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December 2009

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:24:45 +0000

01.12.09 A seawatch at Long Nab (08.15-10.05) produced 5 Wigeon, 16 Teal, 10 Eiders, 2 Common Scoters, a Velvet Scoter (N), 2 Great Northern Divers (S), 10 Red-throated Divers (3 on sea), 4 Gannets, 5 Fulmars, 8 Shags(N), and c20 "large" Auks. Seven Snow Buntings and 35 Skylarks in the coastal stubble field. A Dunlin with 24 Ringed Plovers at Scalby Mills, also 350+ Wigeon in North Bay. 41 Purple Sandpipers, 20 Turnstones, and a Shag at the harbour. A Coot was at Peasholm Park (an infrequent visitor to that site). Three Red-throated Divers Cloughton Wyke. Goldeneye Scalby Mills. Three adult Med Gulls at Holbeck. 
02.12.09 Good numbers of wildfowl on the sea off Scalby Nab; 800 Wigeon, 12 Goldeneye, and a Shoveler. 
03.12.09 34 Purple Sandpipers and a Red-throated Diver at the harbour. At Scalby Mills there were 420 Wigeon, an imm drake Eider, 23 Cormorants (S), Dunlin, 25 Ringed Plovers, 350 Lapwings, and a Kittiwake. 586 Lapwing and 8 Golden Plover at Low Marishes. 
04.12.09 Cromer Water Treatment Plant - 9 Twite, 30 Linnet. Jacksons Bay - Scaup (drake). Scalby - Merlin. 
05.12.09 Scalby Mills - 4 Red Throated Diver, 413 Wigeon, 77 Lapwing, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Guillemot, 1 Kingfisher. Cloughton Wyke - 4 Red Throated Diver and 2 Guillemot. Seamer Road Mere were pair Kingfisher and a willow tit. 
06.12.09 Scalby Lodge Pond - 1 White-fronted Goose, 43 Greylag Goose, 156 Canada Goose, 67 Teal, 24 Curlew. Scalby Mills, 24 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin. A Red Kite near Wilton, just east of Thornton Le Dale. 
08.12.09 Good numbers of wildfowl on floodwaters (Allerston Low Marishes) of the River Derwent just south of Low Marishes Lane near Newstead Grange, west of Yedingham; 21 Whooper Swans (1 juv), 19 Mute Swans, 130 Teal, 80 Wigeon, 3 Shovelers, 2 Pintail, 5 Gadwall, 900 Lapwings, and Green Sandpiper. Two Red-throated Divers in South Bay. A report of a Little Egret south of Ebberston last Tuesday (1st December). A Water Rail on the river Hertford near Folkton Sewage Farm. Wilow Tit and Peregrine at Willerby Carr. 6 Med Gulls (4 ads + 2 2W) at Holbeck.

09.12.09 A Black Redstart reported at Marine Drive, opposite Post 50 (Birdguides.com). Three Dark-bellied Brent Geese in a field north of Scalby Lodge Pond, left northwards mid afternoon. 21 Whooper Swans were still present at Allerston Low Marishes, also 130 Wigeon, 220 Teal, 3 Pintail, Goldeneye, 2 Common Buzzards, and Barn Owl. 
10.12.09 6 Eiders at Jackson's Bay. 2 Peregrines at Cromer Point. Red-throated Diver in South Bay. 
11.12.09 The Little Egret was again reported from Ebberston (first seen 1st December). It was feeding in a stream at the south end of Main Street opposite the Garden Centre. 38 Purple Sandpipers on East Pier, and 3 Shags off shore. 18 Fulmars on Castle Cliffs. 720 Wigeon at Scalby Mills and 4 Stonechats between Scalby Lodge and Cromer Point. No Snow Buntings could be found in the Long Nab stubble field, but 30 Skylarks and 20 Yellowhammers there. 
12.12.09 30 Purple Sandpipers on East Pier at high tide. 38 Curlews at Scalby Lodge Pond. 
13.12.09 The female Long-tailed Duck was still at Wykeham South Lake (since 5th November). Also there 3 Whooper Swans (left to Binnington Carr), Barnacle Goose, Gadwall, and 2 Goldeneyes. 30 Mandarins at Hackness Lake. 
14.12.09 33 Purple Sandpipers at the high tide roost on East Pier. An adult Red-throated Diver in the harbour mouth plus Shag. 
15.12.09 A good selection of waders in the Jackson's Bay/Scalby Mills area; 2 Sanderlings, Dunlin, 9 Purple Sandpipers, 26 Ringed Plovers, Grey Plover, 280 Lapwings, 80 Oystercatchers, and 100 Redshanks. 95 Teal at Scalby Lodge Pond and 785 Wigeon in North Bay. 31 Purple Sandpipers on East Pier, also 48 Turnstones at the harbour and 2 Shags. 
16.12.09 13 Whooper Swans still at Allerston Low Marishes but no ducks there now. 5 Shags in South Bay, and 2 Shelducks and 2 Red-throated Divers past Marine Drive. 110 Fieldfares at Yeddingham. A Peregrine and 2 Red-throated Divers at Cloughton Wyke. 3 Med Gulls at Holbeck (ad = 2w). 
17.12.09 A Pink-footed Goose at Scalby Lodge Pond. A brief seawatch from Marine Drive (10.00-10.25) produced very little; 2 Common Scoters(N), 15 Fulmars, 2 Gannets, and a "large" Auk past. 
18.12.09 A Great Skua flew south past Scalby Mills, and 3 Red-throated Divers north. A Grey Plover was in Jackson's Bay and 20 Golden Plovers flew east over Scalby Lodge. 10 Redwings and 33 Yellowhammers at Allerston. 2 Shags in South Bay and 27+ Purple Sandpipers on East Pier. A Woodcock flew up Queen Street at 08.20am! 
19.12.09 60 Golden Plover in fields at Cromer Point. 9 Herons at Ellerburn Fish Farm, also Dipper and Kingfisher at Thornton Beck, plus 15 Siskins. 6 Nuthatches around Thornton le Dale. 4 Snipe with 220 Lapwing at Scalby Mills. 3 drakes and 2 female Goosanders at Scarborough Mere. 10 Bullfinch, 25 Siskin, 12 Redwing and a pair of Mandarin Duck at Hilla Green. 2 Common Buzzard and a Snipe at Hackness. 28 Fieldfare at Wykeham Carr. 
20.12.09 Some cold weather movement was reported over North Bay. Passerines moving south included 10 Skylarks, Mistle Thrush, and Redwing. A Grey Wagtail on the beach in North Bay and 4 Rock Pipits. A female Blackcap in a garden at Westwood, also Great Spotted Woodpecker there and Peregrine flew over. 2 pairs of Gadwall, 1 drake Shoveler and a drake Mandarin Duck at Scarborough Mere, plus 3 pairs of Bullfinch. 
21.12.09 The cold weather continues to take effect; a gathering of 30 Reed Buntings, 40 Skylarks and a Woodcock in the field south of Trough Gully, Scalby Lodge. 12 Song Thrushes feeding on sloes in one bush behind the shelter at Marine Drive was unusual, also a Redwing and 3 Blackbirds there. A Stonechat on the rocks at Marine Drive plus 3 Rock Pipits. Meadow Pipits were found in some odd places; 2 feeding around the Tea Pot cafe near the harbour, and one on a road by Peasholm Park. Three Golden Plover at Scalby Lodge Pond. Several Redwings in the centre of Scarborough and a Lapwing came in off the sea. 6 Shags Marine Drive/South Bay plus 2 Great Crested Grebes in South Bay and one in North Bay. 
22.12.09 Several Redwings and a Meadow Pipit at The Crescent. Meadow Pipit by the Lifeboad Station, Sandside. 
23.12.09 A Merlin at Hutton Buscel. 
24.12.09 Blackbirds and Redwings moving over town in the evening. 
26.12.09 Seawatching at Marine Drive (08.40-09.40) produced; Dark-bellied Brent Goose (N), 13 Red-throated Divers(10N), 6 Guillemots. 15 Great-crested Grebes betwen North Bay and The Spa, also 7 Shags, and 7 Red-throated Divers. 5 Pink-footed Geese in fields by Scalby Lodge Pond, also Grey Plover and 150 Skylarks. 
27.12.09 5 Great Crested Grebes and 3 Red-throated Divers in South Bay. A Great Crested Grebe and 3 Shags in North Bay. 
28.12.09 28 Purple Sandpipers and 33 Turnstones at the harbour. 5 Mute Swans in the harbour and 5 Shags in South Bay. At Seamer Carr there was a Woodcock, 3 Bramblings with 40 Chaffinches, and a Barn Owl. A Goldeneye on Burton Riggs and Mandarin on Seamer Road Mere.

29.12.09 5 Pink-footed Geese at Scalby Lodge Pond plus 52 Curlews. 41 Purple Sandpipers and a Dunlin roosting on East Pier. Also 40 Turnstones at the harbour. A White Stork was photographed flying south-west over Scalby Mills on Christmas Day, presumably the bird that was at Flamborough on Boxing Day.

30.12.09 The Little Egret was again at Ebberston, feeding in the stream alongside Main Street, still present late afternoon. A seawatch at Long Nab (08.25-10.30) produced 21 Eiders, 11 Common Scoters, 3 Red-throated Divers, 9 Gannets, 30 Fulmars ( one "Blue" flew south), 8 Kittiwakes, and 3 Guillemots. 4 Snipe and 40 Skylarks in the stubble field at Long Nab. 96 Teal at Scalby Lodge Pond, and 2 Gadwall with the Wigeon flock at Scalby Mills. 15 Eiders flew north at Cloughton Wyke and a Red-throated Diver. A Pintail and a Goldeneye were at Burton Riggs. 
31.12.09 At the harbour there were 47 Purple Sandpipers, 39 Turnstones, a Guillemot and Red-throated Diver. Little Egret still at Ebberston in the morning and again late afternoon. Common Buzzard and Barn Owl at West Ayton.

November 2009

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:10:39 +0000

01.11.09 A seawatch at Long Nab (07.20-10.30) produced 101 Wigeon, Shoveler, 30 Teal, 14 Common Scoters, 2 Red-throated Divers, 9 Gannets, Fulmar, 4 Knot, 135 Common Gulls, and 2 Woodcocks (in). A Woodcock flew down Green Lane early afternoon and landed in Cross Lane Hospital ! At the Castle Headland 4 Lapwings came in off the sea, a Teal flew low round the trees, and there were 2 Chiffchaffs on the north side.

02.11.09 24 Crossbills in Wykeham Forest. Six Purple Sandpipers at the harbour and 1,100 Starlings in old town roost.

03.11.09 A Swallow at Scalby Lodge Pond at 2pm.

04.11.09 50 Pink-footed Geese flew south past the Castle Headland at 1.45pm. At Potter Brompton Carr there were six Woodcocks in Pheasant Covert, also 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Tits, Marsh Tit, 46 Redpolls, several small flocks of Starlings flew west totalling 63. Also Little Grebe, 16 Wigeon, 41 Teal, Tufted Duck and 3 Common Buzzards. Five Med Gulls at Holbeck today, two second-winters (incl last winter's Belgian bird), and three adults (incl. the Serbian ringed bird). A Goshawk at Wykeham Forest. A Woodcock flew past the swimming pool (North Bay) at 8.10pm.

06.11.09 A Great Grey Shrike at Wykeham Forest at 9.30am in the same clearing as last winter; turn right at Highwood Brow, follow track to X roads and turn right to view clearing on right. It could not be found early afternoon. Also two Stonechats there. Eight Swans flying south along the coast at 09.05am were possibly Bewick's. Woodcocks continue to arrive along the coast with singles at Hundale, Long Nab and behind Marine Drive shelter. A Snow Bunting flew south at Long Nab, plus 6 Skylarks, 82 Siskin, a Redpoll, and 6 Reed Buntings. The north side of Castle Hill had 3 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, and Fieldfare.

07.11.09 230 Pink-footed Geese flew south past the Castle Headland mid afternoon. The ringed Med Gull (04.11.2009) at Holbeck was ringed as a chick in Belgium on 27th May 2008. The Great Grey Shrike was seen again at Wykeham Forest(same clearing) at 8am.

08.11.09 12 Bean Geese flew south along the coast at 2pm, also 110 Pink-footed Geese. A Lapland Bunting in the stubble field just north of the hut at Long Nab, also up to 12 Snow Buntings, 40 Skylarks, and 2 Twite there. 7 Twite near the Water Treatment Plant at Cromer Point, a Snow Bunting flew in off the sea, and a rather tame male Merlin. A seawatch at Long Nab (07.10-08.10) produced 13 Red-throated Divers, 7 Common Scoter, 4 Fulmars, and 25 Common Gulls(S). 3 Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest in Newlands Dale, Cloughton. 6 Med Gulls at Holbeck (4 ads + 2 X2w) and 2 at Scalby Mills (ad + 1w). 250 Pink-footed Geese flew SE over Bridestones, Dalby. 3 Red-throated Divers in South Bay. 12 Purple Sandpipers on East Pier at high tide plus one at Boggle Hole.

