 13 Sand Martins at Wykeham Lakes (28th). A Little Gull was at Lebberston Carr (24th).

APRIL 2011

Highlights included a White-tailed Eagle flying north over the town (13th), a long staying Iceland Gull at the harbour, Dotterel at Ravenscar (17th), two Avocets over Seamer Tip pools (19th), plus a long staying drake Garganey there (from 17th). A Great Grey Shrike was at Langdale Forest (1st). Seawatching at Long Nab produced two Sandwich Terns, Scaup, and Black-tailed Godwit (2nd). A Little Egret was at Hurd’s pond (3rd), Lapland Bunting over Potter Brompton Carr (4th), and Hooded Crow at Seamer Tip (9th). Passage waders included a Ruff at Seamer Tip pools (13th), plus Wood Sandpiper (23rd/24th) and Black-tailed Godwit (28th/29th) at Potter Brompton Carr. The first Hobby of spring was over Crossgates (20th), Marsh Harriers at Wykeham Lakes (22nd) and Castle Hill (25th), and an Osprey fishing at Wykeham Lakes (24th-26th). Wykeham Lakes also saw a Short-eared Owl (25th), 17 Arctic Terns (29th), plus four more (30th). Bar-tailed Godwit passage included one over the latter site and 14 over Potter Brompton Carr (29th). The first Manx Shearwater passed Long Nab (29th).

MAY 2011

Three singing Grasshopper Warblers early month along the coast including one at the Castle Headland. Two Arctic Terns at Wykeham Lakes (2nd), a Sanderling also there (30th). A total of 13 Marsh Harriers were reported, three of which passed over The Castle. A good wader passage was witnessed, 11+ Wood Sandpipers including five at both Scalby Lodge and Potter Brompton Carr, up to eight Greenshanks also at Potter Brompton, plus a Ruff (28th to 30th), Black-tailed Godwit (28th to 31st), and two Avocets (10th).  Quails were at Potter Brompton Carr (10th), Willerby Carr (two on 20th and one 31st), up to four singing Corn Buntings also there. Grounded passerines included sven Ring Ouzels at Ravenscar (4th), and a small fall at Castle Hill (8th); Spotted Flycatcher and three Whinchats, plus two Turtle Doves flying north. A Grey-headed Wagtail was at Scalby Lodge (10th), and 30 Pink-footed Geese over Crossgates were late (18th), so too was a Purple Sandpiper at the harbour (25th) and a Goosander at Marine Drive (31st). Honey Buzzards had returned to the forests (24th), and an Osprey flew west at Troutsdale (29th). Good numbers of Crossbills, several lowland records and flocks of up to 70 in the forests.

JUNE 2011

The Wykeham Forest Raptor Viewpoint was well visited as up to four Honey Buzzards performed frequently. There were two sightings of Montagu’s Harrier, Hobby twice, Goshawks daily, Osprey (10th), and Marsh Harrier (2nd). A Raven (10th) was a local rarity. An Osprey was at Wykeham Lakes (11th), and Common Scoter there (26th). Seawatching at Long Nab (5th) produced 341 Manx Shearwaters, Great and Arctic Skuas, 2 Red-throated Divers, and 104 Puffins. A Little Egret was at Seamer Tip pools (25th), and Green Sandpipers started to appear at Potter Brompton Carr (16th). Quails arrived in force with at least thirteen reports, mainly from The Carrs. A Goosander at Scalby Mills was unseasonal, and Cuckoos remained scarce, a “rufous” bird at Seamer Tip pools was interesting (19th). A Storm Petrel was trapped and ringed at Long Nab (24th). Crossbills continued to appear in good numbers in the forests, also flocks were seen over Scarborough; 6 (17th), 23 (30th).

