Month: July 2022

Thundery showers during a day of sunny intervals, light winds and temperatures that reached 18 degrees C. Both the Red-tailed Shrike and Black-browed Albatross remained at Bempton, where two Spoonbills flew north over Staple Newk in the morning.

A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was the highlight of the morning’s seawatch at the outer head, with other notable totals comprising 46 Common Scoters, 28 Manx Shearwaters, a Bonxie, 22 Sandwich Terns and five Arctic Terns. A Hobby hunted over Thornwick Pools, where there were also two Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper and a Little Ringed Plover. The Hawfinch again visited feeders in Flamborough village.

The morning featured several showers, while sunny intervals dominated the latter half of the day; temperatures reached 21 degrees C in a light/moderate south-south-westerly. The continued presence of both the Black-browed Albatross and the Red-tailed Shrike stole the headlines. A Quail was heard from the RSPB car park and additional sightings there included a Blue Fulmar, two Spoonbills in off the sea, a Black-tailed Godwit flying south-east and 385 Swifts over the village late afternoon.

A seawatch at the Fog Station produced 19 Manx Shearwaters, 11 Sandwich Terns and a Common Tern. Thornwick Pools attracted two Ruff, two Green Sandpipers, a Dunlin, one Little Ringed Plover and a Ringed Plover; a Hobby also hunted the outer head.

The weather consisted of westerly winds, sunny intervals and temperatures that peaked at 20 degrees C. The Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike continued to delight visitors, with the latter taking up residence at Wandale Farm; the value of increased observer coverage was amply demonstrated at the latter site with a Quail, Little Owl, Nuthatch and two Black Redstart also present. Additional sightings from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included two Marsh Harriers and a Grey Plover flying south-east and 313 Swifts moving north-west.

Thornwick Pools hosted a Grey Plover, one Black-tailed Godwit, five Redshanks, two Green Sandpipers and a Grey Wagtail. Seawatch highlights included an Arctic Skua, six Eider and five Teal moving south.

Blustery westerly winds established during a cloudier day, with sunny intervals and temperatures reaching 19 degrees C. The Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike remained at Bempton, where four Great White Egrets flew south-east over Staple Newk before they headed around the headland; a colour-ringed individual chose to linger on the outer head, whilst the others pushed south over Bridlington Bay. In addition, the Little Owl and a Black Redstart were still in residence at Wandale Farm.

Seawatch highlights included two Gadwall, 57 Common Scoters, two Red-throated Divers, 14 Manx Shearwaters, a Mediterranean Gull, six Sandwich Terns and an Arctic Skua.

It was a day of variable, but light winds, sunny intervals and temperatures reaching 18 degrees C. A tally of 48 Manx Shearwaters flew north during the morning, with three Gadwall, two Red-throated Divers, 11 Sandwich Terns and two Common Terns also recorded. Elsewhere, a Mediterranean Gull flew past South Dykes and a juvenile Dunlin dropped in at Thornwick Pools. The Black-browed Albatross loafed on the sea between North Dykes and North Landing, then returning to the cliffs before heading out to sea. Also remaining, the Red-tailed Shrike continued its residence at Wandale Farm.

The weather consisted of blustery westerly winds, largely overcast skies and temperatures reaching 20 degrees C. A total of 64 Common Scoters flew past the outer head during a seawatch that also featured eight Manx Shearwaters, 20 Sandwich Terns and a Bonxie; a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins lingered off the headland for much of the day. Six Mute Swans remained on Thornwick Lakes, while the nearby Pools attracted single Little Ringed Plover and a Dunlin.

Elsewhere, both the Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike continued their prolonged stay at Bempton. A Great White Egret flew north over Sewerby, while details of the Great White Egret that lingered on the outer head two days ago: a juvenile female ringed on 12 May 2022 at Ham Wall in Somerset and, surprisingly, this is the first sighting since then.

