Moderate westerly winds dropped in strength from mid-afternoon; there were sunny intervals initially, with showers later and temperatures reached 21 degrees C. Seawatch highlights included six Shelduck moving south, a Sooty Shearwater north and a second calendar-year Mediterranean Gull and three juvenile Little Gulls flying south.
Thornwick Pools attracted Gadwall, Shoveler, a Water Rail, two Ruff and 15 Redshank. The ringtail Hen Harrier continued to tour the outer head, a juvenile Merlin overflew Old Fall, whilst two Short-eared Owls hunted the Gorse Field. The day’s main feature included a substantial arrival of 252 Willow Warblers (162 outer head, 90 Bempton). A Red-backed Shrike was in bushes alongside the Golf Course early morning and additional passerine records included a Spotted Flycatcher, two Pied Flycatchers, five Whinchat and two Wheatears.
Sightings from RSPB Bempton Cliffs also included three Marsh Harriers, a Hobby, one Spotted Flycatcher, three Whinchat and a Wheatear.
