Our full archive of daily highlights and logs going back to 2014 can be found on the Daily Log & Archive page.
- 13th November 2024
A sunny day with a light westerly and a maximum temperature of 13°C.
Highlights of this morning’s seawatch included a Whooper Swan, two Gadwall, 39 Common Scoter, a Goldeneye, two Mediterranean and four Little Gulls and two Great Northern Divers.
Two Water Rails were on the Lighthouse Grassland and two more at Thornwick Pools.
Nine Lapwing were over Bempton village and six Whooper Swans passed over Bempton Cliffs.
- 12th November 2024
A mainly overcast day with the wind moderate and from the north and a maximum temperature of 12°C.
An interesting seawatch for the season, highlights included a Long-tailed Duck, six Little Gulls, three Arctic Skuas, four Sooty and two Manx Shearwaters and a Great Northern Diver passing. A Snow Bunting came in off the sea and a Caspian Gull was present on the rocks.
A Merlin was at Beacon Hill, three Woodcock in the South Landing area and a Ring Ouzel with Blackbirds in the village where 33 Pink-footed Geese flew over.
- 11th November 2024
Finally, the sun returned. The wind veered from northwesterly to northerly and remained light or occasionally moderate.
The change in weather brought a slightly different seawatching experience. Highlights included 239 Little Gulls, two Mediterranean Gulls, two Arctic Skuas, a Little Auk, a Great Northern Diver and 72 Red-throated Divers and a Sooty Shearwater. A Snow Bunting was also present.
A Ring Ouzel flew south-west out of the headland and 13600 Starlings also flew south-west to roost.
*** Newly emerged photographs of the seven geese that flew in off the sea on 9th November reveal that they were actually Lesser White-fronted Geese. Whether these could be considered wild birds is debatable. ***
- 10th November 2024
Overcast again with a light westerly and a maximum temperature of 10°C.
Seawatching highlights included two Great Northern and 23 Red-throated Divers, an Arctic Skua, 25 Little Gulls and two Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
The sea off South Dykes held 52 Common Scoter and eight Red-throated Divers. A Black Redstart was at Cattlmere, other passerines included two Chiffchaff, six Siskin and a Redpoll. Three Woodcock were also seen.
A Short-eared Owl was found exhausted on the cliff top at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.
- 9th November 2024
Mainly cloudy, light easterly and a maximum temperature of 10°C.
Seven Lesser White-fronted Geese came in off the sea at the Fog Station. Other highlights included two Shoveler, 98 Teal, 27 Common Scoter, 11 Little Gulls, A Great Northern and 26 Red-throated Divers while a Sandwich Tern was offshore.
A Siberian Chiffchaff was at Old Fall Hedge and a Black Redstart near the lighthouse. Just a single Woodcock was noted.
Another Black Redstart was at Bempton Cliffs RSPB where a Great White Egret passed over and a Woodcock, a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Goldeneye, a Great Northerm Diver and two Snow Buntings were also logged
- 8th November 2024
Overcast with a light southerly again; maximum temperature 11°C.
Tw Dark-belied Brent Geese passed the Fog Station this morning together with 59 Teal, 5 Wigeon and 15 Common Scoter while a Mediterranean Gull was offshore and a Black Redstart was present.
A Dark-bellied Brent Goose was also on South Landing beach while 6 more passed offshore. A Woodcock was at Little Thornwick Reedbed and a Merlin a short distance away.
- 7th November 2024
Another overcast day when the temperature reached 12 °C in a light southerly.
A quiet seawatch yielded two Bonxies, two Pintail, a Gadwall, eight Eider and ten Common Scoter.
A Ring Ouzel, five Siskins and ten Bramblings were at South Landing where 81 Common Scoter were offshore. A Snow Bunting flew over the Outer Head, a Short-eared Owl at North Landing and a Woodcock in Flamborough village.
- 6th November 2024
The anticyclonic gloom continues. A very light south-westerly and a maximum temperature of 13°C.
Three Dark-bellied Brent Geese, three Whooper Swans and a Pintail were the pick of the seawatch.
