Our full archive of daily highlights and logs going back to 2014 can be found on the Daily Log & Archive page.
- 14th January 2025
Winds were light, generally from the south-west, with a marked increase in temperature to a high of 11 degrees C. A southbound Velvet Scoter was the highlight of a morning seawatch. On the land, a Water Rail remained on the edge of the Lighthouse Field, while a Merlin and 30 Snow Buntings were at Beacon Hill.
The first Gannets returned to the cliffs at Bempton, where a lone Snow Bunting and 24 Corn Buntings were recorded.
Grey Seal, High Stacks, by Alan Walkington - 13th January 2025
Overcast, with a moderate south-west wind and a high of five degrees C. The Snow Bunting flock (30 birds) remained on Beacon Hill. Further evidence of cold weather movement included 20 Redwing, 37 Fieldfare and 39 Lapwing all moving west. Elsewhere,a drake Pochard lingered on Thornwick Lakes and a Short-eared Owl hunted fields adjacent to Hoddy Cows Lane, Buckton.
Water Rail, outer head, by Craig Thomas - 12th January 2025
A relatively overcast day, with light south-westerly winds and a peak temperature of two degrees C. A Blue Fulmar and a Great Northern Diver flew north past North Landing. The Thornwick area hosted a Pink-footed Goose, a Little Grebe, one Water Rail, 20 Tufted Ducks, a drake Pochard, 112 Teal and a Shoveler; two Mute Swans also flew west. On the opposite side of the headland, 13 Great Crested Grebes and a Goldeneye were off the South Cliffs, while 35 Snow Buntings remained on nearby Beacon Hill.
A flock of passerines on the cliff top at Buckton included 100 Yellowhammers and 60 Linnets. RSPB Bempton Cliffs attracted five Grey Partridges, a Woodcock, two Fieldfare, two Redwing and 16 Corn Buntings.
Teal & Shoveler, Thornwick Pools, by Alan Walkington - 11th January 2025
The weather consisted of light north-westerly winds, sunny intervals and a maximum of six degrees C. A Great Northern Diver that flew spouth represented the seawatch highlight. On the land, the party of Lesser White-fronted Geese were relocated on fields east of North Landing, while at least 36 Snow Buntings were on Beacon Hill. Additional totals included three Golden Plover, 12 Lapwing, five Woodcock, 25 Fieldfare, three Redwing, 30 Meadow Pipits and eight Pied Wagtails. Sightings from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included four Pink-footed Geese, a Merlin and 25 Snow Buntings.
Shoveler, Thornwick Lakes, by Brett Richards - 10th January 2025
A bright day, with occasional light showers over lying snow; a high of five degrees C in a light west-north-westerly. Wader interest included a Jack Snipe, two Woodcock, two Grey Plovers, seven Golden Plovers, eight Lapwing and 11 Ringed Plovers. A Water Rail was on the outer head, where the cliff top fields hosted 85 Skylark, ten Fieldfare and 13 Song Thrush. A 32-strong flock of Snow Buntings were on Beacon Hill early morning before they headed north-west. Elsewhere, two Woodcock and a Merlin were along Cliff Lane, Bempton.
Snow Bunting, Beacon Hill, by Craig Thomas - 9th January 2025
There were relatively light west-north-west winds throughout another bright day, albeit one that featured snow showers late afternoon; temperatures reached three degrees C. The morning’s seawatch was quiet apart from 28,000 Guillemots that moved north. Elsewhere, the seven Lesser White-fronted Geese remained in residence. Five Golden Plovers and a Lapwing on the outer head were undoubtedly displaced due to the cold conditions, while 12 Siskins near South Landing were also new. A Short-eared Owl and 14 Grey Partridge featured at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, while the male Black Redstart lingered on the cliff top at Buckton.
Shags & Cormorant, High Stacks, by Alan Walkington - 8th January 2025
Sunny and chilly throughout, with light winds and a high of just two degrees C. The day’s highlight was the surprise re-discovery of the family party of Lesser White-fronted Geese on fields east of North Marine Road; having been absent since 9th December. Nearby, two Shoveler visited Thornwick Pools. In addition, a male Black Redstart was reported at Buckton.
