Flamborough Wildlife Group

Flamborough Wildlife Group is an information and social forum for members interested in and contributing towards Natural History on Flamborough Head in East Yorkshire, to share sightings and inspiration from the Headland. From Speeton to the Lighthouse to Sewerby!

Joining the Group 
Rather than a website, the group uses a 'Yahoo Group' which allows members to post messages and share photos. Membership of the online forum is by invitation only, so if you would like to join you should send an email to Richard Baines (subalpp@yahoo.co.uk) and ask him for further information. They are keen for anyone to join who can contribute, so do contact them even if you only visit Flamborough occasionally. It is free to join, and the 'members only' approach is only used to keep out junk messages and unwanted advertising. After you have joined, you will find the group at groups.yahoo.com/group/flamboroughwildlife . 

If anyone would like to report sightings in the Flamborough area to the group, but would rather not sign up for the 'Yahoo Group', then you can also email Richard Baines directly (subalpp@yahoo.co.uk) or send it to info@scarboroughwildlife.org.uk and it will be passed along.

Accommodation in Flamborough 
This is nothing to do with the Flamborough Wildlife Group, but if you are looking for somewhere to stay in Flamborough you could take a look at the Crab Pot Cottage website.



News from the Group 
The text below is taken from messages posted to the 'Yahoo Group' described in the previous section. Not all posts are listed and those that have been included have generally been summarised for this page. It is also possible that this page may not be completely up to date, but it should give you some idea of the topics that get discussed as well as information about some of the wildlife that can be found in the Flamborough area. By joining the group yourself, you will gain complete access to the full text of all the posts as well as the photos which often accompany them (and be able to post messages and/or replies).

3 July 2008 - Rich Baines - A good walk around North Marsh produced the following; 3 Grey Heron feeding on the main pool; (1 imm, 2 adult), 1 male Tufted still there, 1 female Shoveler (are they breeding?), 1+ Grasshopper Warbler singing near hide, 3 Sedge Warbler singing, 1 Redshank, 4 imm Yellow wagtail, 2 Corn Bunting (1 singing male and 1 possible female together). Also, 1 male Broad Bodied Chaser. Moths: 1 Lattice Heath and 1 Lime Speck Pug. Notable Butterflies: 4-5 Common Blue and 1 Small Heath.  Mike Pearson ('james11473') - another moth foray on tuesday night to south dykes was almost as successful as the previous friday :- apart from the commoner species the following were trapped :- 2 ghost moths, 8 small fanfoot, 2 rivulet, 8 clouded silver, 1 freyer's pug, 4 drinker, 5 peach blossom, 1 beautiful golden Y, 1 clouded border (pic posted), 2 elephant hawk moth (pic posted), 1 light emerald, 2 purple clay and 1 green arches - the last 2 are new species for the head - pics posted.

2 July 2008 - Andrew Hood - 2 grey heron old fall flash, 4 common whitethroat down oldfall hedgerow, 1 male blackcap singing in oldfall, 2 siskin over oldfall, 1 singing sedge warbler on cliff side opposite syke plantation hedgeline, 1 juvenile cuckoo in one of our hedges, 1 speckled wood butterfly on path round old fall.

1 July 2008 - Mike Pearson ('james11473') - This little fella was drinking my garden pond dry at 1a.m. this morning. When I approached closer, he actually climbed in the pond and climbed out of the other side. (see mammals).

30 June 2008 - John Boffey - 43 puffins between North Land and Briel sat 28th, best count this yr, 7 curlew over Thornwick sun 29th am.  Andrew Hood - north marsh this afternoon, 1 male tufted duck, 1 sedge warbler singing, 1 corn bunting, 2 reed buntings, 4 female mallard (one with 3 ducklings), 2 moorhen (one with 3 chicks),1 immature great blacked backed gull, lighthouse= 1 female stonechat in the sacrificial crop, 1 immature male eider duck in selwicks bay, 3 common whitethroat in bay brambles, 1 singing male blackcap in our garden.

