Category: Sightings

Generally sunny throughout the day, with scattered cloud; a light northerly wind persisted.

A Honey Buzzard flew high south over Bempton village at 11:20hrs, representing the day’s highlight. A Short-eared Owl was over North Marsh late afternoon. Thornwick Pools hosted a single Hobby, whilst a Red-breasted Merganser was on the sea off Beacon Hill; two Wheatear and a White Wagtail were also noted.

Pied Wagtail, Thornwick Pool by Les Day

The day started with gentle west-south-westerlies but switched to light north-north-easterlies by the afternoon, sunshine and highs of 11°C. At Thornwick Pool the two Little Ringed Plover remain, with two Common Sandpiper and a single Dunlin for company. A Short-eared Owl was present on the Outer Head; a Little Egret flew north past North Landing and a Red-breasted Merganser was at South Landing. Elsewhere, singles of Spotted Flycatcher, Redwing, Lesser Redpoll and Bar-tailed Godwit were noted.

A day largely consisting of sunshine and light southerlies. A single Manx Shearwater north and two Sandwich Tern south were noted on the morning’s seawatch.

A Wood Sandpiper overflew the headland; two Corn Bunting frequented the lighthouse grassland as well as a Short-eared Owl there. An immature male Marsh Harrier toured the Outer Head; a Little Egret briefly visited Northcliff Marsh and a Grasshopper Warbler was again reeling at Thornwick Pools early morning.

A moderate southerly reduced to a gentle south-easterly with cloud and rain showers throughout. Out at sea, a single Red-throated Diver and Great Skua headed south and two Sandwich and three Common Terns moved north.

On land a Hawfinch made a brief appearance in a village garden, the Short-eared Owl was hunting over the golf course and Thornwick Pools hosted a Jack Snipe, two Little Ringed Plover, two Dunlin and two Common Sandpiper.

Thick fog engulfed the headland for most of the morning though cleared as sunshine broke through leaving an afternoon of sunny spells and a light south-westerly. As such, seawatching efforts afforded very little reward.

The day’s highlight came in the form of a Honey Buzzard which drifted west over the village late morning. Thornwick Pools still held two Dunlin, two Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper.

The weather consisted moderate south-westerly winds and sunny intervals. During the seawatch, five Mute Swans flew past the Fog Station, three Shelduck, a Tufted Duck and three Manx Shearwaters moved south, with a Red-throated Diver heading north.

The Pink-footed Goose remained in residence, whilst a Little Egret spent much of the day on pools alongside Water Lane. Four Common Buzzards were present and a creamcrown Marsh Harrier overflew the Lighthouse. a first-summer Mediterranean Gull flew west into Bridlington Bay and two Short-eared Owls frequented the Headland. Other sightings included two Whimbrel, two Jays, a male White Wagtail, a Wheatear, one Redwing and three Siskin.

Moderate/strong south-westerly winds were the main feature of the weather which also involved sunny intervals and occasional heavy showers. During the seawatch, three Common Scoter and a Manx Shearwater flew north, a Whimbrel headed south and ten Sandwich Terns flew past; as did a Red Kite that was later seen at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.

The Pink-footed Goose remained, while single Whimbrel and Dunlin visited Thornwick Pools and a Short-eared Owl was located near Old Fall. However, the day’s highlight related to the discovery of a Nuthatch visiting feeders at South Dykes car-park; one of only a handful of local records. A Spotted Flycatcher was at Thornwick, with another in the Dell at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.

It was a day of light variable winds and sunny conditions until evening showers. During the seawatch, four Shelduck, four Common Scoter, two Whimbrel and six Common Terns flew north, with nine Red-throated Divers and 108 Sandwich Terns moving south.

Two Barnacle Geese were on the Golf Course first thing, a Short-eared Owl hunted the adjacent cliff-top and a Turtle Dove sang nearby. The Nuthatch remained in South Dykes and the White Wagtail again frequented the area around the Lighthouse. Migrants included three Reed Warblers on the Outer Head and a Spotted Flycatcher at Old Fall.

Buckton attracted a Fieldfare and six Sedge Warblers were also present.

After a cloudy start, sunshine broke through during the afternoon, with moderate/strong northerly winds throughout.

A relatively quiet day, with a Hobby overflying the Outer Head and the Nuthatch remaining in South Dykes.

