Monday 23 November 2015

Harbour birding

After a spell away undertaking yet more surveys in Scotland, my return to Scarborough has coincided with some excellent seawatching. Sunday morning at Long Nab yielded a nice movement of 50 Little Auks (49 N, 1 S), a Red-necked Grebe, both Great Northern and Black-throated Divers, Long-tailed Duck and a variety of other wildfowl including a fair few Goldeneye.

This morning a further spell at the Nab produced a single Pomarine Skua, Black-throated Diver and a Short-eared Owl. The Lapland Bunting is still in residence north of the Obs. However, with the action at sea seemingly petering out, I was tempted to have a look in the harbour where the Black-necked Grebes are still performing very nicely and where I also enjoyed some nice views of Red-throated Diver. A Little Auk was close inshore at the nearby Marine Drive. 

Black-necked Grebe

A diving Black-necked Grebe
Juvenile Red-throated Diver


Little Auk


Thursday 12 November 2015

Black-necked Grebe and Snow Bunting

A visit to the Nab this morning was generally fairly quiet, but enlivened by the discovery of two Lapland Buntings in the field north of the Obs and an obliging Snow Bunting feeding by the Obs.

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

A trip down to Scarborough Harbour to see the Black-necked Grebe was most enjoyable with some great views and a few photo opportunities.




Black-necked Grebe