09.11.09 Seawatching at Long Nab (07.25-10.30) produced a Black Guillemot (N), Black-throated Diver (N), Large Diver sp (N), 10 Red-throated Divers, Great-crested Grebe (on sea), 3 Fulmars, 18 Gannets, 41 Common Scoters, 2 Wigeon, 2 Eiders(1 on sea), 20 "Large" Auks (N), and 1 Kittiwake. 9 Starlings came in off the sea. 12 Snow Buntings were still in the stubble field just north of the hut, plus 29 Yellowhammers, 7 Reed Buntings, 110 Tree Sparrows, 25 Skylarks. A Snow Bunting flew over Hundale. 150 Pink-footed Geese flew south along the coast at midday. A Snipe, Chiffchaff, and 9 Bullfinches in Newlands Dale. At Scalby Mills there was a Great-crested Gebe, Red-breasted Merganser, 13 Ringed Plovers, Purple Sandpiper, and 2 Kittiwakes. 25 Purple Sandpipers on East Pier. 240 Pink-footed Geese flew over Scarborough at 16.50 hrs. Two skeins of Pink-footed Geese flew over Semer Carr; 180 + 55.

10.11.09 A Firecrest in a tit flock in Langdale Forest, also Goshawk there. A Red-throated Diver in North Bay, also 11 Common Scoters flew north.

11.11.09 The Snow Bunting flock had increased to 16 today at Long Nab, also 140 Tree Sparrows there. A Woodcock was flushed from the cliff top near the hut, and a Water Rail was flushed in Newlands Dale. At Castle Hill a Snow Bunting was near the Castle, Chiffchaff and 7 Tree Sparrows on the north side, and 60 Redwings came in off the sea. Two Red-throated Divers off the harbour and 36 Purple Sandpipers on East Pier. A Goosander was at Scalby Beck/Mills.

12.11.09 A Red-necked Grebe flew north past Long Nab at 10.10am, also past (09.00-11.00) were 40 Common Scoters, Goldeneye, 5 Mallard, Red-throated Diver, Fulmar, 7 Gannets, 200 Herring Gulls (S). Seven Skylarks flew in off the sea. The Snow Bunting flock in the stubble field had increased to 23. A Merlin was eyeing up the Tree Sparrow flock! A Goosander at Seamer Road Mere, Red-breasted Merganser at Scalby Beck, and 2 Goldeneyes flew across North Bay. A Merlin at Wykeham Lakes plus 4 Gadwall, and 17 Pochards. Four Redshanks at Seamer Tip Pools. 24 Purple Sandpipers on East Pier.

13.11.09 40 Snow Buntings in the stubble field at Long Nab (just north of the hut), also 40 Skylarks. Southerly movement at Long Nab (09.00-10.30); 2 Mallard, 2 Wigeon, 65 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Divers, Shag (N), 3 Gannets, Fulmar. A Great Spotted Woodpecker on the cliff top just south of Crook Ness and a Snow Bunting flew over Cromer Point. 36 Purple Sandpipers at the harbour on East Pier at high tide. A Red-throated Diver and Goldeneye in South Bay. 36 Mandarins (23 drakes) at Hackness Lake. No sign of the Great Grey Shrike at Wykeham Forest (showed well on Wednesday), 20+ Crossbills at Highwood Brow. A Goosander at Seamer Road Mere.

14.11.09
A female/first-winter Long-tailed Duck at Wykeham Lakes (permit only) late afternoon, also 2 Goldeneyes, Goosander, 21 Pochard, 2 Redshanks, and 5 LBB Gulls in a smallish gull roost. 28 Snow Buntings in the coastal stubble field at Long Nab plus one just south of the hut. Quiet on the sea there, although good numbers of large gulls moving south (07.15-09.15); 7 Common Scoters, Red-throated Diver, 2 Shags, 7 Gannets, 680 GBB Gulls (S), 400 Herring Gulls (S), and 70 Common Gulls (S). 37 Purple Sandpipers and 30 Turnstones at the harbour over high tide.

15.11.09 A Woodlark at Ravenscar this morning in the grass field immediately inland of the old coastguard lookout, no sign this afternoon. Also Chiffchaff and Green Woodpecker at Ravenscar. 30 Snow Buntings in the coastal stubble field at Long Nab and 11 Whooper Swans flew south.

16.11.09 37 Purple Sandpipers on East Pier at high tide.

17.11.09 In Forge Valley there were 2 Nuthatches, 2 Marsh Tits, and 20 Siskin. A Coal Tit was in trees outside Waterstones on Westborough.

18.11.09 80 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Jackson's Bay at 12.30pm. 25 Purple Sandpipers on East Pier early afternoon.

19.11.09 A Great Grey Shrike at RAF Fylingdales, also Hen Harrier and Snow Bunting.

20.11.09 A Goshawk and 12 Crossbills at Wykeham Forest. 23 Purple Sandpipers on East Pier pre-high tide. A Great Grey Shrike in Langdale Forest at the top of "the airstrip".

22.11.09 A male Hen Harrier at Star Carr, seen in the morning. 12 Snow Buntings in the coastal stubble field at Long Nab, a brief seawatch there saw 9 Whooper Swans and a Goldeneye flying south and a Red-throated Diver north. Six Mediterranean Gulls in South Bay (4 ads + 2 second-winters), also Great-crested Grebe, Red-throated Diver, and 12 Purple Sandpipers. 1200 Golden Plovers at Charm Park, Wykeham.

23.11.09
13 Snow Buntings in the stubble field at Long Nab plus 12 flew south over the sea. A seawatch there (09.00-10.30) produced 4 Little Gulls, Goldeneye, Eider, 11 Red-throated Divers (9s), 2 Fulmars, 2 Gannets, 600 Herring Gulls (S) including several "argentatus", 100 GBB Gulls (S), and 5 Kittiwakes. 55 Pink-footed Geese flew south along the coast late afternoon. At Cayton Carr there were 4 Whooper Swans, 17 Redshank, and 94 Collared Doves at Mayville Farm. A Barnacle Goose at Seamer Road Mere, plus 2 Goosanders.

24.11.09
5 Whooper Swans at Flixton Carr.

25.11.09
A first-winter Caspian Gull roosted in the harbour, it was observed 15.10-16.00 hrs (third Scarborough record).

26.11.09
No sign of the Caspian Gull in the harbour late afternoon. The Barnacle Goose (tame!) was still at Seamer Road Mere plus 6 Goosanders. Two Blackcaps in a garden at Westwood. A Grey Wagtail in Woodheads bakery yard.

27.11.09
A Great Northern Diver on the sea off Scalby Mills at 08.20am, adult Med Gull there in the afternoon. A Jack Snipe at Star Carr, Corn Bunting at Long Lane, south of West Ayton, and Green Woodpecker at Mowthorpe.

28.11.09 Seawatching at Long Nab (08.00-11.30) produced a late Balearic Shearwater (N), 3 single Great Northern Divers (S), 8 Whooper Swans (S), 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese (N), 4 Velvet Scoters (1N, 3S), 151 Common Scoters, 2 Mallard, 16 Red-throated Divers, 15 Fulmars, 7 Gannets, 15 Shags, a Knot (N), 50 Kittiwakes (S), and 80 Common Gulls (S). Also 10 Snow Buntings still in the coastal stubble field. A Whooper Swan flew into Wykeham Lakes from the east, 140 Pink-footed Geese flew south, 2 Goldeneyes, and a drake Goosander there. 140 Pink-footed Geese (60 + 80) flew south over Scalby, also a male Merlin, and an escaped Red-tailed Hawk at Hurd's Pond. A Shoveler at Seamer Road Mere. A Sanderling in South Bay plus a Red-throated Diver. 40 Turnstones and 22 Purple Sandpipers at the harbour. 300 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Cayton Carrs.

29.11.09
An hour's seawatch at Long Nab produced; Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Divers, 37 Fulmars, and 3 Guillemots in heavy rain. At Snainton Ings there were 97 Fieldfares, 18 Skylarks, and a Sparrowhawk.

30.11.09
A seawatch at Long Nab (08.45-11.15) produced 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Shelducks, 17 Eiders, 41 Common Scoters, 5 Wigeon, 4 Red-throated Divers, 10 Fulmars, 8 Gannets, 31 Kittiwakes, 7 Guilllemots, and a Razorbill. A brief seawatch at Marine Drive (14.40-15.00) saw 8 Common Scoter, 15 Wigeon, and 3 Teal moving north in heavy seas. 96 Wigeon at Scalby Mills. Scalby Lodge Pond has water in it at last; 2 Shelducks there. On Seamer Road Mere there were 3 Gadwall, a Goosander, and 2 Med Gulls (2w + ad).

October 2009

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:04:18 +0000

01.10.09 Seawatching at Long Nab betwen 08.30-12.15 produced 15 Teal, 9 Wigeon, 17 Common Scoter, a drake Velvet Scoter(N), an Eider, a Black-throated Diver(N), 14 Red-throated Divers, a Sooty Shearwater, 2 Arctic Skuas, an adult Pomarine Skua(S), a Sandwich Tern, 2 Arctic Terns, 77+ Kittiwakes(N), also 5 Rock and 6 Meadow Pipits, Barnacle Goose ,Wheatear and Skua sp. A Redwing flew west over Lindhead School, Burniston. 6 Rock Pipits and a Chiffchaff at the Castle Headland.

02.10.09 Thirty Whooper Swans flew over Scalby at 9am. Seawatching at Marine Drive (06.45-07.45 & 17.05-18.00); a Pomarine Skua(N), 2 Arctic Skuas, 1 Great Skua, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, a Tufted Duck, 12 Common Scoters, 13 Teal, 5 Eiders, 3 Sooty Shearwaters, 7 Manx Shearwaters, 11 Red-throated Divers, a Knot, 3 Dunlin, 600 Kittiwakes.

04.10.09 Seawatching at Long Nab (06.50-12.00 & 13.00-15.00); Balearic Shearwater, ad Pomarine Skua, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 13 Pink-footed Geese, 7 Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, 23 Cormorants, 2 Shags, 450+ Gannets, 22 Red-throated Divers, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 4 Manx Shearwaters, 17 Arctic Skuas, Great Skua, 1w Mediterranean Gull, 210 BH Gulls, 4600+ Kittiwakes(N), Sandwich Tern, Puffin, 900+ "large" Auks. Also Peregrine, 6 Rock Pipits (4S), 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Reed Buntings and 5 Song Thrushes. Six Chiffchaffs around Scalby Mills/Beck, also at Scalby Mills a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 18 Wigeon, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Dunlin, 11 Ringed Plovers. 150 Pink-footed Geese and a Common Buzzard flew south at Scalby Lodge. Two Swallows flew south at Cromer Point. In the Cloughton Wyke/Sycarham Farm area; Blackcap, Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff, 11 Long-tailed and one Willow Tit, also 2 Crossbills flew south.

05.10.09 A Lapland Bunting flew over Long Nab this morning. Also 158 Pink-footed Geese flew south, a Golden Plover and 21 Skylarks in fields there, a Siskin(S), 2 Redpoll in Hundale as well as 15 Chaffinches, 70 Goldfinches, and 2 Reed Buntings. 60 Blackbirds along the railway track at Burniston, a Garden Warbler in Crook Ness, and 350 Pink-footed Geese south over Scalby Lodge this afternoon. A Chiffchaff at Scalby Mills. 470 Pink-footed Geese south over Castle Hill 15.00-15.30 hrs.

06.10.09 Scalby Mills; 23 Wigeon, 5 Teal, one Chiffchaff. Goldcrest and Chiffchaff at Hundale, Long Nab.

07.10.09 240 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Jackson's Bay this morning. Nine golden Plover south at Cromer Point. 65 Pink-footed Geese flew south past the Castle Headland in the afternoon, also 4 Common Scoters past and 3 Chiffchaffs.

08.10.09 A juvenile Long-tailed Skua flew south past Marine Drive at 17.35. Also past 17.25-18.25 were a Pomarine Skua(S), 11 Arctic Skuas(9N), a Great Skua, 2000+ Kittiwakes (N), a Black Tern (N), Shag, and Red-throated Diver. 32 Wigeon, 4 Teal, and an Arctic Tern at Scalby Mills. In the Cloughton Wyke area 114 Pink-footed Geese flew south (4 flocks), 6 Skylarks flew in off the sea, 4 Rock Pipits in the Wyke, a Redwing, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Siskin(S), and 38 Tree Sparrows.

09.10.09 A juvenile Long-tailed Skua flew close north past Marine Drive at 17.08 hrs, also past in one hour were 3 Arctic Skuas, Great Skua, 2 Eiders, 150 Gannets, 200 Kittiwakes, 30+ "Large" Auks, and a Red-throated Diver. Two Redwings and a Goldcrest were new arrivals to the North Side of Castle Hill early afternoon, also a slight increase in Blackbirds (10+) and Robins (10+) were detected in the morning. A Whooper Swan was off Cromer Point at 3.30pm, 22 Curlews at Scalby Lodge, and 100 Pink-footed Geese flew south there. A Reed Bunting at Hutton Buscel. A seawatch at Long Nab (10.30-11.30) produced a Brent Goose(N), 3 Common Scoters, a Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Red-throated Divers, a Great Skua (S), and Arctic Skua (N). At Hundale there were 3 Redwings and 30+ over, Peregrine, Golden Plover, and 18 Goldfinches.

10.10.09 Overnight rain grounded a few common migrants; 2 Brambling and a Stonechat at the Castle Headland, plus several Redwing, a Chiffchaff, and an increase in Chaffinches. 13 Rock Pipits and 11 Meadow Pipits were behind Marine Drive wall early morning. Three Common Scoters, and 35 Wigeon flew past. A Garden Warbler and Chiffchaff at Hundale Plantation, Long Nab.