A moderate north-north-westerly wind lasted throughout a day that started relatively bright, but ended with thick cloud. During the seawatch, four Common Scoter, three Great Northern Divers, one Blue Fulmar, five Manx Shearwaters, eight Sandwich Terns, an Arctic Tern and 666 Puffins flew north.

Two Tufted Duck frequented Thornwick and the Nuthatch, a Goldcrest and one Garden Warbler were at South Dykes.

West of the Dykes, Buckton attracted a Fieldfare.

Strong north-north-westerly winds featured throughout a very wet day. During the seawatch, 128 Fulmars, 16 Manx Shearwaters, a Sandwich Tern and 321 Puffins flew north.

Thornwick Pools attracted a Ringed Plover.

It was a generally overcast day after a foggy start, with light south-easterly winds. Thornwick Pools attracted two Dunlin and a Whimbrel flew over Old Fall.

The day’s highlight was a singing Icterine Warbler in Old Fall. Additional migrants included two Garden Warblers, two Willow Warblers, a Spotted Flycatcher and two Yellow Wagtails.

West of the Dykes, Garden Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher were trapped at Buckton, where there was also a Cuckoo.

It was an overcast morning with a light easterly breeze, followed by prolonged sunny intervals during the afternoon. During the seawatch, 28 Common Scoter, a Red-throated Diver, seven Manx Shearwaters and seven Sandwich Terns moved north.

Amongst a scattering of migrants a male Red-breasted Flycatcher in the Outer Head gardens stood out, whilst a male Red-backed Shrike frequented South Landing. Other records included a Jay, two Garden Warblers, three Spotted Flycatchers, a Wheatear, two Yellow Wagtails, one Redwing and a Lesser Redpoll. The Nuthatch remained in residence at South Dykes.

It remained overcast and relatively cool all day, with a light north-north-easterly wind. Two Tufted Ducks and a Grey Heron frequented North Marsh, with Thornwick Pool attracting an Oystercatcher, one Ringed Plover, two Little Ringed Plover and two Dunlin.

Only a few passerine migrants were located including one Garden Warbler, a Redwing, one Black Redstart, a White Wagtail and two Siskin. Three pairs of Stonechats were feeding young between Thornwick and the Fog Station.

West of the Dykes, a Little Egret, two Shelduck and two Tufted Ducks visited Buckton Pond, with a Short-eared Owl nearby.

It was an overcast and cold day, with an increasingly strong northerly wind. A pair of Garganey gave great views at Thornwick Pools all day, with a drake Teal also present there. A juvenile/first-summer Glaucous Gull rested on the Golf Course early morning, whilst a Short-eared Owl hunted the Gorse Field before heading west. Passerine migrants included a Garden Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher.

West of the Dykes, the Little Egret remained on Buckton Pond.

Very strong northerly winds and generally overcast skies after a foggy start resulted in difficult birding conditions. The pair of Garganey and drake Teal remained on Thornwick Pools, with two Garden Warblers in South Landing the only passerine migrants.

West of the Dykes, a creamcrown Marsh Harrier flew south over Bempton village.

Strong to gale force northerly winds persisted, bringing rain at times, occasional fog and single figure temperatures. During the seawatch, 297 Fulmars, ten Manx Shearwaters, five Ringed Plover, 32 Sanderling (double May’s previous daily maximum tally), the year’s first Arctic Skua and 759 Puffins flew north.

Two Red-breasted Mergansers sheltered off South Landing and the Nuthatch remained in South Dykes.

A new month, but the same old weather – very strong northerly winds, overcast and occasionally misty conditions with rain; temperatures peaked at 10 degrees C. During the seawatch, three Eider and two Sandwich Terns flew south, with three Manx Shearwaters heading north. A drake Shoveler visited Thornwick Pools, with two Great Crested Grebes off South Dykes.

Strong north-north-westerly winds continued, with a heavy overcast, occasional drizzle and temperatures peaked at 9 degrees C. During the seawatch, two Red-throated Divers, 208 Fulmars, 22 Manx Shearwaters, three Whimbrel, one Little Gull, 11 Sandwich Terns, an Arctic Skua and 743 Puffins flew north.

