Month: September 2014

A light south-south-west wind and generally overcast conditions with occasional drizzle. The seawatch produced five Wigeon and 206 Teal heading north, with a first calendar-year Mediterranean Gull also north. An Ocean Sunfish swam past during the evening – for the second time over the past three days – and attracted the attention of a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull. A pelagic trip arranged by Yorkshire Coast Nature obtained close views of a 1st winter Caspian Gull and among several Arctic Skuas, a dark type  juvenile Long-tailed Skua.

The flashes near Old Fall hosted a selection of waders including four Curlew Sandpipers, two Little Stints, seven Ringed Plover, three Dunlin and single Greenshank and Green Sandpiper. A Bar-tailed Godwit was present at nearby Oceanview, whilst Thornwick Pool attracted 78 Teal, a Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper.

A Short-eared Owl hunted the Gorse Field and nearby, the Barred Warbler and Wryneck remained in Selwick’s Bay.

A light/moderate north-westerly and generally overcast conditions resulted in a better seawatch. Two Balearic and one Sooty Shearwater headed north, a Greenshank flew south, and a juvenile Long-tailed Skua moved north. Ten Little Gulls flew north, together with 1962 Black-headed Gulls and six Mediterranean Gulls. A total of 740 Great Black-backed Gulls were noted off the Head, with a minimum of one juvenile Caspian Gull also present.

Waders at Old Fall Flash were represented by three juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, two Little Stints, two Greenshank, three Dunlin and three Ringed Plover. A Greenshank and ten Teal were at Thornwick Pool, where a Grey Plover also flew over. Two Shoveler and a Little Grebe were at North Marsh.

The Barred Warbler and Wryneck were still present in Selwick’s Bay, whilst additional migrants included a Cuckoo, 17 Yellow Wagtails, Whinchat and two Pied Flycatchers. A total of 860 Meadow Pipits, mainly on the Outer Head, represented an increase. Single Marsh Harrier and Common Buzzard also overflew the latter area.

Light easterly winds, with an overcast morning before the sun broke through in the afternoon; classic drift conditions and migrants started to arrive in the afternoon. Seawatching was relatively quiet, although a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull flew south. Two juvenile Caspian Gulls were present on a field near the Lighthouse late morning. The flashes near Old Fall attracted a Ruff, two Green Sandpipers, five Greenshank, a Ringed Plover and a Dunlin, whilst the juvenile Greenshank remained on Thornwick Pool.

Common Buzzards were on the move this morning, with a flock of eight birds drifting west over the Headland and a single bird doing the same. Passerines included 22 Whinchats (including one at Buckton), ten Pied Flycatchers (one at Buckton) and two Redstarts.

A very light northerly wind, with overcast conditions prompted further arrivals of drift migrants. The seawatch produced three Sooty Shearwaters flying north, 12 Shelduck and two Gadwall moving in a similar direction, together with 21 Little Gulls, 147 Common and 13 Arctic Terns. Single juvenile Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls were also present.

Marsh Harrier and Hobby were present on the Outer Head, whilst the flashes attracted three Greenshank, two Green Sandpipers and a Little Stint.

Drift migrants included a Wryneck in the ‘Gorse Field’, 20 Whinchats, 14 Pied and four Spotted Flycatchers, and five Redstarts; eight Yellow and two Grey Wagtails were also present.

A light northerly wind and generally overcast conditions prevailed. The seawatch highlights included 50 Wigeon and 237 Teal flying north, a single Ruff and a dark juvenile Long-tailed Skua moving north. There were two 1st calendar-year Mediterranean Gulls, 1425 Black-headed Gulls north and the year’s first two Black Terns off the headland. A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull congregated with gulls on the Outer Head, whilst a Marsh Harrier and an adult-type Hobby were noted in the same area. Waders included a Little Stint on the flashes, a Greenshank, and a juvenile Black-tailed Godwit on Thornwick Pool, where a Little Grebe has taken up residence, and a drake Shoveler was also present.

