Month: July 2018

A day of light northerly winds, sunshine throughout, with temperatures peaking at 20 degrees C. During the morning seawatch, 79 Common Scoter, one Manx Shearwater, a first-summer Mediterranean Gull, 15 Sandwich Terns and a Bonxie flew north. Thornwick Pools attracted ten Teal and a Green Sandpiper, whilst two Little Ringed Plover, a Green Sandpiper, one Greenshank and a Whimbrel were located on the outer head. A Hobby flew along the cliffs from North Dykes towards Thornwick.

West of the Dykes, the Grasshopper Warbler continued to show at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, whilst a Tufted Duck frequented Buckton Pond. The influx of Silver Ys continued with at least 500 at Bempton Cliffs alone.

The weather was stuck on repeat as elsewhere: light northerly winds, sunshine throughout and temperatures that peaked at 20 degrees C. During the seawatch, 13 Common Scoter, a Red-throated Diver, one Manx Shearwater, ten Sandwich Terns, two Common Terns and an Arctic Skua flew north. Thornwick Pools/Stainforth’s Flash shared two Teal, a Little Ringed Plover, one Dunlin and two Green Sandpipers.

After an overcast start to a day of light north-east winds, sunny skies once again prevailed. During the seawatch, 70 Common Scoter, a Red-throated Diver, 23 Manx Shearwaters, 19 Sandwich Terns, two Common Terns, three Arctic Terns and an Arctic Skua flew north, whilst four Teal and an Arctic Skua flew south.

The day’s highlight related to three Bee-eaters that fed briefly over fields at Buckton before heading east mid-afternoon. Elsewhere, an adult Oystercatcher was accompanied by two chicks on the outer head.

A generally overcast day, with very light drizzle early morning only, light easterly winds and temperatures reaching 18 degrees C. During the seawatch, 82 Common Scoter, 19 Sandwich Terns, an Arctic Tern and three Arctic Skuas flew north, a Dunlin flew south and 15 Manx Shearwaters fed offshore. The day’s highlight comprised a female Long-tailed Duck that was located on Stainforth’s Flash early evening. Thornwick Pools hosted two Little Ringed Plovers, four Dunlin and a Yellow Wagtail.

After a bright start cloud built later in the day, whilst temperatures reached 20 degrees C; winds remained light and variable. During the seawatch, 72 Common Scoter, ten Manx Shearwaters, six Sandwich Terns and an Arctic Skua flew north. 

The Long-tailed Duck remained on Stainforth’s Flash, where additional sightings included two Dunlin, Lapwing and Oystercatcher. Thornwick Pools attracted a single Greenshank, two Dunlin and a Little Ringed Plover. On the passerine front, a Goldcrest at Oceanview represented an unseasonal record.

West of the Dykes, a Whimbrel flew south at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where a Hummingbird Hawkmoth was also seen.

The day began with overcast skies, before sunshine later, with light onshore winds and temperatures reaching 18 degrees C. During the seawatch, 205 Common Scoters, 64 Manx Shearwaters, a Common Tern, five Arctic Terns and an Arctic Skua flew north. Southbound passage included 29 Shelduck, three Black-tailed Godwits, 18 Oystercatchers, a Whimbrel, 30 Dunlin and an Arctic Skua.

Seven Teal were split between Stainforth’s Flash and Thornwick Pools, with the Long-tailed Duck still at the former site. Wader interest included a Little Ringed Plover, three Dunlin and a Redshank at Thornwick, with an Arctic Skua frequenting fields in the same area. A juvenile Stonechat spent the morning feeding within the confines of the Gorse Field.

West of the Dykes, the Grasshopper Warbler continued to give good views at RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

Another sunny, warm day, with temperatures peaking at 20 degrees C and light onshore winds. During the seawatch, 20 Common Scoter and a Bonxie flew north, with 18 Manx Shearwaters, a Dunlin, 55 Redshank, 16 Sandwich Terns and two Arctic Skuas flew south. Thornwick Pools hosted 15 Dunlin and three Little Ringed Plovers. The most interesting passerine record referred to a Crossbill that overflew Oceanview.