JULY 2011

Two or three Little Egrets were present in the Carrs, and  one in Jackson’s Bay (15th). Quails continued to be reported, a total of ten from five locations. Up to three Honey Buzzards were seen in the forests, plus several Hobby and Marsh Harrier sightings in the district. Seawatchers logged Balearic Shearwaters (23rd and 27th), several Sooty Shearwaters (from 23rd), a Long-tailed Skua past Long Nab (23rd), Storm Petrel past Marine Drive (25th) plus two trapped at Long Nab (29th), and Velvet Scoter (27th). Arctic Terns were displaced by fresh northerly winds peaking at 225 flying north along the coast (24th), and two at Wykeham Lakes (31st). Wader highlights included four Greenshanks at Wykeham Lakes 931st), and 20 Black-tailed Godwits south off Marine Drive (16th). Three Mediterranean Gulls had returned to South Bay (31st). Crossbills were in good numbers throughout the forest, 250 in one flock in Langdale Forest, and several parties were recorded on lower ground flying southwards.

AUGUST 2011

A good selection of waders passing through; Curlew Sandpipers at Wykeham Lakes (28th) and one at Jackson’s Bay joined by a Little Stint (31st). Two Spotted Redshanks were at Beacon Farm Ponds (27th/28th), and two at Seamer Tip Pools (29th). A Ruff at Wykeham Lakes (26th) and three (28th). Black-tailed Godwits at Wykeham Lakes (5th) and Seamer Tip Pools (17th). Honey Buzzards could still be found in the forests, one juvenile identified (28th). Three Ospreys passed through; Marine Drive (13th), Peasholm (21st), and Wykeham Forest (28th). Quails were still calling at three sites early month, one site  revealing a Quail egg after harvesting. Rain brought a few migrants to the coast, a Wood Warbler at Newlands Dale most notable (23rd). Seawatching was popular, highlights from Long Nab and Marine Drive being Roseate Tern (11th), Pomarine Skua, Velvet Scoter, and Black Tern (18th), and an epic 14 hour watch at Long Nab produced 562 Manx Shearwaters, 21 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 Balearic Shearwaters, 121 Arctic Skuas, 2 Long-tailed Skuas, and 3 Black Terns (29th). Two Whooper Swans at Wykeham Lakes (27th to 31st) were an unusual record.

SEPTEMBER 2011

The highlight of September was the district’s second ever Great White Egret which flew south past Jackson’s Bay (11th). A female Red-crested Pochard at Seamer Road Mere was popular (8th to 30th) but rather partial to bread! Wader highlights included Spotted redshank at Seamer Tip pools and Curlew Sandpiper at Jackson’s Bay (1st), 16 Bar-tailed Godwits past Long Nab (4th), and Jack Snipe at long Nab (30th).  Eight Mediterranean Gulls returned to Holbeck car park, and up to three Yellow-legged Gulls were at the Wykeham Lakes gull roost with 850 Lbb Gulls (5th). An inland Arctic Skua at Wykeham Lakes was interesting (6th) as were two Roseate Terns roosting at Scalby Mills (8th), and one the following day. It was a good month for Black Terns, 23 logged past Long Nab. 79 Little Gulls flew past Long Nab (4th), 5 Pomarine and 2 Long-tailed Skuas past, plus 2 Black-throated Divers. A Great Northern Diver was in North Bay (11th). A late Turtle Dove flew south past South Cliff golf course (24th). Vismig counts at Long Nab saw a significant southerly movement of Redpolls, 746 in total, a day peak of 359 (21st). 1,380 House Martins flew south there (14th), a Lapland Bunting in stubble (29th), in addition four flew south. A Corn Bunting there (14th and 26th) is a coastal rarity nowadays. Crossbills remained numerous in the forests, 300 in Langdale Forest (20th).

