Category: Sightings

Seawatching was fairly productive this morning with a total of c.292 Barnacle Geese seen, way beyond the previous day record of 86 (also in May).  Flocks of 60 (0925 hrs.) and c.75 (0952 hrs.) flew South and flocks of c.45 and c.112 flew due North (i.e. not curving in to follow the coast) at 1059 hrs, these two flocks joining when further North. In addition a dark morph Arctic Skua flew South and a Bonxie was seen briefly; also 1 Manx Shearwater, 8 Sandwich Terns & a Whimbrel flew North.

Thornwick produced the goods this afternoon with 2 Avocets, a Swift and a pair of Gadwalls at the pool and a female Scaup with 1 female & 3 male Tufted Ducks on the fishing pond.  The Gadwalls commuted between the pool & North Marsh, but the other birds didn’t linger too long.

2 Whimbrels on Micklemires fields.

In addition the Thornwick area also produced a brief Swift and single Sedge Warbler, Redstart and Whgite Wagtail.  Elsewhere there were 3 Wheatear, 3 Brambling, a male Pied Flycatcher and 2 Grey Partridge on the Outer Head.

A reasonable seawatch this morning included 7 Scaup, 2 splendid summer-plumaged Great Northern Divers, 1 Bonxie, 1 Arctic Tern & 4 Sandwich Terns, all North.

There were 7 Wheatears (3 males, 4 females) at the foghorn, a male Whinchat at the lighthouse car park and another or the same, in the Gorse Field.  A Pink-footed Goose was on North Marsh and a 1st summer female White Wagtail at Thornwick Pool along with a Yellow Wagtail.  Also on the Outer Head were 2 Common Swift, a male Redstart, an acredula Willow Warbler, 2 Brambling and a Fieldfare amongst the commoner summer visitors which are now busy taking up territories.

An evening seawatch produced 15 Sandwich Terns, 2 Arctic Terns, a Common Tern and two Red throated Divers all bar one of the Sandwich Terns heading north. 8 Woodpigeon attempted twice to head out east to sea before turning back.

The Buckton area 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatear and several Corn Buntings singing furiously.  A Barn Owl also put in an appeareance here.

An early walk along the cliff top for Phil C. led to the discovery of a spring Richard’s Pipit. Thankfully it hung around and was seen for most of the morning.

Nearby from the lighthouse to Old Fall a good mix of migrants included Ring Ouzel, 2 Redstart, 2 Tree Pipits, Whinchat, 2 Brambling, Common Swift, 4 House Martin, up to 7 Wheatear and 2 Yellow Wagtail. A Little Ringed Plover flew around the Lighthouse car park calling and was later discovered on Thornwick Pool, and 1 Whimbrel flew inland. A single Pink-foot remained with the Greylag Geese and a pair of Stonechat have bred successfully at Thornwick. 6 Fieldfare were west of Thornwick with a Black Redstart on the cliff top.

Thornwick Pool also hosted a female White Wagtail and nearby Holmes Gut and cliff top held male Redstart, 6 Whitethroat and 6 Lesser Whitethroat. 5 Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier and a Sparrowhawk formed a raptor kettle over Cliff Lane, Bempton mid morning and  6 Wheatear, 15 Corn Bunting, 12 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler were at Buckton.

Of note on the morning seawatch 1 Manx Shearwater and 2 Wigeon went north and 14 Sandwich Tern south.

A busy day with several observers putting the leg work in to cover the area producing some good counts of migrants and a few added extras.  A Blue headed Wagtail amongst Yellows in the sheep field on the Outer Head and a Black Redstart in an Outer Head garden were nice finds.  Counts for the headland included a total of 29 Wheatears, 19 Yellow Wagtails (plus three “in off” on the seawatch), 19 Sand Martins, 2 Ring Ouzel (1 Old Fall, 1 Cattlemere) and a Cuckoo calling early on.  Thornwick Pool had a Common Sandpiper, a White Wagtail and 2 Sedge Warblers.

The seawatch included 2 different Blue Fulmars (one north, one south), a total of 132 Sandwich Terns south, 15 Common Scoter and 9 Tufted Ducks also south and a Manx Shearwater north. Two Whimbrel flew south and another north.

