Month: September 2016

Another day of light south-westerly winds and sunny intervals. Seawatching was quiet with eight Common Scoters, 28 Sandwich Terns and 128 Common Terns heading north, whilst a Budgerigar flying past provided colour!

Thornwick Pools attracted eight Teal, eight Dunlin, single Ruff, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint and Ringed Plover. An Icterine Warbler was located on the edge of Thornwick camp.

West of the Dykes, Bempton attracted a Snipe, four Golden Plover and 15 Common Whitethroats. Buckton attracted three Teal, a Marsh Harrier, 70 Lapwing, one Greenshank, four Snipe, 30 Whitethroats, three Sedge Warblers, a Grasshopper Warbler, six Whinchat and five Yellow Wagtails.

It was a generally overcast day with light/moderate south-westerly winds. Seawatching highlights included 12 Teal, two Sooty Shearwaters, two Black-tailed Godwits, 100 Knot, 15 Dunlin, 26 Sandwich Terns and an adult Pomarine Skua flying south, with the year’s first Black Tern, two Bonxies and four Arctic Skuas heading north.

Thornwick Pools attracted eight Teal, eight Dunlin, two Ringed Plovers and a Little Stint. South Landing hosted a juvenile Mediterranean Gull and Grey Wagtail, whilst an adult Caspian Gull roosted at South Dykes and an adult Yellow-legged Gull on the golf course. Additional sightings included single Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher and Garden Warbler.

After a bright start, increasing cloud and heavy rain arrived from late morning. Seawatching was rewarded with a Shoveler, three Red-throated Divers, a Sooty Shearwater, nine Manx Shearwaters, a Balearic Shearwater, 28 Sandwich Terns and 18 Common Terns flying north, with one Bonxie and two Arctic Skuas also recorded.

A Little Egret fed in rock pools near High Stacks. Thornwick Pools hosted a Wigeon, 11 Teal, ten Dunlin, a Little Stint and three Ringed Plovers. A Yellow-legged Gull also remained on the headland. Passerines at South Landing included a Pied Flycatcher and an early returning Redwing.

West of the Dykes, four Whinchat and three Swift were seen at Buckton, with 17 Yellow Wagtails and five Swift at Bempton.

Initial light south-westerly winds switched to moderate north-westerly winds, with sunny intervals throughout. Seawatching highlights included 61 Teal, ten Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver, 17 Manx Shearwaters and nine Arctic Skuas flying south, with two Sooty Shearwaters and a juvenile Caspian Gull flying north.

The day’s highlight related to a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper that spent most of the morning at Thornwick Pools; only the fifth Flamborough record, but the second this year. Other sightings from Thornwick included three Ruff, a Little Stint, 11 Dunlin and a Ringed Plover. South Landing attracted an Eider, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull (different to Friday’s individual), 11 Ringed Plover and 12 Dunlin.

West of the Dykes, single Ruff, Green Sandpiper and Greenshank were on Buckton Pond, with two Whinchat and a Garden Warbler nearby.

Light winds shifted from a south-westerly direction into south-south-easterlies later, with sunny intervals and a light overcast. There was a vast improvement in the quality of the seawatching resultant from yesterday’s northerly airflow, with the following highlights: a pale-bellied Brent Goose north, 17 Wigeon, a Shoveler, three Pintail, 154 Teal, five Tufted Duck, a Velvet Scoter (south), 134 Common Scoters, 19 Red-throated Divers, two Cory’s Shearwaters (north close inshore at 0753hrs and 0804hrs), 26 Sooty Shearwaters north, 75 Manx Shearwaters north, five Little Egrets (including two seen earlier at Thornwick), four Grey Herons south, six Ruff south, two Roseate Terns south (adult & juvenile), 3364 Kittiwakes north, an adult Sabine’s Gull (north at 0910hrs), two juvenile Mediterranean Gulls, a juvenile Caspian Gull south (a new individual), 32 Bonxies, 28 Arctic Skuas and two Pomarine Skuas.

