Year: 2014

Weather was unsettled with heavy rain showers throughout the day. A force 3 north-westerly was again conducive to good sea-watching. Particularly notable were movements of duck heading north, including 1 Pochard, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 Shoveler (south) and 5 Wigeon. Other birds on the seawatch were 1 Pomarine Skua (south), 1 Great Northern Diver (north), 10 Red-throated Diver and 73 Fulmar, including 1 blue morph. A total of 17,350 Guillemot flew north, with 250 heading south; only 5 Razorbill were seen and 56 Shag left the roost.

On the land, the Chiffchaff at Oceanview was the only notable occurrence.

Guillemot, by Martin Garner

Seawatching again provided the day’s highlights as a result of a force 2 north-easterly wind. Totals of birds heading north included 83 Red-throated Divers (plus 9 south), two Black-throated Divers, 1 Great Northern Diver, 188 Fulmar (8 south), two Manx Shearwater, 90 Eider, 17 Common Scoter (11 south), 1 Velvet Scoter, 2 Goosander, 1 Pomarine Skua and 2 Great Skua. Just 34 Shag left the roost.

On the land, the Thornwick area held four Jack Snipe, 9 Common Snipe and a Water Rail.

Fieldfare, by Martin Garner

The weather was cold and sunny, with a moderate north westerly wind. The Chiffchaff remained at Oceanview, along with a flock of 20 Reed Bunting. Elsewhere, North Marsh held 49 Teal and a Shelduck.

On the seawatch, highlights included 30 Red-throated Diver (16 north), one Great Northern Diver (south), three Great Skuas (south) and 396 Fulmar.

A partly cloudy day, with south-westerly winds of force 3-4 and temperature 6c.

Seawatching from the headland was steady, but produced 34 Red-throated Diver south, 12 Fulmar south and five north, two Gannet south and seven north, one Puffin south and 135 Shag around the headland. There were also a few hundred Guillemot moving both north and south during the seawatch.

In the South Landing area there were 16 Red-legged Partridge, one Curlew, six Redshank, and two Great Spotted Woodpecker. North Marsh held 89 Teal, seven Wigeon and one Short-eared Owl. Thornwick Pools produced a lone Jack Snipe, three Snipe and five Fieldfare, while nearby Oceanview recorded a single Grey Plover flying south.

At Buckton, up to two Water Rail were calling from the Main Dell at dusk.

So, on the last day of 2014, the Flamborough Team would like to thank everyone for all the records and images kindly submitted and wish everyone a Happy New Year. What will we get in 2015?