Recent Daily Highlights

Our full archive of daily highlights and logs going back to 2014 can be found on the Daily Log & Archive page.

• 3rd October 2024

  Out with the old, in with the new. A changeover day, with no sign of the Pale-legged Leaf Warbler although new arrivals included a Daurian Shrike at RSPB Bempton Cliffs and a stunning male Red-flanked Bluetail at Needles Plantation near South Dykes. Two Little Buntings also made landfall (Bempton & Old Fall), as did a Rustic Bunting at Thornwick. Three Red-breasted Flycatchers remained (Old Fall & North Landing), as did the Icterine Warbler at the latter site and the Great Grey Shrike. Elsewhere, a Marsh Warbler was at Old Fall, a Firecrest at Thornwick and a Barred Warbler was caught and ringed at RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

  
  Single Hobby, Merlin and Marsh Harrier hunted the outer head. Passerine migrants there included 150 Goldcrests, 12 Yellow-browed Warblers, three Willow Warblers, a Common Whitethroat, a Siberian Lesser Whitethroat, 40 Blackcap, two Garden Warblers, six Pied Flycatchers, nine Wheatear, a Whinchat, two Common Redstarts, seven Mistle Thrush, seven Brambling and seven Siskin.

  
  Additional sightings from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included two Water Rails, 47 Golden Plovers, a Reed Warbler, three Yellow-browed Warblers, eight Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, one Whinchat, 45 Goldcrests, a Grey Wagtail and two Brambling. 

  

  

  

• 2nd October 2024

  The fantastic birding spell continued during a relatively cloudy day with some sunny intervals, a moderate north-north-east wind and high of 13 degrees C. The Pale-legged Leaf Warbler remained at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, while an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler was located on the edge of the Gorse Field early afternoon. Elsewhere, an Olive-backed Pipit delighted large numbers of visiting birders on the edge of Thornwick Camp, where it fed in the leaf litter adjacent to the ‘activity barn’. Also present were five Red-breasted Flycatchers, a Great Grey Shrike, four Ring Ouzels, a Marsh Warbler, an Icterine Warbler, six Yellow-browed Warblers and the year’s first Barred Warbler; the latter caught during a ringing session at Thornwick. Additional totals included single Hobby, Merlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Woodcock and Jack Snipe, 70 Goldcrest, a Lesser Whitethroat, 17 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 13 Wheatear, one Redstart, a Whinchat, four Pied Flycatchers, four Grey Wagtails, five Brambling, 13 Siskin and a Snow Bunting.

  A Black-throated Diver flew north during a seawatch that also featured 11 dark-bellied Brent Geese, six Velvet Scoters and three Sooty Shearwaters; a further 12 dark-bellied Brents flew north-east along the South Cliffs.

  Migrant numbers at Bempton included two Woodcock, a Yellow-browed Warbler, eight Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 40 Goldcrests and a Brambling.

  

  

  

  

  

• 1st October 2024

  Overcast throughout, with strong northerly winds, driving rain and temperatures no higher than 13 degrees C. Seawatch highlights included two dark-bellied Brent Geese, nine pale-bellied Brent Geese, 18 Barnacle Geese, 35 Pink-footed Geese, a Pintail, two Velvet Scoters, a Red-necked Grebe, a juvenile Little Gull and 21 Sooty Shearwaters.

  A Red-breasted Flycatcher was a fresh arrival along Old Fall hedge, where the year’s first Great Grey Shrike also made landfall. Two Red-breasted Flycatchers and the Icterine Warbler continued their residence at North Landing. Additional migrants included a Hobby, 17 Redwing, three Yellow-browed Warblers, a Common Whitethroat and a Pied Flycatcher.

  The Pale-legged Leaf Warbler was still at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, but continued to be elusive; it was joined by a Sand Martin, two Yellow-browed Warblers, seven Goldcrest and two Redwing.

  

• 30th September 2024

  Overcast throughout, with rain setting in during the morning, a moderate easterly wind and high of 13 degrees C. A juvenile Long-tailed Skua flew north during a seawatch, with 18 Arctic Skuas moving in the same direction and three Pintail heading south. Locating passerines proved challenging once the rain set in, although the Icterine Warbler and two Red-breasted Flycatchers remained at North Landing, while five Yellow-browed Warblers and a Whinchat were elsewhere.