Away from the Outer Head there were 5 Little Egrets flying north at Bempton along with 5 Whimbrel also north.  Buckton added a Long-eared Owl, a female Marsh Harrier (flying south east), single Grasshopper Warbler, Redwing, White Wagtail and Great-spotted Woodpecker and a total of 5 House Martins and 9 Yellow Wagtails.  Singing Corn Buntings were again in evidence around Bempton.

Another interesting day began with a Richard’s Pipit in the sheep field at South Landing followed by two Avocet on North Marsh, the timing of their arrival suggesting they were the same two birds seen to leave the beach at Hunmanby Gap to the north a little earlier.  The morning sea watch was also quite lively with a partial summer plumaged Black throated Diver and a white Egret going south (considered to probably have been a Little), a Blue Fulmar was amongst the 86 that went north as did a dark phase Arctic Skua.  In addition to the Avocets there were other waders in evidence today with 3 Whimbrel on the sea watch and another at South Landing, a Greenshank south on the sea watch and one north at Thornwick Pool and later over Thornwick camp.  Once again the habitat work at Thornwick Pool has proved its worth as the site also hosted two Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper, Little Ringed and Ringed Plover and towards dusk two Bar tailed Godwits dropped in.

Elsewhere there were 12+ Wheatear mostly/all Greenlands on the Thornwick cliff top (plus Dunlin and Redshank), single Fieldfares at Thornwick Pool and near Booted Gulley, a Grey Wagtail at Old Fall, a Yellow Wagtail at South Landing and the female White Wagtail remained at Thornwick Pool where there was also 2 Sedge Warblers and a House Martin.  Away from the head there were 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Sedge Warblers, 4 Wheatear, a White Wagtail and a Whinchat in the Buckton/Bempton area. A Little Ringed Plover on Buckton Pond was a site first.  Also at Buckton there were two Curlew on territory, 15 Corn Buntings and a total of 19 Tree Sparrow nestboxes contained eggs

Continuing the wader theme there was also a large flock of waders picked up distantly from the Bempton Buckton area this evening, they circled briefly before heading out to sea, possibly numbering at least a couple of hundred they were photographed and turned out to be Knot.

A quieter day following the increased coverage of the Bank Holiday weekend.  The seawatch was fairly uneventful but there was a White Wagtail on the Outer Head and a Whimbrel flew north at Thornwick Pool where there was also a single schinzii Dunlin, 4 Shelduck, 2 Sedge Warblers and 2 Yellow Wagtails.  A Green Sandpiper and a Dunlin were present near New Fall and 2 Bar tailed Godwits at South Landing where there were two well grown Tawny Owl chicks still in a nest.  A total of 16 Wheatear were reported with 2 at the foghorn, 8 at North Marsh, 5 in the Buckton area and 1 at South Landing.  Buckton also had 2 Yellow Wagtails, a Blackcap and a single Goldcrest.

Additional Outer Head migrants were 2 Sand Martin, 8 House Martin, 16 Swallow, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Whitethroat and a single Willow Warbler.

A late received record of a Hoopoe on private land in the Buckton/Bempton area was a surprise.

The morning seawatch although fairly uneventful did include 2 Gadwall going south.  The year’s first Hobby also went south early on amongst a light passage of hirundines over the Golf Course (20 Swallows, 8 Sand Martins and a Swift), there were 2 flava wagtails also heading south and 6 Wheatears on the golf course itself.  An unusual record of 3 flocks of ca 45 Woodpigeon coming in off the sea was noteworthy.  Other birds of note were a Bar-tailed Godwit on North Marsh and 2 female Ring Ouzels in the gorse field.

Five Little Terns were picked up from a Yorkshire Coast Nature seabird boat trip this morning (MJP et al) heading south off the the southern side of the headland and then past Bridlington; a rare bird locally, five together is exceptional.

Away from the headland there was a male Garganey on Buckton Pond possibly the same bird as was seen at Filey recently?

Late news from the Buckton area from over the weekend included a fine Long-eared Owl (4th) and ringing activity there included Corn Bunting (4th) and Greenland Wheatear (5th).

The seabird colony at Bempton is now in full swing with visitors enjoying excellent views of birds on the cliffs including Puffins which continue to delight.  Unfortunately they were not able to connect with the non avian highlight of the day, several Bottle nosed Dolphins being seen, a group of five and another of approx 10 both heading north.