A light/moderate northerly wind decreased in strength during another day that featured sunny intervals; temperatures reached 21 degrees C. During the seawatch, 229 Common Scoters and two Red-throated Divers flew north, with eight Manx Shearwaters moving south. A Tree Pipit that flew west over South Landing was unseasonal. 

An overcast day, with a light/moderate northerly wind and temperatures reaching 17 degrees C. During the seawatch, 465 Common Scoters, a Sooty Shearwater and five Arctic Terns flew north, 20 Manx Shearwaters fed offshore and four Arctic Skuas headed south. Thornwick Pools attracted an Oystercatcher, two Little Ringed Plovers, a Redshank and a juvenile Yellow Wagtail.

The weather consisted of moderate northerly winds and overcast skies. Seawatching highlights included 24 Teal, a Tufted Duck, 55 Common Scoter, a summer-plumaged Great Northern Diver, a Sooty Shearwater, 41 Manx Shearwaters, six Arctic Terns and a Bonxie flew north. Thornwick Pools hosted two Little Ringed Plovers, one Redshank, a Dunlin and two Yellow Wagtails.

An overcast day, with a moderate northerly wind and temperatures reaching 17 degrees C. Seawatching highlights included 12 Teal, 378 Common Scoters, 81 Manx Shearwaters, a Bar-tailed Godwit, an Arctic Tern, four Bonxies and an Arctic Skua flew north, with two Arctic Skuas also heading south. In addition, three Grey Wagtails flew in off the sea. South Landing attracted a Red-breasted Merganser and a Bar-tailed Godwit, whilst Thornwick Pools hosted two Little Ringed Plovers and a Dunlin.

A generally overcast day, although sunny by the evening, with light northerly winds. During the morning’s seawatch, 19 Teal, 367 Common Scoter, a Sooty Shearwater, 29 Manx Shearwaters, two Bar-tailed Godwits, 14 Little Gulls, six Common Terns, 11 Arctic Terns, three Bonxies and two Arctic Skuas flew north. 

The Red-breasted Merganser lingered at South Landing, where 67 Common Scoter, a Bar-tailed Godwit and one Grey Wagtail were also recorded. Thornwick Pools attracted two Little Ringed Plovers and a Redshank, whilst an Arctic Skua visited Stainforth’s Flash.

After an overcast start a sunny day, with light south-east winds and temperatures reaching 20 degrees C. Seawatching highlights included 296 Common Scoter, 30 Manx Shearwaters, 69 Little Gulls, 18 Sandwich Terns and 15 Arctic Terns flying north, with two Red-throated Divers, three Grey Herons, 40 Oystercatchers, six Whimbrel, a Little Gull and three Arctic Skuas moving south. 

The Red-breasted Merganser remained at South Landing, where there were also two Whimbrel and a Bar-tailed Godwit. Sightings from Stainforth’s Flash included a Sanderling, one Greenshank, two Whimbrel and a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull. Insect interest included a Marbled White at South Landing and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth in the village.

West of the Dykes, records from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included five Shelduck, a Red-throated Diver, 199 Swallows and 19 Yellow Wagtails flying south.

A sunny day, with light southerly winds and temperatures reaching 21 degrees C. During the seawatch, 73 Common Scoter flew north, 17 Knot, 177 Dunlin and 53 Redshank flew south, an Arctic Skua, one Little Gull and 43 Sandwich Terns headed north, with lone Common and Arctic Terns moving in the opposite direction.

A Bar-tailed Godwit frequented South Landing beach, but better still, a Marsh Tit was located in the nearby ravine near the car-park; only the fifth local record. Thornwick Pools attracted two Little Ringed Plovers, eight Dunlin and a Bar-tailed Godwit, whilst a Little Egret flew over the village.

Another sunny day, with a light/moderate southerly wind and temperatures reaching 21 degrees C. A seawatch was rewarded with 39 Common Scoter and 41 Sandwich Terns flying north and two Arctic Terns moving in the opposite direction. Three Grey Wagtails also flew south over the Fog Station. Away from the outer head, three Dunlin and a Little Ringed Plover frequented Thornwick Pools. Passerine interest was headlined by a Willow Tit that appeared in village gardens.