  Meanwhile the headline grabbing Pale-legged Leaf Warbler remained in residence at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where a single Yellow-browed Warbler was also present.

  

  

• 29th September 2024

  The day began with light south-west winds backing to moderate south-easterlies during the afternoon; temperatures reached 14 degrees C under relatively bright, but overcast skies. Attention focussed once again on RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where the Pale-legged Leaf Warbler remained in residence. Other notable sightings there included a Great White Egret, a Little Egret, 700 Pink-footed Geese, four Whooper Swans (autumn first), a first-winter Yellow-legged Gull, three Yellow-browed Warblers, a Whinchat and four Wheatear.

  The Siberian Stonechat also lingered at North Dykes, but as the south-easterly wind established, it moved onto the western and more sheltered side of the Dykes. Elsewhere, the Icterine Warbler was still at Holmes Gut, as were two Red-breasted Flycatchers. Surprisingly, the ever elusive Hoopoe reappeared briefly at North Landing – giving the star bird a run for its money as the most difficult species to view on the headland! A Green Woodpecker overflew South Landing, where two Reed Warblers and no fewer than seven Yellow-browed Warblers were rung; the latter contributing to 16 YBWs on the outer head. Other notable migrants included a Great White Egret, one Green Sandpiper, a Siberian Lesser Whitethroat, a Spotted Flycatcher and one Mistle Thrush.

  A juvenile Long-tailed Skua flew north during a morning seawatch that also featured nine Sooty Shearwaters and 6038 Razorbills heading in the same direction.

  

  

• 28th September 2024

  The weather consisted sunny intervals, light westerly winds and a peak of 15 degrees C. RSPB Bempton Cliffs was unsurprisingly the centre of many a birders attention due to the continued presence of the UK’s second ever Pale-legged Leaf Warbler. While elusive for long spells, most of the many hundreds of birders on site were able to obtain views at some point. Additional sightings of interest on the reserve included 581 Pink-footed Geese, a Marsh Harrier, three Yellow-browed Warblers, a Siberian Chiffchaff, three Lesser Whitethroats, 25 Goldcrests, a Redstart, two Whinchat, a Tree Pipit and a Common Rosefinch.

  A Siberian Stonechat was located at North Dykes in the morning and spent the majority of the day feeding along the fenceline on the eastern side of the dyke. The eastern vibe only intensified with the mid-afternoon discovery of a Red-flanked Bluetail in ‘Booted Gully’ – it showed well flycatching in a lone sycamore until dusk. On the opposite side of the headland, North Landing hosted three Red-breasted Flycatchers and an Icterine Warbler. Equally notable was an influx of five Siberian Lesser Whitethroats on the outer head. Additional migrant totals there included a Jack Snipe, ten Yellow-browed Warblers, 36 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, four Common Whitethroats, two Pied Flycatchers, two Whinchat, a Redstart, one Tree Pipit and two Brambling.

  

  

  

• 27th September 2024

  Strong northerly winds throughout, frequent showers mainly during the morning and a high of 11 degrees C. Conditions suggested seawatching would steal the headlines, but all attention ended focussed on RSPB Bempton Cliffs. The ever elusive wing-barred phyllosc, first seen on 25th, was relocated; sound-recordings confirmed the identification as Pale-legged Leaf Warbler. There is only one accepted UK record from October 2016, with one in 2012 identified to this species or Sakhalin Leaf Warbler; the latter is morphologically very similar, but critically has a different call. Single Firecrest and Siberian Chiffchaff were also on the reserve, together with 30 Goldcrests, a Yellow-browed Warbler and a Water Rail.

  A total of 551 Sooty Shearwaters flew north past the outer head, along with a Balearic Shearwater, 224 Manx Shearwaters, a Leach’s Petrel and two Roseate Terns. Six juvenile Long-tailed Skuas moved south, while nine Bonxies and 45 Arctic Skuas were also recorded. Wildfowl interest included 15 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 56 Barnacle Geese, along with a Velvet Scoter. Gulls were moving north, including 25 Little and one first-winter Caspian. Elsewhere, a Red-breasted Flycatcher was discovered in Needles Plantaion near South Dykes, with additional migrants two Yellow-browed Warblers, one Redwing, a Pied Flycatcher, two Redstart and a Brambling.

