September 2026 was an exceptionally varied month for birds around Filey, with the passage of waders, seabirds, wildfowl and migrants producing a strong run of records. The month began with good wader numbers at the Dams and East Lea, including Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Ruff, Dunlin, Snipe and Black-tailed Godwit. Curlew were particularly conspicuous,
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
June proved to be an excellent month for birding, with a mixture of late spring migrants, breeding birds and early signs of autumn passage. Swift migration dominated many coastal watches, while wetlands at Filey Dams and East Lea continued to produce a variety of breeding and passage species. The month began with two Corn Buntings
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
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