1st June 2014

A red male Common Rosefinch was the day’s highlight at Holmes Gut/ St David Lane, occasionally singing and showing from late afternoon it was particularly elusive! Cuckoo again, Hobby over the village and Short-eared Owl near lighthouse. Thornwick pool had a Grey Plover, juvenile Ringed Plover (seemed early!) and 2 the Mute Swans. The sea held 3 Eider and Wigeon and 13 Sandwich Tern flew by. A Redwing remained in an outer head garden.

Grey Plover, female, Thornwick Pool, Brett Richards
Grey Plover, female, Thornwick Pool, Brett Richards
juvenile Ringed Plover, Thornwick Pool, Brett Richards
juvenile Ringed Plover, Thornwick Pool, Brett Richards
juvenile Stonechat, Thornwick Pool. Brett Richards
juvenile Stonechat, Thornwick Pool. Brett Richards

2nd June 2014

55 Common Scoter and 1 Common Tern over the sea. Corn Bunting and Hobby near Old Fall and a Short-eared owl Hunting over Northclifff Marsh. The two 1st summer Mute Swans remain at Thornwick and the BTO ring has been read, so hopefully some news on its origins. 2 juvenile Stonechat continue to entertain there also plus Ringed Plover.

Adult Ringed Plover and earth worm
Adult Ringed Plover and earth worm
1st summer Mute Swan and BTO ring
1st summer Mute Swan and BTO ring

 

 

Marsh Orchid at Thornwick. Mostly Northerns though apparently some Southern/ hybrid too. Lots of spikes currently coming into flower
Marsh Orchid at Thornwick. Mostly Northerns though apparently some Southern/ hybrid too. Lots of spikes currently coming into flower

 

3rd June 2014

So far a pretty wet day with intervals of heavy rain, fog and some light periods in southerly/SW airstream.  2 female Redstarts in Lighthouse Rd. garden early doors with a drake Gadwall and the  2 Mute Swans on Thornwick. Over the sea 28 Common Scoter and 5 Sandwich Tern. 5 juvenile Stonechat were around the Fisherman’s carpark at Thornwick. 150 Swift over Thornwick was noteworthy

This photos of the Gadwall in the rain, by Brett Richards gives you an idea off today’s weather:

Gadwall, male, in the rain, Thornwick Pool, Flambro, 3 Jun 14

 

4th June 2014

A Redwing amazingly keeps coming to a Lighthouse road garden and a Quail is singing at Buckton. 6 juvenile Stonechat were counted at Thornwick and seawatching included 69 Fulmar on the move aand 27 Sandwich Terns. 1 Short-eared owl continues to hunt the outer head and 2-3 Barn Owl can also be seen hunting by day. Very small numbers of hirundines and flava wagtail seen still migrating

juvenile Pied Wagtail. Alan Walkington
juvenile Pied Wagtail. Alan Walkington
juvenile Stonechat. one of up to 6 at Thornwick. Alan Walkiington
juvenile Stonechat. one of up to 6 at Thornwick. Alan Walkiington

 

 

5th June 2014

A female-type Honey Buzzard was today’s highlight heading south over the village at c 12:40. The 3rd of the spring. 2 Tufted Duck and a colourful moulting male Shoveler on Thornwick. Early seawatching produce 4 Manx Shearwater and 21 Fulmar moving. Also 1 Redshank and 7 Sandwich Tern.

Shoveler, male, Thornwick Pool, Flambro, 5 Jun 14 (b)

6th June 2014

A quieter day, Seawatching produced 37 Common Scoter, 4 Eider, 23 Fulmar with 15 sandwich Tern and one Arctic Tern. Plenty of newly fledged young birds around the head.

7th June 2014

Seawatching produced another Grey Plover, 30 Fulmar past, 4 Manx Shearwater, 16 Sandwich and a single Arctic Tern with 153 Common Scoter past and 120 in Bridlington Bay.

