An overcast day, with frequent showers; a moderate/strong southerly wind gradually dropped in strength. During the seawatch, two Shelduck, 17 Common Scoter, 17 Manx Shearwater, a Whimbrel, one Mediterranean Gull and 109 Sandwich Terns flew south, with two Bonxies and two Arctic Skuas heading north.
The day’s highlight related to the appearance of an Alpine Swift; initially over RSPB Bempton Cliffs from 1215-1245hrs, it was then relocated in the vicinity of the Lighthouse on the outer head where it remained from c.1300-1315hrs. Additional sightings included a Short-eared Owl that circled the outer head, the year’s first Common Swift over the village, four Wheatears and a male Pied Flycatcher in Old Fall.
Two Short-eared Owls frequented the Bempton/Buckton area, with the latter location also attracting one Marsh Harrier, a Common Swift, eight Song Thrush, seven Sedge Warblers and eight Yellow Wagtails.
