Category: Sightings

Overcast again with a light westerly and a maximum temperature of 10°C.

Seawatching highlights included two Great Northern and 23 Red-throated Divers, an Arctic Skua, 25 Little Gulls and two Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

The sea off South Dykes held 52 Common Scoter and eight Red-throated Divers. A Black Redstart was at Cattlmere, other passerines included two Chiffchaff, six Siskin and a Redpoll. Three Woodcock were also seen.

A Short-eared Owl was found exhausted on the cliff top at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.

Finally, the sun returned. The wind veered from northwesterly to northerly and remained light or occasionally moderate.

The change in weather brought a slightly different seawatching experience. Highlights included 239 Little Gulls, two Mediterranean Gulls, two Arctic Skuas, a Little Auk, a Great Northern Diver and 72 Red-throated Divers and a Sooty Shearwater. A Snow Bunting was also present.

A Ring Ouzel flew south-west out of the headland and 13600 Starlings also flew south-west to roost.

*** Newly emerged photographs of the seven geese that flew in off the sea on 9th November reveal that they were actually Lesser White-fronted Geese. Whether these could be considered wild birds is debatable. ***

A mainly overcast day with the wind moderate and from the north and a maximum temperature of 12°C.

An interesting seawatch for the season, highlights included a Long-tailed Duck, six Little Gulls, three Arctic Skuas, four Sooty and two Manx Shearwaters and a Great Northern Diver passing. A Snow Bunting came in off the sea and a Caspian Gull was present on the rocks.

A Merlin was at Beacon Hill, three Woodcock in the South Landing area and a Ring Ouzel with Blackbirds in the village where 33 Pink-footed Geese flew over.

A sunny day with a light westerly and a maximum temperature of 13°C.

Highlights of this morning’s seawatch included a Whooper Swan, two Gadwall, 39 Common Scoter, a Goldeneye, two Mediterranean and four Little Gulls and two Great Northern Divers.

Two Water Rails were on the Lighthouse Grassland and two more at Thornwick Pools.

Nine Lapwing were over Bempton village and six Whooper Swans passed over Bempton Cliffs.

A mainly cloudy day with a light to moderate northerly and a maximum temperature of 11°C.

A Great Northern Diver, a Sooty Shearwater and 42 Common Scoter were the pick of the seawatch.

Three Woodcock and two Siskin were in the South Landing area while a Great Northern Diver and a Whooper Swan were offshore there. Ninety-five Pink-footed Geese overflew the Outer Head.

A light to moderate westerly, overcast skies and a maximum temperature of 10°C.

A Cory’s Shearwater passed north at the Fog Station and was only the third of the year. Other sightings during the seawatch included two Gadwall, 28 Common and a single Velvet Scoter and three Goosander.

A Lesser Whitethroat was with the tit flock at South Landing where there was also 2 four Siskin. Twenty-two Common Scoter were offshore there and a Red-breasted Merganser off Beacon Hill. Seven Whooper Swans passed over North Landing.

A flock of 4000 Starlings was on stubble at Buckton, two Chiffchaffs also being seen.

A brighter day with variable, occasionally high, cloud with a light to moderate westerly and a maximum temperature of 12°C.

Two Great Northern and 15 Red-throated Divers, 18 Common Scoter and 12 Eider were seawatching highlights.

The main interest of the day revolved around four adult and three juvenile Lesser White-fronted Geese that spent the day at Palmer’s Flash. These are the same individuals that came in off the sea at the Fog Station on 9th November. One of the birds is colour-ringed and has been traced to the reintroduction programme in Swedish Lapland. It was released as juvenile in northern Sweden in July 2018, returning there each year since and wintering in Holland, the three juveniles being its offspring for this year. Prior to arriving here, these birds were last seen in Holland in October. A juvenile Russian White-fronted Goose had also joined the flock.

A Woodcock was at Holmes Gut and a Shoveler at Thornwick Pools. Six Whooper Swans passed over the Outer Head.

Cooler, becoming overcast after a sunny morning with a light westerly and a maximum temperature of 7°C.