A steady, if unspectacular, stream of immigrant 370 Blackbirds, 560 Redwings and 235 Fieldfares continued and included a Ring Ouzel in the Bay Brambles. A Siberian Chiffchaff was in the Golf Course Willows. Five Whooper Swans continued to linger, a further nine passed over and 89 Pink-footed Geese were also seen. Two Short-eared Owls, a male Marsh Harrier and two Merlins were also present on the Outer Head. Eleven Woodcocks, 21 Snipe and flocks of Siskin totalling 92 Siskin were logged. Waters at Thornwick hosted a Black-tailed Godwit, 33 Tufted Duck, three Little Grebes
A Dusky Warbler in Bempton village was the find of the day.
- 5th November 2024
A very light south-westerly and gloomy, overcast conditions continued. The temperature was a constant 11°C.
During the morning, seawatchers logged two Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 31 Eider, 80 Common Scoter, three Goldeneye and a Red-breasted Merganser,eight Little Gulls and a Great Northern Diver. Birds coming in off the sea included two Woodcock,a Short-eared Owl, 80 Redwings and four Snow Buntings. Three pods of Bottle-nosed Dolphins containing 51 animals also passed.
Lingering birds included the Yellow-browed Warbler at Old Fall, four Whooper Swans at Highcliffe Manor and Black-tailed Godwit at Thornwick Pools. Five Woodcock, four Chiffchaff and a Blackcap were noted around the Outer Head and over 1000 Starlings murmurated over Thornwick cafe.
A Lapland Bunting and a Short-eared Owl were at Bempton Cliffs RSPB. A short distance away, a Golden Plover and 3 Grey Wagtails were seen in Bempton village with 1150 Starlings. Large numbers of Starlings were also at Buckton where 7000 were seen.
- 4th November 2024
Dull and overcast with patchy light drizzle with a light south-easterly. Maximum temperature 11 °C.
Seawatchers logged the first Scaup of the year and one each of Shoveler and Gadwall as well as 42 Common Scoter and two Red-breasted Mergansers. Single Pomarine Skua, Great Northern Diver and Little Egret were also seen.
A Hawfinch seen in the Outer Head Gardens was perhaps the same as that seen near South Landing. Other passerines included a Yellow-browed Warbler at Old Fall again, two Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Chiffchaff, a Ring Ouzel and 33 Siskins. Eight Woodcocks, five Whooper Swans and a Black-tailed Godwit were the best of the rest.
A Siberian Chiffchaff and two Common Chiffchaffs were at Bempton Cliffs RSPB. Other sightings included a Great Northern Diver, three Brambling, three Siskin, two Water Rails, four Whooper Swans, 68 Pink-footed Geese, nine Lapwing and a Short-eared Owl.
- 3rd November 2024
A rather dull and cloudy morning with occasional drizzle in a light southerly. Feeling cooler than of late with the temperature never exceeding 11°C.
There was a steady flow of inbound thrushes throughout the day. While numbers were never great there were frequent flocks of Redwings and Fieldfares passing over. A count early morning logged 2000 Redwing and 140 Fieldfares in 2.75 hours. Also making landfall were 12 Woodcock, six Water Rails. Passerine interest included a new Yellow-browed Warbler at Thornwick, a late Swallow, three Blackcaps and a very late Garden Warbler in addition to four Bramblings, 26 Siskins and a Lapland Bunting. Four Whooper Swans were still at Highcliffe Manor. A Great Northern Diver was on the sea off Cattlmere and a Whooper Swan off South Landing.
Watchers at Bempton Cliffs RSPB logged eight Woodcock, three Water Rails, six Siskin and three Brambling. Over 3200 Starlings flew north west while waders were represented by nine Lapwings, four Golden Plover and seven Snipe.
- 2nd November 2024
An overcast day with a light to moderate south to south-easterly. The temperature was an almost constant 12°C.