29 June 2008 - Andrew Hood - just had a doe with twin fawns in the garden, have posted pics.  Mike Pearson ('james11473') - a foray to danes dyke south on Friday night had excellent results with an MV light :- 1 green silver-lines (first for flamborough) , 2 peach blossom (first since 1980), 3 clouded silver (3rd.flamborough record), 1 small fanfoot (first since 1979), 1 bordered white (2nd flamborough record), 6 drinker, 6 ghost moths (5 males and 1 female), 2 rivulet (scarce on the head), 2 freyer's pugs plus many of the common species. The home-based traps at southsea avenue and constable road produced :- 6 dusky brocades, 1 swallow prominent (3rd. for flamborough), 1 green pug, 1 buff-tip and 4 mottled beauties ..... over the weekend.  Chrys Mellor ('chrys8357') - have posted some photos of kittiwake, guillemot and gannet chicks taken on todays RSPB cruise.

28 June 2008 - Andy Malley ('andrew668738') - Sea watching: A very pleasant morning on the cliffs out of the wind and enough passing to maintain interest. Common Scoter 200, Arctic Skua 6 (some individuals present all morning), Manx Shears 100 ish, Roseate Tern 1, Common Tern 12, Sandwich Tern 20, Teal 3, Whimbrel 1, Crossbill 1 in off, Siskin 6 in off. Before I arrived Brett had a Pom Skua and a Lesser Redpoll. There are now approx 200 spikes of Northern Marsh Orchid near Foghorn quite an impressive site. A few butterflies on the wing Meadow Brown 2, and a Common Blue.

25 June 2008 - Mike Pearson ('james11473') - IM had an incredible count of 53 chimney sweepers on the outer head along with an excellent count of 12 common blues. Also recorded were 2 yellow shells and a MARSH PUG, the first recorded at Flamborough since 1980. Trapping produced 2 more dusky brocades, lime-speck pug, mottled rustic and straw dot, the last 3 all 1'sts for the year...pics posted.

24 June 2008 - Sal Cooke - the Puffin Cruise sailed on Saturday - yes I know it was raining throughout the trip and we got drenched - but it was worth it for the 100 plus passengers on board. The views of all the birds were superb - puffins in really good numbers on the water which after the shaky start was good to see. 5 manx shearwaters, 2 arctic skuas, 1 Bonxie and 4 or 5 Sandwich terns.  Rich Baines - Mon 23rd: News of the day was the discovery of a male Sardinian warbler by Joe Dobinson on the cliff top path to North Landing, sadly it didn't hang around last seen flying inland and despite searching in the afternoon by several of us it was not to be found. There was however a very smart summer plumage Black Tailed Godwit on North Marsh late afternoon as well as 3+ Curlew in the area and several young lapwing that have managed to escape the local Crows. I would agree with you Mike Moth trapping has been very slow with much reduced numbers this year after the poor weather last summer. No more than 12-20 moths on suitable nights for me, the most interesting being 2-3 Broom per day probably the most I have had in 3 years.  Andrew Hood - 1 male siskin and 3 juvenile's in garden, 1 stock dove feeding on spilt bird food under bird feeders. Had a fieldfare stop off briefly in garden this afternoon, 1 red legged partridge with 8 chicks in stack yard too.

23 June 2008 - Mike Pearson ('james11473') - crappy week all round due to weather but 3 new moths for the year - pics posted.

20 June 2008 - Andrew Hood - male blackcap in garden this afternoon, barn owl flying round paddock and garden at 9pm.

17 June 2008 - Sal Cooke - I don't think on the cruise (2 weeks ago we put on the list - the 5 manx shearwaters we had during the cruise) sorry for missing that one.  Andrew Hood - had a doe and her young fawn in the garden just after 5am this morning, have posted pics.

16 June 2008 - Rich Baines - Hi Andy, yes they are Marsh Orchids and I always have presumed they are Northern Marsh, botanists only beyond this stage! They have become increasingly common over the past few years as more grassland has been provided. Look out for occasional Pyramidal Orchid on the cliff edges this month easy to identify. The best place I know on the Headland for Orchids is top of Buckton Cliffs where there has been 4 species in one place in past years.