The day started with blustery northerly winds, although ended with a light, variable breeze, sunny intervals and temperatures peaking at 19 degrees C. A total of 276 Manx Shearwaters flew north, together with 40 Common Scoters, a Red-throated Diver, one Little Egret, two Common Terns, an Arctic Skua and a Bonxie, with four Sandwich terns and an Arctic Skua moving south. The Black-browed Albatross flew out to sea mid-morning at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, with the Red-tailed Shrike at Wandale Farm.

A sunny day, with light variable winds and temperatures reaching 21 degrees C. The day’s undoubted highlight came during the morning’s seawatch when a Caspian Tern flew north past the Fog Station. Picked up on call, the bird flew north at 1036hrs at very close range and represented the third record for the headland, following accepted records at Bempton on 18th July 1973 and off the Fog Station on 6th May 1990. Additional seawatch records included 138 Common Scoters, two Red-throated Divers, 35 Manx Shearwaters, 29 Sandwich Terns, three Common Terns, two Arctic Terns, a Bonxie and an Arctic Skua all moving north. An adult and a juvenile Little Ringed Plover spent the day at Thornwick Pools. Meanwhile, both the Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike remained at Bempton.

Relatively light winds veered from the north-west to the east during the afternoon; otherwise the weather consisted of sunny skies and temperatures peaking at 19 degrees C. Seawatch highlights included 119 Common Scoters north, a Red-throated Diver, 29 Manx Shearwaters, 15 Sandwich Terns, an Arctic Tern and six Arctic Skuas. Both the Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike lingered at Bempton.

Sunny throughout, with light onshore winds and temperatures reaching 22 degrees C. Seawatch highlights included 128 Common Scoters, 12 Manx Shearwaters, four Little Egrets, a Bar-tailed Godwit, three Mediterranean Gulls, 34 Sandwich Terns, five Arctic Terns and two Bonxies north; another Mediterranean Gull flew south, while the year’s first Minke Whale fed amongst the ‘seabird frenzies’. The Black-browed Albatross fed off South Landing early morning amongst large numbers of seabirds, but had returned to Bempton by the evening; the Red-tailed Shrike remained at Wandale Farm, where a Hobby was also recorded.

Another warm, sunny day with temperatures reaching 20 degrees C before an onshore wind developed. A total of 360 Common Scoters moved north during the morning’s seawatch, with other notable sightings including 45 Sandwich Terns north, two Arctic Skuas, a Bonxie and a first-summer Mediterranean Gull. Thornwick Pools attracted two Little Ringed Plovers, a Dunlin and a Green Sandpiper.

Both the Black-browed Albatross and the Turkestan Shrike lingered at Bempton, where single Little Egret and Marsh Harrier flew south-east, along with six Siskin.

A relatively overcast, calm but warm day, with temperatures reaching 22 degrees C. The undoubted highlight was the sight of hundreds of thousands of seabirds feeding off the headland in a scene described as unprecedented by observers who have seawatched locally for over 50 years! Presumably the vast majority were from the local colony or those within the vicinity, with the following also logged flying past; 283 Common Scoters, 13 Manx Shearwaters, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 42 Sandwich Terns (including the year’s first juvenile), an Arctic Tern and three Arctic Skuas. An additional three second calendar-year Mediterranean Gulls and 60 Common Scoters were off South Landing early evening, while Thornwick Pools hosted two Shoveler, a Tufted Duck, two Little Ringed Plovers and a Green Sandpiper.

Both the Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike remained at Bempton, where another Mediterranean Gull and a lone Whinchat were recorded.

The temperatures were lower than of late, with a light/moderate north-north-westerly wind resulting in peak temperatures of 18 degrees C. Four Teal, 88 Common Scoters, three Manx Shearwaters and 16 Sandwich Terns flew north during the morning’s seawatch. Thornwick Pools hosted four Teal, two Little Ringed Plovers and a Green Sandpiper, while the first southbound migrant Wheatear was nearby. Both the Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike continued in residence at Bempton.

A relatively overcast day, with occasional light showers and temperatures peaking at 18 degrees C in a light northerly wind. Seawatch highlights included 275 Common Scoters, 22 Manx Shearwaters, two Mediterranean Gulls, 40 Sandwich Terns, an Arctic Tern and two Arctic Skuas moving north. Thornwick Pools attracted a juvenile Little Ringed Plover and three Dunlin.