Ducks were the focus of interest on this morning’s seawatch with the following logged: three Shoveler, two Gadwall, 29 Wigeon, 20 Teal, a single Velvet and 81 Common Scoter, three Goldeneye and two Red-breasted Mergansers. Also seen were two Arctic Skuas, two Great Northern Divers while a Short-eared Owl was seen to come in off the sea.
Waters at Thornwick hosted a Black-tailed Godwit, 30 Tufted Duck and 86 Teal. Four Whooper Swans remained at Highcliffe Manor and a different four over Old Fall. About 200 Pink-footed Geese were on stubble on the Outer Head. Two Yellow-browed Warblers were at Old Fall Plantation and a late Wheatear in a nearby field. Other sightings included a Ring Ouzel, two Twite, two Snow Buntings, seven Woodcock, a Short-eared Owl and a Merlin.
Sightings at Bempton Cliffs RSPB included a Marsh Harrier, 500 Pink-footed Geese, a Whooper Swan, two Woodcock and two Water Rails. A Little Egret, 17 Bramblings, three Siskins and two Snow Buntings flew over.
- 1st November 2024
Mainly sunny with light south-westerly winds allowed the temperature to rise to a mild 16°C.
A Great Northern Diver passed the Fog Station during the morning along with two Mediterranean Gulls, three Little Gulls and three Arctic Terns. A Siskin, four Snow Buntings and 74 Pink-footed Geese were also logged.
Birds seen on the Outer Head included 455 Pink-footed Geese, four Whooper Swans, a Pintail, four Water Rails, two Woodcock and two Short-eared Owls. Two Twite were near Breil Nook and a Black Redstart at the lighthouse while the Yellow-browed Warbler at Old Fall was still present.
Further west, at Bempton Cliffs RSPB, a Lapland Bunting, six Siskin and a Redpoll flew over and a Short-eared Owl and three Water Rails were on the reserve.
- 31st October 2024
Another cloudy day with a light south-westerly. Maximum temperature of 14°C.
Seawatching yielded two Great Northern Divers, a Long-tailed Duck, an adult Mediterranean Gull, an Arctic Skua, 14 Pink-footed Geese and two Swallows.
Old Fall continued to host a Yellow-browed Warbler while South Landing attracted a Merlin and 35 Common Scoter. Whooper Swans continued to pass though with 32 being noted and Thornwick Pools held 151 Teal.
Counters at Bempton Cliffs RSPB logged 103 Pink-footed Geese, 27 Whooper Swans, 16 Golden Plover, two Swallows and two Siskins.
- 30th October 2024
Another overcast and mild day with a maximum temperature of 13°C and light south-westerly.
Several species of wildfowl were logged during a lively seawatch including 24 Pink-footed Geese, eight Whooper Swans, five Velvet Scoter, 108 Common Scoter, seven Goosander and four Red-breasted Mergansers. In addition, eight Little and three Mediterranean Gulls, three Arctic Skuas and three Great Northern Divers passed. Further interest came from birds making landfall with a Short-eared Owl, 2 Grey Wagtails and five Snow Buntings all coming in off while five Twite were still on the cliff.
There were frequent flocks of incoming Redwings and Fieldfares, all heading west, amounting to several hundreds of each. Amongst the thrushes was a Ring Ouzel at Old Fall where a Yellow-browed Warbler continued to be seen. Other passerine species included nine Brambling, two Redpoll and 17 Siskin. Two Short-eared Owls, a Marsh Harrier, three Woodcock and 38 Whooper Swans were also noted on the Outer Head.
There was no sign of the Red-flanked Bluetail at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.
- 29th October 2024
A balmy 18°C was the maximum temperature with a light north-westerly on an overcast day.
Seawatchers at the Fog Station logged two Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 35 Common Scoter, a Long-tailed Duck, two Great Northern Divers and a Manx Shearwater. In addition, two Mediterranean Gulls, a Sandwich and two Arctic Terns passed.
The main event of the day was a significant afternoon arrival of thrushes many seen spiralling from high out of the sky to make landfall. Counts from number of locations make assessment of the true numbers difficult. Ignoring all possible duplication, the minimum counts were 6950 Redwing, 1540 Fieldfare and 250 Blackbirds. Other migrants included four Woodcock, ten Brambling, five Siskin, a Jack Snipe and three Water Rails.