11.10.09 A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Castle Hill, initially found by the Skate Park it moved to the south side as the wind picked up. Also present was a Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Wheatear, Stonechat, 2 Swallows(N), 9 Rock Pipits, 25 Meadow Pipits, 15 Blackbirds, 37 Redwings (in off), Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Bramblings, 2+ Redpolls (over), and 20+ Tree Sparrows (a Castle rarity!). An Osprey flew south over the town at 10am, later being seen at Filey(with the aid of a phone call!), Buckton, and Bempton. Also past the Castle Headland were 2 Whooper Swans(S), 6 Teal, 3 Common Scoters, and 2 Red-throated Divers. At Long Nab a Redstart was along the Cleveland Way half a mile north of the hut. In Hundale Plantation a Goldcrest was trapped and ringed as well as Siskin and Redpoll, also a Chiffchaff and Brambling there. In the Sycarham Wood/Farm area a Snipe, 15 Robins, 16 Redwings, 3 Chiffchaffs, and a Redpoll.

12.10.09 A Firecrest was at Long Nab all morning (at least) in bushes immediately south of the wooden bench 100m south of the hut. A Lapland Bunting was in fields between the hut and Hundale early afternoon though mobile. Also present were 2 Peregrines, 5 Goldcrests, 2 Redwing, 2 Stonechats, 2 Bullfinches, and 2 Snipe. Seawatching at Long Nab (08.15 - 12.00) produced a Balearic Shearwater, Black-throated Diver, 29 Red-throated Divers, 2 Whooper Swans(also seen from Castle Headland), 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Teal, 48 Wigeon, 4 Mallard, 3 Eiders, 21 Common Scoters, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Curlews, 3 Great Skuas, 2 Arctic Skuas, a Great Spotted Woodpecker (on telegraph pole by hut!, later in Crook Ness), 3 Rock Pipits(S), 2 Skylarks(in). Seawatching at Marine Drive (07.30-09.00) produced a Manx Shearwater and 2 Velvet Scoters, otherwise lesser numbers of wildfowl than Long Nab, but 3 Arctic Skuas. A Redstart was on the top path south side early afternoon, also Goldcrest, 2 Brambling, Chiffchaff, and a Stonechat at The Holmes.

13.10.09 A small arrival of migrants at Castle Hill late afternoon included a Firecrest near the flag pole (south side) and 4 Chiffchaffs.

14.10.09 A Yellow-browed Warbler was caught and ringed at Long Nab this morning in Hundale Plantation. Large numbers of Redwings were arriving at the coast from midday onwards, many droping in briefly before continuing westwards; 570 at Long Nab and 580 at Castle Hill. Hundale also had 8 Fieldfare, 40 Blackbirds, 15 Song Thrushes, Goldcrest, 3 Bramblings, 5 Redpolls, 17 Siskin, and 5 Reed Buntings(S). Birds moving over included 2 Greylag Geese(S), and Grey Plover(N). Two Chiffchaffs were in Crook Ness. Other birds at the Castle were 4 Fieldfares, Mistle Thrush, 10 Song Thrushes, 20 Blackbirds, 10 Robins, 3 Skylarks(in off), 3 Chiffchaffs, Goldcrest, 4 Brambling, and 10 Chaffinch.

15.10.09 A Yellow-browed Warbler on the north side of Castle Hill, also there a Woodcock, 6 Chiffchaffs, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, 80 Blackbirds, 120 Redwings, 2 Fieldfare, 15 Song Thrushes, 20 Robins, Goldcrest, 3 Brambling. A Garden Warbler and Chiffchaff at Sycarham Wood, Jack Snipe flushed at Hundale, also Goldcrest, 2 Redwings, 2 Brambling and a Redpoll flew south, 8 Siskin and 6 in "middle" plantation. 30 Blackbirds along the railway, Town Farm to Hood Lane. An adult Mediterranean Gull at Scalby Mills plus 123+ Wigeon.

16.10.09 A Slavonian Grebe on the sea off Cromer Point to 11am but not seen in the afternoon, also 2 Goldeneye. Seawatching at Long Nab (09.10-10.40) produced 4 Black-throated Divers past, 2 Red-throated Divers, 4 Eiders, a Sooty Shearwater, 5 Teal, and 2 Common Scoters. Past Marine Drive (08.00-09.00); an Arctic Skua, 5 Eiders, 9 Common Scoters, 5 Red-throated Divers, and 500 "Large" Auks. A Chiffchaff and 4 Goldcrests at Castle Hill plus a Golden Plover over. A Goldeneye in the harbour.

17.10.09 Seawatching at Long Nab (07.00-13.15 & 15.15-16.20); a Great Northern Diver, 2 Black-throated Divers, 29 Red-throated Divers, 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, 23 Eiders, Goldeneye, 12 Common Scoters, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, Teal, 745 Gannets, 4 Shags, 8 Manx Shearwaters, 5 Great Skuas, Arctic Skua, 390 Kittiwakes, 600 "Large" Auks. Birds flying in off the sea were 16 Skylarks, a Starling, and 3 Meadow Pipits. A Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrests and Wheatear at Hundale. 3 Goldcrests in Crook Ness. 2 Chiffchaffs and a Stonechat in the Clougton Wyke area. A Merlin at Scalby Lodge.

18.10.09 A Lapland Bunting (mobile) in fields north of the seawatching hut at Long Nab in the morning, also a Twite with Linnets there. At least 23 Reed Buntings around Long Nab, 2 Bramblings over, 14 Rock Pipits (11S), 4 Lesser Redpolls at Hundale, 2 Redwings, 3 Goldcrests, 4 Snipe, 40 Skylarks, 2 Siskins, and 40 Starlings came in off the sea. Two Dunnocks by the hut suggested they were migrants. A Jack Snipe was flushed from Cowath Beck, and a Brambling came in off the sea at Scalby Lodge. Good numbers of Blackbirds and Redwings reported from Bridestones, Dalby Forest, several flocks of Redwings moving over.

19.10.09 A Ring Ouzel on the north side of Castle Hill, also 25 Blackbirds, 4 Song Thrushes, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, and 2 Stonechats. 42+ Crossbills at Wykeham Forest in the "shrike" clearing, also 2 Stonechats. A Bar-tailed Godwit, 26 Ringed Plover, 41 Redshank at Jackson's Bay. 95 Wigeon at Scalby Mills. 11 Reed Buntings at Long Nab. Great Grey Shrike on the cliffs at South Cliff Golf Course.

20.10.09 The Great Grey Shrike was still present on the cliffs at South Cliff Golf Course early morning but could not be relocated mid morning, 10 Redpolls flew south there. A Black-throated Diver was in North Bay with 2 Red-throated Divers and 2 Guillemots. A Chiffchaff at Castle Hill and a Bar-tailed Godwit flew south past Marine Drive. An adult Med Gull at Holbeck and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over south cliff.

21.10.09 A Firecrest on the south side of Castle Hill mid afternoon between the flag pole and archway. Also on the Castle Headland today, a Reed Bunting, Siskin, Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaffs, 30 Redwings, 6 Song Thrushes, 50 Blackbirds, and a Red-breasted Merganser flew north. One of the Peregrines flew out over town in the heavy rain. Three Red-throated Divers in North Bay. A Lapland Bunting was showing down to five metres by the bench at Long Nab 100m south of the hut at 9am. It could not be found at midday. Around Long Nab there were 25 Blackbirds, 5 Song Thrushes, 2 Redwings, and 2 Stonechats. A seawatch there (09.10-10.30) produced a Long-tailed Duck(N), Pochard, 3 Wigeon, Eider, 9 Common Scoter, Fulmar, 127 Gannets(S), 2 Red-throated Divers, 5 Knot(S), Great Skua, and Arctic Skua. A Woodcock came in off the sea, also 18 Starlings, 11 Skylarks, Redwing, and Blackbird flew in off.

22.10.09 A Yellow-browed Warbler at Long Nab this morning in Hundale Plantation, also Lapland Bunting over Cloughton Fields Farm, a Snow Bunting flew south. Grounded migrants from overnight rain included 30 Robins, 65 Blackbirds, 8 Song Thrushes, 6 Redwings, 3 Chiffchaffs, Goldcrest, 2 Bramblings, 50 Chaffinches, 15 Reed Buntings, and 55 Siskins flew south, 30 Starlings flew in off the sea. A Dipper was at Scalby Beck by the pub. A Black Redstart was at the Water Treatment Works at Cornelian Bay late afternoon. The Firecrest was still on the south side of Castle Hill, and a Snow Bunting on the path by the archway also seen in the playground. Also present was a Woodcock, Marsh Tit, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests, 3 Bramblings, 6 Fieldfares, 13 Redwing, 2 Redpolls, and 2 Siskins.

23.10.09 Very little local birding done as birders vacated the area in search of a recently found new species for Britain, and a local Red-flanked Bluetail!
The first 30 minutes of daylight saw some wildfowl passage past Marine Drive; a Dark-bellied Brent Goose(S), 15 Eiders(S), a Common Scoter(N), and a Red-throated Diver(N). A Stonechat was behind the Marine Drive wall at post 52, and the north side of Castle Hill held 2 Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff.

24.10.09 A Yellow-browed Warbler in Newlands Dale, Cloughton mid afternoon, along the dissused railway 200m north of Hood Lane bridge. Also in the Cloughton area were 4 Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest, 20 Redwings, 3 Coal Tits, Treecreeper, Jay, and 30 Siskins. The Yellow-browed Warbler was still at Long Nab in Hundale Plantation associating with the "resident" Coal Tit (ringed there 2nd August). Also around Long Nab were 3 Redwings, 5 Song Thrushes, 2 Goldcrests, 15 Robins, and 10 Reed Buntings. A seawatch (10.30-12.00) in strong southerly winds (F6) was rather unproductive; 72 Gannets, 4 Red-throated Divers (3 past), 27 "large" Auks(S), and 24 Common Gulls (S). The Castle Headland held 3 Redwings, 2 Goldcrests, Chiffchaff, Blackcap (post 55 feeding in grass!), Stonechat, 5 Redpolls, and the Snow Bunting still by the archway.

25.10.09 The Yellow-browed Warbler was still in Newlands Dale, Cloughton, 200m north of Hood Lane bridge along the dissused railway. Also 4 Chiffchaffs in the area, and 200 Siskin and 70 Redpolls flew south. The Snow Bunting on the Castle Headland was seen circling Clarence Gardens. Southerly movement included 102 Skylarks, 3 Redpolls, and 50 Siskins. A seawatch at Marine Drive (06.30-07.30) produced 4 Teal, 11 Wigeon, 10 Common Scoters, 2 Eiders, 12 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Shags, 6 Red-throated Divers, and a Grey Plover. A drake Goldeneye and 2 Red-throated Divers in North Bay and 90 Wigeon at Scalby Mills. A Barnacle Goose was with the Canada flock at Peasholm Park.

26.10.09 Goshawk and Common Buzzard over Wykeham Forest in the morning. 160 Pink-footed Geese over Phoenix Drive.

27.10.09 Large numbers of thrushes moving west over the Castle Headland/town throughout the day; 1300 Redwings, 1200 Fieldfare, and 400 Blackbirds in about 90 minutes.

28.10.09 A colour ringed (green HLB on left leg) Cormorant at the harbour.

29.10.09 A prompt reply to the ringed Cormorant record from yesterday. This bird was ringed as a chick in North-East Scotland at Inverbervie on 25th July 2009. Southerly movement of Cormorants was quite evident in August and September at Long Nab this year, perhaps the majority of these are Scotish birds? 130 Pink-foted Geese flew south this morning along the coast. Four Twite were seen near Trough Gully, Scalby Lodge, and a Blackcap was at Crook Ness.

30.10.09 A female Hen Harrier flew west over Scalby at 07.30am. A flock of 200 Golden Plover at Scalby Lodge. Goshawk at Wykeham Forest. At the Castle Headland there were Fieldfare, Redwing, 10 Blackbirds, 10 Robins. Seven Dark-bellied Brent Geese flew south and 10 Purple Sandpipers at the harbour(high tide).

31.10.09 A Pallas's Warbler reported at Castle Hill today could not be relocated in the afternoon, a Snow Bunting near the Castle. Four White-fronted Geese flew south over Cromer Point at 12.50 and were also seen over Scalby just after, also 2+ Twite at Cromer Point. A seawatch at Long Nab (07.05-09.05); 18 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 49 Teal, 180 Wigeon, Pintail, 5 Mallard, 10 Shelducks, 13 Pochard, 13 Eiders, 11 Goldeneye, 36 Common Scoter, Velvet Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Fulmar, 6 Red-throated Divers, 5 Dunlins, adult Yellow-legged Gull(S), 120 Common Gulls (S). Birds in off the sea included 3 Lapwings, 40 Blackbirds, 20 Redwings, 36 Starlings. 6 Twite, 40 Skylarks and 35 Siskins flew south. A Ring Ouzel in Hundale Plantation plus 90 Blackbirds, 5 Song Thrushes, Fieldfare. 500 Redwings flew south over town at 16.10 hrs. 500 Lapwings at Scalby Lodge and 5 Redpolls flew west.

September 2009

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:07:04 +0100

01.09.09 Swift over Peasholm Park late afternoon. A few warblers at Potter Brompton Carr / Pheasant Covert; 4 Blackcaps, 11 Willow Warblers, and 3 Chiffchaffs, also 5 Goldcrests and 2 Marsh Tits. 
02.09.09 Migrants at Castle Hill included a Spotted Flycatcher (North Side), 2 Wheatears, 3 Willow Warblers, and 2 Chiffchaffs. Two Swifts over North Bay. Two Wheatears at Seamer Tip pools. Six Swifts over The Crescent in town.

