Recent Daily Highlights

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

• 9th December 2025

  Heavy rain for the majority of daylight hours, with a blustery southerly wind and a best of 12 degrees C. Oceanview again hosted a flock of Pink-footed Geese (40). Elsewhere, the Thornwick area attracted 96 Teal and eight Tufted Ducks.

  

• 8th December 2025

  Sunny, with moderate south-westerly winds and a high of 12 degrees C. A Manx Shearwater flew north during a seawatch that also featured 120 Kittiwakes. Four Whooper Swans and 160 Pink-footed Geese frequented fields at Oceanview. Nearby, two Bar-tailed Godwits lingered at South Landing, while a lone Snow Bunting was alongside the Golf Course.

  

• 7th December 2025

  A day of two halves, starting with light south-west winds and bright spells but ending with blustery southerlies, overcast skies and rain. The discovery of a Little Bunting along the South Cliffs was a major surprise, although with hindsight fitted an arrival pattern of several ‘late autumn’ migrants along the East Coast over recent days. Unsurprisingly, this represented the first Flamborough record for December.

  A total of 650 Pink-footed Geese included 490 flying south and 160 feeding in fields on the outer head. Following recent heavy rains, a series of winter flashes have re-appeared and were favoured by 252 Teal, a Gadwall and 25 Wigeon. Passerine interest included a Cetti’s Warbler, two Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests, 19 Meadow Pipits, 430 Linnets and two Snow Buntings (North Marsh).

  Additional sightings from Buckton/RSPB Bempton Cliffs included 167 Lapwing, a Water Rail, two Woodcock, 150 Skylark, two Chiffchaffs, three Goldcrests, a Fieldfare, 27 Snow Buntings (including 19 flying south-east), a Lapland Bunting, 120 Corn Buntings, 85 Yellowhammers and 15 Reed Buntings.

  

• 6th December 2025

  A fresh southerly slowly abated through the day. Mainly overcast with a maximum temperature of 10°C.

  Watching the sea yielded a Great Northern and 19 Red-throated Divers, four Wigeon and 18 Teal. There was a drake Shoveler at Thornwick Pools with a Water Rail nearby. A count of more than 75 Corn Buntings at Bempton Cliffs RSPB was noteworthy.

  

• 5th December 2025

  A strong southerly brought occasional sun, the temperature reached 7°C.

  Seventeen Lapwings flew west over the Outer Head and Teal numbers reached 127 at Thornwick Pools. A Blackcap and a Chiffchaff were seen in Bempton village.

  

• 4th December 2025

  A fresh to strong south-easterly brought overcast skies and the temperature reached 9°C.

  Three Barnacle Geese on the Outer Head were new as the number of Pink-footed Geese increased to 70 and a Grey Wagtail was also seen.

  Six Snow Buntings were at Bempton Cliffs RSPB. In late news from yesterday, a Tawny Owl calling there late evening was only the fourth record for the reserve.

  

• 3rd December 2025

  A sunless day and a moderate to fresh southerly limited the temperature to 5°C.

  Thirty-six Wigeon and 20 Red-throated Divers were the best logged at the Fog Station. The flock of c.50 Pink-footed Geese continued their stay in the Oceanview area while two further skeins passed unseen in the low cloud over both Bempton Cliffs RSPB and then the Outer Head.

  

• 2nd December 2025

  A pleasant early winter day: cloudless skies, a moderate south-south-westerly and a maximum temperature of 10°C.

  A flock of swans containing seven Whoopers and a Mute that passed Bempton Cliffs flew past the Fog Station shortly afterwards. A Siskin and Snow Bunting were also noted there and a Lapland Bunting flew over Northcliffe Marsh. during the morning. About 50 Pink-footed Geese remained in the Oceanview area all day and 50 Lapwing moved south-west over South Landing. Two Siskin and a Woodcock were noted at Hartendale.

  

• 1st December 2025

  Heavy cloud and periods of rain throughout the day in a fresh south-westerly although slightly milder with the afternoon temperature reaching 11°C.

  Seawatching met with limited success with a single Manx Shearwater and six Common Scoter being the highlights. Other birds noted on the Outer Head included 51 Pink-footed Geese and two Grey Wagtails.

  

• 30th November 2025

  A fresh westerly blew throughout a mainly sunny day and the temperature reached 8°C.

  Thornwick Pools hosted a Water Rail, a Chiffchaff and four Goldcrests while another Goldcrest was at South Landing. Three Woodcock flew over North Marine Road at dusk. Seawatchers logged a Bonxie, a Great Northern Diver.

  Bempton Cliffs RSPB reflected the above with two Goldcrests, and two Woodcock but three Snow Buntings were also seen.