Passerine migrants included 13 Whinchat together in the Gorse Field, two Tree Pipits heading south, a Cuckoo, together with seven Pied and three Spotted Flycatchers on the Outer Head. Buckton attracted a further three Pied Flycatchers, six Whinchats and two Redstarts.

A light north-north-west wind and persistent, although mainly light, rain sporadically throughout the day. Seawatching produced ten Red-throated Divers flying south, a Blue Fulmar moving north, as did two Sooty and one Balearic Shearwaters. Sixteen Golden Plovers headed south, together with one Greenshank, but best of all, a pale ‘type’ juvenile Long-tailed Skua flew slowly north.

The flashes near Old Fall hosted several species of waders, including two juvenile Little Stints, a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, seven Ruff, two Greenshank, two Green Sandpipers, a Golden Plover, two Redshank, seven Dunlin and 12 Snipe. Thornwick Pool attracted a Grey Heron, nine Teal, juvenile Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Little Stint, together with the Little Grebe. A Hobby was hunting the Bay Brambles area during the evening, whilst a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was in the Selwick’s Bay area.

A Barred Warbler on the southern end of Old Fall Hedge was presumably a recently arrived individual, whereas the Wryneck in the brambles at Selwick’s Bay was presumably the same bird lingering from earlier in the week. Additional migrant passerines included 48 Whinchat (including ten at Bempton), 17 Wheatear, eight Redstarts, two Tree Pipits, 14 Goldcrests, five Pied and five Spotted Flycatchers (including one at Buckton).

A light north-west wind, with unbroken sunshine after an overcast start. Seawatch highlights included a Sooty Shearwater flying north, five Little Gulls, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull and two Black Terns also flying north. A Hobby was watched chasing a Swift over the sea, with the same individual hunting over the village and Thornwick Pool later in the day.

Old Fall flashes hosted two Little Stints, a Curlew Sandpiper, nine Ruff, a Greenshank, one Green Sandpiper and two Snipe; there were also 47 Golden Plovers in the same area. Thornwick Pool held a Black-tailed Godwit, two Greenshank and three Dunlin. Three Common Buzzards toured the Outer Head, as did a creamcrown Marsh Harrier, whilst at least six Sparrowhawks were present.

Three Barred Warblers were noted during the day; yesterday’s bird remained at the southern end of Old Fall Hedge, with new arrivals discovered in a hedge further east and within the Gorse Field. Other passerine migrants included 40 Whinchats, 12 Wheatear, two Redstarts, two Tree Pipits, 45 Willow Warblers, 14 Chiffchaffs, six Lesser Whitethroats, 23 Whitethroats, six Blackcaps, two Garden Warblers, eight Sedge Warblers, 17 Goldcrests, nine Spotted and five Pied Flycatchers. Large numbers of Meadow Pipits were also present, with at least 1100 observed on the Outer Head, where there were also two Corn Buntings. Migrants at Buckton included two Goldcrest, four Yellow Wagtails, five Whinchat, two Wheatear and 150 Meadow Pipits.

Another sunny day with light northerly winds. The seawatch highlights included eight Sooty and 68 Manx Shearwaters flying north, two Pintail, 14 Arctic Skuas heading south, two Yellow-legged Gulls north; 275 Meadow Pipits also came in off the sea and flew north, whilst four Grey Herons moved south.

The Black-tailed Godwit and Greenshank remained in residence at Thornwick Pool, where there were also ten Ruff and two Dunlin. The flashes near Old Fall attracted a Little Stint, three Snipe, three Dunlin and a Greenshank, whilst 12 Ruff flew east over the Outer Head. Marsh Harrier and Hobby were also present, with a flock of eight Common Buzzards drifting over.

However, the headlines were grabbed by two Marsh Tits discovered near the Lighthouse during the afternoon – only the second ever Flamborough record! The Barred Warbler remained at the southern end of Old Fall Hedge, with other migrants including 15 Goldcrests, 13 Whinchats, two Spotted and one Pied Flycatcher and a Redstart. A Lesser Whitethroat near the Lighthouse showed features associated with the Siberian ‘blythi’ race.