  

• 26th September 2024

  Overcast throughout, the day starting with moderate easterly winds and ending with very strong northerlies; there was also heavy rain at either end of the day. A drake Long-tailed Duck flew north during the morning seawatch along with a Balearic Shearwater, 53 Little Gulls and three Sooty Shearwaters.

  A Long-eared Owl graced RSPB Bempton Cliffs together with a Siberian Chiffchaff, two Yellow-browed Warblers, six Goldcrests and two Marsh Harriers.

  Notable sightings on the outer head included a Jack Snipe, four Yellow-browed Warblers, 11 Goldcrests, a Lesser Whitethroat, two Redstarts and a Whinchat.

  

• 25th September 2024

  A largely overcast day, with some sunny intervals; there were light westerly winds at first light, but a switch to easterlies in the afternoon, while temperatures reached 14 degrees C. Six dark-bellied Brent Geese and 11 Sooty Shearwaters flying north were the highlights of the morning seawatch. Wildfowl interest included skeins containing 130 Pink-footed Geese flying south and 44 Tufted Ducks on Thornwick Lakes. A Jack Snipe flushed from the cliff top path along the South Cliffs was obviously fresh in. Passerine interest included eight Yellow-browed Warblers, a Garden Warbler, two Lesser Whitethroats, one Reed Warbler and two Whinchat.

  RSPB Bempton Cliffs proved productive, with a Hoopoe making a brief visit before flying south-east, three Yellow-browed Warblers and two Wood Warblers; unfortunately, a wing-barred phyllosc evaded firm identification.

  

• 24th September 2024

  Another relatively overcast day, with light northerly winds and a peak temperature of 14 degrees C. Two juvenile Long-tailed Skuas and an adult Pomarine Skua flew south on a seawatch that also featured three Shoveler, two Pintail, two Velvet Scoters (north), 58 Little Gulls and 83 Red-throated Divers moving south.

  A Great White Egret visited the outer head briefly before heading south-west. The Little Stint remained on South Landing beach, while Marsh Harrier, Hobby and Merlin hunted the outer head.

  A Dusky Warbler at North Landing vied for attention with three Red-breasted Flycatchers, all remarkably within a 20m radius. In addition, the ever elusive Hoopoe made a brief appearance in fields along Lighthouse Road, while a Marsh Warbler was photographed on the edge of Lighthouse Field. Additional migrants included a Ring Ouzel, 16 Yellow-browed Warblers, two Whinchat, 24 Wheatear, one Redstart, a Spotted Flycatcher, four Pied Flycatchers, 170 Meadow Pipits, two Tree Pipits and eight Siskin.

  A Wood Warbler graced RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where two Yellow-browed Warblers and three Spotted Flycatchers were also present. Six Yellow-browed Warblers were at Buckton.

  

  

• 23rd September 2024

  An overcast day, with moderate northerly winds, periods of drizzle and occasional heavy showers and a high of 14 degrees C. Seawatch highlights included 111 Teal and 47 Red-throated Divers moving south; six dark-bellied Brent Geese, 71 Wigeon, 239 Common Scoters, a Velvet Scoter, 13 Arctic Skuas, five Bonxies, eight Sooty Shearwaters and 35 Manx Shearwaters all headed north.

  A Hobby overflew Thornwick and the juvenile Little Stint lingered on South Landing beach, where a Red-breasted Merganser flew east. The Red-breasted Flycatcher lingered in Old Fall and a total of 18 Yellow-browed Warblers (including two at RSPB Bempton Cliffs. Additional migrants included a Jay, two Redwing, two Garden Warblers, two Whinchat, two Redstart, three Pied Flycatcher, a Spotted Flycatcher, one Tree Pipit, a Brambling and 12 Siskin.

  

• 22nd September 2024

  Thick fog drifted ashore soon after dawn and preceded a brief misty spell before thick fog returned once again. A light/moderate northerly wind was a constant, with temperatures reaching 15 degrees C. Watching the sea proved nigh on impossible nevermind seawatching, so attention was again was on the land. Despite the challenging visibility, there was an impressive cast list: Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, two Little Buntings, Hoopoe, 27 Yellow-browed Warblers, four Red-breasted Flycatchers and a juvenile Honey Buzzard.

