Category: Sightings

Although arguably the first day of summer, it still felt cool across the headland. There were blustery northerly winds throughout, overcast skies preceded sunny intervals that dominated the afternoon and a high of 14 degrees C. A male Red-backed Shrike showed well throughout the day along a hedge immediately east of South Landing ravine. Rarer still, especially given the influx of the aforementioned species over the last two weeks, a Quail was flushed from the cliff top near Sykes Plantation. In addition, a Fieldfare was a late migrant, while four Siskin visted gardens.

Sunny throughout, with light winds, variable in direction and temperatures that reached 16 degrees C. A singing Marsh Warbler was vocal at South Landing, but remained hidden for long periods only showing briefly. The male Red-backed Shrike also lingered there, while another male Red-backed Shrike graced South Dykes. A Spotted Flycatcher and two Siskins represented the only other passerine migrants. Seawatch highlights included 27 Manx Shearwaters, 21 Sandwich Terns and a Common Tern flying north.

Elsewhere, two Shelduck flew south-east over RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where a Marsh Harrier moved north-west.

A day of sunny intervals, light winds that started as westerlies but ended onshore and a top temperature of 17 degrees C. No fewer than three singing Marsh Warblers were located on the northern side of the headland between Thornwick and North Landing. Other migrants included two Short-eared Owls together, a Hobby and one Spotted Flycatcher.

One of the highlight’s was the sight of a Nightjar flying in off the sea at RSPB Bempton Cliffs; the reserve also hosted a Redwing.

It was a relatively dull day, with spells of rain in a south-westerly and a high of 17 degrees C. As often in June, Canada Geese were on the move with a total of 63 recorded over the sea. Thornwick Pools attracted a Shoveler and three Ringed Plovers. Yet another Marsh Warbler was discovered, with a singing male in bushes near the lighthouse.

A Hobby flew north-west through RSPB Bempton Cliffs, while a Marsh Harrier moved south-east.

The weather consisted of blustery westerly winds, sunny intervals and occasional showers with a high of 15 degrees C. Seawatch highlights included a Little Gull, 13 Sandwich Terns, five Common Terns and 13 Manx Shearwaters. Freshwaters on the outer head hosted a drake Teal and four Dunlin. Better still, never a common bird on the headland, a Cuckoo spent the day in the shelter of the Bay Brambles adjacent to the Golf Course.

Sunny intervals throughout, with a blustery westerly airstream and peak temperature of 18 degrees C. The winds pushed insects and associated aerial feeders onto the headland, including 65 Swallows, 590 House Martins and 460 Swifts.

The Thornwick/North Landing area attracted a Short-eared Owl, single Hobby and a pair of Garganey. Five Teal, a Ringed Plover and six Dunlin were also recorded, while a pair of Little Grebe were accompanied by three chicks.

Single Marsh Harrier and Hobby overflew RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

A warmer day, with sunny intervals, blustery south-west winds and a high of 18 degrees C. Nine Manx Shearwaters, a Red-throated Diver and nine Sandwich Terns flew north during a morning seawatch. Two Teal, a Shoveler and two Dunlin were on the outer head, with four Grey Herons also touring the freshwater sites. Another Marsh Warbler was located early morning, with a singing male in the Bay Brambles. Other migrants were two Short-eared Owls, 132 Swifts moving south ahead of a cloud bank, a Spotted Flycatcher at South Landing and one Siskin. Elsewhere, a lone Hobby flew west over Sewerby Hall.

Sunny intervals eventually dominated after an overcast start; there were moderate westerly winds and temperatures reached 17 degrees C. Seawatch highlights included two Arctic Skuas, a Red-throated Diver and five Manx Shearwaters moving north. Two Short-eared Owls continued to hunt cliff top fields between North Dykes and Thornwick. Passerine interest was confined to an ‘acredula-type’ Willow Warbler fresh in and a male Grey Wagtail over the lighthouse.

Blustery westerlies at the start of the day switched to lighter onshore winds later; it was generally overcast, with a top temperature of 13 degrees C. The morning seawatch was rewarded with 15 Manx Shearwaters, an Arctic Tern and three Sandwich Terns flying north. The wetlands on the outer head attracted two Shelduck, four Shoveler and a Teal. A singing Reed Warbler at RSPB Bempton Cliffs was relatively unusual.