Little Auks were the key species on the seawatch with three passing north and 14 south. Other birds included a Great Northern and 21 Red-throated Divers and five Little Gulls.

The group of seven Lesser White-fronted Geese remained on the Outer Head together with the juvenile Russian White-front. Two Whooper Swans flew over and a Lapland Bunting was near Briel Nook. Waters at Thornwick held a Shoveler, 74 Teal and 23 Tufted Ducks.

Colder again, the temperature was no higher than 4°C. The wind remained light from the north-west with cloud cover mainly light and high.

Seawatchers logged a Pomarine Skua, two Bonxies, eleven Little Auks and six Great Northern Divers in a lively session. Other birds noted included a Velvet and 42 Common Scoter, 90 Red-throated Divers, four Sooty Shearwaters and a Snow Bunting.

The flock of seven Lesser White-fronted Geese along with the Russian White-front remained on the north side of the headland where there were also two Whooper Swans. A Snow Bunting flew over Cattlemere and a Golden Plover was also present. Three Shoveler and two Woodcock were also on the Outer Head.

A Merlin was hunting along the cliff top at Bempton Cliffs RSPB where a Snow Bunting and Brambling also flew over.

A moderate northerly, mainly cloudy skies and a maximum temperature of 6°C.

Another lively seawatch produced a record count of Great Northern Divers with 12 passing north, two south and another on the sea. A Black-throated Diver, Grey Phalarope and 24 Little Auks provided further interest while seven Pintail, 65 Common a Velvet Scoter, a Long-tailed Duck, a Caspian Gull, two Arctic Skuas, five Bonxies, a ‘Blue’ Fulmar and three Sooty Shearwaters all contributed to a fine session.

Away from the Fog Station, the goose flock containing seven Lesser White-fronted Geese and a juvenile Russian White-front remained on the Outer Head. A Merlin was over Lighthouse Road and a Short-eared Owl at Cattlemere. A single Brambling was in a village garden. Great Northern Divers on the sea at Cattlemere and two off South Landing were thought to be part of the movement past the Fog Station.

Snow from early morning until early afternoon left a covering of several inches.The maximum temperature was only 2°C in a fresh north-westerly.

There was plenty of wildfowl moving over the sea with 215 Wigeon, 47 Teal, three Velvet and 93 Common Scoter, a Long-tailed Duck, six Goldeneye and two Red-breasted Mergansers. Other birds, logged included three Woodcock, five Snipe, two Bonxies, three Mediterranean Gulls, 20 Little Auks and four Great Northern Divers. A Merlin was also at the Fog Station.

Two Whooper Swans flew over the Outer Head, a Woodcock was in the village. At Thornwick Lakes, the Tufted Duck flock increased to 37 and a pair of Gadwall was also present.

A cloudless day and following a sharp frost overnight and with a maximum daytime temperature of 3°C it was cold, the snow and ice cover hardly eased. The winds were light from the west.

The seawatch was quieter than recent days but still gave highlights of 55 Wigeon, two Pintail, a single Velvet and 70 Common Scoter, seven Goldeneye and three Great Northern Divers.

A Great Northern Diver, a Velvet Scoter, a Goldeneye, 170 Wigeon, 19 Pink-footed Geese and five Little Auks were all seen off Beacon Hill. On land, four Woodcock, five Lapwing, two Golden Plover, two Chiffchaffs and two Bramblings were all noted. Three Goldeneye, 37 Tufted Ducks and three Gadwall were all on waters at Thornwick. The flock of seven reintroduced Lesser White-fronted Geese remained on the Outer Headand and the juvenile Russian White-fronted Goose is still with them.

A slow thaw set in as the temperature briefly reached 5°C on a sunny day with light north-westerlies.

Ten Velvet Scoter were the main highlight at the Fog Station where 106 Common Scoter, a male Long-tailed Duck, a male Goosander, a first-winter Caspian Gull and a Great Northern Diver were also logged.