This period (around 2 weeks in early June is one off the best for the commoner Hawkmoths on the head, with Eyed, Lime, Elephant, Small Elephant and Poplar all caught in recent days

Lime Hawkmoth and Eyed Hawkmoth
Lime Hawkmoth and Eyed Hawkmoth

 

8th June 2014

The annual moult migration of Canada Geese began with 7 south plus 2 Grey Heron and a Gadwall on the seawatch plus single Manx, 29 Fulmar, 11 Sandwich terns. A single Mute Swan remained, joined by 8 Teal in the area. At Buckton, female Marsh Harrier still, 3 Peregrines and Grasshopper Warbler.

 

Also at Buckton and South Landing Hummingbird Hawkmoths were seen (one of which flew straight into the Living seas centre!) and the first Large Skipper on the wing this year also at South Landing.

 

Grasshopper Warbler at Buckton. Geoff Carr
Grasshopper Warbler at Buckton. Geoff Carr
Hummingbird hawkmoth at Buckton. Geoff Carr
Hummingbird hawkmoth at Buckton. Geoff Carr

 

 

9th June 2014

Yet another Avocet on Thornwick in remarkable run this spring appeared to be a male. 5 Teal and one Mute Swan also there with 139 Common Scoter, 20 Fulmar and 36 Sandwich tern on the seawatch.

Avocet, Thornwick. Alan Walkington
Avocet, Thornwick. Alan Walkington

10th June 2014

Super record was of a Stone Curlew seen by 2 lucky observers (Brett R., Andrew L) as it flew east past the Thornwick hide at 10:24 am. Also 5 Teal and a Ringed Plover past there. The ‘kinked’- necked Mute Swan was taken into care and its presumed sibling remained on the pool. On the seawatch 73 Fulmar and 2 Eider.

Shoveler, male, Thornwick Pool, Brett Richards
Shoveler, male, Thornwick Pool, Brett Richards
Justin the RSPCA man rescuing 'Kinky' the Mute Swan, Thornwick, Flamborough, 10 Jun 14
Justin the RSPCA man rescuing ‘Kinky’ the Mute Swan, Thornwick, Flamborough, 10 Jun 14

Skylark, N cliff, Flamborough, Brett Richards

 

11th June 2014

5 juvenile Barn Owls were ringed in their nest last Sunday (near Buckton). Beautiful! Early seawatch produced 33 Fulmar, 1 Manx Shearwater past, 26 Common Scoter and 11 Greylag Geese moving south. Terns included 5 Sandwich and 1 Arctic. 1  Mute Swan remains with Ringed Plover and Yellow Wagtail on Thornwick Pool. An immature Grey Heron was on Northcliffe.

Barn Owls near Buckton. Mark Thomas
Barn Owls near Buckton. Mark Thomas

 

 

12th June 2014

Yellow Wagtails are present scattered in suitable breeding habitat now over the headland with the odd late migrant. 2 Grey Wagtail over the outer head this morning

Yellow Wagtail, Thornwick Pool. Alan Walkington
Yellow Wagtail, Thornwick Pool. Alan Walkington

 

This Pale Prominent was an excellent over night catch. Andy Hoood
This Pale Prominent was an excellent over night catch. Andy Hoood

13th June 2014

3 Grey Herons today, despite more often being an August migrant with 2 juveniles on Northcliff and one south on seawatch. Also adult Mute Swan south and 2cy still Thornwick Pool where male Tufted Duck. Some 33 Common Scoter passed the headland and 26 Sandwich Tern and 2 Manx Shearwater.

14th June 2014

Light NE and full cloud  produced a few more seabirds this morning. 2 Red-throated Diver, 2  Manx Shearwater , 105 Fulmar  , 34 Common Scoter, 7 Curlew, 39 Sandwich and 1 Common Tern. 1 Grey Wagtail. An unseasonal surprise was a Blue Fulmar seen over Thornwick Pool in the early afternoon. Perhaps its occupying territory on a cliff nearby (which has happened before). The Tufted Duck and single Mute Swan remained on Thornwick Pool.

15th June 2014

A juvenile Redshank was on Thornwick Pool along with the drake Tufted Duck. The morning seawatch produced 110 Fulmar, 1 Manx and 1 Arctic Tern heading north.

