Recent Daily Highlights

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

• 16th May 2026

  A bright day, with sunny intervals, light winds that were variable in direction and a high of 14 degrees C. RSPB Bempton Cliffs headlined with a Crane that flew north-west, a Hooded Crow that moved south-east, three Marsh Harriers and 23 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

  A morning seawatch at the Fog Station was rewarded with three Arctic Terns, three northbound Great Northern Divers and eight Manx Shearwaters; an Arctic Skua flew south during the evening, when an additional seven Manx Shearwaters headed north. Away from the sea, a Ring-necked Parakeet visited gardens near the Bowling Green and the male Black Redstart frequented the immediate vicinity of the Seawatch Observatory. Other outer head records included three Marsh Harriers, a White Wagtail, one Wheatear and two Yellow Wagtails.

  

• 15th May 2026

  Another cool day, with moderate north-westerly winds, largely overcast skies and a best of ten degrees C. Seawatch highlights included a Goosander, four Arctic Terns, a Common Tern, nine Sandwich Terns, five Arctic Skuas (north), three Red-throated Divers and 23 Manx Shearwaters. Elsewhere, the male Black Redstart lingered around the Fog Station, a ‘Channel’ (Blue-headed x Yellow) or first-summer male Blue-headed Wagtail graced Thornwick Lakes, while an Osprey flew north over RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

  

• 14th May 2026

  A cool, showery day with a moderate northerly wind and maximum of 12 degrees C. The day’s highlight was the discovery of a Stone Curlew in a field near Highcliffe Manor, South Landing. Present from mid-morning, it unfortunately flew west mid-afternoon and wasn’t relocated.

  Other sightings included an Arctic Skua, four Manx Shearwaters and two Red-throated Divers on the morning seawatch. Thornwick Pools attracted a Gadwall, the male Pintail and a Common Sandpiper. Elsewhere, the male Black Redstart remained in residence near the Lighthouse and a Hooded Crow flew south over the Lighthouse Grassland. A creamcrown Marsh Harrier that flew north-west represented the most noteworthy record from RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

  

  

• 13th May 2026

  The day started with a light westerly wind but ended with moderate northerlies; there were sunshine and showers with a high of ten degrees C. Thornwick Pools hosted a pair of Shelduck, two Gadwall and the long-staying drake Pintail. Similarly reluctant to move on, the male Black Redstart continued in residence at the Fog Station.

  

• 12th May 2026

  Cloudy with light showers, a moderate south-westerly with the temperature reaching 12°C.

  Seawatching highlights comprised a Manx Shearwater and three Whimbrels. A Ring Ouzel and a Black Redstart were both in the Pigeonhole area and five Whimbrel were noted at South Landing. A Hobby zipped over Thornwick Bay. A Red Kite was over Bempton Cliffs RSPB then over Danes Dyke.

  

• 11th May 2026

  Scattered clouds were driven on a blustery northerly with the temperature not rising above a predictably cool 10°C.

  A Bonxie and two Goosander passed the Fog Station and the male Black Redstart remained there. Thornwick Pools still held two Little Ringed Plovers, a Pintail and two Gadwall while a Mealy Redpoll was at South Landing. Two Whimbrels were also noted along the southern cliffs.

  

• 10th May 2026

  Dry with sunny intervals during the morning, a moderate north-easterly and a maximum temperature of 12°C.

  A ‘Calonectris‘ shearwater flew north off the Fog Station but unfortunately defied specific identification. Otherwise the main seawatching highlight was ten Manx Shearwaters.

  Two Little Ringed Plovers were at Thornwick Pools were the drake Pintail was still in residence. There was a male Black Redstart at the Fog Station and a Bar-tailed Godwit at Cattlemere. Raptor interest included a Hobby west of Danes Dyke and a Red Kite over the Outer Head. The Hoopoe was seen again at Stonepit Lane, Bempton during the morning only, remaining frustratingly elusive.

  

• 9th May 2026

  The wind was light from the north and east becoming fresher by late afternoon when increasing cloud an occasional light showers saw the temperature drop quickly from 18°C to 8°C by early evening.