15 June 2008 - Andrew Hood - 1 barn owl hunting in our paddock and a peregrine flying overhead towards village at 4.15 pm this afternoon.  Mike Pearson ('james11473') - not very good this past couple of nights due to low temperatures. However, Ian Marshall had a remarkable count of 32+ chimney sweepers (a day flying moth, pic posted), in the chalk grassland south of the fog station.

14 June 2008 - Andy Malley ('andrew668738') - Sea Watching 6am-2pm: Wind were pretty light and more west than north it was obvious early on that the numbers of shearwaters would be down on what was being recorded elsewhere on the north sea coast for the last 2 days. Still you have to be optimistic, a couple of Sooty Shearwaters, and Bonxie, Arctic Skuas etc made it worthwhile. Records up until I left from Brett, Kev et al - Sooty Shears 2, Bonxie 2, Arctic Skua 3/4, Manx 200, Little Tern 1, Common Tern 3, Arctic Tern 3, Sandwich Tern 15, Common Scoter 31. Walking back up to the car park noticed a couple of spikes of what looked like Northern Marsh Orchid near Foghorn... Correct me if I am wrong please.

10 June 2008 - Mike Pearson ('james11473') - pics posted of Rich's elephant hawkmoth and figure of eighty, plus what has been tentatively as a small clouded brindle. If so, this is a first for Flamborough.  Phil Cunningham - 1 Redwing feeding in the garden this morning.  Rich Baines - Flame Wainscot new moth to Yorkshire: 1 in our trap this morning was a shock, since confirmed by Tony Ezard as a first record for Yorkshire!! normally restricted to only a handful of sites in East Anglia and less than 30 migrant records most from south coast. I have posted a picture, maybe not spectacular to those not interested in moths but a little beauty to me!

9 June 2008 - Phil Cunningham - Thanks Andy, searched images and looks like your right. I don't do Dragonfly but this one caught my eye.  I'll throw my hat in the ring. Looks like a juv Crow poss Jackdaw to me. Part grown feathers giving the unusual appearance.  Rich Baines - Moths caught overnight on what down here near the cliffs was one of the best nights for conditions so far this year - Cinnabar 1, Common Swift 6 male 1 female, Square Spot Rustic 3, Elephant Hawk Moth 1, Garden Carpet 1, Common Carpet 1, White Ermine 1 male, Bright Line Brown Eye 2, Hebrew Character 1, Figure of Eighty 1, Marbled Minor 1. The figure of eighty was the best of this bunch with only a handful of previous Flamb records, although its not that rare further inland.

8 June 2008 - Phil Cunningham - I've posted a couple of pics of a insect in subalp's butterfly folder. Hope you don't mind Rich, what is it please? Yes I do know it's not a Butterfly. Brent Goose on the marsh again. I suspect it feeds at the cliff base and goes there for a bit of R n R.  Chrys Mellor ('chrys8357') - have posted some photos (chrys 2008) from today - nothing rare, but a weasel sat on the path almost too close to focus on and the martins were enjoying the mud.  Andy Malley ('andrew668738') - I am no expert but it looks like a Four Spotted Chaser Female imm. Flight period June/July. Can only see 4 spots in one of the photos but otherwise it seems to fit. Somebody who knows more may disagree!  Mike Pearson ('james11473') - have posted pics in relevant folders of :- chimney sweeper and brimstone (moths); small copper and large skipper (butterflies) ; and blackcap in song and a distant corvid (in birds). Comments welcome on the corvid.

7 June 2008 - Ross Ahmed - Did anyone get any photos of the Marsh Warbler present along Old Fall hedge on Thurs 29/5?  Mike Pearson ('james11473') - 3 excellent (considering the distance) pics posted of one of the 3 Spoonbills at north marsh, taken by Ian Marshall, who informs me that the bird started singing the Dutch national anthem when it realised it was being snapped - see 3rd photo. Also pics of a Moorhen chasing a male Tufted (or tough) Duck at Thornwick pools.

4 June 2008 - Andrew Hood - Old Fall, pm: 1 spotted flycatcher, 1 garden warbler, 2 lesser whitethroat, 2 common whitethroat along old fall hedge, 2 lapwing in the set-aside field.