16th June 2014

A single Mute Swan was again present on Thornwick Pool. The seawatch produced counts of 193 Fulmar, 8 Manx, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Skua and 175 Common Scoter. Additionally, a Yellow Wagtail was on Lighthouse Road.

17th June 2014

A single Brent Goose flew north during the seawatch, particularly notable for the time of year. Numbers of Manx Shearwater increased to 21, with 1 Bonxie and 139 Fulmar. A single Yellow Wagtail was again present.

Bonxie 1
Bonxie at Buckton by Mark Thomas. Photo taken on Sunday 15th June

18th June 2014

Another Arctic Skua flew north on the seawatch. With weather conditions not as favourable as the previous day, numbers of Manx and Fulmar dropped to 5 and 116 respectively. On the headland, the single Mute Swan remained on Thornwick Pool.

Barn Owl by Alan Walkington
Barn Owl by Alan Walkington

19th June 2014

The morning seawatch again produced the day’s highlights, with 2 Bonxie, 19 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Tern, 6 Manx Shearwaters , 66 Fulmar and 178 Common Scoter. The Mute Swan remained on Thornwick Pool.

20th June 2014

Two first-summer Little Gulls flew north offshore during the morning. The seawatch also produced 22 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Bonxie, 1 Common Tern and 117 Fulmar.

21st June 2014

A Dark-bellied Brent Goose was present on a field adjacent to North Cliff Marsh, along with a single Golden Plover.

With northerly winds the sea watch counts included 2 Arctic Skua, 1 Red-throated Diver, 181 Fulmar, 18 Manx Shearwaters, 264 Common Scoter, 88 Sandwich, 6 Common and 3 Arctic Tern.

22nd June 2014

Despite high pressure still dominating, with a light south-easterly wind developing during the day and hazy sunshine again prevalent, two local ‘megas’ graced the Headland. A Black Kite took pride of place, when one flew low over cliff top fields near North Landing at 0930hrs, before heading off west (Max Webber). A Nuthatch located in the Bay Brambles mid-morning was photographed, before it flew towards the Coastguard Cottage gardens, but couldn’t be relocated; this species is locally almost as rare as the Kite, with only a handful of previous records.

A creamcrown Marsh Harrier was hunting grassland fields immediately to the west of Mid-Dykes during the morning, much to the consternation of the breeding pair of Curlew there. Thornwick Pool attracted a male Yellow Wagtail, whilst the nearby ‘roost’ reedbed attracted a pair of Broad-bodied Chasers, with the female ovipositing.

The morning’s seawatch produced five Manx Shearwaters north, 21 Shelduck south, 211 Common Scoters south (and 30 north), 55 Sandwich Terns north and a single Common Tern north.

A flock containing at least 500 Common Scoters was off the southern side of the Headland in Bridlington Bay in the afternoon, with one Velvet Scoter also present.

Birds at Buckton included calling Quail, a juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker perched on the cliff top Heligoland trap, Common Buzzard and several Goldcrest juveniles in a family party in the Sycamores near the village pond – first ever breeding here.

Puffin on Outer Head. Alan Walkington
Puffin on Outer Head. Alan Walkington

23rd June 2014

Little change in the weather, with light winds and the sun breaking through in the middle of the day. Such settled conditions proved conducive to huge flocks of seabirds feeding off the Outer Head, including a single Manx Shearwater amongst 1000s of auks, Kittiwakes and Gannets. Seawatch highlights included 13 Shelduck south, two Tufted Duck north, 163 Common Scoter north (and 152 south!), 74 Sandwich Terns north and single Common and Arctic Terns heading south.

The day provided a local record count of 8 Little Egrets; a flock of five flew north past the Fog Station early morning, followed by two dropping onto Head Farm Pond and another near North Marsh. In addition, three Grey Herons flew north.

The dark-bellied Brent Goose remained on fields near North Marsh, whilst a Cuckoo overflew the Outer Head and two Grey Wagtails did likewise.

Fulmar off the Headland. Chrys Mellor
Fulmar off the Headland. Chrys Mellor

24th June 2014

Light variable winds continued, although light showers brought a subtle change. The morning’s seawatch produced nine Manx Shearwaters heading north, a Blue Fulmar joined the large seabird feeding flock, 673 Common Scoters flew north, as did 42 Sandwich Terns and six Common Terns. Whilst young Guillemots have accompanied adults on the sea for the last week or so, the first young Razorbill did the same today.