  The main event of the day was the discovery of a Hoopoe at Stonepit Lane, Bempton which showed intermittently from mid-morning. Also unexpected was a flock of 28 Crossbills that appeared at the Bowling Green briefly before being seen at Highcliffe Manor then flying west. The Hooded Crow was seen again on the Outer Head where two Whimbrel, a male Black Redstart, two Whinchats and a Ring Ouzel were also noted. A Whimbrel, a Whinchat and three Yellow Wagtails were all seen in the Bempton area.

  

  

  

• 8th May 2026

  Winds were light and variable with high cloud for most of the day,maximum temperature 18°C.

  Two Gadwall, three Whimbrel and a Manx Shearwater were the seawatching highlights. A Ring Ouzel was in the Bay Brambles early morning and a Black Redstart nearby around the carpark. Other passerine migrants around the Outer Head included a Redstart, a Wheatear and three Yellow Wagtails while an acredula Willow Warbler wasin a village garden. An unexpected migrant was a Mealy Redpoll that appeared at Thornwick Roost briefly during the evening. Nine Whimbrels were logged and a second-year Yellow-legged Gull was at Thornwick Bay. The drake Pintail remained at Thornwick Pools.

  

  

• 7th May 2026

  The wind switched to a light southerly and the afternoon temperature responded by rising to 15°C.

  The Pied Flycatcher remained at Old Fall, other passerine migrants included two Wheatears and four Yellow Wagtails while a Hooded Crow was seen again at the lighthouse and three Barnacle Geese flew south. Corn Buntings still feature at Bempton Cliffs RSPB with a flock of more than 50 present.

  

• 6th May 2026

  After a bright, cold start, cloud increased through the morning bringing occasional showers. Unseasonably cold again in north-easterly winds. Maximum temperature 9°C.

  An adult Mediterranean Gull and a Manx Shearwater were the highlights of a morning seawatch. Thornwick Pools continued to host a Pintail and two Gadwall with seven flava wagtails in the area. A pied Flycatcher and an acredula Willow Warbler were at Old Fall and a Wheatear near the Seawatch Observatory. Four Eiders were off South Landing.

  At Bempton Cliffs RSPB, a Ring Ouzel and a Garden Warbler continued to be seen.

  

• 5th May 2026

  After a bright, sunny start, cloud increased through the morning. Feeling cool in the moderate northerly wind. Maximum temperature 13°C.

  A Hooded Crow was seen again early morning over the lighthouse and later seen flying out to sea. A Hooded / Carrion Crow intergrade was also present at Cattlemere. A Redstart, two Tree Pipits, two Wheatears and four Yellow Wagtails were also noted on the Outer Head.

  Highlights at Bempton Cliffs RSPB included a Little Egret, a Ring Ouzel and a Garden Warbler.

  

  

• 4th May 2026

  A light north-easterly brought variable cloud cover and a maximum temperature of 15°C.

  A Hobby was on the Outer Head where other sightings included a Grasshopper Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher, six Wheatears and three Yellow Wagtails. The drake Pintail remained at Thornwick Pools with two Gadwall, two Shelduck and a Common Sandpiper was also there. A Whimbrel flew over Bempron Cliffs RSPB.

  

• 3rd May 2026

  A murky morning with rain, sometimes heavy, and low cloud. The rain gradually became lighter and more patchy through the day. A light north-easterly kept the temperature to a maximum of 13°C.

  A Bonxie and eight Sandwich Terns passed on the seawatch.

  Thornwick Pools continued to host a drake Pintail as a Redshank, a Dunlin and two Yellow Wagtails were also there. Single Spotted and Pied Flycatchers were new arrivals on the Outer Head. A Cetti’s Warbler continued to sing to the west of Danes Dyke.

  

• 2nd May 2026

  Winds were light and varied in direction, sunny during the morning with increasing cloud during the afternoon and the temperature rose to 20°C.

  Seawatching highlights involved a Manx Shearwater, two Little Egrets and two Golden Plovers. The first Hobby of the years was over Thornwick Pools while a Red Kite and a Marsh Harrier were among other raptors seen on the Outer Head. Passerine sightings featured a Hooded Crow, two Garden Warblers, White Wagtail, nine Yellow Wagtails and a Black Redstart. Seven Whimbrel were also logged.