Thornwick Pools attracted eight Teal, four Wigeon, two Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, two Redshank, a Spotted Redshank, a Ringed Plover and one Snipe, whilst South Landing hosted 20 Dunlin and 11 Ringed Plovers. The Yellow-legged Gull again roosted on the golf course. Passerines on the outer head included two Redstarts, three Whinchat and four Wheatear.

West of the Dykes, sightings at Buckton included a Little Egret, single Ruff and Greenshank, 70 Lapwing, a Marsh Harrier, four Common Buzzards, a Wheatear and two Bullfinch.

After a foggy start, light south-westerly winds and sunny conditions dominated, with temperatures peaking at 25 degrees C. Seawatching produced 14 Wigeon, two Shoveler, 341 Teal, two Tufted Duck, a Sooty Shearwater, one Bonxie and three Arctic Skuas heading south, whilst a Great Crested Grebe, a sub-adult Sabine’s Gull, 76 Sandwich Terns, 30 Common Terns and two Arctic Terns flew north.

Thornwick Pools attracted four Wigeon, nine Teal, a Little Egret and 11 Dunlin, with a Hobby successfully hunting there during the evening. Fifteen Ringed Plovers and 14 Dunlin were on South Landing beach, with three Sanderlings at South Dykes. Another two Little Egrets fed in Thornwick Bay, a creamcrown Marsh Harrier flew south over South Dykes, where the adult Caspian Gull (PLEP) and a Yellow-legged Gull rested on fields. One of the main features of the day was a sizeable influx of hirundines, with 600 Swallows and 550 House Martins present, with passerine interest provided by four Whinchat and three Wheatear.

West of the Dykes, single Gadwall, Little Egret, Ruff, Greenshank, two Hobby, two Swift and five Whinchat were located at Buckton.

Light southerly winds and a warm, overcast day, with sunshine breaking through in the afternoon. Seawatching produced two Gadwall, a Sooty Shearwater, six Manx Shearwaters, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 51 Sandwich Terns, 32 Common Terns and 13 Arctic Terns north, whilst 11 Wigeon, 23 Teal and a Tufted Duck flew south, with juvenile Yellow-legged Gull and two Arctic Skuas also present.

Thornwick Pools attracted a Wigeon, 11 Teal, Little Egret, two Dunlin and two Ringed Plover.

An arrival of passerines occurred during the middle of the day, including a Pied Flycatcher, four Spotted Flycatchers, eight Whinchat, four Stonechat, six Wheatear, three Grey Wagtails and 12 Willow Warblers.

West of the Dykes, Buckton attracted one Little Egret, a Ruff, three Golden Plover, two Greenshank, a Marsh Harrier, four Sparrowhawks, five Yellow Wagtails, four Whinchat and two Goldcrest. Bempton hosted four Whinchat, three Spotted Flycatchers, two Pied Flycatcher and eight Goldcrest.

The day started with light south-westerly winds and sunshine, with the winds strengthening during the afternoon. Seawatching highlights included three Shoveler, 44 Teal, five Red-throated Divers, three Sooty Shearwaters, 45 Sandwich Terns, 12 Bonxies, and two Artic Skuas flying south; with nine Eider and three Arctic Skuas moving north.

Two Merlins were noted at Thornwick, a Swift was over South Landing, whilst passerine migrants included ten Whinchat, seven Wheatear, a Redstart, two Goldcrest, a Reed Warbler, 18 Willow Warbler and two Spotted Flycatchers.

West of the Dykes, Buckton attracted Little Egret, two Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, two Swifts, a Redstart and one Whinchat, whilst sightings from Bempton included a Marsh Harrier, two Arctic Skuas and a Swift.

Another day of relatively strong south-west winds and largely sunny skies. During the seawatch, 60 Teal, six Eider and ten Red-throated Divers flew south, whilst ten Sooty Shearwaters, five Manx Shearwaters and two Balearic Shearwaters headed north. A Little Egret flew past the fog station, as did two Bonxies and four Arctic Skuas.

Thornwick Pools attracted 14 Teal, nine Dunlin, one Snipe and a Grey Wagtail. Single adult Caspian Gull (PLEP) and Yellow-legged Gull were in the field next to Old Fall Steps. A Spotted Flycatcher was in South Dykes.