A Shoveler and three Gadwall remained at Thornwick, the Golf Course attracted 16 Golden Plover and a Lapwing where a Marsh Harrier and Merlin were seen hunting. A single Brambling was in a village garden. The Lesser White-fronted Goose flock continued their stay on the Outer Head with their adopted juvenile Russian White-front.

A Marsh Harrier was also seen at Bempton Cliffs RSPB where eight Corn Buntings and a Water Rail were also present.

Today’s weather was all about Storm Bert. A force eight southerly gale, gusting to storm force ten during the morning eased slowly during the afternoon and brought continuous, often heavy, rain. The temperature rose gradually through the day and reached 10°C by dark.

Understandably, due to the extreme weather, seawatching was the only form of birding attempted and even that was a struggle. The meagre totals included two Common Scoters, a Bonxie and a Great Northern Diver offshore.

An overcast day with frequent showers on a moderate south-westerly. Much milder than of late with the temperature reaching 15°C.

A Little Auk passed the Fog Station and, unusually, a Black-necked Grebe was offshore.

A Little Egret was at Hartendale and waters at Thornwick held 41 Teal and 18 Tufted Ducks. The seven Lesser White-fronted Geese and Russian White-fronted Goose continued their stay on the Outer Head. A Gadwall was noted at Speeton.

A moderate south-westerly and mainly sunny skies allowed the temperature to rise to 10°C.

Birds passing the Fog Station were relatively few with only two Common Scoter,a Goosander and 13 Red-throated Divers. However, two Black-throated Divers close in on the sea were the highlight.

A Little Egret was at South Landing, a Whooper Swan over Thornwick and 54 Pink-footed Geese were on the stubble on the Outer Head.

A Little Auk was on the sea at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.

After a frosty start it was dry with good spells of sunshine though feeling cooler with light south-westerly winds. Maximum temperature 9°C.

A Little Auk flew north during the seawatch, other highlights being five Whooper Swans and a Dark-bellied Brent Goose.

Usually less than annual, the third Water Pipit of the year was at South Landing. The flock of seven Lesser White-fronted Geese and a Russian White-fronted Goose remained in the area, having moved to arable fields west of Thornwick Camp. Other sightings on the Outer Head were four Whooper Swans, 95 Pink-footed Geese, four Shoveler and a Gadwall, a Woodcock, Jack Snipe, and seven Siskin.

A Short-eared Owl was at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.

Chilly and dull with rain during the morning clearing to leave a cold afternoon with sunny spells. Maximum temperature 7°C in a moderate north-easterly.

Seawatching highlights included 23 Common Scoters, 23 Red-throated Divers, two Little Auks and 15 Little Gulls.

A Water Rail was at the Lighthouse Bushes and a Grey Wagtail at Thornwick Pools.

Three Grey Seal pups have been born on the beach at High Stacks.

Light winds, variable in direction, sunny skies and temperatures that reached eight degrees C. The morning’s seawatch proved productive, with 16 Little Gulls, a Little Auk and a Sooty Shearwater flying north; two Great Northern Divers and a Bonxie moved south. Three Siskin flew in off the sea and two Snow Buntings were on the cliff top.

The Water Pipit remained in residence at South Landing, while South Dykes attracted five Sanderling, one Grey Wagtail and a Nuthatch. South Landing also hosted two Sanderling and a Bar-tailed Godwit, while 50 Pink-footed Geese visited nearby Oceanview.

A day of sunny intervals, a blustery southerly wind and high of eight degrees C. Wildfowl interest included the lingering Lesser White-fronted Geese and White-front, 37 Pink-feet and a newly arrived flock of 28 Barnacle Geese. A small arrival of Blackbirds took place, including individuals watched making landfall over the sea and these were accompanied by a lone Brambling. The Water Pipit also remained in residence at South Landing.

An overcast day, with relatively light southerly winds and a high of eight degrees C. A Short-eared Owl arrived in off the sea, while additional migrants included 22 Golden Plovers, a Lapwing, four Woodcocks, 2500 Starlings and 25 Blackbirds.