The day started with light westerly winds and overcast conditions, although the wind had switched to a south-easterly by late afternoon. The seawatch produced a Red-necked Grebe heading south, six Sooty and 30 Manx Shearwaters moving north, a Balearic Shearwater heading in the same direction, and one Little Egret flying south.

Thornwick Pool hosted a Grey Heron, two Tufted Duck, three Teal, a Little Stint, two Dunlin, a Ruff, four Snipe and one Black-tailed Godwit. A flock of ten Ruff were on the Golf Course, as were two first-winter Yellow-legged Gulls, whilst two Little Egrets overflew Old Fall. A single Shoveler and two Teal were on Buckton Pond.

Passerine migrants included a Barred Warbler in bushes next to the Lighthouse, a Cuckoo, 17 Whinchats (with seven more at Bempton and five at Buckton), 21 Goldcrests, four Spotted and two Pied Flycatchers, four Grey Wagtails, two Redstarts and a Garden Warbler.

A light easterly wind and sunshine throughout. Seawatch highlights included seven Sooty Shearwaters flying north, one Balearic Shearwater, 220 Common Scoter, three Pomarine Skuas, 23 Arctic Skuas and two juvenile Long-tailed Skuas, all heading north, with a 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull and 1st-winter Yellow-legged Gull heading south.

Thornwick Pool attracted three Teal, single Little Egret, Ruff, Little Stint and Black-tailed Godwit together with two Dunlin. A Shoveler remained on Buckton Pond. Five Common Buzzards flew over the Outer Head, whilst the Hobby remained in the same area. Passerine migrants included nine Whinchat within the vicinity of the Lighthouse and two Pied Flycatchers (near the Lighthouse and Cliff Lane, Bempton). An additional four Whinchat and a Spotted Flycatcher were at Buckton.

A very light easterly airflow and sunshine prevailed throughout. Seawatch highlights included 379 Fulmars moving north, along with three Sooty and 33 Manx Shearwaters. Seven Pale-bellied Brent Geese also flew north. Three Pintail overflew the Headland, whilst two Little Gulls headed north and a 1st calendar-year Yellow-legged Gull went south.

The Shoveler and four Teal remained on Buckton Pond. Eight Common Buzzards drifted over Old Fall, a Ruff was present in the same area, with South Landing hosting two first-winter Mediterranean Gulls.

Passerine migrants included 14 Whinchat (including five at Buckton), two Redstarts, eight Pied Flycatchers (including two at Buckton), one Spotted Flycatcher, three Grey Wagtails and a Tree Pipit.

Another Ocean Sunfish appeared inshore, when one drifted east off Bempton Cliffs during the evening.

A light north-easterly wind, with generally overcast conditions until mid-morning and sunny intervals thereafter. Seawatch highlights included a Sooty Shearwater flying north, a dark-bellied Brent Goose moving south, two Pintail, 148 Common Scoter and two first-winter Mediterranean Gulls all north, with a first calendar-year Yellow-legged Gull heading south. An adult Yellow-legged Gull lingered on the Outer Head this morning, whilst a candidate first calendar-year Baltic Gull sporing a darvic ring was present on the Golf Course during the evening. A Ruff remained in residence at Thornwick Pool, whilst the Hobby was also seen again.

Although passerine migrants were relatively scarce, no fewer than three Barred Warblers were found; two in the Gorse Field and the other near Lighthouse Road. In addition, there were nine Whinchat, one Redstart, four Pied and one Spotted Flycatcher, a single Reed Warbler and two Garden Warblers.

Fifteen Golden Plover overflew Bempton, as did a Greenshank, whilst five Whinchat were also present. Nearby Buckton hosted two Marsh Harriers, a Merlin, a Little Owl (now rare locally) and single Spotted Flycatcher and Reed Warbler.

An overcast morning, with sunny spells during the afternoon and a light north-east wind. Seawatching produced a Black-throated Diver heading north, three Sooty and two Balearic Shearwaters, 196 Common Scoter and a first-winter Mediterranean Gull. Three Caspian Gulls were located amongst the large gull flocks, two sub-adults and a first calendar-year, whilst two Yellow-legged Gulls were also present; an adult and a first-winter.