  

• 29th November 2025

  A dreary day with steady and occasionally heavy rain throughout. The light northerly slowly strengthened and the temperature struggled to reach 7°C.

  Six Common Scoter, 75 Red-throated Divers and seven Little Gulls were logged on a morning seawatch and a Manx Shearwater during the afternoon. Otherwise a Water Rail and three Goldcrests were at Thornwick Pools.

  

• 28th November 2025

  A strong south-westerly drove the occasional squally showers through on a mainly sunny day. The temperature reached a maximum of 10°C.

  The two Dark-bellied Brent Geese continued their stay at Hartendale and twenty Lapwing passed over the village.

  

• 27th November 2025

  The temperature rose steadily through the day reaching 14°C by mid-afternoon. The light to moderate south-westerly brought overcast skies.

  A Goldeneye and eight Goosander were the pick of the morning seawatch. Other sightings included 93 Teal at Thornwick Pools, two Dark-bellied Brent Geese remained at Hartendale and 125 Pink-footed Geese passed over the Outer Head.

  

• 26th November 2025

  A sunny day with a light south-westerly and the temperature recovering from an overnight frost to 6°C.

  During the morning, a seawatch produced a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Long-tailed Duck, two Red-breasted Mergansers, a Great Northern and 66 Red-throated Divers and a Manx Shearwater while twelve Siskins came in off the sea.

  Two Snow Buntings at Cattlemere, two Dark-bellied Brent Geese at Hartendale were the best around Flamborough while three Woodcocks were at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.

  

• 25th November 2025

  Overcast once again, with frequent showers, a moderate northerly wind and maximum of eight degrees C. Five Sooty Shearwaters flew north during a seawatch that also saw a Great Northern Diver moving south, four Eider, ten Little Gulls, a Manx Shearwater and a Bonxie. A Snow Bunting flew in off the sea, while another single was on the cliff edge by the golf course.

  Elsewhere, the Russian White-fronted Goose and lone Pink-foot accompanied the Greylag flock at Thornwick Lakes. Two dark-bellied Brent Geese lingered in fields at Hartendale. Wader interest included two Bar-tailed Godwits, two Sanderling and 14 Ringed Plovers. Five Chiffchaffs and four Goldcrests were also in residence.

  

• 24th November 2025

  Relatively overcast throughout, with occasional sunny intervals and longer spells of rain. Winds were light initially, before a switch to a stronger northerly airflow from late morning; temperatures reached seven degrees C. Seawatch highlights included four Eider, four Little Gulls, 1030 Kittiwakes, 44 Red-throated Divers, a Sooty Shearwater and two Manx Shearwaters all flying north. A Woodcock flew in off the sea, with three more in the South Landing area, and four Snipe flew west over the headland. The latter location also hosted two Eider, a Little Egret, two Bar-tailed Godwits, two Sanderling, a Ringed Plover and a Grey Wagtail.

  Two dark-bellied Brent Geese were in fields at Hartendale. A Chiffchaff was on the cliff top at Beacon Hill, with another at South Dykes along with four Goldcrest. Better still, a Siberian Chiffchaff was at the entrance to Thornwick Camp. Elsewhere, RSPB Bempton Cliffs attracted a lone Snow Bunting.

  

• 23rd November 2025

  Overcast, with rain and occasional sunny intervals, a light/moderate south-west wind and a high of nine degrees C. Two Wigeon, 12 Teal, 29 Kittiwakes, a ‘northern’ Herring Gull and 39 Red-throated Divers were recorded during the morning seawatch. Elsewhere, ten Tufted Ducks were on Thornwick Lakes.

  

• 22nd November 2025

  Overcast, with light south-west winds and a high of seven degrees C. Single Mediterranean and Little Gulls flew south during a seawatch that also featured 262 Common Gulls and 121 Great Black-backed Gulls moving in the same direction.

  RSPB Bempton Cliffs hosted two Woodcock, two Song Thrush, 22 Blackbirds, two Goldcrests and a Brambling. A Woodcock was flushed from a village garden, with a Blackcap at the Bowling Green; another Woodcock was at North Dykes.

  

• 21st November 2025

  A bright, sunny day with light west-north-westerly winds and a high of five degrees C. A family party of five Whooper Swans flew south-west over the headland, where seawatching also produced five Eider and four Little Gulls. A Barnacle Goose flew west over the sea off South Landing, where additional records included single Long-tailed Duck and Goldeneye, four Golden Plovers and a Grey Wagtail. A Little Egret was off the nearby Hartendale Gutter, while two dark-bellied Brent Geese, six Woodcock and a single Snow Bunting were on the outer head. Elsewhere, the Russian White-fronted Goose re-appeared at Thornwick Lakes and 60 Lapwing were along Bempton Lane.