Thornwick Pool attracted a single Redshank and a juvenile Little Ringed Plover.

Little Ringed Plover, Thornwick Pool. Brett Richards
Little Ringed Plover, Thornwick Pool. Brett Richards

25th June 2014

Bright sunny conditions allied to light winds led to a relatively quiet seawatch. Nine Manx Shearwaters headed north, as did 111 Common Scoters, seven Sandwich Terns and an Arctic Tern.

Common Scoters continued to build off South Landing, with 730 resting on the sea.

Two Grey Wagtails overflew the Outer Head, as did two Yellow Wagtails. In addition, a creamcrown Marsh Harrier lingered in the North Marsh area.

Yellow Wagtail at Thornwick Pool. John Beaumont
Yellow Wagtail at Thornwick Pool. John Beaumont

26th June 2014

A light NNW wind prompted 11 Manx Shearwaters to head north, along with 51 Common Scoters, whilst a single Bar-tailed Godwit flew south, as did five Curlew. A Bonxie moved north along with 22 Sandwich Terns.

A creamcrown Marsh Harrier was hunting fields at Buckton.

Whitethroat. John Beaumont
Whitethroat. John Beaumont

27th June 2014

Winds generally from a north-easterly vector prompted two Blue Fulmars to move north during the morning’s seawatch. In addition, five Manx Shearwaters, 133 Common Scoter and 18 Sandwich Terns headed north. The continental ‘sinensis’ race of Cormorant tends to be more prevalent than the ‘carbo’ sub-species at Flamborough during the summer; a single of the former flew south.

The flock of Common Scoters off the South Cliffs contained 750 individuals.

'sinensis' Cormorant North Cliffs, Flamborough. Brett Richards
‘sinensis’ Cormorant North Cliffs, Flamborough. Brett Richards

28th June 2014

A light northerly breeze prompted a Blue Fulmar to move south. In addition, 16 Manx Shearwaters headed north, four Eider went north, with 45 Sandwich Terns south and four Common Terns north. However, the highlight was a pod of five Bottle-nosed Dolphins that moved north.

The Mute Swan returned to Thornwick Pool, whilst 750 Common Scoters remained in residence off the South Cliffs. A creamcrown Marsh Harrier was still in the Buckton area, as was a post-breeding flock of 34 Curlews. Two Willow Warblers in the Coastguard Cottage gardens were early for undoubted migrants.

 

Marsh Harrier, Buckton. Paul Reed
Marsh Harrier, Buckton. Paul Reed

29th June 2014

A calling Corncrake added significant interest to a moth-trapping session in the early hours. Located in a weedy field just east of the village opposite Millennium Wood, it called until 0900hrs and then again in the evening.

A Blue Fulmar headed north on the morning’s seawatch during moderate north-easterlies, with other records including 12 Manx Shearwaters flying north, 34 Common Scoters south and just nine Sandwich Terns moving north.

Gannet, Bempton. Justin Carr
Gannet, Bempton. Justin Carr

30th June 2014

Light northerly winds veering north-east with reducing cloud heralded the predicted start of warmer weather this week. The day started with the Corncrake still singing again opposite Millennium Wood. Visitors should be aware this bird is in a private field but can be heard from the adjacent footpath. A Little Egret showed very well at Thornwick Pool. It was a good day for breeding dragonflies with 2 Broad-bodied Chaser near Lighthouse Road and at least 2 male Black-tailed Skimmers at Thornwick Pool.

On the sea 53 Manx Shearwater moved north, small numbers of terns were represented by 2 Arctic Tern, 2 Common Tern and 20 Sandwich Tern. A single Arctic Skua and 56 Common Scoter were also recorded on the seawatch.

Black-tailed Skimmer by Dan Lombard
Black-tailed Skimmer by Dan Lombard
Little Egret Thornwick Pool by Brett Richards
Little Egret Thornwick Pool by Brett Richards