The flock of 29 Barnacle Geese lingered around North Marsh along with three Shoveler and 29 Wigeon. A total of 225 Teal were split between Thornwick Pools and North Marsh; a Jack Snipe and six Snipe were at Oceanview.

A Goldeneye, four Golden Plovers, two Lapwing and a Woodcock were recorded at RSPB Bempton Cliffs. Additional sightings on the reserve included single Merlin and Marsh Harrier, 4000 Starlings, 40 Blackbirds and a single Twite that flew south-east.

Rain for the majority of the morning preceded brighter intervals and temperatures reached 12 degrees C in light/moderate southerly winds. A single Pintail and two Little Gulls flew south during a morning seawatch.

A Great White Egret at Thornwick Pools represented the headland’s first winter record; a Water Rail was also resident. Two Whooper Swans, three Shoveler and 40 Wigeon frequented North Marsh, while a single Woodcock was at Oceanview.

Although the weather started benign with light westerly winds and bright intervals, a northerly wind and showers soon established; temperatures peaked at nine degrees C. Seawatch highlights included three Velvet Scoters, 66 Little Gulls and a Manx Shearwater; 30 Bottlenose Dolphins that initially fed off South Dykes later swam north.

Wildfowl interest included two Whooper Swans and the party of Lesser White-fronted Geese (with associated Russian White-front) that had joined a roving flock of Pink-footed Geese on the outer head. Three Shoveler, a Gadwall, 67 Wigeon and 231 Teal were also present, along with three Water Rails, two Jack Snipe, 11 Woodcock and 19 Snipe. A Short-eared Owl was along the North Cliffs, while passerine interest included the Water Pipit at South Landing, a Brambling and one Snow Bunting.

There were light winds throughout a relatively dull day with occasional sunny intervals and temperatures pegged back to six degrees C. Seawatch highlights included seven Eiders and five Little Gulls flying north, a Short-eared Owl in off and a Little Auk on the sea.

A Long-tailed Duck off the South Cliffs later flew west. Fifty Pink-footed Geese, the Lesser White-fronts and the Russian White-fronted Goose remained, as did the Water Pipit near South Landing.

A relatively bright day until cloud arrived mid-afternoon; winds remained light during daylight hours and temperatures eventually reached six degrees C. The highlight of a quiet morning seawatch was a drake Goosander flying north. However, a lone Little Auk also flew east along the tideline past Beacon Hill in the afternoon. South Landing attracted ten Sanderling and a notable flock of 82 Yellowhammers. Additionally there was also ample evidence of an arrival of ‘cold weather’ migrants including 15 Woodcock, eight Redwing, 60 Blackbirds and ten Fieldfare.

A further three Woodcock were present at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where sightings included a Water Rail, three Redwing and 20 Blackbirds.

A day of light/moderate south-south-westerlies, sunny intervals followed by increasing cloud and a high of 11 degrees C. The highlight of an uneventful seawatch was a lone Little Auk on the water. Elsewhere, the seven Lesser White-fronted Geese and lone Russsian White-front toured the northern side of the outer head. A flock of 62 Pink-footed Geese did the same, while three Woodcocks present.

Two Lapland Buntings that flew north-west over RSPB Bempton Cliffs were noteworthy given the species poor autumn showing.

A relatively bright day, with a moderate west-north-westerly wind that dropped in strength and a peak temperature of seven degrees C. Nineteen Little Gulls, a Mediterranean Gull and a lone Puffin flew north during the morning’s seawatch. A flock of 61 Pink-footed Geese on the outer head were still accompanied by the seven Lesser White-fronted Geese and lone Russian White-front. The headland’s wetlands also hosted three Little Grebes, three Shovelers, 31 Tufted Ducks and three Water Rails. Two Woodcock and a Short-eared Owl were also in residence.

Overcast throughout, with light rain in the morning and heavier showers in the afternoon. Winds were light first thing, but switched to gale force north-north-westerlies by the close; temperatures peaked at nine degrees C. Seawatch highlights included single Black-throated Diver and Great Northern Diver flying north, another Great Northern south, along with two dark-bellied Brent Geese and a Puffin.