  Despite showing well at times from first light, the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler flew north along Old Fall hedge at 1000hrs and wasn’t relocated. Of the aforementioned, one Little Bunting remained in the vicinity of Old Fall, while another flew into the Lighthouse Crop late morning. The Hoopoe remained for its third day, but was only glimpsed twice near Lighthouse Road before disappearing into the fog. Three of the four Red-breasted Flycatchers were considered ‘new’, with yesterday’s bird still present at Old Fall. The dark juvenile Honey Buzzard appeared in the ‘misty window’ at and flew east over North Marsh before circling higher into the cloud base at 1310hrs. Additional sightings included Hobby and Little Stint at South Landing, a first-winter Caspian Gull, four Pied Flycatchers, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Brambling and 13 Siskin.

  Within the above totals, two Yellow-browed Warblers were at RSPB Bempton Cliffs and three Yellow-browed Warblers and a Pied Flycatcher at Buckton.

  

• 21st September 2024

  The day began with fog, which then cleared for a few hours to leave misty conditions before thick fog returned from early afternoon; there were light northerly winds and a high of 16 degrees C.

  It felt almost inevitable that a cracking bird would turn up and that’s exactly what happened with the early afternoon discovery of the headland’s second ever Eastern Olivaecous Warbler along Old Fall hedge. Despite the difficult viewing conditions, it showed well until late afternoon favouring the section north of the plantation. It was heartening to see Old Fall return to form having been relatively quiet for several years; Flamborough’s first was found on the same hedge in September 2010.

  Three Red-breasted Flycatchers remained in residence (including one at Old Fall), as did 11 Yellow-browed Warblers. These included an individual in cliff top grass near the Seawatch Observatory late on and obviously fresh in, a bird ringed at Buckton and three at RSPB Bempton Cliffs. Also present were two Garden Warblers, two Lesser Whitethroats, seven Willow Warblers, 29 Chiffchaffs, 18 Wheatear, two Whinchat, two Redstart, three Pied Flycatchers, two Spotted Flycatchers, 16 Robins, 20 Song Thrush and a Siskin. Wader interest included three Bar-tailed Godwits overhead and a Little Stint on South Landing beach.

  Additional sightings from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included five Goldcrest, nine Song Thrush, 15 Robins, a Redstart, four Wheatear and a Siskin.

  

  

  

• 20th September 2024

  Overcast throughout, misty at times, with a high of 16 degrees C in a light/moderate north-north-easterly wind. Scarce migrants continued to make landfall throughout including a Little Bunting on the cliff top near Old Fall, no fewer than 16 Yellow-browed Warblers (including three at Buckton & one at Bempton) and five Red-breasted Flycatchers (including one at Buckton). Numbers of commoner migrants remained relatively low, but included eight Willow Warblers, a Grasshopper Warbler, one Garden Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher, one Pied Flycatcher, three Redstarts, 16 Wheatear, 20 Stonechat and four Whinchat. Thrushes included a Fieldfare, two Redwing and 20 Song Thrush, excluding one of the latter that was forced to ditch in the sea by an Arctic Skua!

  Seawatch highlights included a juvenile Pomarine Skua flying south, with a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, four Pintail and three Sooty Shearwaters moving north. In addition, two Caspian Gulls (1st and 2nd-winters) frequented the outer head, where a Hobby was also recorded; a Grey Plover dropped onto South Landing beach.

  Additional records from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included a Marsh Harrier, two Goldcrest, a Garden Warbler, 13 Song Thrush, two Stonechat, five Wheatear and a Siskin.

  

• 19th September 2024

  Overcast throughout, with a relatively light northerly wind and high of 16 degrees C. Conditions looked conducive for an arrival of migrants, and six Yellow-browed Warblers made landfall, including one at Buckton Pond and two ringed at South Landing. However, the day’s star bird was a Hoopoe that was watched flying in off the sea at North Landing at 1430hrs. It landed on the cliff side, where it fed for 10 minutes, before flying over the cafe and wasn’t relocated. Additional migrant totals included two Garden Warblers, a Pied Flycatcher, one Spotted Flycatcher, eight Wheatear, two Whinchat, one Redstart and a Tree Pipit. Added interest was provided by a Merlin hunting the outer head and a first-winter Caspian Gull on the stubble at North Landing.

