Scarborough Birders
Monthly Reports

 

Scarborough Area

Jackson's Bay, Long Nab in distance

SCARBOROUGH DISTRICT (NORTH YORKSHIRE)

Reports by Nick Addey (01723 361167)

January 2008
The Desert Wheatear just made it into 2008 at Cromer Point (2nd), with its companion the Northern Wheatear (to 19th). The Water Pipit was also faithful to Cromer Pond. Long stayers included a Scaup and Black-throated Diver at Burton Riggs and a Chiffchaff there (6th-7th). A redhead Smew was at Wykeham Lakes, and Velvet Scoter and Great Northern Diver passed Marine Drive (4th). Gulls included Little Gulls at Scalby Mills (4th) and Marine Drive (6th), plus a Glaucous Gull at Scalby Mills (21st). An excellent find on a birdrace was a Grey Phalarope off Marine Drive (6th) one of 111 species seen locally that day by the Scarborough Team. One species which did elude them was a Twite seen briefly at Cromer Point. A White-fronted Goose moved around with the Greylag flock and up to six Pink-footed Geese were at Scalby Lodge Pond with 1400 over Ravenscar (28th). Male Hen Harriers were seen at Sawdon (14th), and Stoupe Brow (28th), and two Short-eared Owls were at Star Carr. Good numbers of Crossbills were in the forests and a Great Grey Shrike was in Langdale Forest (23rd). The month ended with another good wader when an Avocet flew south at Cromer Point (31st).
February 2008
Long staying winterers included the Wheatear and Water Pipit at Cromer Point. Six Mediterranean Gulls were at Holbeck Car Park including the ever faithful Serbian ringed bird. Forty Brambling were at Dalby Forest together with good numbers of Crossbills. Crossbills were also widespread in Langdale and Wykeham Forests. The Black-throated Diver (to 17th) and Scaup (to 23rd) were at Burton Riggs, and two White-fronted Geese were at Wykeham Lakes (23rd). Up to eight Snow Buntings could be found at Scalby Lodge (9th).
March 2008
Up to five Mediterranean Gulls frequented their usual haunt of Holbeck car park in South Bay, a different bird at Scalby Mills (3rd). Purple Sandpipers roosting at the harbour peaked at 37. Other long stayers included a female Scaup at Burton Riggs, and a Red-breasted Merganser at Seamer Road Mere. Three Whooper Swans joined the Mute Swans at West Ayton Carr. Common Buzzard movement included one over Cromer Point (6th), and one over Howdale Moor (14th). A female Smew was seen at Wykeham Lakes (9th to 16th), and a Brent Goose there (18th). Six Waxwings were on the edge of the recording area at Pickering (11th) and the first returning Chiffchaff at Scalby Beck (11th). Glaucous Gulls were at Cayton Flash (14th) and Seamer Tip (27th). Two “Nordic” Jackdaws were reported at Seamer Tip (27th). A Little Gull visited Scalby Lodge Pond (24th). The last day of the month saw the first Wheatear at Scalby Lodge and two White Wagtails at Cromer Point.
April 2008
Star birds were a Hoopoe at Scalby Lodge Farm (26th), Great Grey Shrike at Old Scarborough Tip (15th), and two Northern Bullfinches at Stile Scrub (5th). The month started with a Little Ringed Plover at Scalby Lodge Pond and two Ring Ouzels at Ravenscar. Two Avocets and a Hooded Crow put in a brief visit to Scalby Lodge Pond (3rd). Bramblings visited gardens by North Cliff Golf Course mid month, peaking at five. A Ring Ouzel was at Scalby Lodge (18th) and a migrant Green Sandpiper at Cloughton (22nd). The first Grasshopper Warbler was at Scalby Nab and Redstart at Scalby Lodge (23rd). Two more Ring Ouzels were at Ravenscar (24th), and a breeding plumage Spotted Redshank was at Cayton Carr (25th – 28th) and a Black-tailed Godwit (27th – 28th) plus a Black-tasiled Godwit at Scalby Lodge Pond (27th). Black Redstarts appeared at Scalby (25th), and Langdale End (26th). A Firecrest was at Castle Hill, Blue-headed Wagtail at Sclby Lodge with 25 Yellow Wagtails and 20 Wheatears (28th).
May  2008
A male Grey-headed Wagtail was at Scalby Lodge Pond (3rd/4th) plus a Hooded Crow there. A Black Tern flew over Wykeham Lakes (4th). A total of at least eight Wood Sandpipers passed through Scalby Lodge Pond. A Black Redstart was at Marine Drive (17th) and three Little Egrets flew north at Cloughton (18th). An unseasonal Long-eared Owl was at Cromer Point (19th) and the first Yellow-legged Gull of the year at Scalby Lodge Pond (22nd). The first Hobby was over Burniston (23rd) and an Osprey flew over Langdale Forest (25th). An easterly airflow livened things up in the last week; Red-backed Shrikes at Stoupe Brow (24th), and Castle Hill and Scalby (31st).Two or three Icterine Warblers, two Marsh Warblers, a Wood Warbler and Pied Flycatcher were at Castle Hill (28th to 31st). A Pied Flycatcher was also seen at Sycarham Wood, Cloughton Wyke (27th). Other raptors included Red Kite over Scalby (30th) and the only Marsh Harrier over there the next day. Crossbills were numerous and widespread in the forests, 60 at Harwood Dale Forest the largest flock (30th).
June 2008
Two sightings of Black Kites over Wykeham Forest was the highlight of a relatively quiet month (10th and 29th). A Grey-headed Wagtail was at Scalby Lodge Pond (2nd) followed by a Quail at Stoupe Brow, Ravenscar (4th). A late Fieldfare was at Cayton Carr (8th) and several Turtle Dove sightings came from the forests. Honey Buzzards were showing well at the Wykeham Forest Raptor Viewpoint with up to three birds seen at once. Crossbills were also very evident in all the forests. A Merlin at Scalby Lodge Pond (24th) was unseasonal. Waders started to return in the last week including Spotted Redshank at Scalby Lodge Pond (25th), both Bar and Black-tailed Godwits and Common Sandpipers on the move. A Little Gull was also seen at Scalby Lodge Pond (30th).
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