The Hobby appeared once again over the Outer Head, a Common Sandpiper was on the rocks near Old Fall, with a Greenshank at South Landing and eight Snipe flew in off the sea. Thornwick Pool hosted three Tufted Ducks and 11 Teal.

The day’s highlight occurred at Buckton at the very start of the day, when a Nightjar appeared around the heligoland trap at dawn; a Lapland Bunting was in the same area. Additional passerine migrants included nine Whinchat, nine Wheatear, a Redstart, six Pied and one Spotted Flycatcher, two Reed Warblers, one Garden Warbler, 17 Willow Warblers, 12 Chiffchaffs, a Tree Pipit and a Lesser Redpoll. However, pride of place went to two Yellow-browed Warblers in the Selwick’s Bay area and three Barred Warblers; two in the Gorse Field and the other at Old Fall Steps.

Light north-east winds and generally overcast conditions produced an excellent day’s birding. Seawatching produced two Great Northern Divers heading north, 22 Red-throated Divers south, 12 Sooty and one Balearic Shearwater north, a Little Egret south, 226 Teal, two Pintail and 574 Common Scoters, all north. A Common Sandpiper flew south, whilst four Mediterranean Gulls moved north past the headland, with 1238 Razorbills doing the same. A first calendar-year Yellow-legged Gull was offshore, with an adult frequenting the Golf Course. A first calendar-year Caspian Gull was present in the same area and sported a green ring on its left leg, indicating yet another new individual. In addition, another candidate Baltic Gull rested on a field near the Lighthouse before flying off east.

Scarce migrants included a minimum of four Red-breasted Flycatchers (including individuals at Old Fall, Old Fall Steps & Bay Brambles), three Yellow-browed Warblers (including birds near Northcliffe and in outer head gardens), three Barred Warblers (Gorse Field, Old Fall Steps & village) and a Wryneck (Old Fall Steps). Additional passerine migrants included single Grasshopper Warbler, Reed Warbler, Tree Pipit, Crossbill, and Lapland Bunting, with 11 Pied and one Spotted Flycatcher, nine Whinchat, five Redstart and 14 Garden Warbler.

Overcast, misty conditions after light overnight rain and a light north-easterly resulted in further arrivals. The seawatch highlights included 20 Sooty and one Balearic Shearwater flying north, a Pomarine Skua heading south, a juvenile Long-tailed Skua north, and three Mediterranean and 17 Little Gulls together with 1550 Razorbills also heading north.

Five Red-breasted Flycatchers were present (two Old Fall Steps, two Old Fall, one Golf Course), with two Barred Warblers at Old Fall Steps, three Yellow-browed Warblers (Outer Head and Thornwick CP), a Wood Warbler in Old Fall, a 1st-winter Grey-headed Wagtail in a field west of the Lighthouse and a Hawfinch at Old Fall. Additional migrants included 26 Wheatear, nine Whinchat, ten Redstart, seven Pied and five Spotted Flycatchers, three Fieldfare, a Reed Warbler, 18 Garden Warbler, 16 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, a Tree Pipit and a Siskin.

Buckton highlights included a Dotterel, a Yellow-browed Warbler, four Redstart and two Garden Warblers.

Another overcast day, with a light east-north-easterly wind and occasional thick fog. Seawatching was hampered by the visibility, with seven Sooty Shearwaters moving north, two Velvet Scoters south, a Mediterranean Gull also flying south and a Little Gull flying north.

A Honey Buzzard flew south-west over Old Fall during the morning, whilst a Merlin frequented the Outer Head late on. A Wood Sandpiper also flew over Old Fall, with a first-winter Caspian Gull resting on a field near the Lighthouse.

Passerine migrants included two Barred Warblers (at Old Fall Steps and at the Gorse Field), two Yellow-browed Warblers (Outer Head gardens and Old Fall) and a Wryneck (Old Fall Hedge). Additional migrants included a Cuckoo, two Tree Pipits, a Hawfinch (Old Fall and later over the Chalk Tower) and a Lesser Redpoll, with single figures of Garden Warbler, Redstart and Pied Flycatcher.