Both the Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike remained at Bempton, where further sightings included one Marsh Harrier, a Cuckoo, one Redwing and a juvenile Common Redstart.

A relatively overcast day, with occasional light showers, a moderate westerly wind and temperatures peaking at 22 degrees C. During the morning’s seawatch, a total of 53 Common Scoter flew north, together with the year’s first Red-breasted Merganser, 35 Manx Shearwaters, 24 Sandwich Terns and an Arctic Skua,; five Oystercatchers and a Dunlin moved south. The juvenile Little Ringed Plover remained at Thornwick Pools, whilst 252 Swifts moved west over South Landing and a juvenile Cuckoo frequented the Lighthouse Grassland. Both the Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike continued in summer residence at Bempton.

The day was sunny throughout with a light to moderate south-easterly keeping temperatures comfortably warm, peaking at 19°C.

Seawatching produced the expected Common Scoters (49) and Manx Shearwaters (21) as 214 Sandwich Terns and two Mediterranean Gulls also passed. Single Whimbrel and Black-tailed Godwit were the only waders but the bird of the watch was a dark phase Pomarine Skua. A Black Redstart was at the lighthouse while Thornwick Pools again held a Little Ringed Plover and a Green Sandpiper.

The star birds, Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike, showed well again. Other notable birds at Bempton Cliffs RSPB included a Red Kite, a Marsh Harrier, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull and two Siskin and four Yellow Wagtails passed through.

A pleasant day weather-wise with light variable winds and a maximum temperature of 20 Celsius.

The morning watch at the Fog Station logged 221 Common Scoter north, 15 Manx Shearwaters, a Mediterranean Gull, two Arctic Skuas and 297 Sandwich Terns. In addition, a Storm Petrel was lured and trapped at 2 a.m.

South Landing attracted two Nuthatches while Thornwick Pools still held a juvenile Little Ringed Plover as well as six Yellow Wagtails and a Corn Bunting.

The Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike still enthralled at Bempton Cliffs RSPB where other highlights included a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, three Mediterranean Gulls, a Golden Plover and a Marsh Harrier.

A hot day, the sun only broken by occaisional high, thin cloud. The afternoon temperature, moderated by a light easterly breeze, reached 23 Celsius.

The morning’s seawatch logged 13 Manx Shearwater, 228 Sandwich Terns an two Dunlin.

Thornwick Pools still held a Little Ringed Plover, one Teal, four Yellow Wagtails and a Corn Bunting.

Wader passage was noted at Bempton Cliffs RSPB with 22 Black-taild Godwit, 30 Knot, 12 Dunlin and a Redshank all heading south-east. The Red-tailed Shrike remained in situ.

Certainly the hottest day of the year thus far. Temperatures only fell to 18 Celsius overnight and rose to 25 Celsius often with high hazy cloud. The temperature was undoubtedly much lower than it would otherwise have been without a cooling light to moderate south-easterly sea breeze.

Southbound waders were the main feature of the seawatch with 47 Knot, 25 Sanderling, 204 Dunlin, 148 Redshank and two Whimbrel. A Great Skua and 157 Sandwich Terns were also logged.

The unseasonal Fieldfare was seen again at Oceanview. Fourteen Dunlin, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover and four Yellow Wagtails were present at Thornwick Pools.

Both star birds, the Black-browed Albatross and the Red-tailed Shrike, were present at Bempton Cliffs RSPB supported by a Treecreeper and a Great Spotted Woodpecker which are both unusual for the site. A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull also passed.

Very warm overnight, the temperature being 26 Celsius at 2 a.m. then becoming cooler being no higher than 20 by early afternoon. After a sunny start cloud thickened as the day wore on in a fresh northerly.

The morning watch at the Fog Station logged 75 Common Scoter, eight Manx Shearwaters, 63 Sandwich Terns and an Arctic Skua.

A Lapwing at Thornwick Pools was the only notable new bird there.