West of the Dykes, 200 Swallows and 32 Yellow Wagtails were seen at RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

A day of sunny intervals and increasing amounts of cloud, with light winds and temperatures that reached 23 degrees C. Seawatch highlights included ten Common Scoter, 11 Manx Shearwaters, a juvenile Little Gull, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 458 Sandwich Terns and an Arctic Tern flying north, with a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull flying south. Elsewhere, an adult Mediterranean Gull flew past South Landing, whilst Thornwick Pools attracted a Grey Heron, one Little Ringed Plover, six Dunlin, three Lapwing, a Snipe and three Yellow Wagtails.

After some much needed overnight rain, it was a cloudy and cool start, with cloud clearing and temperatures increasing through the day. Highlight of the day was a notable influx of juvenile Mediterranean Gulls with two north on the morning sea watch and an additional bird at South Landing during the evening. Continuing on the gull theme was a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull also at South Lading during the early afternoon. Aside for the Med Gulls, sea watch counts included 4 Teal, 32 Common Scoter, an eclipse drake Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Manx Shearwater, 10 Redshank, 168 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern and 2 Swift.

Thornwick Pools held 6 Teal, 17 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper. Another Green Sandpiper flew south over Oceanview, where a Cuckoo was also present. An impressive tally of 100 Swifts were over Buckton.

Private gardens on the headland played host to 2 Hummingbird Hawkmoths.

A day of sunny intervals, very light winds and temperatures that reached 19 degrees C. During the seawatch, a Tufted Duck, one Little Gull and 83 Sandwich Terns flew north, with three Teal moving south; two Grey Wagtails again flew past the Fog Station. Another Grey Wagtail overflew Oceanview, whilst a Treecreeper in gardens near the Lighthouse was unusual.

The weather consisted light south-easterly winds, sunny intervals and even a light shower late afternoon; temperatures reached 19 degrees C. During the seawatch, 66 Common Scoter, 296 Sandwich Terns and 12 Arctic Terns flew north, whilst three Red-breasted Mergansers, 12 Manx Shearwaters, seven Whimbrel, seven Sanderling, 80 Dunlin and 59 Redshank moved south. Elsewhere, two Cuckoos frequented Oceanview.

Another day of sunny intervals, light onshore winds and temperatures reaching 20 degrees C. During the seawatch, 78 Common Scoters, 275 Sandwich Terns, eight Common Terns and two Arctic Terns flew north, with 14 Manx Shearwaters and 22 Oystercatchers moved south. A Sooty Shearwater also lingered offshore, with two juvenile Mediterranean Gulls also recorded. 

Thornwick Pools attracted four Shoveler, three Dunlin, two Snipe, Little Ringed Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit and five Yellow Wagtails. Stainforth’s Flash attracted two Dunlin and a Golden Plover, Oceanview again hosted a Cuckoo, whilst a Black Redstart frequented North Dykes. Insect interest included a Marbled White, three Holly Blues and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth at South Landing and its immediate environs.

West of the Dykes, a Grasshopper Warbler was singing at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, whilst 85 birds were rung at Buxckton, including 12 Sedge Warblers, 27 Swallows and five Blackcap.

The day started sunny, with increasing cloud by the afternoon; temperatures reached 20 degrees C. Seawatching highlights included 21 Manx Shearwaters, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 98 Sandwich Terns and ten Arctic Terns flying north. Thornwick Pools attracted a Grey Heron, four Shoveler, three Dunlin, Little Ringed Plover and two Snipe. A Green Sandpiper overflew South Landing, with a Cuckoo remaining at Oceanview. 

West of the Dykes, two Grasshopper Warblers were singing at RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

Sunny skies dominated once more, with a light south-easterly breeze and temperatures reaching 22 degrees C. During the seawatch, 65 Common Scoters, a Sooty Shearwater, five Manx Shearwaters, 47 Sandwich Terns and seven Common Terns flew north. Thornwick Pools attracted two Teal, Little Ringed Plover, two Dunlin, a Grey Wagtail and two Yellow Wagtails, whilst single Snipe, Cuckoo and Goldcrest were recorded at Oceanview.