Lesser White-fronted Geese, outer head, by Rob Little - 7th January 2025
A bright but cold day, with temperatures only reaching two degrees C. Unsurprisingly, there was further evidence of a cold weather influx, including: two Jack Snipe, a Woodcock, five Golden Plover, five Mistle Thrush, two Redwing, 21 Fieldfare and 50 Yellowhammers.
Tawny Owl, South Landing, by Brett Richards - 6th January 2025
A day of moderate notherly winds, overcast skies after heavy overnight rain and a top temperature of four degrees C. A Blue Fulmar flying north was the best of the seawatch. However, evidence of the effect of the inclement weather was more obvious on the land – increased water levels pushed wintering Water Rails into the open, with three in the Lighthouse Crop Field and two in the Bay Brambles. Thrushes were also scattered across the headland, with five Fieldfare, a Redwing, two Song Thrush and two Mistle Thrush in one field at Hartendale.
Red-throated Diver, South Landing, by Andrew Allport - 5th January 2025
The weather was best described as challenging – rain throughout, with blustery winds backing from the south to the north-east and a high of five degrees C. A productive morning seawatch featured five Blue Fulmars flying north, together with a Black-throated Diver and two Puffins. On the headland, wildfowl interest included two Shovelers and two Pochard. Twenty Pink-footed Geese were on fields near Buckton Hall, while nearby Buckton Pond hosted a Wigeon, two Teal and eight Snipe.
Common Buzzard, outer head, by Brett Richards - 4th January 2025
Overcast, with a light south-westerly wind and a high of just three degrees C. An adult Iceland Gull that flew west along the South Cliffs represented the headland’s first white-winged gull since New Year’s Day 2024. Three Goldeneye also flew south past South Dykes, while two Grey Plover and 11 Sanderling were also in residence. A flock of 26 Snow Buntings lingered on Beacon Hill until flushed by a Woodcock.
Eight Snow Buntings at RSPB Bempton Cliffs were later joined by a flock of 24 individuals. Additional reserve sightings included 61 Pink-footed Geese, single Woodcock and Merlin, 1500 Starlings and two Corn Buntings. Nearby, Hoddy Cows Lane Buckton attracted a Jack Snipe.
Stonechat by Craig Thomas - 3rd January 2025
A bright, but cold day with a high of just three degrees C in a west-north-westerly wind. The morning’s seawatch highlight was a lone Great Northern Diver flying north, while a Manx Shearwater headed in the same direction in the afternoon. On the land, there was evidence of cold weather movement including: seven Lapwing, two Grey Plover, a Woodcock, 112 Skylarks, 12 Meadow Pipits, six Redwing and three Fieldfare.
Single Little Owl and Short-eared Owl were present at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where a Black Redstart was also in residence.
Sanderling, South Landing, by Alan Walkington - 2nd January 2025
Largely sunny, with some light snow showers late afternoon, a moderate north-westerly wind and a maximum of a mere two degrees C. A Velvet Scoter and two Great Northern Divers flew north during a seawatch that also witnessed a Short-eared Owl coming in off the sea. A lone Snow Bunting also flew south over the outer head.
Three Shoveler, 72 Wigeon and 136 Teal were on the outer head, along with two Water Rails, two Jack Snipe, four Woodcock and 12 Sanderling.
Redshank, South Landing, by Alan Walkington - 1st January 2025
Happy New Year to one and all.
2025 began with heavy rain which gradually abated to leave some bright spells; temperatures dropped from eight to four degrees as the blustery wind switched to the north-west. The morning’s seawatch featured two Velvet Scoters that initially flew north before returning south later and eight southbound Wigeon. Also moving in the same direction were 45 Great Black-backed Gulls and a ‘northern’ Herring Gull.