2 June 2008 - Mike Pearson ('james11473') - 3 new moths for the year - pics posted.  Andrew Hood - 1 spotted flycatcher in garden at dinner time, and a siskin flew over at 3.50pm.  Phil Cunningham - North Marsh: 2 Black tailed Godwits, Brent Goose,7 Canada geese, Gadwall,5 Teal, Shoveler.  Mike Pearson ('james11473') - another ring necked parakeet, this time perched on wires near the golf club entrance. have posted 3 pics but they're not very good as I was snapping into the sun. The bird was disturbed by a car and flew into chalet hedge.  Andrew Hood - had a walk round a couple of our fields this afternoon, 5 yellowhammer, 2 male reed bunting, 2 red legged partridge, 3 grey partridge, 1 male wheatear, 1 whimbrel overhead, 80+ woodpigeon, 7 hares, 5 roe deer.

1 June 2008 - Andy Malley ('andrew668738') - Birds seen this morning included: Manx Shearwater 103, Fulmar (blue ) 3, Arctic Tern 2, Common Tern, Sandwich tern 7, Teal 2, Shoveller 2, Knot 17, Red Throats 2, Common Scoter 8. The land appeared quiet in the mist and drizzle Spotted Fly at Old Fall the usual Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat 4 and a Chiff Chaff in the bay.

31 May 2008 - Phil Cunningham - North Marsh: Dark bellied Brent goose 1, Gadwall pair, Male Tufted Duck. The Crossbill commuting between Old Fall and the hedge on the south side Fieldfare 1.  Mike Pearson ('james11473') - a new moth for the year... Scalloped Hazel. Not common on the headland. This specimen however is the dark form and is probably the 1st for Flamborough (pic posted).

30 May 2008 - Phil Cunningham - Harder work today in cool cloudy conditions : Turtle Dove 1, Tree Pipit 1, Crossbill 1 still down Old Fall path and another flew over lighthouse road. A cream Crown Marsh Harrier N and Red Backed Shrike in booted gulley.

29 May 2008 - Phil Cunningham - Added some poor shots of Marsh Warbler, at Least 5 on the headland. 2 Icterine (Old Fall, Holmes Gut) and a Red Breasted Fly by roadside pond. The Hawfinch seen again early morning. A very elusive Great Reed Warbler was last seen heading for Old fall hedge about half way down. Visitors reported Golden oriole (Old Fall) and the Nightingale still there. A male Brambling and 1 Fieldfare somewhat unseasonal.

28 May 2008 - Neil Edmund - A Marsh Warbler was/is singing from the willows next to the sewerage works in Holmes Gut late morning. Also 3 Spotted Flycatcher in South Landing this am. Last night there was a female Pied Flycatcher along Old Fall as well as the other goodies reported.  Phil Cunningham - Some of today's birds: R B Shrike 2, Icterine Warbler 2, Marsh Warbler 2, Common Rosefinch 1, Hawfinch 1, Bee eater 1 (fly through), Crossbill 1, Tree pipit 1, Nightingale 1. N. Marsh : Shoveler 5, Ringed Plover 2, Common Sand 1, Dunlin 1. Needless to say not all my birds.  Mike Pearson ('james11473') - 2 pics posted of rosefinch trapped this a.m., and another 2 of hawfinch on timoneer road (thanks again Phil).  Tony Dixon - I have posted a photo of the Crossbill that I digiscoped at a ridiculously close range this evening down Old Fall hedgerow.

27 May 2008 - John Boffey - Sat 10.15 pm barn owl over north landing, 4 tree sparrows on garden feeders, pr goldfinch appear to be nesting in brambles beyond garden.  Phil Cunningham - A Nightingale (PAL) in Old Fall gave bursts of song and brief views. Standing by the willows about 50yd away from the wooden steps I got two views as dog walkers proved useful for once. A male Red Backed Shrike in the gorse by Timmoneer pond this afternoon. At least 10 Spot fly and the Icterine still present. Surely more to come.  Tony Dixon - Posted a photo of the Icterine Warbler which I digiscoped at 12.30 today. The weather was very dull due to dark clouds so I only got 1/50th of a second shutter speed so not a bad resulting photo considering.  Mike Pearson ('james11473') - 2 pics of icterine warbler caught at buckton (mark thomas) in buckton folder and a couple of crappy pics of a wet and bedraggled r.b. shrike found by phil in Flamborough folder. sorry about the quality but the light was appalling at that distance.