03.09.09 An evening seawatch at Long Nab (16.45-19.30) produced a Pintail, 3 Common Scoters, 245 Fulmars (S), 7 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Great Skuas, 4 Arctic Skuas, 47 Sandwich Terns, 2 Common Terns, and a Swift. A Wheatear in the field behind the hut. Three Swifts over Peasholm Park. Four Med Gulls at Holbeck car park (3 ads and a 2W).

04.09.09 Seawatching from Marine Drive (07.30-11.00 & 15.45-18.45); a Brent Goose (S), 148 Teal, 5 Wigeon, Eider, 9 Common Scoters, 9 Red-throated Divers, 15 Manx Shearwaters, 13 Great Skuas, 65 Arctic Skuas, 94 Sandwich Terns, 5 Common Terns, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 46 Dunlin, 13 Oystercatchers, and a Swift. At Scalby Mills there were 3 Ringed Plovers, 10 Redshank, and 2 Swifts.

05.09.09 Two Roseate Terns (adult + juv) flew north past Long Nab this morning. Also past there (06.10-13.00); 12 Wigeon, 52 Teal, Mallard, 4 Common Scoters, 14 Red-throated Divers, 220 Fulmars, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 182 Manx Shearwaters, 18 Arctic Skuas, 27 Great Skuas, 6 Arctic Terns, 30+ Common Terns, 25 Sandwich Terns. A juv Hobby chaced a House Martin over the sea then left to the north. Migrants at Long Nab included 4 Whinchats, 3 Wheatears, Blackcap, Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaffs, Willow Warbler. Two Swifts were over Ramshill road, 2 Eiders and 9 Bar-tailed Godwits in Jackson's Bay, and a Common Buzzard flew north over Old Scarborough Tip. The Wykeham Lakes roost held an adult Yellow-legged Gull, 900 LBB Gulls, 30 GBB Gulls, 800 Herring, 450 Black-headed, and 1500 Common Gulls. Also there were 2 Ruff, 2 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Greenshank, and 2 Reed Warblers.

06.09.09` A Cuckoo was at Cowath Beck. A few warblers around Station Square, Ravenscar; Sedge, Garden, 2 Willow, 3 Chiffchaffs, and a Blackcap. Reportedly quiet at the Castle, just one Willow Warbler. Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, and 2 Swifts at Castle Hill.

07.09.09 Whimbrel south over Castle Hill.

08.09.09 Two Yellow-legged Gulls (adult & sub-adult) with 600+ LBB Gulls in the Wykeham Lakes gull roost. In the Long Nab/Cloughton Wyke area there were 2 Red-throated Divers, 9 Shelducks(N), 23 Teal(N), a Merlin, 5 Swifts(S), 372 Swallows(S), 52 Sand Martins(S), 152 House Martins(S), 17 Meadow Pipits(S), 3 Whitethroats, 3 Wilow Warblers, and a Chiffchaff.

09.09.09 Four Lesser Whitethroats at Hutton Buscel.

10.09.09 A Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Chiffchaffs on the south side of Castle Hill.

11.09.09 A Turtle Dove at Cowath Beck.

12.09.09 A Greenish Warbler on the north side of Castle Hill, found about 08.30am it showed on and off to at least 11.30am, often calling. At least 6 Chiffchaffs also present. 20 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Scalby at 09.45am.

13.09.09 The rather "worn" adult Greenish Warbler was still at Castle Hill but had moved to the south side between the archway and the flagpole. Often calling but still difficult to see most of the time. Last reported early afternoon. Also a Chiffchaff and Wheatear. Seawatching at Marine Drive (09.20-11.30) and Long Nab (16.30-19.00) produced 25 Teal, 20 Wigeon, 13 Common Scoters, a Pink-footed Goose(N), 6 Red-throated Divers, 30 Manx Shearwaters, a Sooty Shearwater, 22 Arctic Skuas, 7 Great Skuas, 40 Sandwich and 2 Common Terns. The family party of Lesser Whitethroats were still near Hutton Buscel.

14.09.09 The northerly winds brought good seawatching. Observers were watching from Marine Drive and Long Nab in the morning (06.30-10.30), and Marine Drive in the evening(17.00-19.00) ; a Cory's Shearwater passed Marine Drive at 08.03, then Long Nab at 08.27, a juvenile Long-tailed Skua was also seen from both watchpoints passing Long Nab at 08.07. The grand totals for the day were 5 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 117 Wigeon, 54 Teal, 24 Pintail, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, 260 Common Scoters, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 14 Red-throated Divers, 2 Great Northern Divers, 17 Sooty Shearwaters, 409 Manx Shearwaters, a Balearic Shearwater, 600 Fulmars, 800 Gannets, 14 Dunlin, 13 Arctic Skuas, 10 Great Skuas, 3 Pomarine Skuas (past Marine Drive in the evening), 2 Little Gulls, 4500 Kittiwakes, 1200 Guillemots/Razorbills, one Puffin. A Wheatear and Chiffchaff on the Castle Headland. Three Little Grebes and 3 Teal at Harwood Dale Lake.

15.09.09 Seawatching at Marine Drive (07.00-08.30) produced a Pomarine Skua and Sooty Shearwater. A quiet evening seawatch (17.20-18.35) saw 10 Teal, 28 Common Scoters, 2 Red-throated Divers, 4 Manx Shearwaters, Great Skua, 4 Sandwich Terns, and a Common Tern. The Castle Headland had 8 Wheatears, 3 Chiffchaffs, and a Lesser Whitethroat. A Barnacle Goose flew over Scalby with Canada Geese in the evening.

16.09.09 A Treecreeper on the south side of Castle Hill, also 7 Blackbirds, 2 Chiffchaffs, and 2 Coal Tits. Seawatching at Marine Drive (18.05-19.00) produced just 3 Red-throated Divers, an Arctic Skua, 600 Kittiwakes(N), and a Common Tern. Wheatear 1 (inside wall), Chiffchaff 6, Whitethroat 1, Garden warbler at Castle Hill.

17.09.09 A Greenish Warbler found at "stile scrub" Scalby Lodge (third gully north of the pond) at 09.30am, could not be relocated by several observers in the afternoon but reappeared there at 17.50 and showed on and off to 19.15. It was 50m south of there at dusk. Also 3 Whitethroats there. A Snow Bunting at the Roman Signal Station inside the Castle walls. Three Chiffchaffs on the south side of Castle Hill. Counts from Castle Hill; 13 Robins, 13 Blackbirds, 20 Blue Tits, 8 Great Tits, 1 Chaffinch. In Jackson's Bay there were 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 17 Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 10 Turnstones.

18.09.09 No sign of yesterday's Greenish Warbler. A juvenile Little Stint on the large pool at Seamer Tip late afternoon. At Castle Hill there were 3 Chiffchaffs, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, and Whitethroat. Five Bat-tailed Godwits at Jackson's Bay.

19.09.09 The Greenish Warbler again at Scalby Lodge, seen in "Trough gully" most of the day, a Sedge Warbler by the small pond. The Little Stint was still at Seamer Tip Pools at 6.30pm with a Dunlin on the large pool. Two Wheatears at the Castle Headland.

20.09.09 A Barred Warbler was seen briefly in Trough Gully, Scalby Lodge this afternoon. A Tawny Owl on the north side of Castle Hill in "Dusky Dell" was an unusual location, also Chiffchaff and Treecreeper. The Little Stint was still on the large pool at Seamer Tip, also 2 Dunlin, and a Greenshank. Two Whitethroats and a Chiffchaff at Crook Ness.

21.09.09 Very little movement along the coast in the strong westerlies. Past Long Nab up to 08.30am(very little after 08.30am); 30 Meadow Pipits, 160 Linnets, 3 alba Wagtails, 3 Swallows, 350 Black-headed Gulls (S). Also a Whinchat, 2 Whitethroats and a Merlin there. Three Bar-tailed Godwits and 17 Ringed Plovers at Jackson's Bay. Ten Wigeon at Scalby Mills. Chiffchaffs at Scalby Mills and Scalby Lodge. A Common Sandpiper and 14 Teal at Wykeham Lakes. The Tawny Owl was still on the north side of Castle Hill. No sign of the Barred Warbler or Little Stint today.

22.09.09 Six Green Sandpipers along the River Hertford near Flotmanby Carr. Four Wheatears at Jackson's Bay. Two Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap at Scalby Beck. 41 Collard Doves along Scalby Mills Road and 11 Wigeon at The Mills.

23.09.09 Several skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 360+ flew south past Long Nab, also a few parties of Golden Plover totalling 12 came in off the sea. Six Rock Pipits flew south, also 7 Shags and 4 Red-throated Divers past. A Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Great Spotted Woodpecker. A flock of 350 Linnets at Cloughton Wyke. Inland Golden Plover movement was also detected at Potter Brompton Carr, 17 SW, also a Turtle Dove, Snipe and 2 Curlew there. Also 7 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, Whitethroat, and 10 Reed Buntings. Nearby Pheasant Covert also had good numbers of Chiffchaffs, a total of 15, also 2 Blackcaps and 4 Redpoll.

24.09.09 A Snow Bunting by the hut at Long Nab, also 2 Wheatears there. 143 Pink-footed Geese, 8 Red-throated Divers, and 9 Sandwich terns flew south, 410 Black-headed and 70 Common Gulls flew north. In the Cloughton Wyke/Sycarham area there were 2 Blackcaps, Whitethroat, 17 Chiffchaffs, and 6 Bullfinches. A Snipe at Suffield pond.

25.09.09 Seawatching at Long Nab (07.25-09.25); 1 Pink-footed Goose(NW), 4 Common Scoters, a Red-breasted Merganser, 13 Red-throated Divers, a Manx Shearwater, 2 Shags, 230 Gannets(N), 2 Sandwich Terns, 1w Med Gull (N). A Great Spotted Woodpecker at Hundale and Chiffchaff at Crook Ness. 39 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Seamer Tip, a Wigeon and 2 Chiffchaffs at Burton Riggs. A pair of Great-crested Grebes + 2 well grown young at Seamer Road Mere, also 5 Chiffchaffs. 1400 Black-headed Gulls roosted in North Bay. Five Wigeon at Harwod Dale Lake and 11 at Scalby Mills. Two Bar-tailed Godwits at Scalby Mills.

26.09.09 A seawatch at Long Nab (07.15-08.45); 15 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Red-throated Divers, 3 Shags, 2 Arctic Skuas. Southerly movement of passerines was slow in the morning, just 30 Meadow Pipits, 3 Rock Pipits, Redpoll. Other migrants included 25 Skylarks, Wheatear, 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Reed Buntings. 60 Chaffinches left Hundale at dawn. A Wheatear at the Castle Headland and 87 Pink-footed Geese flew south (plus over Scalby). Four Bar-tailed Godwits in Jackson's Bay and a Whitethroat in Trough Gully, Scalby Lodge.
The warbler at Castle Hill 12th/13th September has been re-identified based on the call which was recorded. It is now believed to be a Chiffchaff.

27.09.09 150 tree Sparrows at Cliff Top House, Long Nab. 200 Linnets at Cloughton Wyke. Chiffchaff at Rocks Lane. Three Snow Buntings at Scalby Mills.
A Bittern was picked up injured on 25th September by workmen at the Sands complex in North Bay, at the side of the new buildings. Jim Ward (Bird Rescue, Robbin Hoods Bay) collected it, but due to its condition it had to be put down.

28.09.09 An adult Yellow-legged Gull in fields at Seamer Carr just north of Herdborough House Farm this afternoon. Three Pink-footed Geese with 340 Greylags at Wykeham Lakes. Six Red-throated Divers, Great Skua, 2 Sandwich Terns past Long Nab (09.00-10.00). Also 5 Rock Pipits(2S), 5 Swallows(S), 4 Chiffchaffs, and a Blackcap.

29.09.09 A Redwing in a garden at Westwood, Scarborough. A Reed Bunting at the Castle Headland behind Marine Drive wall. 12 Skylarks and a Golden Plover in fields at Long Nab plus 11 Meadow Pipits flew south.

30.09.09 An increase in common migrants on the Castle Headland; 17 Robins, 40 Blackbirds, 4 Song Thrushes, 4 Wheatears, 6 Rock Pipits, 11 Meadow Pipits. Two Sandwich Terns and a Golden Plover flew past. A Purple Sandpiper roosting at the end of East Pier at high tide plus a Razorbill at the harbour mouth. A Merlin flew in off the sea at Jackson's Bay.

August 2009

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:59:42 +0100

01.08.09 Marine Drive; 2 ad. Little Gulls(S), 5 Sandwich and 21 Common Terns, 3 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Puffin.

02.08.09 A Wood Sandpiper at Cromer Pond at 8pm was flushed by a Merlin then left to the west. Two Marsh Harriers flew south over Wykeham Forest at 4pm, also 6 Common Buzzards, 3 Goshawks and 4 single Turtle Doves flew west. A juv Marsh Harrier flew south-west at Long Nab 05.45am, also Merlin, Greenshank, 4 Curlews and a Golden Plover over. Four Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a Whitethroat in Hundale Plantation. Two Balearic Shearwaters reported 16km off shore from a fishing boat (Birdguides.com).

03.08.09  At Wykeham Forest today; Honey Buzzard, 6+ Common Buzzards, 3 Goshawks, 2 Hobbies, 4 Turtle Doves, and 4 Crossbills. Migrants on the north side of Castle Hill included a Garden Warbler and 6 Willow Warblers. Past Long Nab (07.00-08.20); 13 Manx Shearwaters, 7 Shelduck, 10 Common Scoters, Arctic Skua, 2 Dunlin, 14 Oystercatchers. The small pond at Scalby Lodge held a Green Sandpiper and a Shoveler. 2+ Nightjar & 2 calling Tawny Owl east of Moor Road, Wykeham Forest.

