The weather consisted of moderate east-north-easterly winds, sunny skies with occasional showers. Stealing the headlines, a Coues’s Arctic Redpoll was located along the nature trail at RSPB Bempton Cliffs during the afternoon; it gave superb point blank views to a succession of admirers. No fewer than three Barred Warblers were also present on the reserve. Sightings from nearby Buckton included two Whooper Swans, eight Woodcock, a Short-eared Owl, 19 Goldcrests and a Whinchat; a Barred Warbler and three Common (Mealy) Redpolls were also caught and ringed. Photos showed that the Barred Warbler was one of the individual’s seen earlier in the day at RSPB Bempton Cliffs 1km to the east.
During the morning’s seawatch, the following flew north past the outer head: three dark-bellied Brent Goose, 211 Eider, three Velvet Scoters, 85 Common Scoters, two Black-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver, one Red-necked Grebe, 46 Little Gulls, four Bonxies, three Pomarine Skuas, six Arctic Skuas and 59 Little Auks. Two Long-tailed Ducks were again off South Landing.
A Great Grey Shrike was located in the Bay Brambles early morning; although elusive, it toured the same area throughout the day. A Short-eared Owl came in off the sea at the same location, where a Water Rail was also obviously fresh-in. The arrival of Siberian Chiffchaffs continued, with no fewer than four birds located – singles near the Lighthouse, Old Fall and two at South Landing. Other migrant totals included eight Woodcock, one Hooded Crow (South Landing), a Waxwing (South Sea Road), 85 Goldcrests, a Yellow-browed Warbler (South Landing), single Willow Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat, 142 Blackbirds, one Black Redstart, a Water Pipit (South Landing), 14 Crossbills, a Twite and five Common (Mealy) Redpolls.