26 May 2008 - Phil Cunningham - Icterine warbler: I've posted a poor record shot of another good find by Andy. Much easier to see than the ones in Sweden.  Andy Malley ('andrew668738') - A later start than usual Brett had already been sea watching for 3 hours when I arrived at 8.30 am !! The weather conditions looked good for something on the sea however it was very slow with Arctic Skua 2, Blue Fulmar 2 that I saw (Brett had more, I think 7 in total), Manx Shearwater 20, Arctic Tern 4, Sandwich Tern 1, Common Scoter 16. Old Fall Hedge area: Whinchat 1, Wheatear 1, Sparrow Hawk 1, Yellow Wags 2 seen by visiting birders. Gorse Field: Wheatear 1. Whelkie Wyndds: Spotted Fly 1. Thornwick area: Icterine Warbler 1 (seen briefly at first and then it took another hour to re-find it when it showed well), Whinchat 1, Wheatear 1.

25 May 2008 - Mike Pearson ('james11473') - 2 pics of greenshank at buckton pond this p.m., plus a couple of others posted. 4 eider (2 males and 2 females) off s. landing yesterday evening plus a couple of mergansers.

24 May 2008 - Chrys Mellor ('chrys8357') - garden bird? seen recently, early evening and even earlier morning, red legged partridge sitting on the wall - photo posted!!  Mike Pearson ('james11473') - birds at the Bottom of s. landing ravine (opp. lifeboat shed), this evening were 2 whitethroats already feeding young and surprisingly 1 male bullfinch and a spotted flycatcher (pics posted).

22 May 2008 - Rich Baines - Lapwings: Approx 5 years ago Lapwings returned to breed on the outer Headland within the Flamborough Bird Observatory recording area after a long absence with 1-2 pairs on Head Farm. This year we have at least 14 pairs If anyone else knows more than below please let us know - North Moor Head Farm North; 7 pairs, South Landing, Ocean View South; 5 pairs, Ringley Hills, Seaways; 1 pair, North Dykes; 1 pair. Of these I have seen 5 fledged young in the last 2 weeks all associating with wet pools/wet pasture/marsh habitats where the adults bring their young to feed/drink. The combination of spring cropping, Stewardship options such as fallow plots for breeding Lapwing and wetland management has given us an increasing population, lets hope that continued success of stewardship schemes can lead to a continued increase in numbers. A strong population certainly helps when you have to defend against so many hazards such as Crows, loose dogs and daft sheep!

19 May 2008 - Mike Pearson ('james11473') - Quiet; steady to say the least. Have posted pics of orange tip at s. landing - sorry about the quality but they were at distance. also a couple of pics of male bullfinch at s. dykes.

18 May 2008 - Mike Pearson ('james11473') - a couple of new moths for the year, including the first hawkmoth (poplar) ............. pics posted.

17 May 2008 - Mike Pearson ('james11473') - 4 moths new for the year - pics posted (for those interested), the water carpet is only the second ever for Flamborough.

15 May 2008 - Mike Pearson ('james11473') - more butterflies: s. landing again fruitful, plenty of the 3 whites plus 4 speckled wood, 6 wall brown (pics posted), 1 holly blue, 2 small torts, 5 peacocks and at long last 3 orange tips. pic posted of chiffchaff singing its heart out.

14 May 2008 - Mark Pearson - Butterflies have been the order of both days on the south side of the head. There has obviously been recent hatches of both small and green-veined whites (pics posted). 13th: - 35 small white; 7 large white; 4 red admiral; 2 painted lady; 1 wall brown; 3 speckled wood; 8 peacock; 2 holly blue and 4 green-veined white. 14th: - increase in green-veined white to 19, all feeding on crab apple blossom in s. landing. lesser whitethroat, long-tailed tit and roe deer pics posted in relevant folders.

