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 June 2026

  Scattered thunderstorms came in on a moderate westerly and a maximum temperature of 17°C.

  A Quail continued to sing along Old Fall Hedge. A Hobby flew by at Bempton Cliffs RSPB where a Bonxie was seen again offshore and a flock of 13 Barnacle Geese flew south-east along the cliff, reaching North Landing before turning back.

  

• 8th June 2026

  Overcast for the majority of daylight hours with spells of mainly light rain in the morning; temperatures reached 17 degrees C in light, variable winds. Two Quail included a calling bird still on the outer head and a single flushed from the cliff top path at North Landing. Thornwick Pools hosted two Gadwall and two Teal, while 12 Tufted Ducks were on the nearby Lakes. Elsewhere, the territorial Cetti’s Warbler remained in residence at the northern end of Bridlington Links GC.

  

• 7th June 2026

  Sunny intervals, a moderate south-westerly and peak of 21 degrees C. The influx of Quail continued, with one singing near Old Fall steps this evening. Unusually, the majority to date have been on the southern side of the headland (six of an estimated ten individuals); presumably these relate to migrants making landfall that soon move on. It will be interesting to see if most mid-summer records are concentrated on the larger crop fields on the north side of the head as is traditional.

  Other records included 38 Common Scoter, a Whimbrel, two Sandwich Terns, two Red-throated Divers and 88 Manx Shearwaters during a morning seawatch. A Red Kite overflew the Bowling Green and a second calendar-year Mediterranean Gull flew south-east past RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

  Late news concerned a Night Heron recorded during a ‘noc mig’ session in Flamborough village at 0012hrs on 1st June.

  

• 6th June 2026

  Overcast with occasional brighter spells, a light/moderate south-east wind and high of 16 degrees C. Two Quail included one at Oceanview for the second successive day, while yesterday’s Green Woodpecker was again recorded from the Bowling Green early morning. In addition, a migrant Reed Warbler sang at Old Fall and 24 Manx Shearwaters flew past the headland in the evening.

  

• 5th June 2026

  Occasional sunny intervals, light south-west winds and a maximum of 18 degrees C. Sixteen Manx Shearwaters, a Red-throated Diver and a Bonxie flew past the outer head. A count of 123 Puffins was an uplift following a spring of worryingly low numbers, while five drake Eider were off Beacon Hill. No fewer than four Quail were present: a single again at Bridlington Links and others singing at Oceanview, Buckton cliff top and the eastern edge of RSPB Bempton Cliffs. A calling Green Woodpecker near the Bowling Green was equally unusual. Elsewhere, a Hobby flew north-west along Buckton cliff top.

  

• 4th June 2026

  Relatively overcast, with some brighter spells, a blustery westerly wind and high of 17 degrees C. Eight Manx Shearwaters, an Eider and two Sandwich Terns were recorded during a morning seawatch. In addition, a Bonxie patroled the cliffs alongside the Golf Course, where a Marsh Harrier flew south. Two Quail were recorded: one sang from crop near Old Fall and the other was flushed from Bridlington Links GC.

  

• 3rd June 2026

  Sunny intervals preceded showers, with a very heavy thunderstorm early evening; blustery southerly winds developed and temperatures reached 17 degrees C. An evening seawatch was rewarded with a single Bonxie and 14 Manx Shearwaters flying north. Eight Barnacle Geese flew east past South Dykes and eight Eider were off the South Cliffs. Nearby, a Quail sang from fields south of Head Farm early morning.

  A Night Heron recorded over Bempton village during an overnight ‘noc mig’ session was an excellent record. Another Quail was also recorded from the same location.

  

• 2nd June 2026

  Showers throughout, with some brighter spells, light winds and a high of 20 degrees C. Five Sandwich Terns, 88 Puffins and four Manx Shearwaters were recorded during the morning seawatch. The Thornwick area attracted two Gadwall, 15 Tufted Ducks and two Little Grebes. In addition, the singing Cetti’s Warbler remained on territory immediately west of South Dykes entrance road.