OCTOBER 2011

The district’s second Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at Long Nab (1st). Eight Yellow-browed Warblers and five Firecrests were found (13th-27th). The latest ever Spotted Flycatcher was at Castle Hill (25th), also there the autumn’s second Pied Flycatcher (14th).  A good bunting month, up to eight Lapland Buntings in stubble at Long Nab plus a total of 18 were logged south there, also six Snow Buntings flew south there. Three Corn Buntings at Long Nab were a surprise. A late Turtle Dove was at Long Nab (13th/14th).  Strong north-west winds (8th) brought good numbers of skuas flying south; an adult Long-tailed, 19 Pomarine, 91 Great and 48 Arctics. Also past were Scaup and Balearic Shearwater. Long Nab also produced two Grey Phalaropes and two Sabine’s Gulls. 1,240 Pink-footed Geese flew south along the coast (11th).  A Great Grey Shrike returned to Langdale Forest (11th), and two male Hen Harriers frequented the moors mid-month plus another male came in off the sea at Castle Hill (26th). Twelve Short-eared Owls came in off the sea, a record month. One or two Black Redstarts were at Marine Drive, up to 14 Purple Sandpipers at the harbour roost, and nine Mediterranean Gulls in the bays. A Long-tailed Duck flew south at Scalby Mills (29th), and a Hooded Crow was at Cornelian Bay (31st). The Red-crested Pochard remained at Seamer Road Mere, and up to three Little Egrets were reported.

NOVEMBER 2011

The district’s second record of Taiga Goose came with a single at Flower of May farm (26th), an amazing month for other geese; a minimum of 36 Tundra Beans and 105 White-fronted Geese seen in the area. A first-winter Red-breasted Goose of unknown origin turned up in the Canada Goose flock at Harwood Dale Lake (30th).  Other wildfowl highlights included 40 Barnacle Geese over Newby (5th), single Scaups at Hackness Lake, Peasholm Park, and Wykeham Lakes (2). A Velvet Scoter was inland at Staindale Lake (15th-16th), and 6 Bewick’s Swans  flew south at Long Nab (12th). Up to 28 Mandarins were at Hackness Lake. Four Siberian Chiffchaffs were found; Castle Hill (7th), Long Nab (8th), and two at Newlands Dale (14th). A Great Grey Shrike was at Castle Hill (7th), two in Langdale Forest (27th). Two Black Redstarts at the Castle Headland (6th), and one in gardens at Burniston (16th). A good influx of Waxwings; a minimum of 49, the largest party was 24 near the University (9th). Late summer visitors were a Common Swift and House Martin at Cornelian Bay (3rd), Reed Warbler at Castle Hill (8th), House Martin Ebberston (9th), and Swallow Long Nab (12th). Regular migration counts at Long Nab saw 3 Black-throated and 4 Great Northern Divers, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, 33 Velvet Scoters, Hen Harrier, 9 Pomarine Skuas, 10 Little Auks, 6 Lapland and 75 Snow Buntings past. Arrivals of Short-eared Owls continued, 7 at Long Nab plus a further 6 in the district. A Little Egret was at Star Carr and Jack Snipes at Scaby Lodge and Seamer Tip pools.

DECEMBER 2011

The first-winter Red-breasted Goose of unknown origin was still at Harwood Dale with Barnacle and Canada Geese. Three Greenland White-fronted Geese (from 24th) with up to 52 White-fronted Geese and four Tundra Bean Geese at Wykeham Lakes. Two Tundra Bean Geese at Gristhorpe (15th). Other wildfowl included the Taiga Bean Goose near Lebberston (to 13th),  a drake Red-crested Pochard at Seamer Road Mere and a Scaup at Peasholm Park. Grey Phalaropes were seen at Long Nab (5th) and at the harbour (18th).  A Slavonian Grebe was at Wykeham Lakes (7th), and at the harbour (17th-20th). Also in the harbour were both Great Northern and Black-throated Divers. Other Black-throated Divers were at Scalby Mills (1st) and past Long Nab (22nd). An Iceland Gull and three Glaucous Gulls flew south past Long Nab (5th-10th), also a total of 83 Little Auks, and a late Sandwich Tern (4th). A Northern Wheatear was on South Bay beach (1st-5th), and a Chiffchaff was at Burton Riggs, plus two Blackcaps at Falsgrave Park.  A Hawfinch was at Dalby Forest (24th), and Snow Buntings were recorded at Holbeck and Long Nab. Winter visitors  included a Hooded Crow and Little Egret at Seamer Carr Tip, several Short-eared Owls in the district, and 45 Purple Sandpipers at the harbour. A Yellow-legged Gull was in the Wykeham gull roost (22nd). Fourteen Waxwings were at Harwood Dale (3rd).