A moderate easterly wind gradually dropped in strength during a day that featured sunny intervals and light showers in the afternoon; temperatures reached 13 degrees C. Barnacle Geese were on the move, with 63 observed flying south over the outer head. A Merlin on the outer head was undoubtedly ‘spoilt for choice’ with regard prey, whilst a Woodcock, two Jack Snipe and a relatively late Whimbrel were also present.
A Red-flanked Bluetail discovered on the edge of Old Fall mid-morning attracted a steady stream of admirers throughout the day. The sixth record for the headland, it favoured the hollow at the eastern end of the plantation. In the local context, a Raven that flew west over Micklemires and latterly RSPB Bempton Cliffs was notable. A total of 116 Skylark headed south-west, whilst grounded migrants included 66 Chiffchaff, four Willow Warblers, 27 Yellow-browed Warblers, a Grasshopper Warbler, one Reed Warbler, four Garden Warblers, a Barred Warbler (Golf Course Willows), two Common Whitethroats, five Lesser Whitethroats (at least two showing characteristics associated with ‘blythi’), 28 Blackcap, a Firecrest (Old Fall), 68 Goldcrests, yesterday’s Great Grey Shrike still near North Marsh, one Spotted Flycatcher, the Red-breasted Flycatcher still at North Landing, a Pied Flycatcher, seven Ring Ouzels, three Fieldfare, 17 Redstart, a Whinchat, 19 Stonechat, eight Wheatear, 42 Brambling, 19 Siskin, five Crossbill, a Hawfinch (Thornwick Camp) and two Lapland Buntings.
Visible migration at RSPB Bempton Cliffs included nine Brent Geese, 94 Barnacle Geese, a Short-eared Owl, 162 Skylarks and a Tree Pipit flying south-east. Grounded migrants included a Short-eared Owl, one Willow Warbler, 20 Chiffchaffs, two Yellow-browed Warblers, 12 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, one Lesser Whitethroat, a Firecrest, three Redstarts and a Red-breasted Flycatcher.
A total of 116 birds were processed during an excellent ringing session at South Landing, including 14 Song Thrush, a Redwing, 37 Robin, eight Blackcap, three Goldcrests, four Chiffchaffs, two Willow Warblers, five Yellow-browed Warblers, a Redstart and a Siskin.