Bempton Cliffs RSPB hosted both the Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike again with added interest in the form of an Arctic Skua and a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull.

A light to moderate northerly brought cloud through most of the day with temperatures 19-20 Celsius.

Improved seawatching in both morning and evening sessions included teh following highlights: 278 Manx Shearwaters, six Whimbrel, a Little Gull, three Mediterranean Gulls, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, 12 Arctic Terns, a Great Skua and three Arctic Skuas.

Single Dunlin and Green Sandpiper and five Yellow Wagtails were at Thornwick Pools.

At Bempton Cliffs, the Red-tailed Shrike continued to show well and the Black-browed Albatross was only seen briefly early evening.

Cloudy and relatively coolby recent standards with a maximumtemperature of 17 Celsius and a light breeze varying from north-east to south back to east.

The combined totals for both morning and evening seawatches included 151 Common Scoter, 121 Manx Shearwaters, 311 Oystercatchers, two Whimbrel, 27 Black-tailed Godwits, eight Mediterranean Gulls, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull and 342 Sandwich, 5 Common and two Arctic Terns.

Two Green Sandpipers and a Dunlin with six Yellow Wagtails were attracted to Thornwick Pools while a Whinchat was along the Motorway Hedge.

Bempton Cliffs continued to steal the limelight, this time with an adult Long-tailed Skua, which must have been an incongruous sight sat on a fence post for a while before it flew east. The Red-tailed Shrike, now without its red tail due to moult, and the Black-browed Albatross were both still in residence. Other highlights included a Whimbrel, two Golden Plover and a Wheatear. A Quail was calling near Buckton.

The day grew progressively warmer through to early evening when the temperature has reached 23 Celsius. There was a moderate south-easterly breeze veering to south-west by evening.

There were both morning and evening seawatch sessions where the highlights were one Shoveler, 96 Common Scoter, 53 Manx Shearwater, 31 Whimbrel, 15 Turnstone, eight Dunlin, two Mediterranean Gulls, 110 Sandwich, 2 Common and 3 Arctic Terns and a single Arctic Skua.

Away from the sea, Thornwick Pools held two Little Ringed Plovers, a Green Sandpiper, three Dunlin and six Yellow Wagtails. A Short-eared Owl was at the Gorse Field briefly and and most unexpected was a Willow Tit at South Landing, either species is a very scarce bird locally.

The main attractions, the Red-tailed Shrike and Black-browed Albatross, remained at Bempton Cliffs RSPB while a singing Quail provided added interest.

The weather consisted of moderate south-westerly winds, overcast skies with occasional sunny intervals and showers, while temperatures peaked at 23 degrees C. The year’s first juvenile Caspian Gull was seen on the seawatch, together with two juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull; other notable sightings included 93 Whimbrel, 42 Knot and 123 Swifts south, with a further 75 Swifts feeding over the village. Thornwick Pools attracted two Grey Herons, two Little Ringed Plovers, a Green Sandpiper, a Dunlin and a Grey Wagtail, with a creamcrown Marsh Harrier hunting the outer head. Both the Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike remained at Bempton, where the reserve’s first Small Red-eyed Damselfly was found, along with c.150 Swift and a Red Kite.

Blustery winds veered from the south-west to the north-north-west during a day of sunny intervals; however, a band of heavy rain arrived late afternoon, whilst temperatures peaked at 21 degrees C. The relatively warm, strong winds pushed raptors onto the headland, headlined by a Honey Buzzard cresting the cliff top at Staple Newk, RSPB Bempton Cliffs at 1320hrs; it was then relocated over the Dykes and eventually flew west over Sewerby at 1340hrs. Two Red Kites tracked in a similar direction, while a Marsh Harrier also overflew the Dykes; a Short-eared Owl hunted cliff top fields at North Dykes. Both the Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike remained at Bempton, while a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was over the sea.

Highlights from a seawatch session on the outer head included six Teal, 22 Manx Shearwaters, 18 Oystercatchers, five Knot, a Mediterranean Gull, 40 Sandwich Terns and a Common Tern. Two Little Ringed Plovers and a Green Sandpiper remained at Thornwick Pools, with 12 Knot frequenting South Landing beach. A pair of Grey Partridge that accompanied six young represented a notable breeding record.