  Records from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included 19 Lapwing, a Woodcock, 5000 Guillemots and a Chiffchaff, with a Blackcap in the nearby village.

  

• 20th November 2025

  A covering of snow at first light preceded snow showers throughout the day, light/moderate north-westerly winds and a high of three degrees C. Seawatch highlights included two Little Gulls, a Mediterranean Gull, one Manx Shearwater and a lone Snow Bunting. South Landing beach attracted two Bar-tailed Godwits and five Sanderling, while two Eider were offshore.

  Seven Grey Partridge, 30 Lapwing, two Woodcock, 32 Skylark, a Blackcap, 32 Blackbirds and six Snow Buntings were recorded at RSPB Bempton Cliffs. Nearby, single Blackcap and Brambling were recorded in the village.

  

• 19th November 2025

  Overcast, with occasional brighter intervals, heavy showers which were occasionally wintery in nature and a blustery northerly wind; temperatures reached five degrees in the morning, but no higher than two degrees during the afternoon. Two Great Northern Divers, a Puffin, one Manx Shearwater, seven Goosander and three Little Gulls flew north during a seawatch that also featured a Velvet Scoter moving south.

  

• 18th November 2025

  Overcast with heavy showers, light winds, and a high of four degrees C – chilly. The morning seawatch was rewarded with three Great Northern Divers, three dark-bellied Brent Geese, five Tufted Ducks, 19 Eider and four Little Gulls.

  Two Mute Swans flew west over the Dykes, while three Water Rails were in the Golf Course Willows. Thornwick Pools hosted 106 Teal and a Woodcock. Another Woodcock was at the Bowling Green, with 25 Siskin at nearby South Landing. Elsewhere, the long-staying Firecrest duo remained in the Bay Brambles.

  

• 17th November 2025

  The weather consisted of blustery northerly winds, sunny intervals and occasional showers, with a maximum of eight degrees C. Seawatch highlights included a Sooty Shearwater flying north and a Red-necked Grebe heading in the opposite direction; a Goosander, three dark-bellied Brent Geese, four Little Gulls, a Bonxie and four Manx Shearwaters were also logged. Elsewhere the Russian White-fronted Goose was again on Thornwick Lakes and two dark-bellied Brent Geese accompanied eight Pink-footed Geese at Oceanview. A Siberian Chiffchaff fed alongside two Chiffchaff and two Goldcrests in trees alongside Thornwick Fishing Lake, while a Brambling was at the Bowling Green.

  

• 16th November 2025

  Relatively light northerly winds, overcast skies and a high of nine degrees C. A juvenile Long-tailed Skua chased Little Gulls off the Fog Station before flying south. Two Little Auks flew north during the seawatch, as did a single Red-necked Grebe. Other sightings included 48 dark-bellied Brent Geese, ten Eider, 52 Little Gulls, an Arctic Skua and 168 Red-throated Divers. A Merlin and single Snow Bunting were also seen from the Fog Station, while three Snow Buntings were along the South Cliffs.

  The long-staying Dusky Warbler (South Landing) and two Firecrests (Golf Course Willows) were still present. Additional migrants included a ‘new’ Firecrest on Thornwick Camp, three Siberian Chiffchaffs on the outer head and a Waxwing over South Landing. A Russian White-fronted Goose was a new arrival on Thornwick Lakes, while two Golden Plover and 14 Woodcock were also present. Other totals included one Whooper Swan, a Water Rail, a Kingfisher, 110 Goldcrest, three Blackcap, 13 Chiffchaff, two Black Redstarts, a Brambling, six Redpoll and 40 Siskin.

  

• 15th November 2025

  Overcast with persistent but light rain until early afternoon, a blustery easterly wind and top temperature of nine degrees C. Wildfowl moving past the Seawatch Observatory included 123 dark-bellied Brent Geese, two pale-bellied Brent Geese, three Pintail, 466 Common Scoters and two Goldeneye. In a local context, the 40 Grey Plovers and 25 Bar-tailed Godwits that flew north represented eye-catching totals. Single Sandwich Tern and Arctic Tern were late records, while 109 Little Gulls moved north. A Long-tailed Skua that flew north was also late, with eight Arctic Skuas more seasonal. Four Little Auks and three Manx Shearwaters headed north, as did a Black-throated Diver and three Great Northern Divers.

