A genuinely warm day was a shock to the system and precipitated a spring birding reboot, with the birds certainly obliging. After a damp start, sunny intervals eventually prevailed and temperatures reached 18 degrees C. It was apparent early on that yesterday’s heavy rain and south-easterly winds had prompted a significant arrival of Wheatears; during the course of the day 263 Wheatears were located east of the Dykes, smashing the previous record (205). To the delight of many, the Hoopoe was also relocated at the bowling green near South Landing and commuted between there and Highcliffe Manor throughout the day. Two Little Egrets, single Hobby and Merlin, five Swift and a Cuckoo were noted. However, most focus was on passerine migrants including: 95 Swallows south, 30 Willow Warblers, two Ring Ouzels, four Spotted Flycatchers, the male Pied Flycatcher, six Whinchat, two Redstarts, a Tree Pipit, 18 Yellow Wagtails and eight Siskins. Sightings from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included a Marsh Harrier, 21 Swallows, single Spotted Flycatcher, Ring Ouzel and Redstart, along with six Wheatears; an additional six Wheatears were in cliff top fields at Buckton.