The Red-flanked Bluetail continued to entertain at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.
- 28th October 2024
Remaining cloudy all day after overnight rain; a light south-westerly allowed temperatures to rise to 15°C.
Single Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Great Northern Diver, Arctic Skua in addition to five Goosander, 14 Whooper Swans and 26 Little Gulls all passed the Fog Station while two Twite were on the cliff top and two Snow Buntings came in off before heading inland.
At Beacon Hill, a notable flock of 27 Twite was found. One Bearded Tit was still present at Thornwick Roost and a Yellow-browed Warbler at Old Fall. Northcliff Marsh hosted a Short-eared Owl and a drake Pintail. Two late Swallows were at the lighthouse.
At Bempton Cliffs RSPB, the Red-flanked Bluetail still remained as three Short-eared Owls and two Water Rails were present while 42 Whooper Swans were also logged.
- 27th October 2024
A light westerly and cloud free skies allowed the temperature to rise to 13°C before cloud cover increased late afternoon.
The Thornwick area attracted two Bearded Tits and a Cetti’s Warbler there still present. Also seen on the Outer Head were a Merlin, 3 Redpoll, a Brambling as 475 Redwing made landfall.
Birds moving over Bempton Cliffs RSPB included a Twite, a Redpoll, a single Snow Bunting and 90 Whooper Swans. Two Short-eared Owls and two Marsh Harriers were also noted while the Red-flanked Bluetail was still present. A Jay flew over Bempton Chalet Park.
- 26th October 2024
A sunny morning gave way to an overcast afternoon, the light south-westerly backing southerly and a maximum temperature of 13°C.
Ten Whooper Swans moved south during the morning seawatch, other birds passing over the sea included five Great Northern Divers, two Goosander, a Shoveler, single Common and Arctic Terns, an Arctic Skua and 104 Little Gulls.
The main feature of the day was the passage of Whooper Swans including 149 over Bempton Cliffs with 42 of them being seen east of the Dykes. There was evidence of inbound migration with new birds including eight Twite, four Lapland Buntings, a Hawfinch at South Dykes, a Siberian Chiffchaff at Old Fall, nine Siskin, and four Brambling. Three Yellow-browed Warblers were present on the Outer Head while a House Martin was over Flamborough village.
The Red-flanked Bluetail at Bempton Cliffs RSPB has now extended its stay to eleven days. Other sightings there featured 1914 Pink-footed Geese, 54 Golden Plover, a Short-eared Owl, a Swallow, over 350 Redwings in off, a Black Redstart, three Brambling, two Redpolls and 15 Siskin. In addition, two Hawfinch flew over Bempton Caravan Park.
- 25th October 2024
The early morning fog eased and then returned by midday. Overall it was a gloomy, overcast day with intermittent drizzle in a light south-easterly. Maximum temperature 12°C.
Wildfowl provided most of the interest in the morning seawatch during a gap in the fog. Wigeon and Teal numbered 269 and 213 respectively supported by nine Dark-bellied Brent Geese, two Shoveler, two Gadwall, a Tufted duck and two Red-breasted Mergansers. Waders were also moving as shown by 28 Lapwing and 27 Dunlin while 28 Little Gulls were also logged.
Passerine interest included four Yellow-browed Warblers, a Hawfinch over Bempton Lane, four Chiffchaffs,and four Siskin. A Jack Snipe and a Short-eared Owl were both on the north side of the Head. Numbers of Teal have reached 165 at Thornwick Pools. Many Redwings were moving over Flamborough village after dark.
The Red-flanked Bluetail at Bempton Cliffs was still present. In addition, there was a small arrival of thrushes, a single Chiffchaff along with seven Siskins. Two further Siskin were over Bempton village.
- 24th October 2024
A sunny day with a moderate to fresh southerly backing south-easterly by mid-afternoon and a maximum temperature of 14°C.