  

• 1st June 2026

  Overcast, with very occasional brighter spells, a moderate south-westerly and high of 20 degrees C. The Hoopoe re-appeared briefly along Lighthouse Road on the edge of the village early morning, but there were no subsequent sightings. Five Common Terns and a Red-throated Diver represented the best of a morning seawatch. Nearby, three Whimbrel were on Cattlemere, while a Bonxie lingered off RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

  Better still, a Night Heron was recorded flying over Flamborough village at 0012hrs during a ‘noc mig’ session.

  

• 31st May 2026

  The weather consisted of sunny intervals, an increasing westerly wind and a high of 22 degrees C. Spring’s second Hoopoe surprised when a single flew west over the village at 0815hrs heading towards Croft’s Hill. Elsewhere, a Red Kite toured the outer head and a Hobby dashed through North Landing. Additional migrants included a singing Reed Warbler in the Bay Brambles and a Crossbill at South Dykes.

  Sightings from Bempton (RSPB reserve and Cliff Lane/Metlands) included two Grey Partridges, four Yellow Wagtails, 700 Painted Lady butterflies and 190 Red Admirals.

  

• 30th May 2026

  Light winds turned onshore during the afternoon, prolonged sunshine and a high of 21 degrees C. The early morning discovery of a female/1st-summer male Red-breasted Flycatcher in the Lighthouse Bushes provided the highlight; although elusive, it remained all day. Nearby, a Hobby rested on posts in the Gorse Field. Three Common Terns flew north during a seawatch which also featured 17 Sandwich Terns, a Red-throated Diver and seven Manx Shearwaters. Additionally, a lone Bonxie flew south-east past North Dykes.

  A further influx of insects was evident led by an impressive 965 Painted Lady butteflies on the outer head, the majority of which fed of insect friendly cover crops; they were joined by 40-50 Red Admirals. In addition, 11 Red-veined Darters were in the same area including a male on the cliff top suggesting a fresh arrival.

  

  

• 29th May 2026

  Although the day started with fairly overcast skies, moderate south-westerly winds and sunny intervals later resulted in a high of 22 degrees C. Birding was relatively quiet, although a Greenshank dropped onto North Marsh in the afternoon, a Hobby flew through Thornwick Pools and a Cuckoo was at South Dykes.

  

• 28th May 2026

  Generally cloudy, with some occasional brighter intervals, a moderate easterly and high of 15 degrees C. Two Gadwall, 13 Tufted Ducks, three Little Grebes and a Hobby were recorded from the Thornwick area, while a Goosander rested on rocks at Cattlemere. Passerine migrants were limited to a Reed Warbler, two Whinchats and a Spotted Flycatcher.

  Five Crossbills at RSPB Bempton Cliffs were notable.

  

• 27th May 2026

  Cooler with light/moderate easterly winds and a best of 15 degrees C. Seawatch highlights included five Sandwich Terns, an Arctic Skua, two Great Northern Divers, three Red-throated Divers and 24 Manx Shearwaters. The day’s most notable sighting related to a Quail flushed from the cliff top near High Holme.

  

• 26th May 2026

  Sunny, with a light northerly wind developing which pegged back temperatures to a high of 22 degrees C. Seawatch highlights included two Gadwall, two Eider, two Arctic Terns, a Common Tern, five Sandwich Terns and 11 Manx Shearwaters. Thornwick Lakes/Pools hosted the Egyptian Goose, two Gadwall, 14 Tufted Ducks and four Little Grebes, while four Mute Swans overflew the village. A hybrid Hooded x Carrion Crow flew north past the lighthouse early morning; single Reed Warbler and Willow Warbler were the only other migrant passerines. Elsewhere, a Hobby dashed through RSPB Bempton Cliffs and a Spoonbill was reported from Buckton.