Elsewhere, single Shoveler and White Wagtail visited Thornwick Pools and a Spotted Flycatcher was on the Outer Head.

Strong north-westerly winds persisted with another overcast and cold day, with mist and drizzle periodically. Seawatching produced 27 Common Scoters, a Red-throated Diver, one Great Northern Diver, 403 Fulmar, 19 Manx Shearwaters and 1122 Puffins flying north.

Two Red-breasted Merganser, five Teal and a Great Crested Grebe sheltered in the Bay, with the drake Shoveler remaining on Thornwick Pools. A Hobby flew over Old Fall Plantation, a single Snipe was more unseasonal, whilst two Spotted Flycatchers were located on the Outer Head.

Strong north-westerly winds persisted, albeit without the strength of recent days and after a foggy start conditions gradually improved. Seawatching highlights included single Goosander and Red-throated Divers, nine Sandwich Terns and an Arctic Tern all flying north.

Elsewhere, 17 Canada Goose flew west over the Headland, a Spotted Flycatcher sheltered in Old Fall and the Nuthatch remains in South Dykes.

A  Turtle Dove was the most notable sighting of the day, when one was discovered near Bempton village.

After strong northerlies for an eternity, the wind strength gradually ebbed during the day and this, together with sunshine, produced at least a semblance of summer. Seawatching proved rewarding, with 45 Common Scoter, four Red-throated Divers, two Great Northern Divers, a Blue Fulmar, ten Manx Shearwaters, 14 Sandwich Terns and two Common Terns flying north.

A Hobby flew over the village and migrants included a White Wagtail and one Spotted Flycatcher. The Nuthatch remained in South Dykes. In addition to the 1000s of Diamondback Moths that remain in the area, a sizeable arrival of Painted Lady butterflies took place, with up to ten in each of the cliff gullies on the south side of the Headland.

After a calm start to the day, a light south-easterly wind developed, with relatively bright skies. During the morning’s seawatch, three Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver, a Blue Fulmar, 17 Manx Shearwaters, three Sanderling, 33 Sandwich Terns and an Arctic Tern flew north.

Thornwick Pools attracted a Black-tailed Godwit.

It was a sunny and relatively warm day, with light, variable winds.

A Little Egret appeared at South Landing, whilst Thornwick Pools attracted Little Ringed Plover and Redshank. At North Landing, a long-staying Redwing was trapped and ringed, whilst a Siskin frequented Oceanview.

The day’s best sighting related to a Turtle Dove at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.

Early fog cleared at 0840 but cloud cover remained with a north wind force 4 and a low temperature of 11c.

The morning sea-watch was steady with 20 Common Scoter north, 99 Fulmar north, 89 Herring Gull north, two Sandwich Tern south and five north with 40 Shag present off the headland.

The highlight of the day was a Bee-eater that circled over Cattlemere for two minutes late morning before it drifted towards Old Fall.

Other birds were 22 Grey-lag Goose present on the outer head, two Shelduck at Thornwick Pools, a Manx Shearwater off the headland, one Reed Warbler and a Sedge Warbler and two Swift.

A mainly overcast day with the wind north to west force 3 and a low temperature of 12c.

A three hour seawatch in the morning and a one hour late afternoon recorded three Eider north, nine Common Scoter south, 85 Fulmar north, including six Blue Fulmars (ie. dark morph), eight Manx Shearwater north, 22 Sandwich Tern south (and 17 north) and Common Tern one north and one south.

A Hobby flew over Oceanview in the morning.

A male Tufted Duck was on the Pony Field Pond and a Little Ringed Plover on Thornwick Pools. Passerines included two Willow Warbler, one Chiffchaff, five Blackcap, two Sedge Warbler and one Reed Warbler, one Garden Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher.

It was a relatively dull day, with light rain and a gentle south-easterly breeze. Seawatch records included five Manx Shearwaters, 25 Sandwich Terns and four Common Terns.

A Tufted Duck visited the pond at Highcliffe Manor, with a Short-eared Owl also recorded. Passerine migrants included a late Fieldfare at Oceanview and lone Pied and Spotted Flycatchers.

Another overcast day, with a very little easterly breeze and a heavily overcast skies. A total of 71 Common Scoters were recorded on the seawatch, together with ten Manx Shearwaters, 42 Sandwich Terns, one Common Tern and three Arctic Terns.