Bempton RSPB hosted single Yellow-browed Warbler and Red-breasted Flycatcher, together with a Tree Pipit, two Redwing, three Redstart. Buckton attracted a Green Sandpiper, Fieldfare, two Yellow-browed Warblers, Tree Pipit and four Redstart.

Light onshore winds and another foggy day precluding any chance of a seawatch. Thornwick Pool attracted two Dunlin and single Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover and Ruff. A dark morph juvenile Honey Buzzard flew south over the Outer Head at 1155hrs and provided one of the day’s highlights.

However, passerines once again provided the most interest. A Yellow-browed Warbler and a Hawfinch remained in the gardens on the Outer Head, whilst a Red-breasted Flycatcher was new in at Selwick’s Bay. The Red-breasted Flycatcher also remained at Bempton RSPB. Migrant totals included 11 Wheatears, ten Whinchat, 16 Redstarts (including four at Buckton and one at Bempton), a Reed Warbler, three Tree Pipits, 21 Siskin (including 15 at Buckton), seven Brambling and 20 Chaffinch.

A light north wind, with misty conditions and occasional thick fog. Seawatching produced a Cory’s Shearwater flying north at 0918hrs, together with four Sooty Shearwaters, two dark-bellied Brent Geese, a first calendar-year Mediterranean Gull and 123 Little Gulls also heading north.

A juvenile dark-morph Honey Buzzard appeared over the headland on several occasions, ranging between the Whelkie Wynds and the Outer Head, with a Hobby also present. Eight Ruff toured the area, whilst a Jack Snipe overflew the Gorse Field.

Two Red-breasted Flycatchers were present (including one in the Gorse Field), together with two Yellow-browed Warblers (Bay Brambles and Old Fall) and a Barred Warbler (Old Fall Steps). Migrant totals included six Tree Pipits (including one at Bempton), 19 Redstarts (including two at Bempton), 11 Whinchats, 21 Garden Warblers, four Pied and two Spotted Flycatcher and three Brambling.

However, Bempton recorded the day’s highlight, with a Little Bunting discovered along the cliffs during the morning, whilst the Red-breasted Flycatcher remained in residence.

A light northerly wind and overcast conditions throughout. Seventeen Sooty and 47 Manx Shearwaters flew north during the seawatch, together with two dark-bellied Brent Geese, 182 Wigeon, five Pintail, 22 Arctic Skuas, one juvenile Long-tailed Skua, 46 Little Gulls, and a first-winter Mediterranean Gull. Thornwick Pool attracted 31 Teal and a Dunlin, whilst North Landing held two Jack Snipe and six Common Sandpipers were below the South Cliffs.

Raptors included the dark juvenile Honey Buzzard that toured the headland during the morning, single Hobby and Merlin and an appreciable influx of Kestrels – a minimum of 18 birds were present.

Six Yellow-browed Warblers were scattered across the headland (including individuals at both North and South Landing and Bempton RSPB), three Red-breasted Flycatchers were in the Selwick’s Bay area and two Barred Warblers were present; the long-staying bird at Old Fall Steps and a ‘new’ discovery in the hedge behind the hide at Thornwick Pool. A Hawfinch appeared over the Gorse Field early morning, before dropping into nearby gardens. Additional migrants included 36 Wheatear, 25 Whinchat (including three at Bempton), five Redstarts, three Pied Flycatchers, three Spotted Flycatchers (inc. two at Bempton), 15 Chiffchaffs (inc. one Bempton), an acredula Willow Warbler, three Tree Pipits, nine Grey Wagtails and a Brambling.

A moderate northerly wind and persistent, light rain for much of the day. Seawatching highlights included 51 Red-throated Divers flying south, 41 Sooty and 43 Manx Shearwaters heading north, a Mediterranean Gull south, together with 179 Little Gulls and 189 Common Terns flying north.