Seawatchers logged 240 Little Gulls, an Arctic Tern and an Arctic Skua along with a Dark-bellied Brent and 14 Pink-footed Geese, five Bar-tailed Godwits and six Knot.
A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Holmes Gut but there few other migrants.
At Bempton Cliffs RSPB, the Red-flanked Bluetail was still present and a Short-eared Owl came in off the sea late morning.
- 23rd October 2024
An overcast day with morning mist,a light south-westerly and a maximum temperature of 12°C.
A Caspian Gull was the best of the seawatch that also included a Common Tern, two Arctic Terns and 18 Little Gulls.
The Red-flanked Bluetail spent its eighth day at Bempton Cliffs where other passerines included two Common Redpolls, a Blackcap and Chiffchaff as small numbers of Redwings arrived late afternoon.
Wildfowl included 1500 Pink-footed Geese on stubbles near North Dykes and 34 Whooper Swans heading south-east at Bempton Cliffs, 22 being seen over Thornwick Pools. Two Mute Swans flew south at South Landing.
- 22nd October 2024
Sunny intervals throughout, with light south-west winds and a top temperature of 15 degrees C. Four Whooper Swans flew south during a seawatch that also featured two Arctic Terns, two Common Terns, 114 Little Gulls, an immature Caspian Gull and a Great Northern Diver.
The Thornwick area attracted 172 Teal, 39 Tufted Ducks, a Water Rail and three Little Grebes. Eighteen Whooper Swans flew south over North Landing, a Jack Snipe visited the Water Lane horse paddocks and a Little Egret overflew Thornwick Bay. Passerine interest was confined to a Yellow-browed Warbler in Booted Gully and two Redpolls.
Elsewhere, the Red-flanked Bluetail lingered at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where Short-eared Owl and Yellow-browed Warbler were also present.
- 21st October 2024
The weather consisted of sunny intervals, a light/moderate south-west wind and a high of 14 degrees C. Seawatch highlights included three Whooper Swans, 123 Little Gulls, two Mediterranean Gulls, a first-winter Caspian Gull and a Great Northern Diver all moving south. Elsewhere, an additional nine Whooper Swans were recorded along with 2700 Pink-footed Geese. North Marsh attracted a Short-eared Owl, South Landing a single Yellow-browed Warbler. However, the best new arrival was a Water Pipit that dropped onto Thornwick Pools.
The long-staying Red-flanked Bluetail remained at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where two Water Rails, four House Martins and a Yellow-browed Warbler were also present.
- 20th October 2024
The weather consisted of strong southerly winds, rain during the morning followed by a dryer afternoon and a high of 16 degrees C. RSPB Bempton Cliffs continued to host the Red-flanked Bluetail that proved relatively cooperative in the afternoon; single Whooper Swan, first-winter Caspian Gull and Yellow-browed Warbler were also recorded on the reserve.
Sightings from the Thornwick area included 185 Teal, 35 Tufted Ducks and a Little Grebe. An estimated 2000 Pink-footed Geese also flew south to roost in the evening. Seawatch records included two Velvet Scoters south, a Sandwich Tern, one Little Gull, a Mediterranean Gull and a Merlin.
- 19th October 2024
Heavy rain in the morning preceded sunny intervals, very light winds and a high of 15 degrees C. The Red-flanked Bluetail remained at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, as did the Pallas’s Warbler near the lighthouse.
Thornwick Pools hosted two Water Rails and a Jack Snipe. Short-eared Owls were also recorded in the Gorse Field and over North Landing, while the male Black Redstart at the lighthouse proved photogenic. Eight Yellow-browed Warblers were scattered around the outer head, while Old Fall also attracted a Firecrest. Seawatch highlights included 107 Wigeon, five Pintail, ten Little Gulls and an Arctic Skua moving south.
Single Woodcock, Water Rail and Great Northern Diver were recorded at RSPB Bempton Cliffs. Also present on the reserve were two Yellow-browed Warblers, a Grey Wagtail, a Mistle Thrush that came in off the sea, one Black Redstart and two Redpoll. Single Short-eared Owl and Little Owl added further interest there.