North Marsh attracted a drake Shoveler and a Bar-headed Goose, with a drake Teal and a Little Ringed Plover visiting Thornwick Pools. A lone Bar-tailed Godwit flew past South Landing, whilst a Green Sandpiper dropped in on the Outer Head. The Redwing remained at North Landing, with a Grasshopper Warbler reeling on the Outer Head new.

West of the Dykes, there were five Tufted Duck on Buckton Pond.

A return to foggy conditions, with a light northerly wind and occasional rain. As a consequence, sightings were limited during the morning’s seawatch, with 25 Sandwich Terns the only notable record.

There were few other sightings although a Teal and three Curlew were presumably failed and/or breeding birds already on the move.

Foggy conditions persisted once again until it brightened during the afternoon, with a light northerly wind throughout. Seawatching produced 31 Sandwich Terns, an Arctic Tern flying north, together with one Bonxie.

The Nuthatch continued to visit the feeders at South Dykes.

Light north-westerly winds continued, but after a misty start the afternoon featured periods of sunshine. Seawatching highlights included two Shelduck, one Red-throated Diver and 47 Sandwich Terns flying south, with two Common Scoter, a Red-throated Diver and 18 Manx Shearwaters moving north.

Elsewhere, a Hobby flew over the Outer Head, whilst the Nuthatch remained in South Dykes.

Visibility gradually improved after a foggy start, with light northerly winds once again. During the seawatch, ten Shelduck and 38 Sandwich Terns flew south, with two Tufted Duck, 69 Common Scoter, a Manx Shearwater and two Arctic Skuas flying north.

The light northerly winds continued, with a heavy overcast for the majority of the day. Seawatching highlights included two Gadwall, 84 Common Scoter, a Great Northern Diver, 42 Manx Shearwaters and an Arctic Tern flying north, with 21 Sandwich Terns moving south.

Three Teal were off South Dykes and a Short-eared Owl frequented the Gorse Field.

Moderate north-north-westerly winds and overcast skies meant little change, with rain arriving in the evening. The only report received related to 42 Common Scoter off South Dykes.

Moderate/strong north-westerly winds gradually dropped in strength during a day which started overcast, with sunshine breaking through by the afternoon. During the seawatch, 15 Eiders flew south, whilst 104 Common Scoter, 721 Fulmar, 61 Manx Shearwater, a Bonxie, three Common Tern and two Arctic Terns flew north.

West of the Dykes, Buckton attracted two Tufted Duck and a Grasshopper Warbler.

The northerly winds finally relented and light south-south-westerlies were a feature; after a bright start, skies clouded over and rain arrived late afternoon. Seawatch highlights included  four Red-throated Divers, 415 Fulmars, 125 Manx Shearwaters, ten Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 78 Sandwich Terns, a Common Tern and four Bonxie flew north.

Thornwick Pools attracted single Grey Heron, Tufted Duck, Teal and Shelduck.

West of the Dykes, a Reed Warbler was trapped at Buckton.

The weather consisted light south-westerly winds, heavy rain during the morning and sunny intervals subsequently; temperatures also increased, with a peak of 20 degrees C. Seawatching highlights included 25 Common Scoter, three Manx Shearwater and a Curlew flying south, with eight Sandwich Terns and two Bonxies heading north.

Thornwick Pools attracted a Shelduck and Teal, whilst a Common Buzzard appeared on the Outer Head and the White Wagtail remained in residence around the Lighthouse car-park.

Light south-westerly winds and sunny intervals featured throughout, with temperatures reaching 19 degrees C. Seawatching highlights included six Manx Shearwaters, 31 Sandwich Terns and two Arctic Terns flying north, whilst five Common Terns headed south.

Thornwick Pools attracted a Tufted Duck and White Wagtail, with a Snipe at North Marsh. A Grey Wagtail flew south over the Fog Station.

West of the Dykes, single Marsh Harrier, Cuckoo and Reed Warbler were located at Buckton.

The weather consisted light/moderate southerly winds, with sunny intervals and warm temperatures. An evening seawatch was relatively quiet, with two Manx Shearwaters flying north and a Common Tern heading south. Thornwick Pools attracted a Tufted Duck and a Grey Wagtail.

West of the Dykes, the Cuckoo remained at Buckton.