In general a fairly uneventful day and a quiet sea watch.  Two Ring Ouzels on the Outer Head (1 Gorse Field, 1 Bay Brambles), a Whinchat in the Gorse Field and a total of at least 9 Wheatears on the Outer Head.  Elsewhere there was a Barn Owl at Ocean View which gave excellent views (and photo opportunity!).

Another  quiet day with little of note reported. A Ring Ouzel and a Tree Pipit on the Outer Head and 14 Greenland Wheatear including 12 together on cliff top at Thornwick;  the seawatch was similarly very quiet.  Breeding birds are now getting into full swing and the first brood of Coot chicks was noted today on Thornwick Pool.

With breeding now in full swing early morning seawatches in wet westerlies produce a continual highways of Guillemots, Razorbills, Puffins, Kittiwakes and Gannets. Other than that though there was little movement. On the land the first Garden Warbler of the year was along ‘Motorway Hedge’ by the Gorse Field (first hedge back from the Foghorn). Thornwick Pool hosted (yet another) Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper. 21 Greenland-type Wheatear included 13 together on cliff top at Thornwick.

Recent rarer moths include this Mullein, only the 2^nd flying specimen for the outer head, plus one of the very distinctive caterpillar.

South Landing had 45 Common Scoter offshore with 11 Turnstone and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit on the beach. Elsewhere a Common Sandpiper was on Thornwick Pool and seawatching produced 4 Manx Shearwater, 11 Sandwich and 2 Arctic tern. Migrant passerines included Pied Flycatcher, 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Tree Pipit.

A change in wind to northerlies, even though light produced movement of Fulmars with 429 by 11:00 and included 3 beautiful Blue Fulmar including one particularly dark bird which fit the DD (double dark) category. Single Arctic Skua aand small numbers of Sandwich, Common and Arctic terns also seen. Off South Landing the Common Scoter flock contained a reported 2 male Long-tailed Duck (please get in touch of it was you!). A female Ring Ouzel was at Bempton and a couple of Goldcrest and 2 lingering Greenland Wheatear at Buckton (3 more on outer head as well as a Garden Warbler and small numbers of Willow Warbler still on the move. A single Whimbrel hung out on the golf course.

Light N winds and sunshine saw the daily trickle of hirundines moving south early morning (mainly Swallows) with a Whimbrel still on the golf course. A Blue Fulmar flew north with another good count of 214 Fulmar, another Whimbrel, 36 + Common Scoter and Arctic Skua and 6 Manx Shearwater. Please note of you ever want to see present or past records of the seawatches at Flamborough just go to the Trektellen website. HERE and scroll though old dates.

Fresh and breezy northwesterlies accompanied an arrival of new birds lead by the first Spotted Flycatcher of the spring. There were also 3-4 Whinchat, c12 (mostly) Greenland Wheatear and a couple of acredula-type Willow Warblers. Over the sea 200 Fulmar went north a distant large diver and 5 Manx Shearwater. A Buzzard drifted over the village late on and single Whimbrel and up to 3 Lapwing were on the outer head.

At Bempton the Redwing heard yesterday was singing again.

Blast from the Past – Momentous occasions!

Alan Walkington writes

Hi Martin,

Hope you are well. Just been looking at some old photo’s taken at South Landing from 24 May 2012- a momentous occasion.On that day on top of the cliff me and my mate spotted a bird of prey being mobbed by crows.We took several shots in flight, then the bird landed on a bush just below the cliff. When we got a better view we could see it was a Buzzard, but with a pigeon type head with yellow eyes? When I got home to look in my bird book I could see straight away it was a Honey Buzzard! I suspect it had come down all the way from North Yorks Wykeham area? Hope i’ll get some more momentous occasions!!

Regards

Alan

The bird was reported in the 2012 Flamborough Bird Report with a photo of it from one lucky observer in the bush. These flight shots are new though – with thanks to Alan. Yes please to more events like this.

New migrant species for the year included a single Reed Warbler in Holmes Gut and 1-2 Cuckoos on the outer head. A male Grey Wagtail was also a good record. Seawatching in the morning produced 2 Gadwall, 10 Manx Shearwater, c90 Fulmar mostly heading north and one Blue Fulmar. A Great Northern Diver also.

Of particular interest a Bluethroat was reported at North Landing. Any more information of this sighting gratefully received.