04.08.09 A Wood Sandpiper and a Greenshank on the small pond at Scalby Lodge and a Dunlin at Cromer Pond. An adult Yellow-legged Gull in the roost at Wykeham Lakes, also 60 LBB Gulls, 400 Herring Gulls, 20 GBB Gulls, 90 Common Gulls. Marine Drive Seawatch 1hour at high tide 16.45-17.45 Manx Shearwater 2 north, Knot 3 south, Whimbrel 1 south, Oystercatcher 41 south, Sandwich Tern 22 south & Common Tern 2 south.

05.08.09 A good turnover of waders through the small pond at Scalby Lodge; a Wood Sandpiper, up to 3 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers. 18 Curlews and 5 Golden Plover in adjacent fields, also a juv Cuckoo. A Dunlin at Cromer Pond and Greenshank in Jackson's Bay. Movement observed along the coast (Long Nab 15.30-16.30 & Marine Drive 19.15-20.00); 7 Manx Shearwaters, 48 Common Scoters, one Eider(S), a Whimbrel, Sanderling, 2 Arctic Skuas, and 60+ Common Terns. Small Scalby Lodge Pond - Green Sandpiper 7, Greenshank 1, Teal 5. Jackson's Bay: Whimbrel 2, Dunlin 13, Ringed Plover 9, Oystercatcher 16, Turnstone 14, Redshank 10, Golden Plover 1 over.

06.08.09 A light northerly wind brought slightly better seawatching (Long Nab 07.00-11.15 & Marine Drive 18.45-20.00); a Red-throated Diver (S), Shag (N), 134 Manx Shearwaters, 79 Teal, 224 Common Scoter, 4 Eiders, Golden Plover, Whimbrel, 3 Dunlin, 3 Arctic Skuas, Great Skua, 2 Little Gulls, 240 Common Terns, 3 Arctic Terns, 60 Sandwich Terns, 1200 Kittiwakes (N). Most birds were moving north. A Green Woodpecker at Rocks Lane, Burniston.

07.08.09 Heavy overnight rain grounded a few migrants. At Long Nab a Wood Warbler was in Hundale Plantation, Redstart and two Lesser Whitethroats near Cliff Top House. Seawatching at Long Nab (06.30-09.30) produced a Red-throated Diver, 167 Manx Shearwaters (most S), 320 Gannets, a Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 43 Teal, a Pochard, 114 Common Scoters, Whimbrel, 2 Redshank, 2 Arctic Skuas, 35 Common Terns, and an Arctic Tern. In Jackson's Bay there was a Knot, 2 Common Sandpipers, and 3 Dunlin.

08.08.09 A "creamcrown" Marsh Harrier at Seamer Carr Tip. From the Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint (09.00-14.00); 2 Honey Buzzards, 2 Common Buzzards, Peregrine, 2 Hobbies, Kestrel, 2 Goshawks, and a Spotted Flycatcher.

09.08.09 A Whimbrel flew south over Long Nab in the evening, also 4 Willow Warblers and 2 Whitethroats at Hundale.

10.08.09 A juvenile Caspian Gull was bathing in the first small pool on Taylor Way at Seamer Tip Pools at 17.10. It flew off towards the landfill site at 17.15. Also Green Sandpiper and Greenshank at the "large" pool there. A Wood Sandpiper, Greenshank, Golden Plover and Snipe at the small pond at Scalby Lodge. 14 Curlews in the "show field". Seawatching at Long Nab (06.25-11.30) and Marine Drive (19.15-20.15) produced good numbers of terns and a good selection of waders; the highlight was a flock of 16 Greenshanks flying south, two singles were seen later. Other waders included 13 Knot, 24 Dunlin, Sanderling, Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plover, 46 Redshank, Whimbrel, 2 Grey Plovers, and 11 Oystercatchers. Terns were mostly moving north; 255 Sandwich and 325 Common. Also past were 71 Manx Shearwaters, 510 Gannets, 90 Common Scoters, 9 Teal, a Mallard, and an Arctic Skua.

11.08.09  No sign of the Caspian Gull at Seamer Tip Pools but a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull there at 6.15pm. A few waders there; Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, Greenshank, and Green Sandpiper. Quiet at Long Nab this morning (06.15-08.30); 130 Gannets, 19 Manx Shearwaters, 7 Common Scoters, 2 Curlew(S), 25 Common Terns, 9 Sandwich Terns. A Greenshank at Scalby Lodge (small) Pond. (A Small Red-eyed Damselfly at the "large pond" at seamer Tip Pools is a rarity in Yorkshire).

12.08.09
A Red-backed Shrike was seen at 3pm at Ganton Golf Course. It was on the right of the approach road opposite the car park. A Little Egret flew off from the "large pool" at Seamer Tip Pools at 3pm, also 2 Greenshanks there. A Greenshank flew south past Long Nab mid afternoon, and a Golden Plover in the stubble near the car park. A Common Sandpiper and 4 Rock Pipits in Burniston Bay. Migrants on Castle Hill included a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps, and 3 Willow Warblers.

13.08.09 A Greenshank and Green Sandpiper at Seamer Tip Pools. No sign of the Shrike at Ganton Golf Course, 11 Whitethroats and 6 Chiffchaffs. Two Lesser Whitethroats at Castle Hill.

14.08.09 Seawatching at Long Nab (06.05-08.30) and Marine Drive (18.50-20.15) produced a selection of waders moving south; 109 Oystercatchers, 17 Curlew, 7 Whimbrel, 38 Dunlin, Redshank, 20 Knot, 2 Turnstone. Other birds included 148 Fulmars (N), 9 Manx Shearwaters, 117 Common Scoters, 17 Teal, 5 Arctic Skuas, 60 Sandwich and 25 Common Terns. Three Dunlin were at Cromer Pond and one in Jackson's Bay. A Greenshank at Seamer Tip Pools. A Merlin at Hutton Buscel, and Spotted Flycatcher near the nursery at Wykeham Forest.

15.08.09 A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull (2nd individual this week) at the "small pool" at Seamer Tip pools late morning, also an "intermedius"LBB Gull. 12 Teal on the "large pool". A Ruff and 10 Teal at Wykeham Lakes. Two "Continental" Cormorants at Burton Riggs. Seawatching at Long Nab (06.00-09.00) produced one Manx Shearwater, 4 Shelduck, 15 Teal, 54 Common Scoter, a Pochard (in off), a Snipe (in off), one Arctic Skua, 50 GBB Gulls (S), 14 Swifts (S).

16.08.09 Very little movement past Long Nab in the afternoon, 30 Sandwich Terns feeding off shore. A pair of Grey Partridges with 6 young at Scalby Lodge.

17.08.09 Two Black-tailed Godwits at Seamer Tip Pools (large pool) up to 1.30pm at least. Also Little Grebe, Greenshank and Green Sandpiper there.

20.08.09 A Black-tailed Godwit at Seamer Tip Pools. Two Knot and 6 Common Scoter past Marine Drive in the evening. 
21.08.09 The Black-tailed Godwit was still present at Seamer Tip pools, commuting between both pools. A Merlin again just north of Hutton Buscel. A few waders at Wykeham Lakes; Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers and 6 Common Sandpipers. A spectacular pre-roost gathering of 2,000+ Swallows over West Ayton Carr at dusk. A watch from Long Nab was poor in the morning (06.30-09.00); 2 Shags, 2 Arctic Skuas, 7 Common Terns. Movement south included 20 Swifts, 62 House Martins, 14 Swallows, and 7 Goldfinches. A Spotted Flycatcher at Castle Hill. A Grey Plover in Jackson's Bay in the evening.

22.08.09 The Black-tailed Godwit was still at Seamer Tip Pools on Taylor Way pool. A Whinchat at Cromer Point. Movement south past Long Nab (07.25-09.30); Whimbrel, Ringed Plover, 3 Arctic Skuas. 14 Ringed Plovers and a Dunlin in Jackson's Bay. Langdale Forest Goshawk 2 females, Barn Owl 1, Tree Pipit 1, Blackcap 2, Crossbill c8, Spotted Flycatcher 2, Cuckoo 1 juv.

23.08.09 Two Dunlin and 4 Ringed Plover at Scalby Mills. 28 Common Terns, 16 Sandwich Terns, and a Shag past Marine Drive in an hour in the evening.

24.08.09 A Marsh Harrier at Cromer Point, also 3 Golden Plover there. A Grey Plover in Jackson's Bay and juv Med Gull off Scalby Nab. Migrants at Long Nab included 2 Whinchats, 3 Garden Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Whitethroats, and a Blackcap. Three Whimbrel, 2 Knot, and a Redshank flew south there early evening. Three Willow Warblers and a Blackcap at Castle Hill.

25.08.09 At Long Nab a Quail was flushed from the edge of a wheat field at Hundale this morning. An Osprey flew south there at 14.55 and was also seen from Castle Hill ten minutes later. Passage was light this afternoon with 6 Teal, 17 Common Scoters, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Curlew, 2 Redshank, a Golden Plover, and a Swift. Passerines included 11 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Garden Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, a Whinchat, and 9 Yellow Wagtails flew south. Castle Hill remains quiet with just 2 Willow Warblers, a Diver sp flew north, and 18 Teal on the sea off marine Drive. Seamer Tip pools held a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull and a Green Sandpiper.

27.08.09 Southerly movement at Long Nab (06.45-13.00); Hobby, Merlin, 2 Whimbrels, 33 Swifts, 1250 Swallows, 5 Sand Martins, 170 House Martins, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 5 alba Wagtails, 4 Meadow Pipits, 160 Linnets, 3 Goldfinches. Also 6 Shags flew north, and 3 Peregrines, 4 Kestrels, and 3 Sparrowhawks were in the area. Other migrants included a Redstart (Cloughton Fields Farm), 3 Wheatears, Garden Warbler (Hundale), 8 Willow Warblers, and a Lesser Whitethroat. Seamer Tip pools held a Wigeon, 2 Green Sandpipers, and a Dunlin. Two Honey Buzzards, 2 Goshawks, and a Hobby from the Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint.

28.08.09 Southerly movement at Long Nab (06.35-09.45); 3 Whimbrels, a Ringed Plover, Shag (N), 64 Swifts, 33 Sand Martins, 50 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 6 Meadow and 3 Rock Pipits, 2 alba Wagtails. Crook Ness gully held a few warblers sheltering from the strong winds; 7+ Willow, Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroats, and a Lesser Whitethroat. A Common Sandpiper at Burton Riggs, Little Grebe, Dunlin, Wheatear, and Yellow Wagtail at Seamer Tip Pools. Jackson's Bay held 55 Oystercatchers, 12 Turnstone, 12 Ringed Plover, Dunlin and 6 Pied Wagtails.

29.08.09 A Cory's Shearwater flew south past Long Nab at 10.12 am, also past there (06.40-11.30 & 15.50-17.15); Shag, 57 Manx Shearwaters, 150 Fulmars, 3 Common Scoters, 3 Whimbrel, 5 Ringed Plover, 20 Arctic Skuas, 1 Great Skua, 12 Sandwich Terns. Two Greenshank, and 2 Common Sandpipers at Wykeham Lakes.

30.08.09 A Marsh Harrier, Hobby, 3 Goshawks, 2 Common Buzzards and Crossbill from the Highwood Brow viewpoint at Wykeham Forest (10.15-12.10). A Wigeon, Dunlin, and Snipe at Seamer Tip pools. Long Nab (07.15-09.30); 3 Red-throated Divers, 18 Cormorants, 9 Manx Shearwaters, Common Scoter, 5 Golden Plover, Greenshank, Dunlin, 3 Swifts, 18 Meadow Pipits (S), a Stonechat, 2 Wheatears and a Rock Pipit. A flock of 18 Dunlin flew south past Marine Drive in the evening. Two adult Med Gulls at Holbeck car park.

31.08.09 An adult Pomarine Skua flew north past Long Nab at 07.50 am. Also past 06.45-10.00 were a Red-throated Diver, 2 Shags, 700 Gannets, 2 Teal, 6 Knot, 2 Dunlin, Sanderling, 3 Turnstones, 2 Ringed Plovers, Arctic Skua, Great Skua, 700 Kittiwakes(N), 2 Swifts, and 3 Wheatears in the field by the hut. Two Lesser Whitethroats and a Willow Warbler in Crook Ness. A Wigeon, Shelduck, and Dunlin at Seamer Tip Pools. (A report of two crow like birds with red bills flying from Boggle Hole towards the quarries near Ravenscar today).

July 2009

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:41:09 +0100

05.07.09 Three Honey Buzzards and a Merlin at the Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint.

06.07.09
Seamer Tip Pools - Pair of Shelduck with 5 chicks, 1 Teal and a Barn Owl.

07.07.09
Long Nab - Manx Shearwater 1 N, Grey Heron 2 flew N, Common Scoter 4 N, Arctic Skua 1 S, Little Gull 1 adult feeding offshore and Sandwich Tern 4 N. Marsh Harrier Star Carr.

08.07.09
Long Nab - Manx Shearwater 7 feeding offshore + 6 flew N, Arctic Skua 2 flew S, Great Skua 1 flew N, Common Scoter 19 on sea then flew N. A Quail was calling in the barley field by the car park at Crook Ness at 8am (not heard later). 1 Whimbrel at Crook Ness, 5 Curlew at Crook Ness. Seamer Tip Pools had 2 Oystercatcher, 41 Greylag Geese, a female Tufted Duck with 4 young.