  A pale juvenile Long-tailed Skua flew north on a seawatch that also featured one pale-bellied and 12 dark-bellied Brent Geese.

  Elsewhere, eight Stonechat, a Whinchat and one Pied Flycatcher graced RSPB Bempton Cliffs, while a Redstart was on the cliff top at Buckton. Two Pale-bellied Brent Geese and a Mediterranean Gull also flew past the reserve.

  

  

• 18th September 2024

  The weather consisted of relatively overcast skies with some sunny intervals, especially towards the end of the day, a relatively light easterly wind and high of 16 degrees C. Autumn’s first Yellow-browed Warbler made landfall in South Landing, where it showed well in a flock of six Chiffchaffs.

  A juvenile Sabine’s Gull again fed off the Fog Station, where sightings also included three Pale-bellied Brent Geese, a Black Tern, 138 Little Gulls, 32 Arctic Skuas and four Sooty Shearwaters. Two Wheatears and a Merlin were also recorded on the cliff top.

  

• 17th September 2024

  Sunny throughout, with a light onshore wind developing during a day where temperatures reached 17 degrees C. A juvenile Long-tailed Skua flew north during a morning seawatch that also featured two Black Terns and a Minke Whale; 200 Little Gulls, a juvenile Sabine’s Gull and a dark-bellied Brent Goose flew south during an evening watch. Chiffchaff numbers continued to increase, with eight at Beacon Hill/Hartendale and five at Thornwick an indication of a significant tally across the headland. Single Whinchat and Grey Wagtail were also present.

  The high pressure conditions proved conducive to raptors drifting onto the headland, with 58 Common Buzzards recorded from RSPB Bempton Cliffs along with a Red Kite, five Marsh Harriers and the long-staying juvenile Merlin. Seven Chiffchaffs were also present on the reserve, together with a Spotted Flycatcher that arrived in the evening and 56 Meadow Pipits flying north-west.

  

• 16th September 2024

  Light winds throughout, with a switch from northerlies to easterlies in the afternoon; there were sunny skies throughout and a high of 16 degrees C. An evening seawatch was rewarded with a juvenile Sabine’s Gull amongst several hundred Little Gulls, two Sooty Shearwaters and four Pale-bellied Brent Geese. A colour-ringed Caspian Gull rested on High Stacks, while a Nuthatch that visited a Flamborough village garden was certainly unusual.

  A total of 35 Pink-footed Geese flew south over RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where 106 Common Scoters, a Mediterranean Gull and one Marsh Harrier were also recorded.

  

• 15th September 2024

  A relatively overcast day, with rain from late morning and a high of 16 degrees in a light south-westerly wind. Thirty Little Gulls, a Mediterranean Gull, three Caspian Gulls and a Yellow-legged Gull were off the Fog Station. Thornwick Pools continued to host two Water Rails alongside 29 Teal and two Dunlin, but better still, a Kingfisher was in Thornwick Bay mid-afternoon. Three skeins of Pink-footed Geese tallying 115 birds flew south over the headland, while five Goldcrests also represented signs of autumn.

  

• 14th September 2024

  Although south-westerlies throughout, it was a day of two halves starting with overcast skies and a temperature of eight degrees and ended with sunny intervals and temperatures reaching 20 degrees C. Seven Sooty Shearwaters and two first-winter Caspian Gulls represented the seawatch highlights, while Thornwick Pools attracted two Water Rails and a Green Sandpiper. The Merlin continued to hunt the outer head, where three Ruff dropped onto the golf course and nine Lapwing flew south. Passerine migrants were in short supply, with a Pied Flycatcher at North Landing and a Whinchat in the Lighthouse Grassland.

  Two Marsh Harriers again hunted fields immediately south of RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where sightings included 27 Pink-footed Geese flying south and a Hobby.