Bright sunshine and westerly breeze brought an unusually high count of up to 4 Cuckoos on the outer Head. Also here Wood Sandpiper and Greenshank flew over, single Redstart, 3 flava Wagtails and 5 Wheatear. On a calm sea a single Mute Swan was a local rarity with 2 Whimbrel blogging. 2 Tundra Ringed Plover were on Thornwick Pool in the evening and a cream crowned Marsh Harrier was in the Buckton/ Speeton area.

More details the Bluethroat from yesterday indicate it was a well seen Red-spotted Male! Can we have another one please?

Generally coastal, occurring on calcareous soils where found inland, this moth is widespread but local in southern England, extending northwards along the coasts to parts of Scotland.

The single generation flies in June and July and visits sugar as well as light.

The larvae feed mainly on the flowers and seeds of restharrow (Ononus spp.).

A return to SW winds and a hot and sunny day at last! On the land 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Whinchat, 2 Tree Pipit, a lone Redwing. 1 Garden Warbler and 1-2 Hobby headlined. 2 Barnacle geese flew south, including one the seawatch which also had single Knot past and Tree Pipit fly in-off the sea. 4 Tufted Duck were disturbed off the marsh early morning and Whimbrel and Greenshank flew south with a single Whimbrel remaining on the golf course. Moth traps are getting more catches as the weather warms up with highlight such as Least Black Arches, Peach Blossom, Waved Umber and Grey Pine Carpet.

More glorious sunshine, winds turning SE later in the day. A Turtle Dove was first of the year in the garden at Bempton RSPB. Spotted Flycatcher also at Bempton and the outer head. A Little Egret, Marsh harrier and Common Buzzard all few south, another Marsh harrier in Bempton area. 47 Common Scoter on the sea off Old fall and on the seawatch, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Tufted Duck and 2 teal. A Corn Bunting and 2 Garden warbler also on the outer head.

Bempton scored with an Osprey heading North and the very obliging Turtle Dove staying near the visitor centre. 27 Barnacle Geese flew south on the seawatch continuing another record spring, also only the 3^rd Grey Heron of the year. On the land 2 Whinchat, Garden Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher while Thornwick and nearby at North Landing were 5 Ringed Plover and 4 Common Sandpiper.

In the moth traps, Mullein headlined.

Waders looked impressive on Thornwick Pool with 7 Ringed Plover, 4 Common Sandpiper and a single Dunlin. Elsewhere 2 Redshank, 3 Ringed Plover over the lighthouse area and 9 Manx Shearwater went south on the seawatch. Passerine migrants included 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Wheatear, Turtle Dove (1^st of year on outer head) and Grasshopper Warbler.

Good conditions for raptors brought Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, 1-2 Hobby and grey male harrier which may have been a Montagu’s which flew north over the golf course. Around the Old Fall circuit area, 4 flava wagtail, singing male Redstart, Black Redstart, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Whinchat and 3 Garden warbler. A Black-tailed Godwit flew over. Further west at Buckton a female Ring Ouzel was found in the evening.

A Broad-bodied Chaser was at Thornwick

5 Bee-eaters and male Red-backed Shrike!

First lot of photos of Bee-eaters found by Phil C near Old Fall then 5 together relocated on wires behind the piggery on Lighthouse Road, where they showed very well. The weather moving from SE though to NE with overnight rain produced the goods (as they say). Not masses of migrant but scattering with some real quality. In addition to the star birds, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Whinchat, migrant Sedge Warbler and single Hobby were on outer head with Ringed Plover and 2 Common Sandpiper on Thornwick Pool.

Then to keep the adrenaline flowing Cynthia and Brett Richards found a (as ever) stunning male red-backed Shrike at Thornwick Pools. Full news for the day and no doubt more/better photos to follow!

as of noon on 23rd May:

Overnight rain light NE winds and MORE good birding! The 5 Bee-eaters roosted in the Bempton area and reappeared on Bempton Lane before slowly flying east. The hung around the allotments/ Grange Farm area in Flamborough Village and then spent the rest of the morning doing lazy circuits around the outer head to delight of all comers. Meanwhile a female Buethroat found by Lee J. stayed pretty much hidden in the gorse field. Watchers there nevertheless enjoyed multiple sightings of the 5 Bee-eater, a fly over female Honey Buzzard (CT, MG, LJ, RB et al), 2 Hobby, migrant Swifts and couple of Willow Warblers. Old Fall circuit had 5 Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Whinchat, 2 Garden Warbler. Seawatchers also did well with sp Great Northern Diver, spring high count of 52 Manx Shearwater, Grey Plover (2nd of year)  and 3 Arctic Skua.