A cool day once more, with temperatures no higher than 13 degrees C, although significantly less in a blustery northerly wind; there were frequent showers in the morning, with sunny intervals later. Seawatching clearly had promise, with a Bonxie flying past in the morning and a 90-minute evening session rewarded with 32 Manx Shearwaters moving north.

The weather remained seasonally cool, a moderate north north westerly pegged the temperature to a maximum of 12°C after early morning rain.

Seawtchers noted 24 Manx Shearwaters, a single Red-throated Diver and an Arctic Skua during the morning.

Overcast with a light north-westerly and still cool with a maximum temperature of 13°C.

The sea showed most promise and at the Fog Station 21 Common Scoter, an Arctic Tern, single Great and Arctic Skuas and 78 Manx Shearwaters were logged.

An Osprey passed over the sea at Bempton Cliffs where a Great Skua and a Manx Shearwater were also seen. A Marsh Harrier was also present.

A light southerly improved the temperature which increased to a maximum of 16°C. After morning brightness clouds gathered during the afternoon with light rain by evening.

An Arctic Skua and 24 Manx Shearwaters were the best of the seawatch. Two Red Kites were over the Outer Head while another was seen near Buckton Hall.

A relatively overcast day punctuated by sharp showers, a light southerly wind and top temperature of 17 degrees C. An Arctic Skua, a Red-throated Diver and two Manx Shearwaters flew north during the morning seawatch. Four Curlew also flew south, with another two lingering on the outer head.

Elsewhere, a Red Kite circled North Dykes, while a Spotted Flycatcher at RSPB Bempton Cliffs reminded that spring migration is far from over for some birds.

Relatively light winds, variable in direction throughout, with overcast skies, sunny intervals and heavy showers; temperatures reached 15 degrees C. Seawatching produced three Teal, 23 Sandwich Terns, a Red-throated Diver and 11 Manx Shearwaters. A Short-eared Owl again hunted cliff top fields near North Landing. Elsewhere, single Gadwall and Dunlin were on the outer head, while a Wheatear and cliff top Reed Warbler were late spring migrants.

Visible migration at RSPB Bempton Cliffs included 11 Lesser black-backed Gulls, 353 Swifts, 81 House Martins and 294 Starlings.

There were sunny intervals, showers moving through in the afternoon, a south-westerly wind that increased in strength and a high of 15 degrees C. Five Common Scoters, 11 Sandwich Terns, a Common Tern and 14 Manx Shearwaters were recorded on the morning seawatch. An Arctic Tern was off the Fog Station later, where the season’s first Guillemot chicks were on the water. The showers approaching from the west again pushed Swifts onto the outer head; 159 re-orientated back over Beacon Hill between 1240-1330hrs. In addition, 272 Swifts flew north-west over RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

Light winds of variable direction, overcast skies and heavy showers in the afternoon; temperatures reached 13 degrees C. Five Tufted Ducks frequented Thornwick Lakes, while a Little Ringed Plover visited the nearby Pools. A single Mute Swan flew south over the sea off Beacon Hill, with a single Siskin at South Landing. Further west, a Marsh Harrier overflew Buckton Hall.

A moderate northerly carried variable cloud cover and a maximum temperature of 16°C.

At the Fog Station, 33 Manx Shearwaters, 22 Common Scoters, 14 Sandwich and a lone Arctic Tern were all logged on the seawatch.

A sunny day with a light northerly veering south-east by mid afternoon and a maximum temperature of 16°C.

Seawatching featured 10 Teal, 45 Common Scoter and 19 Manx Shearwaters.

Land-based birding still in a lull with little noted other than local breeding species.

Winds light and variable, often sunny with a maximum temperature of 17°C.

Seawatchers logged a Little Tern, a scarce bird here, 31 Sandwich Terns, 13 Manx Shearwaters and 30 Common Scoters.

Two Little Egrets passed over the Outer Head as a Short-eared Owl remained along the north cliffs.

Forty Common Scoter also passed Bempton Cliffs RSPB.

A sunny day, with a light/moderate south-easterly and a high of 18 degrees C. The outer head hosted two Little Egrets, four Teal and five Tufted Ducks. Seawatch highlights included 22 Common Scoters, nine Sandwich Terns, a Common Tern, three Red-throated Divers and six Manx Shearwaters.