It was a day of overcast skies, light westerly winds and occasional rain. Seawatching highlights included a pale-bellied Brent Goose, 118 Teal, nine Manx Shearwaters, two Balearic Shearwaters, 71 Sandwich Terns, 51 Common Terns, a Black Tern, two Bonxies, a Pomarine Skua and 32 Arctic Skuas flying south. Single Shoveler, Sooty Shearwater and juvenile Long-tailed Skua moved north. Better still, a juvenile Black Guillemot drifted south on the sea and a Little Egret was below the fog station.

Elsewhere, sightings included a Yellow-legged Gull and one Swift. Passerine interest included an influx of 480 Meadow Pipits (including 258 flying east over South Landing), 12 Whinchat, a Grey Wagtail, a Goldcrest, one Garden Warbler and 20 Reed Buntings.

A day of light/moderate south-westerly winds and sunny intervals. Seawatching produced a Tufted Duck, 15 Red-throated Divers and a Marsh Harrier flying south, whilst moving in the opposite direction were 41 Common Scoters, two Mediterranean Gulls, 158 Common Terns, 26 Arctic Terns, six Arctic Skuas and a Hobby; a Coal Tit also appeared to come in off the sea.

Sightings from Sewerby included four Wigeon, 22 Sanderling and 11 Ringed Plovers. Five Swift and a Garden Warbler were recorded in the vicinity of Thornwick.

Records at Buckton included three Common Buzzards, two Marsh Harriers, two Little Egrets, seven Whinchat and a Stonechat.

The weather consisted of moderate/strong southerly winds and sunny intervals. Seawatching highlights included single Shelduck, Gadwall, 25 Wigeon, seven Shoveler, four Pintail, 203 Teal and a Tufted Duck flying south. A Greenshank moved north, with 12 Knot and 30 Dunlin heading south. Frustratingly, a phalarope species was harried by gulls and flew out to sea before its identity was clinched. Single juvenile Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls flew south, whilst one Bonxie and four Arctic Skuas were also recorded.

Thornwick Pools attracted 14 Teal, four Dunlin and a Green Sandpiper. The gull flock adjacent to Old Fall contained three Caspian Gulls – a juvenile, a first-winter and an adult (Plep) – as well as an adult Yellow-legged Gull.

Buckton Ponds hosted two Little Egrets.

The weather consisted light, variable winds, sunshine and temperatures that reached 24 degrees C. Seawatching highlights included two Shelduck, 208 Common Scoter, a Bar-tailed Godwit and one Bonxie flying south, with four Arctic Skuas also noted.

Thornwick Pools attracted two Goosander, 11 Teal, four Dunlin, a Knot, two Green Sandpipers and a Greenshank. The day’s highlight related to the discovery of a Richard’s Pipit in the northern stubbles; additional passerine migrants included a Tree Pipit, a Pied Flycatcher, one Redstart, 24 Wheatears and 17 Whinchats.

A day of strong north-westerly winds promised a good seawatch, but thick fog and zero visibility put paid to the chances of anything. Thornwick Pools hosted three Wigeon, 17 Teal, a Grey Heron, one Knot, a Green Sandpiper, seven Dunlin and a Snipe. A male Redstart was the only notable migrant located in the gloom.

A day of light/moderate north-westerly winds and fog, with visibility severely hampered. Seawatching proved impossible; in fact, locating the sea was hardly possible! Thornwick Pools attracted a Wigeon, 13 Teal, a Knot, one Green Sandpiper, ten Dunlin and a Snipe. Eighteen Sanderling and a Common Sandpiper were at Sewerby, with 13 Sanderling at South Dykes.

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the Yellow-browed Warbler located at Bempton Cliffs.

An overcast day, with increasingly strong north-westerly winds and rain for much of the afternoon. Seawatching proved rewarding, with a significant movement of wildfowl taking place, highlights included: two pale-bellied Brent Geese north, seven Shelduck, six Gadwall, 444 Wigeon, 12 Shoveler, 19 Pintail, 465 Teal, single Tufted Duck and Velvet Scoter, along with 337 Common Scoter. Additional sightings included 75 Red-throated Divers flying south, eight Sooty Shearwater, two Balearic Shearwaters south, a Marsh Harrier south, 28 Knot north, 57 Dunlin north, two Mediterranean Gulls north, 30 Bonxie south, 38 Arctic Skuas south and four Long-tailed Skuas south.