A sunny day, with increasing amounts of cloud and a light southerly wind; this combination led to the highest temperatures of the year, with a peak of 27 degrees C. Seawatching highlights included a Red-throated Diver, two Grey Herons, four Whimbrel, a Ruff, two juvenile Mediterranean Gulls and an Arctic Tern flying south, with 58 Sandwich Terns, two Common Terns and a Bonxie moving in the opposite direction. 

Thornwick Pools attracted eight Shelduck, two Teal, four Shoveler, whilst two Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper were also recorded on the headland. A Cuckoo frequented the Gorse Field area and a juvenile Merlin hunted the outer head. On the bird front, the day’s undoubted highlight related to the evening discovery of the year’s second Rose-coloured Starling – on wires in the immediate vicinity of North Landing.

More noteworthy still, a Southern Migrant Hawker watched for 15 minutes on the outer headland stole the headlines, although unfortunately it didn’t linger. In addition, a male Keeled Skimmer was photographed (second Flamborough record) and one Red-veined Darter located.

Although the skies were cloudier than recent days, prolonged sunny spells ensured it was warm once again, with temperatures reaching 25 degrees C. During the morning’s seawatch, 41 Oystercatchers, 13 Whimbrel, two Bar-tailed Godwits, seven Knot and six Common Terns flew south, with a juvenile Mediterranean Gull and 40 Sandwich Terns moving north.

Thornwick Pools attracted three Shelduck, three Shoveler, a similar number of Dunlin and two Snipe. A Hobby was over the village during the morning, with Reed Warbler and Goldcrest visited Oceanview. Late news concerned a Pied Crow of unknown origin at Thornwick.

After a relatively cloudy start to the day, sunshine dominated in light northerly winds; temperatures reached 22 degrees C. Seawatching highlights included 82 Common Scoters and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull flew north, with three Sanderling, ten Redshank, 30 Sandwich Terns, a Common Tern and an Arctic Skua moving south. 

Thornwick Pools hosted two Shelduck, three Shoveler, two Little Ringed Plover, seven Dunlin and three Snipe, whilst the Pied Crow of unknown origin remained on the nearby camp. Additional passerine interest included one Goldcrest, 17 Yellow Wagtail and a Grey Wagtail. Insect sightings included six Common Emerald Damselflies (rare locally) and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth.

A day of light south-easterly winds, sunny intervals and evening thunderstorms, with temperatures reaching 21 degrees C. Waders stole the headlines during the seawatch, with 119 Oystercatchers, a Ringed Plover, 16 Turnstones, 115 Knot, 101 Sanderling, 362 Dunlin, 26 Redshank and a Greenshank moving south. Twelve Whimbrel also flew south, including one with an apparent wholly dark rump and buff, heavily marked underwings that accompanied a ‘normal’ Whimbrel past the Fog Station at 1740hrs. Additional sightings on the seawatch included 95 Sandwich Terns, two Arctic Terns, a Bonxie and an Arctic Skua flying north, whilst two Goosanders, four Manx Shearwaters and another Arctic Skua headed in the opposite direction.

Thornwick Pools attracted a three Shoveler, one Shelduck, a Grey Heron, four Black-tailed Godwits, a Snipe, 11 Dunlin, a Green Sandpiper and a Grey Wagtail. Stainforth’s Flash also hosted a different flock of 11 Dunlin, whilst two Little Egrets dropped onto North Marsh. The Pied Crow remained on Thornwick Camp.

West of the Dykes, 100 Swifts and 50 House Martins were over Bempton this evening ahead of gathering storm clouds.

A day of sunny intervals and thundery showers, with temperatures peaking at 28 degrees C; winds remained light and generally from a southerly direction. Seawatching highlights included 16 Teal, two Eider and 81 Sandwich Terns flying north, whilst a Sooty Shearwater moved south.

The day’s main feature related to the arrival of waders – Thornwick Pools attracted a Wood Sandpiper, four Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, three Snipe, six Dunlin, Little Ringed Plover, together with a Little Egret, three Shoveler and five Teal. Stainforth’s Flash hosted one Shelduck, a Ruff, six Dunlin and a Green Sandpiper, with a Greenshank overflying the outer head. Also notable was the arrival of a Wheatear and two Pied Flycatchers on the outer head; the latter the earliest ever autumn arrival.