13 May 2008 - Andrew Hood - 1 spotted flycatcher in garden this afternoon, 1 coal tit in trees at the bowling club, 1 chiffchaff, 1 greater spotted woodpecker, 1 sedge warbler ,1 garden warbler in south landing ravine, 1 sparrowhawk over church been mobbed by 7 starlings, 2 lapwing over whelkie wynds.  Rich Baines - News from Andrew L and Mark P today; 1 Tree Pipit and 1 Whinchat South Landing and Andrew had another Golden Oriole in Old Fall Plantation early morning.

12 May 2008 - Andrew Hood - perseverance has paid off and managed to get 3 quick blurry photos of the Golden Oriole out in the open on a branch!!! (posted pics on birds 08). 2 long-tailed tits, 7 linnet, 1 sparrowhawk, 1 whitethroat, 8 chaffinch, 3 greenfinch, also in whelkie wynds, 2 grey partridge in our fold yard when I got home.

11 May 2008 - Mike Pearson ('james11473') - relative calm returned to the cape today along with a generous sea-fret. have posted a few pics of whitethroat, sedge warbler, butterflies and 3 new moths for the year, all in their relevant folders.  Andrew Hood - golden oriole still in whelkie wynds, had a few glimpses of it this evening, 4 long-tailed tits in there too.

10 May 2008 - Gaynor ('inkwright') - Brief views of the male golden oriole found by Andy Malley this afternoon in Whelkie Wynds. Also 3 lssr whitethroats, and marsh harrier and merlin from there. 4 whimbrel around fog station this evening.  Andy Malley ('andrew668738') - Golden Oriole; Whelkie Wynds is worth a look around!!! I also only had brief views perched and in flight as I walked up the path by the pond. Hope it stays around until tomorrow. I must admit I have not seen a lot there this year Firecrest, Black Redstart, and a few Woodcock are the best I have been able to manage but this makes up for it. Also on the head today: Pied Fly still in Old Fall with Garden Warbler, Cuckoo on Beacon Lane, Grasshopper Warbler Thornwick Bay in reed bed, Wheatear at least 6 on the head today. Small nos of Common Tern, Arctic Tern and Sandwich Terns passing the head during a morning seawatch. With Peregrine doing a fly past 3x and a couple of Gadwell heading south. Kev had a male Redstart singing in South Dykes in the morning.

9 May 2008 - Phil Cunningham - North Marsh; A Merlin sat in the "stubble" field and a pair of Tufted Duck on the marsh.  Andrew Hood - 4 siskin and a cuckoo in the garden early this morning.

8 May 2008 - Kev Barnard ('kjb291063') - Today at Flamborough; Wood Sand on flash by Lighthouse Road, 5 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wag, 1 White Wag, Peregrine,+ 10 Blackcaps at South Dykes. Yesterday (7th May) a cracking male Grey-headed Wag down Old Fall, Garden Warbler, 11 Wheatear, 2 White Wags, Stonechat + 100 Linnets down Old Fall. On Tuesday (6th May) Crane, Whimbrel, Black Red (fog station), 4 Wheatear, and a significant passage of Swallows with 300 south low over clifftop in 2 hours 15 mins.

7 May 2008 - Andrew Hood - 1 male stonechat and 1 male reed bunting on the hedge along side the permissive path near head farm , the crane flew overhead and down towards south landing area, 2 female kestrel round the lighthouse/foghorn. Also, found 3 lapwing chicks in one of our fields this evening, 5 adult birds in same field, 2 parent birds and 3 others.

6 May 2008 - Kev Barnard ('kjb291063') - At North Marsh yesterday male Whinchat + flock of 24 Wheatear in adjacent field including 2 Greenland type (Joe later had a count of 30+).Also 4 Yellow Wags and good numbers of hirundines + whitethroats (18 on Outer Head).  Andrew Hood - had a female siskin in the garden just after 6 am, numerous others passing overhead, (I heard at least 20-25 between 6.15 -7.15 am) 2 grey partridge down farm track, 2 french partridge, 1 moorhen, 2 roe deer also just found a tawny owl roosting in a tree in garden.  Rich Baines - A Crane flew south over Lighthouse Road at 1415 today, it landed briefly on the flash to the south of the road before departing. Also today a Hobby over Golf Course at 0815, approx 12 Wheatear, female whinchat, 1 Lesser Redpoll and a Fieldfare.  Andrew Hood - pm; 1 ringed plover on stainforths flash, 5 eider ducks on sea off old fall, old fall = 1 male and female wheatear on setaside, 1 male reedbunting and 2 whitethroat down hedgerow to cliff, 1 whimbrel flying round southern side of head, 1 greater spotted woodpecker in garden.  Rich Baines - Good pics of the Crane Mike, thanks. I think it would be great if you could pass some copies on to the farmers at Head Farm as thanks, as it was Simon who called me this afternoon to tell me there was a Crane in their field. All visiting birders local and not so local should be aware that it is with the continued good will of these and other farmers on the Outer Head that we have permissive paths, great habitat for birds and phone calls about unusual birds to tip us off. We must respect their privacy and encourage others to do so if these benefits are to continue.