  The day’s best sighting related to a Humpback Whale watched (& photographed) feeding off RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

  

• 25th May 2026

  Sunny throughout, with a high of 22 degrees C in very light winds. An Egyptian Goose flew south past RSPB Bempton Cliffs before taking up residence at Thornwick Lakes, while three drake Eider were off South Landing. Passerine migrants were represented by a sole Spotted Flycatcher at Old Fall. Just west of South Dykes, a Cetti’s Warbler sang from cover at Bridlington Links, with the year’s first Minke Whale off RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

  

• 24th May 2026

  Another warm, sunny day, with a high of 18 degrees C and light winds. Five drake Eider were off the South Cliffs, while a Hobby flew west there and then overflew Mid Dykes. There were fewer passerine migrants in evidence, with three Spotted Flycatchers remaining, although four ‘migrant’ Reed Warblers on the outer head represented an increase.

  

• 23rd May 2026

  Sunny throughout, with gentle winds and a high of 22 degrees C. The birding also warmed up, with a Woodchat Shrike located in the Gorse Field late morning; although rather distant, it continued to show well for the rest of the day. Continuing the Mediterranean theme, a female/1st summer male Golden Oriole gave good, but brief, views on the outer head. The other feature of the day was the arrival of 24 Spotted Flycatchers (19 on the outer head, five at RSPB Bempton Cliffs), with single Wheatear, Whinchat and Reed Warbler other passerine migrants. Other notable sightings from the outer head were the long-staying Pintail, three Red Kites, a Hobby, one Little Egret and an Arctic Skua.

  Additional sightings from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included a Red Kite, one Grasshopper Warbler and 33 Corn Buntings.

  

  

  

  

• 22nd May 2026

  Sunny, light/moderate south-east winds and a maximum of 17 degrees C. Seawatch highlights included a Whimbrel, three Common Terns, 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Red-throated Diver and one Manx Shearwater. Thornwick Pools hosted two Shelduck, two Gadwall, a Pintail and a pair of Little Grebe, while a Ringed Plover visited the nearby Lakes. Migrant passerines were scarce, although Reed Warblers at the Lighthouse and South Dykes were ‘fresh in’, as was a Spotted Flycatcher at South Landing. Elsewhere, a Wheatear was at RSPB Bempton Cliffs and a Little Owl at Buckton.

  

  

• 21st May 2026

  Overcast, with occasional bright intervals and light rain, gentle south-west winds and a high of 20 degrees C. An Osprey flew north over Selwick’s Bay/North Landing early morning. On the opposite side of the headland, interest in the South Dykes/Hartendale area included a flyover Goosander and three Shelduck, a calling Cuckoo and the male Blue-headed Wagtail. Additional records on the outer head involved 36 Swifts, six Whimbrel, 110 Sand Martins, a Spotted Flycatcher, three Yellow Wagtails and two Redpoll. Two Whimbrel also flew north-east over RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

  

• 20th May 2026

  Although largely overcast with occasional sunny intervals, a high of 17 degrees in a moderate south-westerly wind. The day’s highlights involved an Osprey flying south-east over Bempton village and a Blue-headed Wagtail at Hartendale. Additional sightings included a pair of Shelduck, a Pintail and one Dunlin at Thornwick Pools. A Pied Flycatcher was in outer head gardens and a Redpoll at RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

  

• 19th May 2026

  Overnight rain persisted through the morning giving way to frequent showers, sometimes heavy, for the remainder of the day. The wind was a moderate southerly, the temperature reached 19°C.

  A Red Kite passed over the village and two Dunlin were at Thornwick Pools.

  

• 18th May 2026

  A light to moderate southerly brought occasional showers and sunny spells with am= maximum temperature of 16°C.

  Unusually, a singing male Crossbill at Old Fall during the morning, other than a Whimbrel and a Yellow Wagtail, new migrants were thin on the ground. The drake Pintail at Thornwick Pools continued its stay. Corn Buntings were still in good numbers at Bempton Cliffs RSPB with 21 present.

  

• 17th May 2026

  Sunny intervals, a moderate south-westerly wind and high of 15 degrees C. Seawatching was rewarded with a Great Northern Diver (north), one Whimbrel, 32 Sanderling (north) and one Arctic Tern. Migrants on the land included two Marsh Harriers, three Whimbrel, 22 Swifts (a notable increase), a Wheatear and three Yellow Wagtails.

  

• 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.