09.07.09
The Quail was still at Long Nab, it called twice at 08.40 just north of Crook Ness. Past Long Nab this morning; 16 Manx Shearwaters, 5 Great Skuas, 1 Arctic Skua, 8 Teal, 4 Common Scoter, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Curlews, 9 Puffins. A Hobby flew over Scalby Lodge. Three Mandarins at Mowthorpe. A Common Tern, Redshank, and Common Sandpiper at Wykeham Lakes.

10.07.09
Seawatching at Long Nab (09.00-11.30) produced the autumns first Sooty Shearwater, 14 Manx Shearwaters, Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Skuas, an Arctic Skua, 4 Puffins, 4 Sandwich Terns. Raptors at Wykeham Forest; one Honey Buzzard, Common Buzzard, Goshawk, Sparowhawk, and Merlin. Also two Willow Tits near North Moor.

11.07.09 An adult Med Gull had returned to Holbeck Car Park.

12.07.09 A fem/imm Redstart at Scalby Lodge Farm this morning. One Honey Buzzard from the Wykeham Forest Raptor Viewpoint and 23 Crossbills.

13.07.09 A juvenile Marsh Harrier flew north over Long Nab at 09.40am, also Redshank and Yellow Wagtail flew south. Two "Continental" Cormorants and a Cuckoo at Wykeham Lakes.

14.07.09 A Merlin just north of Hutton Buscel.

15.07.09 Past Long Nab (09.00-12.30); 15 Manx Shearwaters, 13 Shelducks,10 Teal, 52 Common Scoters, a drk Red-breasted Merganser, 11 Redshank, Greenshank, 21 Whimbrel, 5 Curlew, 4 Common Tern, 32 Sandwich Terns, Rock Pipit, 940 Swifts. Three "Continental" Cormorants, 3 LRP, and a Cuckoo at Wykeham Lakes.

16.07.09 A Hooded Crow at Seamer Tip mid morning (perhaps last winter's bird never left?). Nine Sedge Warblers at Star Carr. A Hobby hawking over Hackness at midday, also three Common Buzzards, three Kestrels, and a Sparrowhawk.

17.07.09 Seven Wood Sandpipers and 9 Green Sandpipers on the small pond at Scalby Lodge at midday, 3 Green Sandpipers still there this evening.Five Common Sandpipers at Town Farm Pond, Cloughton. A Hobby at Cowath Beck eating prey in a tree this evening. Movement along the coast today (Long Nab 09.00-13.15, and Marine Drive 16.00-18.45); 177 Manx Shearwaters, 10 Wigeon, 475 Common Scoters, 1 Teal, 1 Mallard, 3 Golden Plover, 39 Knot, 54 Whimbrel, 9 Curlew, 1 Turnstone, 38 Redshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Arctic Terns, 19 Common Terns, 38 Sandwich Terns, 2 Arctic Skuas, 5 Puffins. Four Crossbills on the south side of Castle Hill flew off inland mid afternoon.

18.07.09 Two Wood and five Green Sandpipers plus a Dunlin on the small pond at Scalby Lodge. A Green Sandpiper at Cromer Pond plus a juvenile Yellow Wagtail. A Redstart by the rubble north-east of Scalby Lodge farm.

19.07.09 Long Nab (16.30-18.00); 1 Manx Shearwater, 5 Fulmars, 72 Gannets, 5 Sandwich Terns, 2 Arctic Skuas, 1 Puffin, mixed flock of 500 Auks on sea, 140 Swifts (137 north out at sea). Three Nightjars Wykeham Forest near the Raptor Viewpoint at 10pm. A pair of Barn Owls at Hutton Buscel have two young. Three Goshawks and a Common Buzzard from the Wykeham Forest Raptor Viewpoint.

20.07.09 Marine Drive (19.30-20.10); 5 Manx Searwaters, 3 Arctic Terns flew south. Two breeding plumage Med Gulls at Holbeck car park.

21.07.09 Long Nab (06.45-09.15); 10 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Gadwall, 5 Oystercatchers, 4 Turnstones, 33 Redshank, Whimbrel, 5 Curlews, Dunlin, 7 Common Terns, 20 Sandwich Terns, 3 Puffins. 60 Tree Sparrows at Crook Ness. An adult Med Gull off the Spa this afternoon. 17 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Dunlin, and a Great Skua past Marine Drive (19.00-20.00).

22.07.09 Five Whimbrel flew south across North Bay mid afternoon.

23.07.09 A Little Egret on the South Lake at Wykeham this evening, also 4 Common Sandpipers, 3 Oystercatchers and 15 LBB Gulls. A singing Reed Warbler near Seamer Sewage Farm.

24.07.09 Two Oystercatchers and a brood of Tufted Ducks at Harwood Dale Lake. Seamer Road Mere had four well grown young Great-crested Grebes, two broods of Tufted Ducks and a pair of Mute Swans with 4 cygnets.

25.07.09 Two Oystercatchers and a Little Ringed Plover at Wykeham Lakes. Attempted Storm Petrel ringing 10.30pm onwards at Long Nab drew a blanc.

26.07.09 Two Greenshanks were at Seamer Tip Pools briefly mid afternoon before leaving to the south, also 2 juv Shelducks. Southerly movement of waders past Long Nab in the evening included 20 Knot, 6 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, 4 Redshank, a Dunlin, and 19 Oystercatchers. Also past were 3 Manx Shearwaters, 20 Common Scoters, 130 Sandwich Terns, and 10 Common Terns.

27.07.09 Long Nab (07.30-10.00); 34 Common Scoters, 35 Knot, 8 Dunlin, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, a Great Skua, 173 Sandwich Terns, 12 Common Terns, and an "intermedius" LBB Gull flew south. Passerines flying south included 2 Yellow Wagtails, a Pied Wagtail and 4 Linnets. Two Shelducks and 5 LBB Gulls at Seamer Tip Pools. A Goshawk was seen from Ruston Carr Bridge.

28.07.09 Two Honey Buzzards at Wykeham Forest, also Peregrine, 30 Crossbills and a Spotted Flycatcher. 35 LBB Gulls roosting at Wykeham Lakes, also 3 Common Sandpipers. Spotted Flycatcher - adult feeding 2+ well grown young in Cockrah Wood (east end of Wykeham Forest) along the Great Moor Road (North from Hutton Buscel). 2+ Crossbill and 7 family parties of Bullfinch.

29.07.09 A Red Kite over Troutsdale this morning. A Honey Buzzard flew north at Long Nab at 08.55 and was watched over Newlands Dale, Cloughton for five minutes. Also past Long Nab (07.10-10.30);320 Gannets, 200 Common Scoters, 2 Shoveler, 9 Oystercatchers, a Turnstone, 12 Knot, 3 Whimbrel, a Sanderling, 96 Sandwich Terns, 2 Common Terns, and 64 Swifts(S).

30.07.09 Long Nab (06.10-09.30); 258 Manx Shearwaters, 280 Gannets, 19 Shelducks, 49 Common Scoter, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, 4 Arctic Skuas, 12 Puffins. A Teal and 2 Shelduck at Seamer Tip Pools. Two Common Terns in North Bay. A Little Egret in a drainage ditch near Lebberston.

31.07.09 Two Honey Buzzards and a Spotted Flycatcher at Wykeham Forest. A Marsh Harrier at Flixton Carr this morning. Ten Shoveler, a Shelduck, and a Dunlin at Cromer pond.

June 2009

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:32:37 +0100

01.06.09 A singing Marsh Warbler in cliff top scrub between Cloughton Wyke and Hayburn Wyke at TA017961 (50m north of the bench). It was still present at 9pm, singing very little this evening. A Hobby flew south along the cliffs there. A Wood Sandpiper was at the roadside pool just south of Burniston cricket pitch. 3 Nightjars and 2 Woodcocks in Harwood Dale Forest this evening.

02.06.09 A Honey Buzzard seen from the Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint late morning. Three Mandarins (2 drks) at Harwood Dale Lake. A Lesser Whitethroat at Castle Hill. No sign of the Marsh Warbler early morning. Pair of Grey Wagtail feeding youngster on Derwent in West Ayton plus pair of Spotted Flycatcher.

03.06.09 A Spotted Flycatcher in the south-east end of Wykeham Forest 3/4 of a mile up from Spikers Hill. A Honey Buzzard from the Wykeham Forest Raptor Viewpoint.

04.06.09 Long Nab (18.40-19.45): 3 Manx Shearwaters, Tufted Duck, 80 Razorbills, 300 Guillemots, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Common Gull, plus 7 female Common Scoters on the sea, and a Lesser Whitethroat in Crook Ness. A Honey Buzzard from the Wykeham Forest Raptor Viewpoint.

05.06.09 A pair of Redstarts in Crosscliffe Wood.

07.06.09 A female Hen Harrier flew south at Long Nab early morning, three Common Scoters on the sea below the hut and three flew north. A Hobby flew north over Scalby Lodge late morning. A Turtle Dove at Ravenscar just below the Coastal Centre. Three LRP chicks seen at Seamer Tip Pools and a brood of 5 young Shelducks there too.

08.06.09 A singing Marsh Warbler in Hundale Plantation, Long Nab this morning. 5 Turnstones in Jackson's Bay. A singing Corn Bunting at West Heslerton Carr (Yeddingham to West Heslerton road, half a mile south of the level crossing). A Marsh Harrier hunting over Snainton Ings early afternoon.

 09.06.09 12 Crossbills at Penny Howe, Harwood Dale Forest. A pair of Golden Plovers with chick(s) on Fylingdales Moor.

11.06.09 An Osprey was seen from the Wykeham Forest Raptor Viewpoint this afternon, plus Honey Buzzard and Goshawk. A pair of Peregrines in the district have four well grown young. 40 Oystercatchers in Jackson's Bay and a juvenile Stonechat at Scalby Nab.

12.06.09 Six churring Nightjars at Harwood Dale Forest.

13.06.09 Two pairs of Whinchats along the Pickering/Whitby road at Fylingdales. 10 Sandwich Terns flew north past Long Nab in 30 minutes this afternoon. A Mandarin with one chick at Mowthorpe.

14.06.09 A male Honey Buzzard from the Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint, also Goshawk, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 5 Common Buzzards. Garden Warbler and Tree Pipit nearby. A Common Buzzard flew over Scalby mid afternoon.

15.06.09 A Marsh Harrier over Scalby at 1.20pm. Two Sandwich Terns past Long Nab. Two Red-legged Partridges on the main pitch at the new Rugby Ground, Scalby, plus a Yellow Wagtail on the small pond there.

16.06.09 154 Kittiwake nests on the Grand Hotel (93 in 2007, 140 in 2008). Five Herons flew east over Scalby Lodge Farm and a Curlew south. Two Woodcocks over Wykeham Forest at dusk. A Turtle Dove near Sawdon.

18.06.09 A Hobby flew north Jackson's Bay mid-morning.

19.06.09 A Hobby flew over West Ayton this morning.

20.06.09 23 Manx Shearwaters and two Puffins flew north past Scalby Mills in 30 mins this evening.

21.06.09 Highwood Brow Viewpoint, Wykeham Forest (09.20-10.00am); 2 Honey Buzzards, Goshawk, 2 Crossbills. A Marsh Tit on the north side of Castle Hill.

22.06.09 120 Common Scoter, 53 Sandwich Terns, 17 Cormorants, and 7 Curlews flew north past Long Nab this morning. 250 Swifts and a Rock Pipit flew south. Two singing Spotted Flycatchers and a Redstart at Low North Camp. A drumming Snipe on the edge of Jugger Howe Moor. Hobby over Scalby. Singing Whinchat Stony Marle Moor.

25.06.09 A Stonechat at The Holmes Castle Hill. Four singing Corn Buntings recently just west of Willerby village.

28.06.09 38 Common Scoter flew North and a couple of Sandwich Terns off the Marine Drive.

29.06.09 Wood Sandpiper on the small pond behind Scalby Lodge Pond.

30.06.09 10 Sandwich Terns on the rocks off Scalby Mills.

May 2009

Sun, 31 May 2009 22:15:54 +0100

01.05.09 Long Nab / Cloughton Wyke area steady trickle of Swallows heading south totaling 67 between 11.00 and 12.30 hrs, 2 Sandwich Terns flew south, 1 Wheatear, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Whitethroats. Stony Marl Moor - male Merlin & a pair of Stonechat. Helwath Wood (west of Harwood Dale Forest) 3+ singing male Redstart Harwood Dale Forest - 1 Crossbill, pair of Tree Pipit, calling Cuckoo. Jugger Howe Moor - 1 Red Grouse and a Jack Snipe on a path near the three lords stones (south of the Beacon Windmill, Stoupe Brow) also 2 pairs of Stonechat’s. 9 swifts over south cliff, scarborough and at least 6 adult Lesser Black Backed Gulls with the Herring Gulls on scarborough town centre rooftops. A Garden Warbler in Wykeham Forest.

03.05.09 Three Whimbrel and 4 Sandwich Terns past Long Nab.

04.05.09 A White Wagtail at Scalby Lodge Pond. 
05.05.09 13 Purple Sandpipers roosting on east pier at high tide. 2 Dunlin, an imm Peregrine and White Wagtail at Scalby Lodge Pond. Two Eiders in Jackson's Bay and 2 Red-throated Divers in North Bay. Three Swifts past Jackson's Bay.

06.05.09 Two Willow Tits and 4 Garden Warblers in Robin's Bottom Plantation, Willerby. Seamer Tip Pools held 5 LRP, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Shelducks, 6 Wheatears, and 2 Lesser Whitethroats. The 13 Purple Sandpipers were still at the harbour at high tide. Between Hackness Road bridge and Mowthorpe; 9 Blackcaps, 5 Sedge Warblers, 2 Garden Warblers, 2 Wheatears and a Redstart at Mowthorpe Farm. Three Ringed Plovers at Scalby Lodge Pond.

