A day of notable visible migration was headlined by two raptors early on – an Osprey west at Hunmanby Gap (KC, NC) and a late Merlin south-east at Gristhorpe Cliff (MJP). The former also saw a Tree Pipit and 25 Yellow Wagtails north, while the latter logged good northbound Linnet and Goldfinch counts (213 and
Surprise bird of the day was a late and frustratingly brief Waxwing on the Wharfedale estate (mo). A female Greenland Wheatear was on Carr Naze late on and Manxies have passed the Gap yesterday (three) and today (one), where four Tundrae-type Ringed Plovers were on the beach. Otherwise, migration over land and sea has been
Cold northerlies hardly inspire much hope at this time of year, but there have been some notable arrivals nevertheless, particularly in the shape of three Spoonbills (MC et al.) that spent a short while at the Dams this afternoon before heading south (with a male Goosander also there). The male Pied Flycatcher trapped and ringed
A generally quieter few days to begin the month, with high pressure and a northerly airflow curtailing much movement. Notable records have however included a Firecrest trapped and ringed in the Top Scrub (DL, DA, GD) on 2nd, when there were also two Goldeneye present and a male Pochard north at the Gap. A Black-throated
A Turtle Dove west over East Lea this morning (MJP) at least ensures this species makes it into another Filey Bird & Wildlife report next year. A strong day for visible migration – particularly of waders, terns and wildfowl along the coast – was otherwise headlined by a Black Tern south at the Gap, where
More headline news from Hunmanby Gap, where a Red-rumped Swallow went south early on this morning (KC, NC), as did a Corn Bunting; otherwise visible migration in the first couple of hours was reasonable there and at Gristhorpe Bay, where double figures of the three (commoner) hirundines and treble figures of Linnets and Meadow Pipits
Another excellent morning for visible migration, with Hunmanby Gap once again rewarding dedicated efforts and Gristhorpe Bay beginning to yield interesting results and records. Bird of the day was an adult female Montagu’s Harrier which drifted north inland at the Gap shortly before 0700hrs (KC, NC), reappearing a full 45 minutes later pursued by crows
Another good morning for the visible migration watchers at either end of our recording area, with an Osprey along the cliffs and south-east early on at Gristhorpe Bay (MJP) and a Marsh Harrier north at the Gap and then Gristhorpe Bay (KC, MJP). A Twite and a White Wagtail also bypassed the Gap (KC), and
A quieter week than others of late, with high pressure and winds from the northerly sector equalling lesser returns re: incoming migrants in recent days. Visible migration studies at Hunmanby Gap continue to provide plenty of interest, with highlights of a Little Egret, a Brambling and over 300 Linnets through yesterday (16th), 250 Linnets and
Another busy few days, although today was somewhat quieter, with seven Wheatears (six Carr Naze, one Gap) the most notable record. Yesterday (9th) saw a Firecrest at the Dams (please contact us if it you’re the observer who photographed the bird so we can credit you), a singing Corn Bunting at the Gap (an unusual