Classic ‘high pressure loop’ conditions promised much, with high expectations of a good seawatch and so it proved: the northerly winds gradually dropped in strength during the morning, with sunny intervals by late afternoon following earlier overcast skies and spells of light rain. Pride of place were five Cory’s Shearwaters that flew north, along with 1951 Manx Shearwaters, a Balearic Shearwater and ten Sooty Shearwaters. Two juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls, a juvenile Caspian Gull, seven Mediterranean Gulls, a Little Tern and 25 Arctic Terns were also recorded off the outer head. Away from the sea, a Cuckoo frequented South Landing, with the Fieldfare remaining at nearby Oceanview and a reeling Grasshopper Warbler was at South Dykes.

Elsewhere, both the Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike lingered at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, along with a Redwing.

The day featured sunny intervals, a south-easterly wind developing and temperatures reaching 19 degrees C. Seawatch highlights included the Black-browed Albatross flying past the Fog Station, along with 94 Common Scoters, a Sooty Shearwater, 165 Manx Shearwaters, a Mediterranean Gull, ten Arctic Terns and an Arctic Skua flying north; another Mediterranean Gull lingered offshore. In addition to the aforementioned albatross and long-staying Red-tailed Shrike, sightings from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included five Goosanders, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, a Cuckoo and a Hobby. Land-based sightings on the outer head included a lone Marsh Harrier.

A relatively overcast day, with a light south-easterly establishing and temperatures peaked at 18 degrees C. The seawatch was rewarded with 29 Common Scoters, 47 Manx Shearwaters, 48 Oystercatchers, 47 Whimbrel, four Mediterranean Gulls, 177 Sandwich Terns, three Common Terns and two Arctic Skuas. Thornwick Pools attracted a Teal, four Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper and a Redshank.

Sightings from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included both the Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike, together with a Yellow-legged Gull; a Marsh Harrier hunted cliff top fields at nearby Buckton.

A day of sunny intervals, light south-easterly winds and temperatures reaching 20 degrees C. A total of 487 Common Scoters flew north during the morning’s seawatch that also featured 17 Teal, an Eider, 38 Manx Shearwaters, a Mediterranean Gull, 47 Sandwich Terns, five Common Terns, two Arctic Terns, a Bonxie and an Arctic Skua. Unusually, an additional 14 Common Scoters flew north over the headland. Thornwick Lakes/Pools attracted a Mute Swan, one Teal, five Dunlin, a Green Sandpiper and a Redshank, as well as a juvenile Caspian Gull. A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was off the North Cliffs between Thornwick and RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where the Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike remained. A creamcrown Marsh Harrier frequented fields on the outer head, while six Grey Wagtails represented a notable influx.

An overcast day, with spells of light rain in a gentle south-west wind and temperatures peaking at 22 degrees C. The morning seawatch featured 11 Teal, six Eider, 102 Manx Shearwaters, 19 Whimbrel and 24 Black-tailed Godwits flying south, with 177 Common Scoters, two Red-throated Divers, 14 Sandwich Terns, two Common Terns and two Arctic Skuas heading north. Thornwick Pools attracted a juvenile Wood Sandpiper, one Green Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover, a Redshank, four Dunlin, two Snipe, four Yellow Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail; a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull bathed on nearby Thornwick Lakes. Meanwhile, South Landing hosted three Mediterranean Gulls, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, two Whimbrel and a Marsh Harrier. Both the Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike remained at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull and 13 Whimbrel were also recorded. Nearby, a Quail sang late evening from crop at Buckton.

The morning’s weather was dominated by persistent rain, albeit relatively light at times, and misty conditions; clearer later, with occasional sunny intervals and a moderate northerly wind. Southbound waders past the Fog Station included 58 Knot, 12 Sanderling, 60 Redshank and 12 Dunlin, while 847 Puffins tracked north. Both the Black-browed Albatross and Red-tailed Shrike remained at Bempton, where a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was also present.