  

• 13th September 2024

  A day of light, variable winds, prolonged sunny intervals and a high of 14 degrees C. The day’s seawatching again proved rewarding as birds continued to re-orientate back north. Totals included 281 Sooty Shearwaters, 338 Manx Shearwaters, four Balearic Shearwaters, 31 Arctic Skuas, 622 Little Gulls, a first-winter Caspian Gull, three Black Terns and a Little Tern.

  Away from the sea, a 120-strong skein of Pink-footed Geese flew south over the headland. A Merlin hunted dragonflies at North Marsh, a Hobby overflew Thornwick Pools, while two Little Egrets fished the rockpools below the South Cliffs. Two Spotted Flycatchers were the most notable passerine migrants.

  Two Marsh Harriers hunted fields south of RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where five Yellow Wagtails were present.

  

• 12th September 2024

  Bright and sunny throughout, with a strengthening north-westerly wind developing and temperatures reaching a mere 13 degrees C. A good seawatch had been predicted for several days and so it proved – best were three juvenile Sabine’s Gulls that tracked north, albeit two of these stopped off to feed in tern/kittiwake flocks. Two juvenile Long-tailed Skuas also flew north, together with three Roseate Terns, eight Black Terns and 65 Little Gulls. Additional counts included three Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 36 Pink-footed Geese, 40 Arctic Skuas, seven Bonxies, 218 Sooty Shearwaters and 162 Manx Shearwaters. A Merlin hunted the outer head, but the only noteworthy passerine migrants were two Whinchat and two Spotted Flycatchers.

  

• 11th September 2024

  It was a relatively bright, but chilly day, with a light/moderate west-north-westerly wind and a high of 14 degrees C. Four Roseate Terns (three adults, one juv) flew north during seawatching that also featured two Balearic Shearwaters, 13 Sooty Shearwaters, seven Arctic Terns, 605 Common Terns and a Little Gull all flying north, while seven Pale-bellied Brent Geese and seven Arctic Skuas moved south. Thornwick Pools hosted 39 Teal, a Ringed Plover, three Dunlin, seven Snipe and a Water Rail. Although decreasing day by day, migrants on the outer head still included two Goldcrest, two Grey Wagtails, five Spotted Flycatchers and a Redstart.

  Elsewhere, a ringtail Hen Harrier hunted the cliff top at Buckton. Single Marsh Harrier and Merlin visited RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where single Pied Flycatcher, Tree Pipit and Garden Warbler were also recorded.

  

• 10th September 2024

  The morning featured strong west-south-westerly winds and heavy showers; the wind gradually dropped in strength and sunny intervals established while temperatures reached 14 degrees C. Fourteen Pale-bellied Brent Geese were recorded on a seawatch that also featured a Pintail, two first calendar-year Caspian Gulls, eight Arctic Skuas and a Sooty Shearwater. Thornwick Pools attracted 45 Teal, a Ringed Plover, five Snipe and seven Dunlin, while a Bar-tailed Godwit, 14 Ringed Plovers and six Dunlin were on South Landing beach.

  Given yesterday’s north-westerly airflow, it wasn’t a surprise that Pink-footed Geese had used a tailwind to head south-east from Iceland. Skeins totalling 138 birds flew south over RSPB Bempton Cliffs mid-afternoon, with another 115 geese moving south over the outer head late afternoon. A Spotted Redshank that flew south over the Golf Course represented the year’s first record. Other notable records included a Mediterranean Gull, a Tree Pipit, two Spotted Flycatchers and a Redstart.

  

• 9th September 2024

  It was a much quieter day, with the window from the east closing and cooler conditions encouraging many migrants to depart. Strong north-north-westerly winds gradually relented during a relatively overcast day with a high of 15 degrees C. Seawatching was rewarded with two Pochard, 19 Arctic Skuas, four Bonxies, 33 Red-throated Divers, 26 Sooty Shearwaters (north) and three first calendar-year Caspian Gulls. Passerine migrants included five Whinchat, five Pied Flycatchers, four Spotted Flycatchers, one Garden Warbler and a Redstart.

  The Garganey remained at Buckton Ponds, where there was also a Spotted Flycatcher. Marsh Harrier, Merlin and Hobby were recorded from RSPB Bempton Cliffs once again, where there were also two Garden Warblers, a Redstart and a first calendar-year Caspian Gull.