  A Red Kite was also seen over Bempton Cliffs RSPB where two Whimbrel, a Ring Ouzel, Garden Warbler and two Yellow Wagtails were among commoner migrants. The Buckton area attracted ten Yellow Wagtails and a Marsh Harrier was at Speeton Moor.

  

• 1st May 2026

  The wind changed to a southerly direction, the clear skies remained and the temperature responded by reaching a summery 25°C by late afternoon.

  Many more hirundines were seen around the Outer Head including two Red-rumped Swallows at the Lighthouse Car Park mid-afternoon although they flew off after a few minutes towards Head Farm, not to be seen again. Other sightings included a drake Pintail at Thornwick Pools, a Goosander, two Hooded Crows in the Head Farm area, two Marsh Harriers, ten Whimbrel, a Garden Warbler, three Grasshopper Warblers, a Wheatear and six Yellow Wagtails.

  Highlights at Bempton Cliffs RSPB included a Ring Ouzel and a Garden Warbler.

  

  

• 30th April 2026

  Sunny skies throughout, with a light/moderate easterly wind and high of 14 degrees C. Thornwick Pools attracted three Gadwall and a Marsh Harrier overflew the Lighthouse Grassland. Two Swifts were over the village, with another over Cliff Lane, Bempton. Passerine migrants on the outer head included one Grasshopper Warbler, a Ring Ouzel, one White Wagtail and a Siskin.

  A Black Redstart graced RSPB Bempton Cliffs, while a Marsh Harrier and two Wheatear were at Buckton.

  

  

  

• 29th April 2026

  Sunny throughout, with a moderate north-easterly wind and a high of 13 degrees C. A Bonxie flew north during a seawatch that also featured four Sandwich Terns and two Red-throated Divers. Three Swifts, a Cuckoo and two reeling Grasshopper Warblers were all new for the year. Additional sightings included the singing Cetti’s Warbler (near South Dykes), three Yellow Wagtails, three Wheatears and a Redpoll.

  Buckton attracted a creamcrown Marsh Harrier, a Wheatear and two Yellow Wagtails.

  

  

• 28th April 2026

  A cool day, with light/moderate north-north-easterly winds, sunny skies after an overcast morning, and a best of ten degrees C. Thirteen Eiders were recorded during a seawatch that also featured three Sandwich Terns and seven Manx Shearwaters. Thornwick Pools attracted single Gadwall and Common Sandpiper, while the singing Cetti’s Warbler remained on territory just west of South Dykes. Passerine migrants included a Common Redstart, three Yellow Wagtails, a Wheatear and three Redpolls. A further two Wheatears were along Hoddy Cows Lane, Buckton.

  

  

• 27th April 2026

  The weather consisted of blustery northerly winds, sunny intervals and a high of 13 degrees C. A Nightingale caught and ringed at Oceanview was a surprise although it was soon apparent a few migrants had made landfall. Additional sightings included a Hooded Crow, ten Willow Warblers, a Common Redstart, the year’s first Whinchat, a Wheatear, 14 Yellow Wagtails, a White Wagtail, two Siskins and a Hawfinch (Water Lane).

  An additional three Wheatears were along Hoddy Cows Lane, with another at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where two Whimbrel flew south-east.

  

  

  

• 26th April 2026

  A light/moderate south-easterly wind developed during a day that comprised sunny intervals and a high of 13 degrees C. The morning seawatch highlights consisted five Eider and an Arctic Skua flying south, while 11 Sandwich Terns and three Manx Shearwaters headed north. Eight Gadwall included five on Thornwick Pools, where a Common Sandpiper and two Dunlin were also present. Seventeen Whimbrel flying south past the outer head represented an excellent spring total. A male Ring Ouzel also lingered on the outer head, where single Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail were recorded. Elsewhere, a Cetti’s Warbler sang immediately west of South Dykes.

  

  

• 25th April 2026

  Although the day began with light winds and sunshine, the advent of blustery northerlies brought cloudier skies; temperatures reached no higher than 11 degrees C. Three Gadwall, a Little Ringed Plover, two Dunlin, one Snipe, three Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper were recorded on the outer head. A substantial arrival of territorial Common Whitethroats was very evident, but transient passerine migrants remained scarce; however, nine Yellow Wagtails on the outer head represented an increase.