5 May 2008 - Mike Pearson ('james11473') - Birds in the gardens this a.m. were 2 willow warblers, 1 chiffchaff, 1 blackcap, 1 lesser whitethroat,2 lesser redpolls and a handsome male redstart (pics posted). Butterflies:- 3 peacock, 1 red admiral and 1 small white (s. landing); 4 peacocks, 2 small tortoiseshell and 1 brimstone (millennium wood); 1 wall brown (head farm).  Gaynor ('inkwright') - Between us this morning around the Headland Rich and I had; 4 tree pipits, 3 redstarts, 21 wheatears, 1 goldcrest, 1 sedge warbler. In and around Old Fall plantation I had 3-4 lssr whitethroats, 1 garden warbler, pr blackcaps. Obvious big arrival of hirundines today with many swallows and martins around the cliffs and an increase in whitethroats and willow warblers.

4 May 2008 - Gaynor ('inkwright') - Manx shearwater and 3 Sandwich terns past South Landing, 2 siskin in ravine. Grey plover, 3 ringed plover, 2 dunlin and swift North Landing area. Turtle dove and redstart top of St David Lane.  Rich Baines - Thousands of Kittiwake have been flying to and from North Marsh most afternoons this week taking mud and nest material back to the cliffs. Its a real spectacle, very impressive well worth a walk to the marsh to experience. And as I was there today a first summer Little Gull appeared amongst the swarm and roosted on the mud a while, not surprisingly the kitts must be attracting other birds such as this Little Gull in with the flocks.

3 May 2008 - Mike Pearson ('james11473') - LB and MP; fairly quiet, only 2 sedge warblers singing at Thornwick roost, none heard in the reedbed. grey wagtail at s. landing. IM had 1st.summer female peregrine s of the lighthouse, and 3 peacocks and 1 small tortoiseshell along old fall hedge. 5 peacocks in millennium wood. hare and roe deer pics posted in mammal folder.

2 May 2008 - Andrew Hood - had 3 female siskin on our bird feeders at 7.15 am this morning, 1 male blackcap singing in the garden since 7 am , 1 male siskin in garden at 9.10am.  Rich Baines - slight increase in migrants today with the following on outer head early a.m; 1 Grasshopper Warbler singing south of L'house, 4 Tree pipit, 1 Sedge Warbler, 14 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 10 Wheatear.  Mike Pearson ('james11473') - 1st.May, S. Landing pm; Late waders moving north were 19 dunlin, and 4 knot, plus 2 mute swan flying in to Brid bay from the S.E.

1 May 2008 - Kev Barnard ('kjb291063') - Flamborough surprisingly quiet this morning after yesterday's rain and SE wind. Just 10 Wheatear (4 males + 6 females), 7 Yellow Wags, 3 White Wags, 2 Stonechat and a Peregrine.  Rich Baines - As Kevin said it was a quiet day for migrants today. during a 1.5 hour watch this afternoon from L'house Road area; 1 Hooded Crow (a tatty winged bird) south, 1 Grey Heron east, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 male Peregrine, 46 Swallow, 24 Sand Martin, 2 House Martin, 1 Yellow Wag, 1 White Wag, 1 Little Grebe on North, Marsh (first I have seen there), 1 female Pochard yesterday on N Marsh. Also counted 11 Greylag small goslings on N Marsh from 2 broods, 3 small Lapwing chicks yesterday at North Moor.