Thornwick Pool hosted two Little Stints, two Dunlin, single Snipe, Ruff and Jack Snipe. A Water Rail, 19 Teal, ten Wigeon and a Shoveler were also present, with the Barred Warbler again present near the hide. A Little Bunting was seen frustratingly briefly nearby. First-winter Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls followed the plough near Old Fall; a Merlin was seen in the same area.

Passerine migrants included a Red-breasted Flycatcher on the Outer Head, four Yellow-browed Warblers (including one at Old Fall), four Tree Pipits, 12 Spotted Flycatchers, four Pied Flycatchers, seven Garden Warblers, five Redstart, seven Grey Wagtails, a Reed Warbler and a Brambling.

A light north-westerly, with overcast skies during the morning and sunny intervals later. Another superb seawatching day with 150 Red-throated Divers flying south, two Great Northern Divers, a Blue Fulmar, two Great Shearwaters, 110 Sooty Shearwaters, 332 Manx Shearwaters and a Balearic Shearwater, all north. A total of 59 Barnacle Geese headed south, as did 37 Pink-footed Geese, along with two Red-breasted Mergansers, whilst 21 Pomarine Skuas went north, 67 Arctic Skuas headed south, two juvenile Long-tailed Skuas flew north and 24 Bonxies moved south. Four Mediterranean Gulls were recorded, but gull interest was focused on a massive movement of 7824 Little Gulls flying north. In addition, 346 Common Terns flew north, along with 2756 Razorbills.

A Little Stint remained in residence at Thornwick Pool. Grey Wagtails continued to feature, with eight over the Fog Station. Scarce migrants were represented by Red-breasted Flycatcher and Yellow-browed Warbler in the Outer Head gardens, whilst single Tree Pipit and Reed Warbler were present and a Snow Bunting flew south.

A moderate westerly wind with gradually cloudy skies prevailing. Seawatching produced 85 Pink-footed Geese flying south, three dark-bellied Brent Geese north, 80 Red-throated Divers flying south, a Blue Fulmar south, a Great Shearwater heading north, 53 Sooty Shearwaters, 182 Common Terns flying north and  1270 Little Gulls doing the same.

Thornwick Pool hosted a Grey Heron, three Wigeon, 13 Teal and single Jack Snipe, Snipe and Dunlin. Migrant passerines included single Red-breasted Flycatcher and Yellow-browed Warbler in the Outer Head gardens.

A light-moderate westerly at the start of the day later veered to a stronger north-westerly; there were also occasional showers and longer spells of rain. Seawatching produced 72 Red-throated Divers flying south, a Red-necked Grebe heading north, 68 Sooty Shearwaters north, three Barnacle Geese north, a Red-breasted Merganser, five Pomarine Skuas flying south and a Mediterranean Gull. In addition, 1100 Little Gulls fed offshore, together with a Black Tern, whilst two juvenile Sabine’s Gulls and 139 Common Terns headed north.

Passerine migrants included a Firecrest at Oceanview, where there were also 2 Jack Snipe, five Goldcrests and a Pied Flycatcher.

A moderate south-westerly and overcast skies dominated the day. Seawatching highlights included 37 Manx and 32 Sooty Shearwaters flying north, nine Pink-footed Geese south (with another accompanying the resident Greylag flock), 20 Barnacle Geese heading north, a Velvet Scoter moving in the same direction, one Black Tern south and 100 Little Gulls offshore. In addition, 200 Common Terns were feeding off Bempton.

Thornwick Pool attracted one Little Grebe, eight Teal and a Shoveler. The Red-breasted Flycatcher remained in the Outer Head gardens, with other passerine migrants including three Chiffchaffs, two Wheatear and a Goldcrest; Bempton hosted three Stonechats.

A moderate south-westerly and sunny, warm weather. Seawatching produced 13 Sooty Shearwaters flying north, four Velvet Scoter south, a Goosander heading north, four Pomarine Skuas (two north, two south), 347 Little Gulls moving north and an adult Sabine’s Gull which flew south.