Light northerly winds and overcast conditions prevailed, with misty conditions by the evening. Seawatching records included 50 Common Scoter (30 north, 20 south), 141 Manx Shearwaters, two Grey Herons, 30 Sandwich Terns and two Common Terns flying south, whilst a single Arctic Tern went north.

Two Little Ringed Plovers frequented Thornwick Pools, with a Grey Wagtail and a Mistle Thrush at the Fog Station.

The weather consisted of light south-westerly winds and sunny intervals. During the seawatch, two Eider, a Red-throated Diver, 31 Manx Shearwaters, a Grey Heron, 29 Sandwich Terns, one Common Tern and two Arctic Terns flew north.

A Mute Swan visited North Marsh, two Little Ringed Plovers were on Thornwick Pools, nine Curlew signified a return and the White Wagtail remained near the Lighthouse.

The day featured light north-easterly winds with sunny intervals. Seawatching highlights included 50 Common Scoter, 22 Manx Shearwater, 34 Sandwich Terns and one Common Tern all flying north.

The Mute Swan was still at North Marsh and Grey Heron, three Teal, two Little Ringed Plovers and a White Wagtail at Thornwick. A Grey Wagtail flew over the Fog Station.

The weather comprised moderate north-westerly winds, increasing cloud and rain arriving by the evening. Seawatching records included six Common Scoter, 25 Manx Shearwaters, seven Sandwich Terns and single Common and Arctic Terns flying north, with an Arctic Skua moving south.

The Mute Swan remained on North Marsh and a Grey Heron toured the Headland.

During moderate north-westerly winds and relatively cloudy skies 48 Common Scoter flew north on the seawatch, together with 23 Manx Shearwaters and five Curlew.

Three Mute Swans were present on the Headland; one remaining at North Marsh and two new arrivals on Thornwick Pools. There were also 56 Common Scoter off South Landing and two Tufted Duck and two Little Ringed Plovers at Thornwick Pools.

A day of relatively light south-west winds and increasing cloud until a belt of heavy rain arrived late afternoon. Seawatching highlights included 31 Manx Shearwaters and 14 Sandwich Terns flying north. However, the stand-out was a summer-plumaged Little Auk that also flew north close inshore at 0905hrs; although not unprecedented in June, it still represents an amazing record.

Away from the sea, the Mute Swan remained on North Marsh and a male Stonechat accompanied a juvenile in the Bay Brambles below the Lighthouse.

The weather consisted of moderate south-south-westerly winds, initially overcast skies before a band of rain arrived late morning. During the seawatch, 139 Common Scoter and six Sandwich Tern flew north, with 21 Teal, 12 Manx Shearwater, two Whimbrel and ten Curlew heading south.

Elsewhere, the Mute Swan was still in residence, Thornwick Pools hosted six Teal and two Tufted Ducks, whilst an Eider appeared off South Landing. Fifty Swifts over Oceanview represented a significant increase in numbers.

The day started with sunny skies and light south-west winds, although it clouded over later. During the seawatch, ten Common Scoter, 24 Manx Shearwaters and six Sandwich Terns flew north.

Birds of note on the land included a Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Water Rail, Grasshopper Warbler and a Cuckoo. Several Stonechat were scattered around the Headland, with three pairs having successfully fledged young this summer.

The day again saw occasional showers, with a light to moderate south-westerly wind.

Seawatching produced five Manx Shearware but just 10 Fulmars, whilst the highlight of the day was a Little Egret which over flew Thornwick fishing pool heading south-east during the morning.

Little Egret, Thornwick fishing pool by Andy Hood

Sunny skies predominated throughout the day, with the occasional light shower. A moderate SW wind became stronger during the morning.

The Little Egret was seen again, representing the day’s highlight. Birds of note on the seawatch included seven Common Scoter, nine Sandwich Tern and eight Manx Shearwaters.

Sand Martin, Thornwick, by Alan Walkington

Winds eased from yesterday to a moderate WSW breeze. Broken cloud throughout the day, with temperatures up to 18 degrees.

Today’s seawatch saw 41 Manx flying north, six Common Scoter and three Sandwich Tern. Wader movement continued to pick up with Green Sandpiper and Dunlin on Thornwick Pool.

Dunlin, by Brett Richards