The Thornwick area hosted a Mute Swan, 53 Teal, 27 Tufted Ducks, two Pochard, 26 Coot and two Little Grebes. Passerine interest included a Goldcrest at South Landing, a Grey Wagtail, two Mistle Thrush and a lone Fieldfare.
Three Woodcock were at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, along with a Merlin and one Water Rail. In addition, 11 Pink-footed Geese remained on fields near Buckton Hall.
Pochard, Thornwick Lakes, by Craig Thomas - 31st December 2024
After a bright start, the last day of the year was overcast with a blustery south-west wind and a high of 11 degrees C. The Thornwick area attracted a Mute Swan, two Little Grebes, 98 Teal, two Pochard and 28 Tufted Ducks. Elsewhere, four Goldcrests and a Fieldfare were at South Dykes.
Kestrel, RSPB Bempton Cliffs, by Dean Evans - 30th December 2024
A bright day, with prolonged sunny spells, a blustery south-west wind and a high of nine degrees C. Seventeen Great Crested Grebes sheltered in the bay between South Dykes and Sewerby, while the Dykes hosted two Mistle Thrush and two Goldcrest. Eight Pink-footed Geese rested on fields at Buckton, while the nearby Pond hosted a Lapwing, one Wigeon and six Snipe; a Woodcock also remained at nearby RSPB Bempton Cliffs.
Snipe, Buckton Pond, by Alan Walkington - 29th December 2024
Finally the fog cleared, leaving sunny skies and an increasingly strong south-west wind; temperatures peaked at ten degrees C. Fifteen Pink-footed Geese flew south, while the freshwaters shared 68 Wigeon, 110 Teal, two Gadwall, three Shoveler, 31 Tufted Ducks and two drake Pochard. Eight Grey Partridges were split equally across two coveys. Two Golden Plovers and 24 Curlews were also in residence. Passerine interest included 57 Skylarks, a Mistle Thrush, two Fieldfare, two Grey Wagtails, 34 Yellowhammers, two Reed Buntings and seven Corn Buntings.
The Buckton area attracted four Teal, four Snipe, 19 Lapwing, 19 Yellowhammers, seven Reed Buntings and eight Corn Buntings.
Long-tailed Tit, South Landing, by June & Malcolm Fox - 28th December 2024
Fog continued to hamper observation, with temperatures reaching just five degrees C. The freshwaters at Thornwick hosted two Wigeon, 66 Teal, a drake Pochard, 26 Tufted Ducks and two Little Grebes. RSPB Bempton Cliffs attracted single Woodcock and Grey Partridge, two Golden Plovers and two Fieldfare, while 25 Bottlenose Dolphins were offshore providing further evidence of a change in winter status.
Pochard, Thornwick Lakes, by Brett Richards - 27th December 2024
Foggy throughout, a day lacking wind with a high of just four degrees C. The dedicated at RSPB Bempton Cliffs had clearly eaten more than their fair share of carrots over the festive season, as they were able to locate a Short-eared Owl, lone Water Rail, two Golden Plovers, two Woodcock and a Snow Bunting in the gloom. The few that stumbled about on the outer head were rewarded with very little, although two Wigeon and 59 Teal were on Thornwick Pools and seven Sanderling lingered at South Landing beach.
Cormorant, Thornwick Pools, by Alan Walkington - 26th December 2024
Overcast and foggy, with very light winds and a high of six degrees C. Three Gadwall flew north during a seawatch challenged by poor visibility. Sixteen Sanderling on South Landing beach represented a notable mid-winter count. Elsewhere, single Mute Swan and Water Rail were in the Thornwick area along with 22 Tufted Ducks and 100 Teal. A Woodcock and two Goldcrest were at Oceanview.
Turnstone, South Landing, by Dean Evans - 25th December 2024
Happy Xmas to all our supporters and the great many who read our daily sightings page.
It was an overcast day, with relatively light south-west winds and a high of 11 degrees C. The main feature of the morning seawatch was an increase in Razorbills, with 53 flying north. An eight-strong pod of Bottlenose Dolphins also swam south-east past the headland.