South Landing attracted 80 Wigeon, 69 Teal, two Pintail, a Shoveler, 47 Dunlin, 25 Turnstone, 20 Ringed Plover, three Grey Plover, three Sanderling and single Bar-tailed Godwit and Knot. Thornwick Pools attracted two Little Egrets, two Snipe, nine Dunlin and a Knot. The outer head hosted six Golden Plover, four Grey Wagtails, 470 Meadow Pipits, including 240 birds in off the sea, and six Siskin.

West of the Dykes, the Yellow-browed Warbler remained in residence at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.

A day of moderate/strong north-westerly winds and overcast skies resulted in a classic seawatch. Highlights included: 41 Pale-bellied Brent Geese (29 south, 12 south), 644 Wigeon (473 north, 171 south), one Gadwall, three Shoveler, 19 Pintail (18 north, one south), four Velvet Scoters, 96 Red-throated Divers south, 1003 Sooty Shearwaters north, 478 Manx Shearwaters north, two Great Shearwaters north, 28 Arctic Skuas south, 28 Bonxies south, seven Long-tailed Skuas (5 south, 2 north), one Pomarine Skua south, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, two Sabine’s Gulls north (adult and juvenile) and two Roseate Terns north.

South Landing attracted 50 Dunlin, 40 Ringed Plovers, 29 Turnstone and two Knot, whilst ten Dunlin and a Ringed Plover visited Thornwick Pools.

In contrast to recent days light, variable winds and sunny skies featured throughout. Seawatching highlights included a pale-bellied Brent Goose south, 183 Wigeon, six Shoveler, three Pintail, 119 Teal, one Velvet Scoter and 176 Common Scoter all north, 73 Red-throated Divers south, 25 Sooty Shearwaters, 57 Manx Shearwaters and a Balearic Shearwater north, a Curlew Sandpiper south, 240 Little Gulls north, 89 Common Terns north, 23 Bonxies, 13 Arctic Skuas and nine juvenile Long-tailed Skuas north.

Raptor reports included up to five Common Buzzards together and a Honey Buzzard, whilst a Merlin frequented the outer head. Small numbers of migrants included five Wheatear, two Whinchat, two Redstarts, a Pied Flycatcher and two Spotted Flycatchers. A Barred Warbler was located at North Landing and two Yellow-browed Warblers made landfall on the outer head.

West of the Dykes, the undoubted highlight was a Common Rosefinch trapped at Buckton. Other sightings included ten Common Buzzards, three Marsh Harriers, Greenshank, three Whinchat and Pied Flycatcher.

Drizzle and grey skies dominated for much of the day. Northbound birds on this morning’s seawatch include two Shelduck, 56 Wigeon, 62 Teal (two south), 35 Common Scoter (50 south), 14 Red-throated Diver (20 south), singles of Great Northern Diver, Sooty Shearwater and Little Egret, three Dunlin, 15 Little Gull, four Arctic Skua (two south) and a Black Guillemot. Southbound only saw 12 Sandwich Tern and a Great Skua.

A Dotterel was discovered just south of Old Fall plantation and was still present on the headland by the afternoon. Elsewhere four Wheatear and a Willow Tit were noted. At South Landing there were 63 Dunlin, 43 Ringed Plover, 12 Sanderling, five Turnstone and a Little Egret.

Light drizzle to start which cleared by mid-afternoon; gentle north-westerlies throughout. Moving north on the morning’s seawatch, unless otherwise stated, saw 129 Wigeon (16 south), single Pintail and Tufted Duck, 14 Teal (12 south), 33 Common Scoter (one south), eight Red-throated Diver (25 south), four Sooty, nine Manx and a Balearic Shearwater, 22 Redshank, two Knot, two Sabine’s Gull, three Great Skua south, five Arctic Skua (eight south) and one Long-tailed Skua (two south).