07.05.09 An Osprey flew north over the Blue Dolphin Holiday Park in the evening. The escaped Lanner was over Harwood Dale Forest (present at Ravenscar for 2 years now on and off). A family party of 6 Stonechats at Rudda Moor, Ravenscar. Two Dunlins and a Ringed Plover in Jackson's Bay. White wagtail at Scalby Lodge Pond.

08.05.09 A few "grounded" waders in the strong westerlies.Two Sanderling (first reported this year!), 8 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover, 3 White Wagtails, and a Wheatear in the Scalby Lodge/Jackson's Bay area. South Bay held a Whimbrel, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, 9 Purple Sandpipers, and 3 Sandwich Terns.

09.05.09 150 Pink-footed Geese flew north over Rocks Lane, Burniston at 10am. A male Marsh Harrier flew over Scalby late afternoon. A Short-eared Owl was over fields just north of Scalby Lodge Pond this evening, two Barnacle Geese, 17 Dunlins, 6 Ringed Plovers on the pond.

10.05.09 A male Ruff briefly at Scalby Lodge Pond, also 14 Dunlins, 6 Ringed Plovers, 2 Wheatears. A Pink-footed Goose on the rocks in Jackson's Bay. Six Wheatears in a bare field at Inn Moor, nr Silpho. Turtle Dove "purring" in Harwood Dale. Three Redstarts, Cuckoo, Garden Warbler, and three pairs of Stonechats at Scar Wood/Juggar Howe Beck. A three hour watch at Long Nab (06.50-09.50) produced the following northerly movement; 3 Pink-footed Geese, 19 Manx Shearwaters, 8 Red-throated Divers, 6 Common Scoters, 12 Whimbrel, 5 Common Terns, 9 Sandwich Terns, 30 GBB Gulls, 2500 Kittiwakes, and three Puffins flew south.

11.05.09 A Firecrest was seen at Priestmans Lane, Thornton le Dale at 11.30am but could not be found at 2pm. A Little Egret droped in Wykeham Lakes (private site) at 1.50pm. Also Wigeon and Common Sandpiper there. Long Nab (09.00-11.30); 2 Arctic Skuas, 22 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Red t Divers, 2 Puffins, a Tufted Duck, and 30 Common Scoters. Single Wheatears at Cromer Point and Inn Moor. A Turtle Dove feeding with Collared Doves at 61 Valley Road (third day) - can be viewed from a road at the back of the property to the rear of the Co-op Store. A Knot in Jackson's Bay.

12.05.09 The Knot was still in Jackson's Bay with 5 Turnstones. Four Blackcaps on the south side of Castle Hill. 3 Turtle Doves Southern end of Dalby Forest, up from Ebberston. Greenshank, LRP, Yellow Wagtail at Seamer Tip Pools.

13.05.09 Greenshank, Grey Plover, and Yellow Wagtail at Scalby Lodge Pond. Two Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, and a Coal Tit on the south side of Castle Hill. Two Dotterel were by the "tank track" at Jugger Howe Moor at 10am. A Redwing at Cloughton. 28 Swallows flew south at Long Nab in 15 mins.

14.05.09 No sign of the Dotterel today. A Merlin at Stony Marl Moor. Greenshank and 2 Dunlins at Scalby Lodge Pond. The Castle Headland produced 7 Blackcaps, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Jackdaws, and a Coal Tit. Two Eiders flew north there and a first-summer Little Gull and Great Crested Grebe were in North Bay.

15.05.09 A female Pied Flycatcher on the north side of Castle Hill plus 2 Garden Warblers. Two Garden Warblers at Cloughton and 6 at Hundale Plantation, Long Nab. A Little Gull at Scalby Lodge Pond, Greenshank still, and 2 Yellow Wagtails. A Pink-footed Goose at Wykeham Lakes, also LRP, 200 Swifts, Barn Owl, 2 Yellow Wagtails, and Reed Warbler. A Red Kite near Throxenby Mere in the evening.

16.05.09 A Temminck's Stint plus a Wood Sandpiper at Seamer Tip Pools were flushed by a dog walker mid morning. The Wood Sandpiper was back mid afternoon, also Common Sandpiper and LRP. Migrants at Castle Hill included a Common (Mealy) Redpoll, Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, and Lesser Whitethroat. Two Whinchats by the small pond at Scalby Lodge. Bar-tailed Godwit and Sanderling in Jackson's Bay. From the Cloughton Wyke/Long Nab area; a female Marsh Harrier south at 10.45am, a Merlin, 219+ Swallows and 40 House Martins south (08.30-11.00), 21 Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs. Grove Farm, Cayton Carr; Turtle Dove, 4 Whimbrel, Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers.

17.05.09 A Spoonbill was at Scalby Lodge Pond 06.15 to at least 8am but had gone by 9am. An Osprey flew high south over Scalby late morning. A female Ruff at Seamer Tip Pools, also Common Sandpiper and 2 LRP. A male Pied Flycatcher on the north side of Castle Hill, also Lesser Whitethroat. Wykeham Lakes had a Greenshank, 2 LRP, and a Wheatear. A pair of Honey Buzzards back in the forests. Please view from the Wykeham Forest Raptor Viewpoint or High Wood Brow viewpoint.

18.05.09 A Wood Warbler on the north side of Castle Hill. Two Dunlins at Scalby Lodge Pond.

19.05.09 The Shelduck brought 8 chicks onto the "small" Scalby Lodge Pond today.

20.05.09 A Turtle Dove opposite the entrance to the Wykeham Forest Raptor Viewpoint in the morning.

21.05.09 An Osprey flew north-west over Eastfield at 12.30 pm. Two Spotted Flycatchers at Hilla Green.

23.05.09 Female Ruddy Shelduck on Scalby Lodge Pond. 2 Nightjars in Wykeham Forest. A Red Kite over Langdale Forest and a Tree Pipit in Dalby in the southern part of the forest.

24.05.09 Wykeham Forest: Hobby, 2 Peregrine, 2 Goshawk, single Tree Pipit, Willow Tit and a singing male Wood Warbler.

25.05.09 Two drake Mandarins today on Harwood Dale Lake at 10:30am. Tree Pipit in clearing on opposite side of road to barrier to Harwood Dale Forest.

27.05.09 A Turtle Dove in the east part of Wykeham Forest.

28.05.09 Scalby Lodge Pond: 3 Curlews over going south; 1 Barn Owl. Cromer Point Pond: 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Barn Owl. Around 20 Painted Lady butterflies on coast path - obviously part of this 'invasion' mentioned on birdguides today.

29.05.09 The Wykeham Forest Raptor Viewpoint produced a displaying Honey Buzzard, Goshawk, 6 Common Buzzard, ans an Osprey flew over.

30.05.09 2 Pink-footed Geese and 4 Shovelers at Wykeham Lakes. 2 LRPs and 3 Shelducks at Seamer Tip Pools.

31.05.09 A singing Icterine Warbler was on the south side of Castle Hill. It remained very elusive only singing occasionally after 8 am. Last heard at 1.30pm. At Wykeham Forest this morning there were 3 Honey Buzzards, 3 Common Buzzards, a Goshawk, 2 Peregrines, and 3 Turtle Doves. Two Gadwall at Cromer Pond and one at Wykeham Lakes. A Nightjar in Wykeham Forest.

April 2009

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:31:33 +0100

01.04.09 A Sandwich Tern flew past Long Nab. Four White Wagtails at Scalby Lodge Pond. Just 19 Wigeon left at Scalby Mills. The Great Grey Shrike at Wykeham Forest plus a Tree Pipit.

02.04.09 One Little Egret flushed from ditches at Cayton Carrs. The Great Grey Shrike was looked for but not seen. A "northern" (abietinus) Chiffchaff on the south side of Castle Hill.

03.04.09 The south-easterlies brought a few migrants to the Castle Headland. A Black Redstart was seen near St Mary's church early afternoon and again on the North Side at 3.30pm. Other migrants included Wheatear, Chiffchaff, and Siskin. Drake Garganey still at Harwood Dale Lake, plus a Goosander. 34 Redshank, Snipe, 2 Shelduck and Chiffchaff at Scalby Lodge Pond. Two Shelduck and 2 Curlews at Mayville Flash.

04.04.09 Just a Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, and Coal Tit at Castle Hill.

05.04.09 Pair of Garganey on Harwood Dale Lake, female Goosander and a Pink Footed Goose at 10:45. Four Goshawks were seen from the Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint. A Green Woodpecker at Low North Camp. Five Mandarins at Hackness Lake and one at Hilla Green. 30 Linnets flew south in one hour at Long Nab plus small numbers of Meadow Pipits moving, two Pied Wagtails north. On the sea a small movement of Kittiwakes north plus one Shag.

06.04.09 A male Hen Harrier flew west over Harwood Dale Lake at 4.45pm. Migrants at the Castle Headland included a Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrests and an increase in Robins including three together on the "plateaux". Scalby Lodge Pond held 19 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 2 Shelducks, 2 Tufted Ducks, a Dunlin, 13 Redshanks, 4 Sand Martins and 10 Pied Wagtails.

07.04.09 Adult Little Gull at Scalby Lodge Pond this evening plus Dunlin and 2 White Wagtails. Swallows at Hackness and Harwood Dale Lake. 12 Wigeon at Scalby Mills plus 4 at Harwood Dale Lake and the Goosander still there. 15 Sand Martins at Scalby Beck.

08.04.09 The Little Gull was still at Scalby Lodge Pond this morning but no sign this evening. Also 2 White Wagtails, 19 Pied Wagtails, a Swallow and 23 Redshanks. Six Purple Sandpipers on east pier early afternoon.

09.04.09 Migrants at Ravenscar included 6 Wheatears by the Station Square and 6 Willow Warblers near the Raven Hall Hotel.

10.04.09 A first-summer Little Gull with Kittiwakes in North Bay at 4.15 pm. 30 Sand Martins at Scalby Beck. A Willow Warbler in Peasholm Park. 2 Redshank and 2 Little Ringed Plover at Seamer Tip Pools. 3+willow warbler, 7+ chiffchaff (1 singing) and a male bullfinch on Northside of the Castle.

11.04.09 An adult Little Gull at Scalby Lodge Pond, also 3 Shovelers, 59 Redshank, 4 White Wagtails, 2 Wheatears. A drake Eider in Jackson's Bay. A Blackcap at Northstead Manor Gardens.

12.04.09 A Redpoll flock of 60 birds at the western end of Langdale Forest contained several "Mealy" (Common) Redpolls. A Great Grey Shrike was still present near Blakey Topping and a Tree Pipit and Crossbill. At Ravenscar a Hobby flew north, also 5 House Martins, 2 Wheatears, a Blackcap and 4 Herons flew south. A Blackcap was at Stoupe Beck and a Heron flew south-west. Scalby Lodge Pond held an adult Little Gull, 20 Teal, 31 Redshank, 2 Swallows, 45 Sand Martins and 3 White Wagtails. An escaped Lanner Falcon at Ravenscar.

13.04.09 6+ Common Redpolls in the west end of Langdale Forest at SE871953 in a flock of 25+ Redpolls, also Wheatear. A Tree Pipit in the southern part of Langdale Forest and 2 Goshawks. Castle Hill held a Blackcap and Chiffchaff. 6 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Yellow Wagtails, Sand Martin, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff at Seamer Tip Pools. 7 Mandarin Duck at Hackness Lake. Kingfisher, Dipper and Grey Wagtail at Hilla Green. Dipper, 8 Swallow and 6 House Martin at Wrench Green.

14.04.09 Yellow Wagtails just north of Scalby Lodge Pond and at Seamer Tip Pools. Also at the latter site were 8 Pink-footed Geese, a House Martin, and 20 Pied Wagtails. 2 Willow Warblers and 2 Chiffchaffs at Castle Hill.

15.04.09 Scalby Lodge Pond held 24 Teal, 2 Shelducks, 39 Redshanks, a Wheatear and a White Wagtail.

16.04.09 The Great Grey Shrike was again in Langdale Forest at "Black Rocks". Also there a Redstart at Maw Rigg and several Tree Pipits. Castle Hill had two Blackcaps and two Chiffchaffs. At Scalby Lodge Pond there were 34 Redshank, 23 Teal, and 18 Pied Wagtails. A Little Egret at Star Carr and a Merlin flew north over Seamer Carr Tip. 26 Curlews at Cayton Carr and a White Wagtail at Seamer Tip Pools.

17.04.09 Tree Pipit at Pennyhowe, Harwood Dale Forest. Eight Red Grouse at Stony Marle Moor. Northerly movement of Swallows at Ravenscar.

18.04.09 A Manx Shearwater, 2 Sandwich Terns, 3 Common Scoters passed Long Nab early morning, also 30 Linnts flew north. A Dunlin, Yellow Wagtail and 2 White Wagtails at Scalby Lodge Pond. Little Ringed Plovers at Wykeham Lakes and Seamer Tip Pools, also 8 Pink-footed Geese at the latter site which moved to Burton Riggs later in the day. A pair of Bramblings and several Siskins on the feeders at Station Tea Room, Cloughton. Two Shoveler on the sea off Hairy Bob's Cave, Castle Headland in the evening.

