January caught up...

Since the Glauc fest on the 14^th things haven’t slowed down much, the brilliant birding this January has continued.

It didn’t take long for the next goodie to pop up either, just a day in fact, late morning on the 15^th I found myself at Long Nab enjoying the 16 strong flock of Shorelark despite the grim weather.
Almost certainly the same flock present last year, last being seen in early December – presumably having spent the last month or so in fields further inland and not accessible.

Shorelarks at Long Nab.

Shorelarks at Long Nab.

Another addition to my PWC effort later that day was a Black-throated Diver out in North Bay.

The Stonechat and one Black Redstart were still preforming well in North Bay and the 2 Great Northern Diver and a Black-necked Grebe were in the Harbour.

The 18^th didn’t disappoint either, with eight species added to PWC. Collared Dove and Barn Owl eventually fell while a few others were a little more noteworthy.
Three Pink-footed Geese were present at Long Nab early on before leaving north, 2 Brent Geese and 8 Shelduck flew north at sea, a Lapland Bunting was with Skylark in the stubble field as well as a Tundra Bean Goose that left to the south. Two north bound Great Northern Diver were also noteworthy along with 35 Red-throated Diver heading north, at least 11 Red-throated Diver were present there on the sea with several regularly calling.

Pink-footed Geese at Long Nab.

A Whooper Swan at Scalby Lodge pond was a welcome addition on the 19^th – it stayed put until at least early February.

The 25^th at Long Nab produced at least 15 Brambling in our ringing plantation as well as 50 Reed Bunting and 25 Yellowhammer in the cover crop – a good 20 minutes searching there failed to produce the hoped for Pine Bunting!
Later that day I connected with the fine drake Red-breasted Merganser in the Harbour.

The following day saw the Red-breasted Merganser and a Black-necked Grebe in the Harbour as well as 3 Shoveler south offshore along with small numbers of Wigeon and Teal.

Drake Red-breasted Merganser in the Harbour.

A Tawny Owl heard at Peasholm Park at 01.00am after work on the 29^th took me to 97 species – touching distance of my target of 100 for January.

Later on the 29^th, as dawn broke, I made my way to Long Nab, it was to be my last day in the field this month due to work.
Species number 98 came along rather quickly, a single White-fronted Goose south with 6 Greylag Geese shortly followed by another 16 White-fronts south over the sea.
A Little Egret south there was a rather unusual but welcome record for January and species number 99.

Grey Partridge became the milestone species with a few calling away by the stubble field.
Heading south highlights included a Tundra Bean Goose with 3 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Greylag Geese in flight over Cromer Point, having earlier being seen by Crook Ness, and 20 Golden Plover north. Number 101.

What was probably my 14^th attempt of the year at Scalby Beck for Dipper finally resulted in success, species number 102 for January!

I finished my day around the Harbour, the 2 Black-necked Grebe were showing nicely in the Harbour mouth while South Bay was pretty active, 2 Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver, 5 Common Scoter, 2 Long-tailed Duck, a Mute Swan and a scattering of Guillemot and Razorbill.

Black-necked Grebes in the Harbour

The male Stonechat continued to show well in North Bay.

Both Black Redstarts also remained in North Bay.

Glaucs galore!

The 14^th began slowly for me, I started off by walking north past the Harbour and along Marine Drive, in that time I saw more damage to the seafront than I did birds.

North Bay from Marine Drive.

The extent of the tidal surge in North Bay was evident, so to see that both female Black Redstarts and the male Stonechat had survived was brilliant, all three of which were feeding actively in the usual spot, the sea defence rocks opposite Oasis café.

Black Redstart and Stonechat.

Stonechat.

Stonechat and the Sands.

Rock Pipit.

From there I headed north to Scalby Mills, immediately locating a 1^st winter Iceland Gull – a perfect start.
Unfortunately, due to the wisdom of a certain dog walker, all the Gulls were flushed as he walked right out among the rocks!
A little after Dave joined me the Iceland returned.
Soon after the action really started. I picked up a 1^st winter Glaucous Gull coming in from the east, it landed on the sea briefly before flying off north east out past Scalby Nab.
A small crowd soon assembled and shortly after another Glaucous Gull was picked up, towering high circling round a little before heading off north after a short drift south.
Only minutes later what turned out to be another Glaucous Gull came round Marine Drive and flew north through the Mills!
Not too surprising considering three had flown north past Cornelian Bay in a little over and hour at the same sort of time.

Phonescoped record of the Iceland Gull.

Glaucous Gull.

Glaucous Gull.

A short while later, whilst eating at the Oasis café, after second helpings of the male Stonechat, a 1^st winter Glaucous Gull flew south over our heads, seemingly with some rather different plumage features to the others seen previously.
With the day already going brilliantly (even better with a bacon and sausage sandwich in hand) another Glaucous Gull buzzed over, this time an adult!
Unfortunately it was a little high as it headed north towards Scalby Mills, later being seen passing there and Jackson’s Bay.

Glaucous Gull.

Adult Glaucous Gull.

Fairly gob smacked, I along with Dave headed round to South Bay – the long way round as the Marine Drive was still closed due to the clean-up operation.
Once at the Harbour the two Great Northern Diver were soon located, at least seven Cormorant and five Shag were sheltering in the Harbour too.
In the outer Harbour both Black-necked Grebe were showing while in South Bay a single female Common Scoter was the pick of a small bunch.
Five Purple Sandpiper were already in along east pier despite high tide being 4 hours away, it really was rough!

Great Northern Divers in the Harbour.

Shag - FCZ ringed as pullus on Isle of May on 6th June 2016.

A short sea watch here produced a couple of Red-throated Diver north as well as, yes, another Glaucous Gull!
This time an age day tick, a 2^nd winter bird.
With a day total of six Glaucous and one Iceland, as well as a nice supporting cast, I returned home incredibly happy, and in all fairness, it’s probably hands down the best January days birding I have ever had in Scarborough, and with some great company too.