  

• 8th September 2024

  Once again fog dominated the weather, with the morning’s birding in particular proving challenging. However, visibility cleared early afternoon to leave warm, sunny spells in light onshore winds and a high of 18 degrees C. A first calendar-year Caspian Gull flew east past Beacon Hill, where a Common Sandpiper was on the beach. Both Merlin and Hobby were recorded on the outer head, while a Nuthatch at South Landing was unusual.

  Passerine migrants again made landfall in the afternoon, with the best a Greenish Warbler at the southern end of Lighthouse Field and a Wryneck visiting a village garden during the afternoon. Commoner drift migrant totals included 13 Garden Warblers, 15 Lesser Whitethroats, a Sedge Warbler, four Reed Warblers, eight Redstarts, 17 Whinchat, 19 Wheatear, 12 Pied Flycatchers, 15 Spotted Flycatchers and a Tree Pipit.

  A first-winter male Nightjar entertained at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where a Sedge Warbler, four Lesser Whitethroats, two Garden Warblers, three Pied Flycatchers, three Spotted Flycatchers, a Redstart, one Wheatear and a Whinchat were also present. The long-staying Garganey remained on Buckton Pond.

  

  

• 7th September 2024

  A misty start to the day with intermittent hazy sunshine that was soon replaced by a heavy overcast with showers, some of which were heavy; temperatures reached 17 degrees C in a light/moderate north-easterly wind. Seawatch highlights included a Balearic Shearwater, 78 Manx Shearwaters and 21 Sooty Shearwaters moving north. An adult Pomarine Skua did the same along with 23 Arctic Skuas and six Bonxies. Five Little Gulls flew south, while two first calendar-year Caspian Gulls and a first calendar-year Yellow-legged Gull remained in residence. However, the rarest sighting related to two Common Dolphins that headed north, an exceptional local record.

  Passerine migrants featured once again, headlined by a Blyth’s Reed Warbler photographed in Lighthouse Field early morning only. It showed several times while the hedge was lit by the sun, but melted away once the overcast established. Two Red-breasted Flycatchers were both new arrivals, with one in scrub near the cliff top north of Thornwick Camp and the other in Lighthouse Field after the rain cleared. Additional migrants included four Tree Pipits, six Sedge Warblers, 12 Garden Warblers, 14 Lesser Whitethroats, 82 Wheatear, seven Whinchat, 12 Pied Flycatchers, eight Spotted Flycatchers, 18 Redstarts and one Siskin. A Hobby toured the outer head, where five Sparrowhawks represented an increase.

  RSPB Bempton Cliffs attracted one Sedge Warbler, a Reed Warbler, three Lesser Whitethroats, three Garden Warblers, a Tree Pipit, seven Wheatear, a Whinchat, five Pied Flycatchers, a Spotted Flycatcher and two Redstart. Raptor interest there included single Marsh Harrier, Hobby and Merlin, while the Garganey remained at nearby Buckton Pond; there were four Wheatear nearer the cliff top.

  

• 6th September 2024

  A bright, sunny day albeit misty at times, with a light/moderate north-easterly wind and a high of 20 degrees C. Two juvenile Sabine’s Gulls flew north during a seawatch that also featured two Roseate Terns (ad & juv) heading in the same direction. The majority of species were re-orientating back north after yesterday’s strong winds including 108 Sooty Shearwaters, 414 Manx Shearwaters, three Pale-bellied Brent Geese and an adult Pomarine Skua. Two 1st-calendar Caspian Gulls rested on High Stacks, while a Hobby flashed over the outer head.

  A Red-breasted Flycatcher in the Golf Course Willows in the morning headlined an arrival that included 21 Willow Warblers, three Garden Warblers, a Grasshopper Warbler, nine Spotted Flycatchers, 11 Pied Flycatchers, two Redstarts, one Whinchat, 38 Wheatear and six Yellow Wagtails.

  This arrival was also witnessed at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where there were nine Willow Warblers, a Garden Warbler, five Pied Flycatchers, three Spotted Flycatchers, three Redstarts, five Whinchat, seven Wheatear, two Tree Pipits, five Yellow Wagtails and five Redpolls. Single Merlin, Marsh Harrier and Ruff also flew over the reserve.