19.04.09 A Grasshopper Warbler was at Ravenscar, just north of the Old Coastguard Lookout. A Twite and 4 Fieldfares by the radio mast at Stoupe Brow. Lesser Whitethroats at Cloughton and Castle Hill, also 3 Blackcaps and 3 Chiffchaffs at the Castle. Two Common Terns and 15 Common Scoters flew past Marine Drive. Four LRP, 2 Shelduck, 2 Oystercatchers, and a Redshank at Seamer Tip Pools.

20.04.09 A male Hen Harrier at Stoney Marl Moor, also Jack Snipe flushed there. A Sedge Warbler at Star Carr.

21.04.09 A Spotted Redshank at Scalby Lodge Pond in the evening. Also there; 2 Shelducks, 10 Redshanks, Dunlin, Barn Owl, Yellow Wagtail and 2 White Wagtails. A male Goshawk over Howdale Moor plus one Wheatear.

22.04.09 Two Whimbrel came in off the sea at Ravenscar. A Common Sandpiper was at Scalby Lodge Pond, also a White Wagtail and 22 Pied Wagtails. Two Lesser Whitethroats at Far Lane, Hutton Buscel.

23.04.09 A Black-tailed Godwit at Scalby Lodge Pond. 12 Yellow Wagtails at Station Square, Ravenscar and five Cormorants sat on nests on the cliffs at Bleawyke. A Whitethroat at the Holmes, Castle Headland and 2 Sandwich Terns in North Bay.

24.04.09 An Iceland Gull at Scalby Lodge Pond at 4.45 pm. A good influx of waders. Scalby Lodge Pond held Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Bar-tailed Godwits, 10 Redshanks, 2 LRP, a Whimbrel flew over, 6 Yellow Wagtails and a Wheatear. An influx of Lesser Whitethroats and Whitethroats reported. A Wheatear at the Castle Headland behind Marine Drive wall and a Bar-tailed Godwit flew past. A Willow Tit by the alum quarry at Ravenscar and Lesser Whitethroat at Stoup Beck.

25.04.09 Scalby Lodge Pond today: Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits (+ 4 in Jackson's Bay), Grey Plover, Whimbrel, 4 Dunlins, 2 Yellow Wagtails. A Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat in Stile Scrub. Three Wheatears at Ravenscar.

26.04.09 The Scalby Lodge / Jackson's Bay totals were; 5 Wigeons, 4 Shelducks (3 south), Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Bar-tailed Godwits, 10 Redshanks, Whimbrel, Grey Plover, 4 Dunlins, 21 Turnstones, 40 Oystercatchers, Yellow Wagtail, 5 Wheatears. A male Marsh Harrier hunted for an hour round Wykeham Lakes from 07.45am, also Cuckoo, 4 Common Sandpipers, Gadwall, Sedge Warbler (Ings Farm), and 10+ Whitethroats. 10 Wheatears in fields north of Cloughton. A Lesser Whitethroat at the Castle and Mute Swan plus Sandwich Tern in North Bay. A pair of Common Redstart in Hackness Valley.

27.04.09 A Spotted Redshank at Scalby Lodge Pond, also Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Bar-tailed Godwits, Grey Plover, 2 Shoveler, Yellow Wagtail. A Dunlin, 3 LRP, 8 Pink-foted Geese, 8 Wheatears and Yellow Wagtail at Seamer Tip Pools.Six Great-crested Gebes, a Gadwall, 2 LRP, and Reed Warbler at Wykeham Lakes. 12 Wheatears in a field at Inn Moor, Broxa. 7 Yellow Wagtails at Station Square, Ravenscar. Four Fieldfares, a Cuckoo, and Redstart at Helwath Beck (Jugger Howe Moor).

29.04.09 A Swallow showing a complete buffish red breast and underparts, possibly of the race transtiva was at Folkton Sewage Works, Cayton Carrs with c100 Swallows this evening. A Marsh Harrier flew south at Cloughton Wyke this morning and was also seen at Scalby Lodge. A Ring Ouzel and a Tree Pipit were at Westfield Farm, Cloughton. A Red-throated Diver at Cloughton Wyke and 2 Lesser Whitethroats. 4 Lesser Whitethroats on the south side of Castle Hill. Eight Swifts, 4 Wigeon and a Teal at Scalby Mills. Scalby Lodge Pond/ Jackson's Bay held a Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Grey Plover, Dunlin, and 6 Redshanks. Two Swifts at Thornton le Dale.

30.04.09 Scalby Lodge Pond held a Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, and 2 Yellow Wagtails. A Lesser Whitethroat at the Castle. Egyptian Goose amongst the Greylags in the field adjacent to Wykeham Lakes.

March 2009

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 06:13:41 +0100

01.03.09 A Snow Bunting flew over Marine Drive at 8 am. The Great Grey Shrike was still at Wykeham Forest plus 2 Goshawks seen from the Raptor Viewpoint. 80 Redshank were feeding on the exposed mud in Peasholm Park. 460 Wigeon at Scalby Mills plus a LBB Gull. 36 Gannets pasy Marine Drive (07.35-08.05) plus 20 Guillemots and a Razorbill.
 02.03.09 The Great Grey Shrike was still at Wykeham Forest. 4 Goshawks and 4 Crossbills in Langdale Forest. A Merlin, Goshawk and 3 Stonechats at Fylingdales Moor. (2 Little Egrets just outside our area in Pickering at SE785844 on the west side of Westgate Carr Road, present since Saturday).

03.03.09 Great Grey Shrike at Wykeham Forest in the usual clearing late morning. 
04.03.09 The Great Grey Shrike was still at Wykeham Forest this morning. Two Peregrines flew over East Ayton and Wykeham Forest. Quiet in South Bay; just one Guillemot. 
05.03.09 The Iceland Gull was again in the harbour early afternoon. 6 Shelduck on Seamer Tip Pools. 2 Shelduck and 7 Teal on Mayville Farm Flash.
 06.03.09
3 Pink-footed Geese at Seamer Tip Pools plus 3 Shelducks and a Med Gull. Nuthatch and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers at Hayburn Wyke. Green Woodpecker and Siskin Low North Camp. 5 Mute Swans in South Bay. Goshawk at Hilla Green. A pair of Gadwall on Seamer Road Mere.

07.03.09
A male Hen Harrier was at Stoupe Brow, Ravenscar at 08.55am it left south over Harwood Dale Forest 15 mins later. What was perhaps the same male flew north at Wykeham Forest this afternoon. 2 Red Grouse and 2 pr of Stonechats on Stoney Marl Moor.

The Great Grey Shrike was again at Wykeham Forest in the clearing to the east of Highwood Brow Viewpoint. Also 2 Goshawks seen from the Raptor Viewpoint there. A Pink-footed Goose was with Greylags at Wykeham Lakes, also 13 Gadwall, Goldeneye, and 19 Oystercatchers. 9 Tufted Ducks on Scalby Lodge Pond.

08.03.09 A Chiffchaff was at Cayton Carr near the sewage farm raising the question of first summer visitor or a winterer ? (several have arrived on the south coast this week). The Great Grey Shrike was still at Wykeham Forest, seen devouring a lizzard, plus 5 Crossbills there. The juvenile Iceland Gull at the harbour at 08.30am. Two adult Med Gulls were on the sea off the harbour and 2 Rock Pipits there. Six Shelducks were at Seamer Tip Pools. 41 Waxwings in gardens on Throxenby Lane.
 09.03.09 The juvenile Iceland Gull was at the harbour at 3pm. 41 Waxwings still present in gardens on Throxenby Lane.

10.03.09 Three Waxwings in Station Road, Scalby this morning. Both the Great Grey Shrike (Wykeham Forest) and the Iceland Gull (harbour) were seen. 38 Purple Sandpipers roosted on East Pier at high tide.

11.03.09 Both the Great Grey Shrike at Wykeham Forest and Iceland Gull at the harbour were present. Two LBB Gulls and a Mute Swan at Scalby Mills. 24 Redshanks at Peasholm Park.

12.03.09 The Iceland Gull was at the harbour at 4.20 pm. A Red-throated Diver in North Bay. 4 Meadow Pipits behind wall on the Marine Drive.

13.03.09 The Great Grey Shrike and a Crossbill at Wykeham Forest. The Iceland Gull was at Scalby Mills at 9am plus 2 Mute Swans. A Hawfinch seen at Bickley, Langdale End, one field south of the phone box. It flew towards Crosscliff. Hilla Green, stream had a pair of Grey Wagtails but no sign of Dipper. Moved West for about 1/2 mile and saw 2 Goshawks, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk (male) and 3 Mistle Thrushes.

14.03.09 The juvenile Iceland Gull was still at the harbour. At Scalby Lodge Pond thetre were 21 Redshank, 5 Curlews, 2 Shelduck, 80 Wigeon, 5 Teal and 15 Skylarks.

15.03.09 The Great Grey Shrike was at Wykeham Forest again in the usual clearing. Three Mandarins were at Hackness Lake. The Iceland Gull was at Scalby Mills plus a Goosander and a Knot. Two Red-throated Divers in South Bay. A Water Rail was seen at Northstead Manor Gardens.

16.03.09 A Raven was seen in Housedale, Dalby Forest at Eastern Farm. It flew off to the south-east.

17.03.09 The Great Grey Shrike showed well again at Wykeham Forest. Two Med Gulls (ad + 1w) were in South Bay, also 28 Knot and 17 Purple Sandpipers. Four Great-crested Grebes at Seamer Road Mere.

18.03.09 Two Little Egrets flew towards Flixton Carr Plantation this evening, possibly to roost. A Goshawk over Stoney Marle Moor.

19.03.09 The two Little Egrets were still present at Fixton Carr this evening feeding in drainage ditches 200m south-west of Flixton Carr Bridge between 6-6.30pm.160 Fieldfares at Flixton Carr. The Great Grey Shrike was still in Wykeham Forest. Two adult Med Gulls displaying in South Bay, also 25 Knot. A Chiffchaff at Burton Riggs.

20.03.09 Scalby Lodge Pond held a Pink-footed Goose, a pair of Shelducks, and 3 Redshanks. 40 Wigeon and a LBB Gull at Scalby Mills. A Chiffchaff at Hayburn Wyke. Two Eiders at Long Nab. Up to 60 Kittiwakes now in South Bay/harbour (a gradual build up since Tuesday when 7 were around nests at the harbour).
 21.03.09 Great Grey Shrike still at Wykeham Forest. Two Med Gulls at Holbeck Car Park and 16 Knot in South Bay. Two Bullfinches at the Castle Headland behind Marine Drive wall, a Red-throated Diver flew south. A singing Fieldfare and Willow Tit at Wykeham Ings. Pink-footed Goose, 2 Shoveler and 4 Gadwall at Wykeham Lakes. Chiffchaff in Wykeham Forest today calling from tree tops, also Siskin and Bullfinch in same area. A goosander and 142 Wigeons at Scalby Mills. A drake Mandarin and 12 Teal at Hackness Lake. A male Peregrine from the Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint.

22.03.09 The Great Grey Shrike was still at Wykeham Forest. A Green Sandpiper was on the River Hertford at Flotmanby Carr. Chiffchaff at Folkton Sewage Farm. A Goldcrest at Castle Hill. Three Sand Martins over Scalby Mills.

23.03.09 Three Sand Martins at Scalby Lodge Pond this afternoon.

24.03.09 The Great Grey Shrike was in the same clearing at Wykeham Forest. A pair of Shelducks on a flash between Burniston and Scalby. One Pochard on Seamer Road Mere.

25.03.09 Three Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest, and two Bullfinches at Burton Riggs. A Barn owl at Thornton-le-Dale. The juvenile Iceland Gull was again at the harbour mid afternoon. A Great-crested Gebe was in South Bay. Three Siskins at Station Tea Rooms, Cloughton.

27.03.09 A pair of Garganeys were at Harwood Dale Lake (just west of Hardwick Farm), first seen at 10.40am and still present at 6pm. Also 2 Goosanders there. A Pink-foted Goose at Scalby Lodge Pond.

28.03.09 The juvenile Iceland Gull was seen at Scalby Mills. The first White Wagtail of spring was at Star Carr.

29.03.09 A Little Egret was at Mayville Flash, Cayton Carr this afternoon. The pair of Garganey were still at Harwood Dale Lake, plus Goosander. The Great Grey Shrike showed well at Wykeham Forest and 5 Goshawks there. Two Sand Martins at Scalby Lodge Pond this evening. The Iceland Gull was feeding off Marine Drive this morning. A pair of Mandarin and 2 Chiffchaffs in Forge Valley.

30.03.09 The Little Egret was still at Mayville Flash, Cayton Carr early afternoon. 42 Snipe at adjacent Grove Farm. The Great Grey Shrike was in its usual clearing at Wykeham Forest, and the Garganey pair still at Harwood Dale Lake plus a Goosander. Three White Wagtails at Burgate Farm Flash and 11 Teal (half a mile east of Harwood Dale Lake viewable from Waite Lane). A male Wheatear was at the Castle Headland, behind Marine Drive wall. The Iceland Gull was in the harbour at 17.40 hrs. Four Golden Plover flew north over Wykeham Lakes. Chiffchaffs now widespread throughout the forests. 145 Fieldfare at Pexton Moor plus 3 Redwings, also 8 Redwings at Kirkdale Slack. Siskins continue to be reported from gardens, plus 10 at Thornton le Dale and 15 at Ellers Wood.

31.03.09 Two Little Egrets at Mayville Flash, Cayton Carr. The Iceland Gull was seen at both Scalby Mills and the harbour. Six Purple Sandpipers in South bay. Four Goldcrests and four Chiffchaffs at Castle Hill. A Barn Owl and 30 Fieldfares at Flixton Carr Bridge. The Great Grey Shrike was again reported from Wykeham Forest.