  A Dusky Warbler remained at South Landing and two Firecrests at the Golf Course Willows. However, there was plenty of evidence of newly arrived migrants including 52 Lapwing, 11 Woodcock, a Long-eared Owl, 50 Goldcrests, a new Firecrest (North Landing), 1905 Starlings, 680 Blackbirds, 50 Redwing, ten Fieldfare, a Black Redstart, five Brambling, a Siskin and five Snow Buntings.

  Sightings from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included 20 dark-bellied Brent Geese, four Goosanders, six Lapwing, eight Woodcock, eight Little Gulls, 80 Blackbirds, eight Redwing, 20 Goldcrests and a Brambling.

  

• 14th November 2025

  Strong east-north-east winds and rain throughout, with a maximum of nine degrees C. Seawatching provided the highlights, headlined by a close Leach’s Petrel that slowly flew north just beyond the surf mid-afternoon. Also on the move were three Sooty Shearwaters, seven Manx Shearwaters, a Blue Fulmar, four Great Northern Divers, a Velvet Scoter, one Long-tailed Duck, seven dark-bellied Brent Geese, six Goldeneye, a Red-breasted Merganser, a Little Auk, 13 Little Gulls and two Bonxies. A Merlin and seven Snow Buntings were also recorded from the Seawatch Observatory.

  Unsurprisingly given the conditions, there were scant few additional records although two Woodcock and a Black Redstart (South Landing) were logged.

  

• 13th November 2025

  A day of two halves; the morning featured light south-west winds, sunny intervals and a high of 15 degrees C. Minutes after temperatures peaked, winds switched to the north-north-east; cloud rolled in off the North Sea, temperatures dropped to nine degrees C and birds started to arrive.

  Good coverage at RSPB Bempton Cliffs was rewarded with a vocal Richard’s Pipit dropping into cliff top fields early afternoon. A Long-eared Owl came in off the sea and additional reserve sightings included three dark-bellied Brent Geese, a Woodcock, one Water Rail, a Siberian Chiffchaff, eight Goldcrests, 27 Redwing, 35 Fieldfare, 50 Chaffinch, 17 Siskin, one Snow Bunting and a Lapland Bunting.

  At least one Dusky Warbler remained in residence at South Landing, while a Siberian Chiffchaff was at North Landing. Other records from the outer head included a Merlin, two Woodcock, a Firecrest (Golf Course Willows), two Black Redstarts (Fog Station), 30 Siskin and eight Snow Buntings.

  Seawatch highlights included three dark-bellied Brent Geese, two Goosanders, 140 Little Gulls and a Great Northern Diver.

  

  

• 12th November 2025

  Overcast, with light south-west winds, intermittent rain and a maximum of 13 degrees C. A Great Northern Diver was on the sea off the Fog Station in the morning, when three ‘northern’ Herring Gulls flew south. No fewer than three Dusky Warblers were present at South Landing: a ‘new’ and highly vocal individual at Highcliffe, along with the long-stayers near the picnic tables and main ravine respectively. Two Bar-tailed Godwits, a Swallow and 32 Siskin were also recorded at South Landing. Elsewhere, a Great White Egret flew west over the village, single Whooper Swan and dark-bellied Brent Goose rested on fields on the outer head, while seven Snow Buntings represented an increase.

  A flock of 12 Whooper Swans flew south-east over the sea at RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

  

• 11th November 2025

  Overcast with spells of rain, a moderate southerly wind and maximum of 12 degrees C. The morning seawatch was rewarded with four Whooper Swans and 82 Little Gulls, while a lone Snow Bunting foraged in front of the Seawatch Observatory. A further nine Whooper Swans were recorded at Oceanview. The two Dusky Warblers remained at South Landing, where sightings also included three Bar-tailed Godwits, 32 Siskin and a Brambling. The Yellow-browed Warbler was still at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, while 50 Blackbirds, 14 Redwing and three Goldcrest were in the nearby village.

  

• 10th November 2025

  A day of light/moderate southerly winds, heavy showers and a high of 14 degrees C. Three Dusky Warblers were present, with a newly arrived individual along the Motorway Hedge joining the two birds at South Landing. A male Northern Bullfinch was at the latter location for its second day, while the Siberian Chiffchaff remained in bushes near Thornwick Pools. Also lingering, one Firecrest was still at the Golf Course Willows. Additional sightings included 27 Whooper Swans flying south, two Woodcock, a Blackcap, three Black Redstarts, 35 Siskin, two Redpoll, one Brambling, and four Snow Buntings. A Great Northern Diver and 70 Little Gulls were the best of a morning seawatch.

  Five Whooper Swans headed south-east over Bempton village, where 20 Siskin and a Redpoll were also recorded; a Yellow-browed Warbler remained at the nearby reserve.