The weather consisted of very heavy showers, predominantly during the morning, and sunny intervals in increasingly strong south-west winds; temperatures reached 20 degrees C. Thornwick Pools once again proved its worth and attracted a Grey Heron, five Teal, a Shelduck, seven Dunlin, one Lapwing, two Little Ringed Plovers, a Curlew, one Black-tailed Godwit, a juvenile Ruff, two Snipe, a Wood Sandpiper, three Green Sandpipers, and best of all, a juvenile Spotted Redshank. Elsewhere, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, two Ruff and a Dunlin frequented Stainforth’s Flash. Insect interest included a male Common Hawker photographed on the cliff edge by the Golf Course.

West of the Dykes, sightings from Bempton included a Ruff and 100 Swifts, with one of the latter predated by a Peregrine.

The weather featured a strong southerly wind, persistent and occasionally heavy rain throughout the morning, an overcast afternoon and sunny spells by the evening. Temperatures reached a mere 15 degrees C during the morning, but climbed later.

The day’s standout was a south-easterly movement of Swifts on a broad front from Thornwick Bay to Buckton; starting at 0715hrs, a total of 5695 Swifts flew south until the movement abated at 1000hrs. Relatively few were seen on the outer head, with a mere six birds over the Fog Station. 

The morning’s seawatch featured two Grey Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit, 102 Knot and 23 Redshank flying south, with 26 Sandwich Terns and four Common Terns heading in the opposite direction. Waders again featured on the headland with single Wood Sandpiper, two Green Sandpiper, two Dunlin, ten Redshank, Little Ringed Plover and Snipe at Thornwick Pools; the same location also attracted two Little Egrets, a Shoveler and an Arctic Tern. Stainforth’s Flash hosted single Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff and Green Sandpiper, together with a Shelduck and another Arctic Tern. Passerine interest was limited to a Pied Flycatcher on the outer head.

West of the Dykes, sightings from Buckton Pond included a Little Egret, with four Black-tailed Godwits, three Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper and seven Knot flying over.

A light south-westerly wind throughout, with sunny intervals and periodic drizzle. Seawatch highlights included four Shelduck, a Shoveler, 17 Teal, 13 Common Scoters, nine Manx Shearwaters, a Balearic Shearwater, ten Whimbrel, 50 Knot, 11 Sanderling, 147 Dunlin, 18 Redshank, 44 Sandwich Terns, four Common Terns and a ‘spooned’ Pomarine Skua, all heading south; a second Pomarine Skua flew south during the evening. Thornwick Pools attracted three Shelduck, a Wood Sandpiper, one Green Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover and two Snipe. A Short-eared Owl and Wheatear were seen in the Oceanview area, whilst the outer head hosted a juvenile Cuckoo and two Pied Flycatchers.

However, cetaceans stole the headlines, with a minimum of three Minke Whales off the north side of the headland and, far more unusually, a Humpback Whale which showed well c. 1.5km offshore between 1315-1415hrs. 

West of the Dykes, 33 Yellow Wagtails and three Willow Warblers were recorded at RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

After several relatively wet days, warmer, dryer weather returned once more, with sunny intervals developing after a cloudy start.  During the seawatch, 84 Common Scoter flew north, five Teal, a Red-throated Diver, four Manx Shearwaters, 12 Oystercatchers, eight Black-tailed Godwits, three Whimbrel, 53 Sandwich Terns, two Common Terns, three Arctic Terns and two juvenile Mediterranean Gulls moved south.

Thornwick Pools hosted a Great White Egret during the evening that, after a brief stay, headed east; additional sightings there included Grey Heron, Little Ringed Plover, two Dunlin, two Snipe, one Lapwing, a Green Sandpiper and the long-staying Wood Sandpiper. Stainforth’s Flash attracted a lone Shoveler. A Hobby frequented the Old Fall area, where an unseasonal Jay and a Pied Flycatcher were also present. Insect interest included a White-letter Hairstreak at South Dykes and a Red-veined Darter at Thornwick Pools.

West of the Dykes, a Short-eared Owl was present at RSPB Bempton Cliffs.