There were prolonged sunny intervals, light, variable winds and a high of 20 degrees C. Seawatch highlights included 22 Manx Shearwaters and ten Sandwich Terns, while freshwater sites hosted five Teal and a Little Egret. An approaching bank of cloud and very light rain pushed Swifts onto the headland mid-morning, with 135 west over South Landing and 168 south-east over RSPB Bempton Cliffs. Later in the day, 300 Swifts headed west over the reserve, where a second-summer Mediterranean Gull also flew south-east.

A sunny day, the maximum temperature reaching 24°C mid-afternoon with a light westerly breeze.

At the Fog Station, 23 Manx Shearwaters, 82 Common Scoter and 31 Sandwich Terns were logged.

A male Red-backed Shrike was seen and photographed on the Outer Head by a non-birding visitor. Waders included a juvenile Little Ringed Plover and a Green Sandpiper while two Little Egrets remained on the Outer Head. The Short-eared Owl continued to hunt on the north side of the headland. A congregation of Swifts over the village numbered 120.

Swifts were also over Bempton village with 85 counted and another 157 over Bempton Cliffs where a Marsh Harrier was also noted.

Variable cloud cover but a warm day nonetheless with a maximum temperature of 21°C. Winds were light and variable in direction.

The bird of the day was undoubtedly an adult Purple Heron that alighted at one of the pools on the golf course early morning before being immediately disturbed by greenkeepers and then flying south past the Fog Station. It was the second of the year after the individual at Thornwick Pools on 6th April, the first for thirty years.

Seawatching was relatively quiet with 3 Manx Shearwaters, 26 Sandwich Terns and 62 Common Scoter logged.

The juvenile Little Ringed Plover remained at Thornwick Pools where there were also single Garden and Grasshopper Warblers. Elsewhere, the Little Owl re-appeared near Lighthouse Road close to the golf course.

A Great White Egret passed southeast over Bempton Cliffs RSPB early morning and a Green Sandpiper was at Buckton Pond.

An overcast morning that was followed by blue skies and sunshine; light easterly winds developed in the afternoon and temperatures peaked at 18 degrees C. The highlight was a lone Black-tailed Godwit that graced Thornwick Pools.

Light easterly winds were a feature of a day that began with overcast skies followed by sunny intervals until a sea fret arrived; temperatures reached 19 degrees C. Two Little Terns that flew north during a morning seawatch were particularly noteworthy given the barely annual status of the species; 48 Common Scoters, 15 Sandwich Terns, a Red-throated Diver and 17 Manx Shearwaters were also logged during the same seawatch.

Elsewhere, a creamcrown Marsh Harrier continued to hunt fields at Buckton.

Sunny intervals, a strengthening south-westerly wind and a high of 23 degrees C. A Great Northern Diver flew south past the Fog Station, where sightings also included 35 Sandwich Terns and six Manx Shearwaters. A Shoveler, three Teal, two Green Sandpipers and three Redshank were on the outer head.

An eclipse drake Mandarin Duck was on Buckton Pond in the evening, while a Hobby flew through RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

Sunny intervals prevailed after a relatively overcast start to a day that featured blustery westerly winds and a top temperature of 19 degrees C. Thornwick Pools hosted a Gadwall, two Oystercatchers, an adult Little Ringed Plover, a juvenile Ringed Plover and a Black-tailed Godwit. Three Shoveler and a single Teal were also on the outer head, while a juvenile Little Egret visited Buckton Pond; earlier a single Black-tailed Godwit flew south over RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

Overcast skies, with a band of light rain in the morning; winds were light and temperatures reached a high of 15 degrees C. The year’s first Pomarine Skua flew south during a morning seawatch; 105 Manx Shearwaters and four Sandwich Terns also flew north. Thornwick Pools hosted single Gadwall and Common Sandpiper, while North Marsh attracted nine Shoveler, a Teal and a Green Sandpiper.

A day of sunny intervals, a light/moderate northerly wind and high of 17 degrees C. Wildfowl interest included eight Shoveler, a Teal, four Tufted Ducks and a Gadwall, while a Green Sandpiper also frequented the outer head. A Water Rail at Thornwick Pools was notable, while a singing Corn Bunting on the outer head was similar.

Seawatch highlights included 36 Common Scoters, 14 Sandwich Terns, an Arctic Tern and 32 Manx Shearwaters.