- 18th October 2024
A foggy morning was followed by brighter skies, with a high of 15 degrees C in south-westerly winds. The Red-flanked Bluetail and Little Bunting were still at RSPB Bempton Cliffs and the Pallas’s Warbler near the lighthouse. Six Great White Egrets that flew south from the outer head represented a headland record tally. Otherwise it was a much quieter day, with eight Whooper Swans south, a Merlin, two Black Redstarts and three Yellow-browed Warblers.
- 17th October 2024
A bright, warm day, with prolonged sunny intervals and temperatures reaching 18 degrees C in light south-westerly winds. The highlight was a showy Radde’s Warbler that spent the day in the Bay Brambles below the lighthouse. Only a few metres away, the Pallas’s Warbler continued to show and a Red-rumped Swallow flew south, while three Black Redstarts were in residence on the edge of the lighthouse car park. Another Black Redstart and a Cetti’s Warbler were near Thornwick cafe. Two Richard’s Pipit were present, a single dropped onto fields next to Old Fall hedge, with another on the cliff top at Buckton, where the Dusky Warbler lingered. In addition, the long-staying Little Bunting was still at Thornwick, while the Red-flanked Bluetail was ringed at RSPB Bempton Cliffs.
Huge numbers of Pink-footed Geese again fed on cliff tops stubbles, with 8200 birds producing aural delight. A ringtail Hen Harrier began the day over the Lighthouse grassland, but appeared over North Dykes later; at one point it was mobbed by a Merlin. Raptor interest also included two Marsh Harriers. Eight Woodcock included several in off the sea, while additional records included one Water Rail and a Short-eared Owl. Passerine migrants included two Jays, 12 Yellow-browed Warblers, a Lesser Whitethroat, three Redpoll, two Siskin and a Hawfinch, the latter overflying Thornwick Pools.
Four Whooper Swans flew south-east at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where one Jack Snipe, a Short-eared Owl and the Hawfinch remained.
- 16th October 2024
Overcast throughout, with occasional showers, a light/moderate south-easterly wind and a high of 13 degrees C. It was another cracking day headlined by the third Red-flanked Bluetail of the autumn and a Dusky Warbler at RSPB Bempton Cliffs and a Pallas’s Warbler (Lighthouse bushes) and Richard’s Pipit (west over Old Fall hedge) on the outer head. Three Siberian Chiffchaffs made landfall, one at Bempton and the others at Thornwick and Old Fall. The long-staying Little Bunting also remained at Thornwick.
Non-passerine migrants included 16 Shelduck, a Pintail, one Merlin, a Water Rail, a Jack Snipe, eight Woodcock and a Short-eared Owl. Passerines included two Cetti’s Warblers, 14 Yellow-browed Warblers, a Firecrest, two male Black Redstarts, eight Ring Ouzels, 15 Brambling and a Snow Bunting.
Four Ring Ouzels were at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, along with the Hawfinch for its second day. Other sightings there included 107 Teal, four Pintail, a Purple Sandpiper, two Yellow-browed Warblers, four Brambling and a Siskin.
- 15th October 2024
A relatively overcast day, with blustery south-east winds and a high of 13 degrees C.
Conditions proved conducive for an arrival of passerines, dominated by 10,100 Redwings. A Great Grey Shrike was also ringed at South Landing, with subsequent sightings at Booted Gully and Hartendale. Additional new arrivals included three Woodcock, five Yellow-browed Warblers, a Ring Ouzel, eight Siskin, 40 Brambling, one Twite and a Snow Bunting. The Little Bunting continued in residence at Thornwick, while single Water Rail, Hobby and Merlin were on the outer head.
Another Little Bunting graced RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where a Hawfinch was also fresh-in. Additional sightings there included three Woodcock, 900 Redwing, three Yellow-browed Warblers, a Black Redstart, one Ring Ouzel, 21 Brambling and five Siskin. A total of 5500 Pink-footed Geese toured the cliff top fields and three Whooper Swans flew south-east.