May at Filey produced a lively mix of visible migration, scarce passage waders, breeding confirmations and late spring seawatching highlights. Activity centred on our classic local sites including Carr Naze, the Brigg, East Lea, the Dams, Hunmanby Gap and Reighton Gap.
Early May opened with steady migration. Swallows and Swifts moved south in notable numbers at Hunmanby Gap, with several watches producing counts of 20–50 Swallows at a time and smaller movements of House Martins and Swifts. Whimbrel passage was especially conspicuous, with birds regularly recorded over Hunmanby Gap, East Lea and Carr Naze throughout the first half of the month. Wheatears appeared at the Brigg and Carr Naze, while Yellow Wagtails moved through the area on several dates, including a striking Blue-headed Wagtail at the Dams on 18 May.
The wetlands at the Dams and East Lea were productive throughout May. Common Sandpipers were almost daily, joined by Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Dunlin, Redshank and both Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits. A brief appearance by two Wood Sandpipers on 5 May was one of the month’s standout records before the birds were flushed by geese. Little Egret became regular later in the month, and wildfowl included Mandarin Duck (1st), Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck and lingering Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese.
Seabird interest remained steady along the coast. The Brigg held mixed groups of Turnstone, Knot, Sanderling, Purple Sandpiper and Grey Plover, while Sandwich Terns passed north and south offshore. Great Northern Divers in summer plumage were admired in Filey Bay during mid-May, and Puffins, auk flocks and rafting Kittiwakes added to the coastal spectacle. A drake scoter offshore caused discussion early in the month, though observers felt it resembled a Common Scoter rather than a rarer species.
Passerine migration and breeding activity also featured strongly. Lesser Whitethroats enjoyed an excellent spring, with singing birds widely distributed around East Lea, Hunmanby Gap, Reighton Gap and the tip area. Sedge and Reed Warblers established territories, while Cetti’s Warbler remained faithfully present at Hunmanby Gap throughout the month and became one of the local talking points. Reighton village produced impressive counts of breeding and migrant warblers including Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. Spotted Flycatcher, Tree Pipit and singing Goldcrest added further interest.
Several raptors provided excitement. A Marsh Harrier moved northwest along the cliffs on 7 May, followed later by Hobby sightings hunting over East Lea and Muston Crossing. The month’s highlight came on 21 May when an Osprey drifted west over Wooldale Drive and Parish Wood, with another report from Newbiggin Wood shortly afterwards. A reported Nightjar over Hunmanby Gap the same day provided an evocative late-evening record. Remarkably another was heard churring at 0700 at Muston Sands on 24th.
Breeding evidence accumulated steadily. Little Grebes successfully raised at least two well-grown young at the Bay pools, while Moorhens, Coots, Herring Gulls and Oystercatchers were all confirmed nesting. By the final week of May, increasing Swift numbers over Filey and the golf course reinforced the sense that summer had fully arrived on the Yorkshire coast.