Thornwick Pool attracted a Little Grebe, Grey Heron, eight Teal, a Shoveler, two Water Rails, a Snipe and Dunlin and single Grey Wagtail and Whinchat. The Red-breasted Flycatcher remained in the outer head gardens, together with Spotted Flycatcher and Goldcrest; a Mistle Thrush near the Lighthouse was unusual.

A light south-westerly wind and sunshine during the morning, with the wind moving to the south and a heavy overcast developing later. Seawatch highlights included 16 Sooty Shearwaters flying north, 100 Pink-footed Geese moving south (in several small skeins), 118 Common Scoters north, seven Pomarine Skuas north (and one south), 34 Arctic Skuas heading north, a juvenile Long-tailed Skua flying south and 130 Little Gulls offshore.

Thornwick Pool hosted single Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Shoveler, 14 Teal, a Snipe and at least one Water Rail. A Swift overflew Thornwick in the morning and four Grey Wagtails appeared together on the edge of the pool; part of a total eight present on the Headland.

Passerines included two Redstarts, a Whinchat, five Stonechats in the Bay Brambles, 18 Goldcrests, and a Lapland Bunting over the Gorse Field. However, best of all, a juvenile Red-backed Shrike was discovered near the car-park at Bempton RSPB. Nearby, six Common Buzzards flew north-west over Buckton, where there were another three Stonechats.

A light southerly wind, mainly overcast during the morning, but brighter in the afternoon. Seawatching produced a Blue Fulmar heading north, three Sooty Shearwaters north, four Tufted Duck flying south, 111 Common Scoters north and two Velvet Scoter moving south. Three Pomarine Skuas went south (and one north), an adult Mediterranean Gull flew north and there was an impressive movement of 888 Little Gulls heading south. In addition, a first calendar-year Caspian Gull gave good views around one of the fishing boats early morning.

Two skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 102 birds flew south over the headland. Thornwick Pool attracted a Grey Heron, Shoveler and 19 Teal. Passerine migrants included a Redstart in the Gorse Field, but two Jays that headed west over Old Fall Steps towards the village were the high point.

The juvenile Red-backed Shrike continued to show well adjacent to the car-park at Bempton RSPB, where there was also a Merlin.

Very calm overcast conditions with barely a breath of wind dominated the day. North veering south east and east by the end of the day with light rain from 4pm onwards. The early seawatch produced 2 Pomarine Skua, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 7 Manx and small number of terns. Ducks are still on the move with 14 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 6 Eider, 159 Common Scoter north with 9 south and 1 female Red-breasted Merganser north.  Pink-footed Geese flocks moved south with 45 and 38 during the afternoon. 2 Grey Plover flew south over the Outer Head. The migrant passerine highlight was a new small arrival of Yellow-browed Warblers with 2 at Holmes Gut and a further 2 on the Outer Head. A Firecrest was also at Holmes Gut along with a Black Redstart nearby. Common migrants were represented by 12 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, 4 Whinchat and small numbers of Goldcrest. At Thornwick Pool 2 Water Rail were in residence with a Shoveler. 3 Little Grebe were a good overall count today. A Merlin hunted the north side of the Headland. At Bempton the Red-backed Shrike remained present.

Another fine and calm day with light south-westerly winds. Mist gradually clearing. Drift migrants were again present in small numbers with 2 Whinchat and a Redstart in the Gorse Field, a single Yellow-browed Warbler in scrub by the Lighthouse, blackcap and lesser whitethroat on Old Fall and small numbers of Chiffchaff and Goldcrest on the Outer Head. A single Jay was in Millennium Wood.  At Thornwick Pool the 2 Water Rails showed again along with the Little Grebe, Shoveler and 3 Snipe.

Pink-footed Geese continued to be recorded in small numbers with flocks of 21, 18 and 37 all moving south east of Flamborough Village throughout the day. An evening seawatch produced a good count of 814 Little Gulls along with 3 Pomarine Skua north and 5 Greenshank south.

At Bempton RSPB Reserve the Red-backed Shrike remained present near the car park along with a Merlin and 2 Stonechat.