A small arrival of Fieldfares was apparent, with 20 at RSPB Bempton Cliffs and three at Beacon Hill; in addition, a Merlin hunted the cliff top on the reserve.
Stonechat, South Landing, by Alan Walkington - 24th December 2024
The afternoon featured sunny intervals after an overcast start and temperatures reached a mild 13 degrees C. Two northbound Goldeneye and a lone Puffin were the highlights of a seawatch; large numbers of Guillemots also returned to nesting ledges having been absent for a couple of weeks. Ten Fieldfare toured the outer head, whilst a 120-strong Pink-footed Geese skein flew south over RSPB Bempton Cliffs.
Reed Bunting, RSPB Bempton Cliffs, by Dean Evans - 23rd December 2024
Overcast throughout, with light westerly winds and a high of just five degrees C. Single Mediterranean Gull and Puffin were the highlights of the morning’s seawatch. A Water Rail continued to over-winter on the edge of the Lighthouse Field. Single Grey Wagtail and Goldcrest were at South Dykes, where eight Great Crested Grebes were offshore. Elsewhere, a Short-eared Owl hunted cliff top fields at RSPB Bempton Cliffs.
Grey Seal by Alan Walkington - 22nd December 2024
A much brighter day than of late, with a blustery westerly wind and a high of seven degrees C. The seawatch highlight was a first calendar-year Little Gull that flew north. The wetlands on the outer head hosted nine Pink-footed Geese, five Grey Herons, two Little Grebes, 154 Teal, 48 Wigeon, three Shoveler, 33 Tufted Ducks and a Water Rail.
Barn Owl, South Landing, by Brett Richards - 21st December 2024
A blustery south-westerly wind featured throughout an overcast day, with temperatures reaching 11 degrees C. Seawatching was rewarded with a Little Auk and ten Bottlenose Dolphins moving north, while a Great Northern Diver flew south. Six Red-legged Partridge were at Beacon Hill and four Sanderling on nearby South Landing beach.
Bullfinch, South Landing, by Brett Richards - 20th December 2024
Overcast and relatively cold, with a top temperature of six degrees in moderate south-west winds. There were smaller numbers of Guillemots off the Fog Station inthe morning, alongside a lone Razorbill and three Common Scoters. In addition, a Chiffchaff visited a garden in the village.
Roe Deer, Thornwick Pools, by Alan Walkington - 19th December 2024
A bright day, with prolonged sunny intervals, a moderate west-north-westerly wind and a high of six degrees C. Seawatch highlights included a northbound Little Auk, four Little Gulls also north and 80 Pink-footed Geese flying south. Twenty Bottlenose Dolphins moved north, while a lone Snow Bunting was on the cliff top. Another Little Auk rested on the sea off High Stacks.
Elsewhere, 11 Whooper Swans spent the day on a flash near Buckton Hall.
Whooper Swans, Buckton, by Dean Evans - 18th December 2024
Overcast, with blustery south-west winds and mild; temperatures reaching a high of 14 degrees C. A Great Northern Diver that flew south hinted at a single in residence, following sightings off the Fog Station and South Landing over recent days. The seawatch also featured a lone Razorbill and 100 Guillemots.
Sanderling, South Landing, by Dean Evans - 17th December 2024
Another relatively overcast day with some brighter intervals, a light/moderate south-south-westerly wind and a high of nine degrees C. A Great Northern Diver flew north during a seawatch that also witnessed a ‘northern’ Herring Gull heading south. A Mute Swan flew south over South Dykes, while two Goosanders moved south-east.
Red-throated Diver, Fog Station, by Brett Richards - 16th December 2024
A blustery westerly wind featured throughout a day of occasional sunny intervals and a high of 12 degrees C. The weather conditions resulted in a quiet seawatch, but a Great Northern Diver was on the sea off South Landing in the afternoon. Elsewhere, a single Whooper Swan flew south over RSPB Bempton Cliffs.
Curlew by Dean Evans
