July 2026 provided an excellent illustration of Filey’s importance as both a breeding area and a staging post for early autumn migration. While many local breeding birds were still raising young, the month also saw the first returning waders, increasing seabird movements offshore and several notable rarities that attracted considerable attention.
Filey Dams continued to produce reliable breeding records throughout the month. A pair of Gadwall successfully retained a brood of seven ducklings into early July. Kestrel, Coot and Moorhen also raised young, with fresh Moorhen chicks still appearing in mid-month. Little Egrets became increasingly regular, often with two birds present, while Green Sandpipers were frequent visitors from the second week onwards. Late July saw gatherings of Lapwings, the arrival of Teal and Wigeon, and the first signs that autumn passage was gathering pace.
East Lea again proved the premier site for migrant waders. Common Sandpipers were recorded almost daily throughout July, joined at various times by Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Snipe and both Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits. The latter species peaked with six birds at Filey Dams on 29th. Whimbrel remained a regular feature both on the Brigg and flying over the town, while Little Ringed Plovers appeared towards the end of the month.
The coast also enjoyed an excellent month. Large numbers of Common Scoters passed offshore, with daily totals often exceeding one hundred and reaching 241 north on 16th. Sandwich Terns became increasingly numerous around the Brigg, with over fifty loafing on the rocks during mid-month. Puffins, Fulmars, Manx Shearwaters, Bonxies and Arctic Skuas all featured during sea-watches, while an immature Pomarine Skua on 15th was a welcome bonus. Offshore mammal sightings included Harbour Porpoises, Grey Seals and a group of Bottlenose Dolphins. Six Storm Petrel were caught the night of 24th, a really good result.
Hunmanby Gap again demonstrated its value as a visible migration watchpoint. Remarkably, 763 Swifts passed south during an early morning watch on 2nd, with further movements continuing throughout the month. Hirundines gathered in impressive numbers, culminating in an evening pre-roost of approximately 450 Swallows near Donkey Bridge on 28th. Yellow Wagtails, Grey Wagtails and Linnets also featured in passage counts. A returning Wheatear was seen on 31st.
Several scarce birds provided particular highlights. A singing Quail west of Long Lane on 4th, Cuckoo on 5th, Hobby over Filey Dams on 14th, Marsh Harrier on 28th – 31st at Filey Dams, repeated Peregrine sightings, Corn Bunting on 3rd and Mediterranean Gull on 11th, 25th, 28th and 31st all delighted observers. News of a Brown Booby at nearby Bempton Cliffs on 14th generated some excitement, although it narrowly missed Filey. The month’s standout record arrived on 29th when an adult and juvenile Roseate Tern performed over the Brigg before perching, allowing exceptional views. Equally noteworthy was a juvenile Caspian Gull on the same day. A Nightjar was photographed on 30th roosting in the daytime in a Scarborough Road garden, but sadly it had gone the next day.
The month also demonstrated the value of ringing studies. A colour-ringed Herring Gull photographed in Glen Gardens was traced to Harewood Whin landfill near York, where it had been ringed as an adult in 2016 and subsequently recorded at Filey on numerous occasions, highlighting the long-term movements of individual birds.
By the end of July the unmistakable change in season was underway. Breeding activity continued across the reserves, but increasing numbers of returning waders, growing sea-watching totals and the appearance of scarce migrants confirmed that autumn migration had already begun.
Our new WhatsApp Plant Group is turning up some interesting records, well worth joining for those budding botanists. Other wildlife sightings included Minke Whale, Clouded Yellow, Marbled White, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Red-veined Darter, Willow Emerald, and a Keeled Skimmer (first for Filey).