The seven Lesser White-fronted Geese and Russian White-front fed on fields near North Landing once again alongside 60 Pink-feet. Three Shoveler, two Woodcock, two Snipe and a Snow Bunting were near North Landing.

Storm Darragh certainly impacted the headland, with storm force northerly winds blowing over trees, but also resulting in an impressive seawatch for the time of year. Squally, heavy showers also featured, adding to the rapidly rising water table.

A Black-necked Grebe alighted in front of the Seawatch Observatory in the morning before continuing north. However, arguably the day’s main feature was a movement of 101 Little Auks (99 north, 2 south). Other notable highlights included a Bonxie south, 13 Puffins north, two Great Northern Divers, four Sooty Shearwaters and eight Manx Shearwaters. Two Whooper Swans on a flash near Old Fall Hedge were the best of the rest.

An overcast day, with blustery north-easterly winds and a high of eight degrees C. Seawatching again proved the main staple, with the Observatory and South Landing receiving good coverage from first light until early afternoon. Perhaps the most notable was a count of 459 Puffins moving north; this smashed the previous December record which stood at a mere 50 birds. None were seen from South Landing, but this proved the better site for a close cousin; 338 Little Auks moving north-east. A Slavonian Grebe also flew north-east past South Landing. Additional sightings from the Observatory included two Long-tailed Ducks, a Grey Phalarope, 957 Kittiwakes, two Bonxies, seven Great Northern Divers, a Sooty Shearwater and four Manx Shearwaters all flying north.

A moderate north-easterly and full cloud cover led to a maximum temperature of 7°C.

Seawatching offered the principal interest for the day. Sightings at the Fog Station included a Red-necked Grebe, a Black-necked Grebe, a Slavonian Grebe and another small grebe that went unidentified. In addition, a Long-tailed Duck, a lone Bonxie, a Mediterranean Gull, 73 Little Auks and two Great Northern Divers also passed.

Watching the sea at South Landing was also profitable with 17 Little Auks, a Long-tailed Duck, two Goldeneye and two Goosander passing. A Little Auk was also on the sea off North Landing. A Slavonian Grebe here early morning was presumed to have been that seen at the Fog Station. On land were two Woodcock, a Snow Bunting and a Brambling.

Thick cloud persisted all day in a light northerly, maximum tempertaure 7°C.

A quieter seawatch still managed to deliver a Red-necked Grebe, a Yellow-legged Gull and 54 Red-throated Divers.

A Great Northern Diver flew east along the South Cliffs where a Black Redstart was on the cliff top. A Woodcock was present at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.

Overcast throughout, with light north-easterly winds and a peak of eight degrees C. Three Water Rails, five Jack Snipe, a Woodcock and 13 Snipe were in residence. Passerine interest included nine Fieldfare, three Snow Buntings and a Corn Bunting.

Overcast throughout, with occasional drizzle, light south-easterly winds and a high of seven degrees C. Three Whooper Swans and three Snow Buntings were at North Marsh in the morning, while a Blackcap was in the village near Hartendale. A total of 116 Fieldfares made landfall on the outer head, with an additional 44 birds at RSPB Bempton Cliffs and ten in Bempton village.

A sunny day, with a light west-north-westerly wind and a high of six degrees C. The morning seawatch was quiet, although a first calendar-year Yellow-legged Gull was notable. Three Whooper Swans again roosted on North Marsh before flying inland to feed. A total of 154 Teal were shared between Thornwick Pools/North Marsh, with 46 Wigeon also at the former site. A trickle of winter thrushes continued to arrive, with 11 Fieldfare and two Redwing moving west from the outer head.

A relatively overcast day, with light/moderate westerly winds and a high of 12 degrees C. Coverage was scant, although the Thornwick area hosted a Little Grebe, 87 Teal, 24 Tufted Ducks and 21 Coot. Elsewhere, Speeton attracted a Marsh Harrier.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.