  

  

• 24th April 2026

  Early morning fog soon cleared to leave a bright sunny day, light south-east winds and a best of 13 degrees C. Three Whimbrel, a Greenshank and a Bar-tailed Godwit overflew the Lighthouse. Elsewhere, Thornwick Pools attracted three Gadwall and three Snipe. Passerine migrants were scarce, although two Ring Ouzels and a Wheatear were on the outer head.

  

• 23rd April 2026

  A moderate easterly blew all day, occasional sunny spells and a maximum temperature of 12°C.

  Seawatching yielded a Whimbrel, an Arctic Skua and three Shelduck. A Manx Shearwater was feeding off Cattlmere and further along the south cliff a second year Caspian Gull was on the rocks. The numbers of common migrants increased as evidenced by 9 Lesser Whitethroats, 26 Blackcaps, six Sedge Warblers and two Reed Warblers. Other passerines of interest included a a Ring Ouzel at the Fog Station, a Wheatear and a Grey Wagtail. Sixteen Common Buzzards over the Outer Head was a notable count.

  The year’s first Swift was over Cliff Lane, Bempton.

  

• 22nd April 2026

  More north-easterlies brought increasing cloud cover as the temperature slowly rose to 12°C.

  The first Arctic Skua of the year, a pale morph adult, passed the Fog Station during the morning seawatch. Warblers continued to trickle through with numbers Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers all still in single figures. A Reed Warbler was at Thornwick Pools again. .

  

• 21st April 2026

  High pressure continues to dominate the weather with cloudless skies, a moderate, cool north-easterly and a maximum temperature of 13°C.

  A Little Ringed Plover visited Water Lane Flash. Single Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear, Reed Warbler and Goldcrest on the Outer Head showed the paucity of passerine migrants.

  

• 20th April 2026

  Mainly sunny though clouding over during the evening. A light to moderate north-easterly pegged the temperature to a maximum of 12°C.

  A Whimbrel and seven Common Scoter passed the Fog Station during the morning. Passage waders on the Outer Head included a Green Sandpiper, a Golden Plover and a Little Ringed Plover and a Merlin was hunting over Cattlemere. Migrant passerines were in limited numbers but included a Wheatear, three Reed Warblers, six Sedge Warblers, 10 Whitethroats and three Lesser Whitethroats.

  

• 19th April 2026

  A bright day, but feeling cool with a light northerly wind and best of 11 degrees C. A Spoonbill flying south-west over the Golf Course at 1728hrs represented the day’s highlight. The morning seawatch featured five Eiders, a Sandwich Tern and three Red-throated Divers, while two Gadwall were at North Marsh and another drake at Thornwick Pools. Passerine interest included Reed Warblers back on territory at Thornwick Pools, six Wheatear, a Yellow Wagtail, one White Wagtail and two Siskin. A Merlin was the most noteworthy record from RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

  

• 18th April 2026

  Sunny intervals, a light/moderate south-westerly and a high of 16 degrees C. Improved conditions resulted in a small arrival of migrants on the outer head including two Little Ringed Plovers, seven Common Whitethroats, three Lesser Whitethroats, four Sedge Warblers, a Common Redstart, 20 Wheatear, a White Wagtail, five Yellow Wagtails, a Fieldfare, one Redwing, a Ring Ouzel and one Corn Bunting.

  Sightings from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included two Mediterranean Gulls, two Marsh Harriers, three Sedge Warblers, two Common Whitethroats, four Wheatear, a Grey Wagtail, one Yellow Wagtail, a Siskin and 44 Corn Buntings.

  

  

• 17th April 2026

  Overcast, with some brighter intervals, a light/moderate south-westerly wind and high of 14 degrees C. Overnight both a Bittern and a Ring Ouzel were recorded during a ‘noc mig’ session in Bempton village. Nearby, the RSPB reserve attracted two Willow Warblers, a Yellow Wagtail, one Siskin and 40 Corn Buntings.

  Seawatch highlights at the Fog Station included three Shoveler, two Gadwall, ten Sandwich Terns and a Bonxie. Sightings from the Thornwick area included a Gadwall, 18 Tufted Ducks and two Snipe. It was quieter for passerine migrants compared to the previous day, with a Lesser Whitethroat, six Fieldfare, a Redwing, four Wheatear, two Yellow Wagtails and a Siskin the most noteworthy records.