On land the obvious highlight was the excellent fall of Yellow-browed Warblers with up to 28 recorded across a number of sites, a record day count for the headland. In addition, a Bluethroat was located on the Outer Head and the Dotterel remained nearby. Other migrants included six Wheatear, four Goldcrest, 14 Song Thrush and a Redstart.

West of the Dykes, Bempton RSPB played host to four Yellow-browed Warbler, two Redstart, seven Chiffchaff, a single Whinchat and a flyover Long-tailed Skua.

An unprecedented number of Yellow-browed Warblers have been recorded across the Flamborough greater recording area today totalling 139 individuals; 103 were logged from a plethora of sites East of the Dykes and a further 36 West of the Dykes (14 Bempton RSPB, five Bempton village, 14 Buckton, three Speeton).

Other land-based treats included a Red-breasted Flycatcher and Lapland Bunting near the golf course; Short-eared Owl and yesterday’s Bluethroat both present near the gorse field, with the Dotterel still in situ nearby; elsewhere a Brambling, two Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, two Whinchat, two Garden Warbler, four Yellow Wagtail, two Mistle Thrush and five Wheatear were noted on the headland.

Seawatching highlights included 13 Grey Plover south, a 1st-calendar year Yellow-legged Gull south and a Long-tailed Skua north.

The South Landing wader assemblage consisted of 47 Turnstone, 42 Ringed Plover, 35 Sanderling, 31 Dunlin, 13 Redshank, three Oystercatcher and two Knot. An adult Sabine’s Gull flew east there early afternoon.

West of the Dykes, in addition to the YbW counts, Bempton RSPB hosted a Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, four Whinchat and two Tree Pipit; Buckton held two Lapland Bunting, Redstart, Yellow Wagtail, five Whinchat, Stonechat, eight Song Thursh, two Gadwall and 18 Teal.

A predominantly mild day with gentle south-westerlies and sunshine throughout. The morning seawatch saw a southerly movement of 80 Wigeon (31 north), 94 Teal (ten north), 15 Red-throated Diver (three north), four Grey Plover, four Turnstone, a single Knot, two Dunlin, two Great Skua and an Arctic Skua north.

A minimum of 21 Yellow-browed Warbler were still present today though observer coverage was greatly reduced compared to yesterday. Other migrant passerines on the headland consisted of two each of Redstart, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler and Whinchat and four Wheatear. A juvenile Hobby was near Old Fall and a Merlin patrolled the Outer Head.

West of the Dykes, Bempton RSPB and Buckton help 14 Yellow-browed Warbler, 15 Whinchat, Lesser Whitethroat, Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Greenshank and two Dunlin between them. Belated news of a Dotterel which over flew the latter site yesterday.

It was a day of light south-westerly winds and sunny spells. Seawatching highlights included 20 Wigeon north, 25 Red-throated Divers south, 11,400 Gannets north (in three hours), nine Grey Plovers south and 20 Sandwich Terns.

A Taiga Bean Goose appeared on Thornwick Pool late in the day, whilst a Hobby frequented Old Fall in the morning. Scarce passerine migrants included a Barred Warbler in the Gorse Field and a minimum of 21 Yellow-browed Warblers, including six within the Thornwick area and three at Old Fall. Additional migrants included two Goldcrests, a Whitethroat, one Spotted Flycatcher, seven Whinchat, a Brambling and two Siskin.

Sightings west of the Dykes included three Common Buzzards, a Greenshank and a Yellow-browed Warbler at Buckton, whilst 13 Golden Plovers and three Snipe flew south at Bempton, where there were also ten Whinchat and nine Yellow-browed Warblers.

The day’s weather consisted of moderate south-westerly winds and relatively overcast skies. Seawatching highlights included 22 Wigeon, a Pintail, three Sooty Shearwaters north, single Great Crested Grebe and Grey Plover south, four Bonxies, an Arctic Skua and a juvenile Long-tailed Skua flying north.

The Taiga Bean Goose had moved to North Marsh, where it accompanied up to 174 Greylags, ten Wigeon and two Tufted Ducks. Thornwick Pools attracted 21 Teal, two Knot and three Dunlin. Passerine migrants included six Yellow-browed Warblers, a Whitethroat, two Whinchat and two Yellow Wagtails.

