April 2026 at Filey provided a rich illustration of spring migration along the Yorkshire coast, with a steady progression from early wildfowl movements to a diverse influx of passerines, waders, and seabirds. The month opened with classic early-April migration: a Brent Goose at Bay Corner on 1st and over 60 Pink-footed Goose moving north highlighted
March 2026 at Filey produced a rich and varied set of bird records, reflecting the transition from late winter into early spring along this productive stretch of the Yorkshire coast. The month opened with notable wildfowl movements, including 63 White-fronted Goose at Hunmanby Gap on 1st, initially heading south before turning northwest. This early movement
Three Fieldfare were at Hunmanby Gap and a Goldeneye at the Dams on 1st. Eleven Great Crested Grebe were off North Cliff. 17 yellowhammers were at the Tip and 180 Linnet in the Top Fields A White-fronted Goose was at the Dams. In the bay were: 1 Great Northern & 13 Red-throated Divers; 4 Great
On 1st a drake Goldeneye again at East Pool hide, 7 Snipe and a Treecreeper in Dams car park. At East Lea: 55 Wigeon, Redshank, Redwing 2, Cetti’s Warbler, Water Rail. At the Brigg 46 Purple Sandpiper, 86 Oystercatcher, 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red throated Diver, and 1 Red necked Grebe. The Eastern Black
On 1st a Chiffchaff in willows by the boardwalk at back of East pool hide at the Dams and a second bird by East Lea gate. 2nd: East Lea: 1 Woodcock. Bay corner, 6 sanderling, 2 Redshank, 3 turnstone, 1 great northern diver, 5 purple sandpiper, 8 red throated diver south, five on sea of
On 1st, 836 Starlings, 281 Redwing, 91 Fieldfare 2 Snipe and 32 Lapwing arrived in off sea and west and 12 Whooper Swan and a late Swallow south at Hunmanby Gap. 3 Woodcock west at Hunmanby Gap and 1 Grey Plover and 26 Sanderling on beach. A Ringtail Hen Harrier south past Brigg end. 20
Another mega and first for Filey was a White-throated Needletail found late on 9th. It drew a large crowd before disappearing overnight to Scotland. On 1st a Greenshank south at Hunmanby Gap. A Great White Egret came in off west at Hunmanby Gap on 2nd, seen again on 5th. A Jack Snipe was in the
A good start with waders including Spotted Redshank, Ruff 6, Green Sandpiper, and Cetti’s Warbler at Filey Dams and two Little Ringed Plover at East Lea. There were large numbers of Sandwich and Common Terns on Brigg end in the afternoon being harried by at least 3 Arctic Skuas. On 3rd 500 Common Terns, a
The end of summer and the beginning of autumn bought some good sightings. On 1st a Little Egret on bay side of Carr Naze, a species which is taken for granted these days. On 2nd Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Moorhen 16, Teal 8 at Filey Dams and at East Lea: Snipe 3, Redshank 2, Dunlin 1,
The month started slowly with a Wood Sandpiper at Filey Dams. On 3rd 210 Swifts flew north (over the bay) at Hunmanby Gap in the early morning. A Hobby carrying what looked like a small bird flying low across Filey Dams, with a Little Egret briefly at East Lea. Nine Black-tailed Godwits went south