Over at Thornwick the male Red-backed Shrike remained and the female Honey Buzzard was picked up there too (John Harwoood)

Late in the day a 2nd male Red-backed Shrike was found east of Danes Dyke along Bempton lane (John Beaumont)

More good birding. Another  Honey Buzzard flew north over the village just after 9 am. mostly distant/ silhouetted John Beaumont’s pic makes it look more like a male than previous days bird (see photo below). Bee-eaters (3rd day) were heard calling reliably early morning from North Dykes area- presumable before flying south where later seen near Tunstall. 5 Redshank flew over Thornwick with one Ruff (new for year). 1 Tree Pipit, Spotted Flycatcher, singing Reed Warbler and male Whinchat from gorse field to Old Fall. Black Redstart and late Redwing near Coastguard cottages.

Late news of a Quail singing earlier in the week at Bempton RSPB reserve.

.

2 new moths this past week for Flamborough.

Both on Wed 21st May 2014:

Mother Shipton– 1st Flamborough record

.

Pine Bud Moth – 1st for Flamborough and 6th for Yorkshire

A quieter day with a little highlight: 2 1^st summer Mute Swans (one with a metal ring) appeared on Northcliff Marsh. Single White Wagtail and Black Redstart on the outer head and on the seawatch 3 Manx and 10 Common Scoter among regulars.

Bright sunny day. The 2 Mute Swan reappeared this time on Thornwick Pool. A Marsh Harrier flew east At Beacon Hill with a trickle of Swallows. A Whinchat was at North Landing and 8 Shelduck flew over Thornwick Pool.

Among the moths another first for Flamborough in the form of an Orange Footman and a scarce moth here- a Brown Silver-line. One or two Painted Lady have been seen and worth looking out for as well as Broad-bodied Chasers.

A female Red-breasted Merganser south on the seawatch was good spring record, with 70 Common Scoter south and 69 north! 4 Manx Shearwater also  went south as well as a dark phase Arctic Skua north. The 2 Mute Swan remained on Thornwick Pool and a Greenland Wheatear was on Cattlmere (next to Gorse Field). Among the passerines, best were a Spotted Flycatcher in Old Fall and a Redwing in gardens near the lighthouse with trickle of Swallows heading south.

Easterly winds and rain most of the day was dire looking weather which nevertheless held promise. The afternoon delivered with male Red-backed Shrike (Andy M.) and Icterine Warbler (Craig T.) in Old Fall area. 2 Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler, Greenland Wheatear and 3 Spotted Flycatcher on the outer head. The 2 Mute Swan remained on Thornwick Pool and 4 Tufted Duck arrived there. Seawatching produced single Manx and a couple of Common Terns

A full summer plumaged Great Northern Diver flew over Old Fall plantation, where the Icterine Warbler remained elusive. Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Siskin and 9 Spotted Flycatchers were also in the area. Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover and the Mute Swans on Thornwick Pool, the latter also taking a  flying tour around the outer head. Nearby a female type Pied Flycatcher Thornwick Park  Caravan area.

Small number of Painted Lady and larger numbers of Red Admiral are appearing and the odd Silver Y moth

A singing Marsh Warbler was along Lighthouse Road and the Icterine Warbler remained in Old Fall with Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, male Redstart and 3 Garden Warbler on Outer head. Hobby’s appeared over Old Fall and Bempton/ Buckton with Cuckoo also at Buckton. 50+ Swifts near Grange Farm. A single Redwing continued to visit a Lighthouse road garden and Short-eared owl near the Lighthouse

A singing Turtle Dove was in South Landing, while winter thrushes hung on with Fieldfare at Bempton and Redwing on Lighthouse Rd. A Cuckoo at Highcliffe, 2 Mute Swan still on Thornwick and Common Sandpiper there, Grasshopper Warbler singing in ‘Motorway hedge’. Over the sea, male Goosander south, single Manx, 15 Common Scoter and 9 Sandwich Tern.