West of the Dykes, four Gadwall, three Dunlin and single Greenshank and Snipe frequented Buckton Pond, with three Yellow-browed Warblers still at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.

The weather comprised moderate south-westerly winds and overcast skies. Seawatching produced 62 Common Scoter north, 19 Red-throated Divers south, seven Sooty Shearwaters, seven Manx Shearwaters, three Balearic Shearwaters, a Pomarine Skua south, six Arctic Skuas, a juvenile Long-tailed Skua north and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull.

The Taiga Bean Goose accompanied 186 Greylag Geese in the vicinity of North Marsh, where a Marsh Harrier also flew south-west, with a Little Egret at South Dykes. A minimum of four Yellow-browed Warblers remained on the outer head, together with Redstart, Garden Warbler and Grey Wagtail.

A Whimbrel, an additional ten Yellow-browed Warblers and four Whinchats were at Bempton Cliffs RSPB, whilst a Pied Flycatcher and ten Whinchats were at Buckton.

It was an overcast day, with moderate south-westerly winds and occasional rain. Seawatching produced four Eider, 17 Red-throated Divers, a Manx Shearwater and 590 Black-headed Gulls flying south, whilst two Bonxies and an Arctic Skua were also recorded.

The Taiga Bean Goose again accompanied Greylags near North Marsh, where there were also four Gadwall and 22 Wigeon. Thornwick Pools attracted 25 Teal, a Grey Heron, three Snipe and three Dunlin.

Seven Yellow-browed Warblers remained, a legacy of last week’s incredible influx.

Moderate south-westerlies and overcast conditions ensued. A relatively quiet day both on land and out to sea; the morning seawatch logged 16 Teal, three Knot, 20 Black-headed Gull, 50 Common and two Lesser Black-backed Gull and two Guillemot all south past the headland.

At North Marsh the Taiga Bean Goose continued its stay among the local Greylags and two Yellow-browed Warbler were near the golf course.

West of the Dykes, at Bempton Cliffs RSPB a single Yellow-browed Warbler remained, as well as a Treecreeper present for its second day.

A day of patchy sunshine and temperatures in the high teens; south-westerly winds strengthened throughout. Seawatching highlights consisted of 136 Pink-footed Geese south, a single Wigeon and Tufted Duck south, eight Scaup south, 17 Red-throated Diver south (two north), a Little Egret north, eight Great, one Arctic and a dark morph Pomarine Skua south.

A further 200 Pink-footed Geese overflew the headland. There were seven Yellow-browed Warbler on the Outer Head, including the two favouring the golf course willows, and the Taiga Bean Goose was still in the North Marsh area. Other migrants included three Spotted Flycatcher, four Whinchat, Redstart, Wheatear and a Kingfisher was located on the beach below the Lighthouse.

West of the Dykes, Bempton Cliffs RSPB retained a single Yellow-browed Warbler and Treecreeper; Buckton logged a single Snipe and Greenshank and two Whinchat.

Another day of strong south-westerly winds and sunny intervals. Seawatching highlights included 19 Pink-footed Geese, 24 Red-throated Divers, a Balearic Shearwater, two Bonxies, a Pomarine Skua and an Arctic Skua all south.

An additional 81 Pink-footed Geese flew over the headland.

Two Yellow-browed Warblers remained at Bempton Cliffs RSPB and Buckton Pond hosted a Greenshank.

The weather consisted of moderate south-westerly winds and sunny intervals. A Whooper Swan dropped onto North Marsh, where the Taiga Bean Goose accompanied 27 Pink-footed Geese, and 22 Wigeon were in residence. Thornwick Pools attracted five Pink-footed Geese, 12 Teal, three Snipe and two Dunlin; although one of the latter was taken by a Sparrowhawk. An Osprey also toured the headland: over North Landing (0855hrs) and South Landing (1025hrs).

The Bay Brambles area attracted eight Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat, one Blackcap, a Redstart, two Wheatear, one Yellow Wagtail and fly-over Siskin and Redpoll.

West of the Dykes, Bempton Cliffs RSPB hosted a Yellow-browed Warbler and two Whinchat.