21st December 2021

The skies were overcast and it was calm throughout, with temperatures reaching four degrees C. Seawatch highlights included a dark-bellied Brent Goose, a drake Long-tailed Duck, 65 Eiders, two Goosanders and a Black-throated Diver flying north; excellent numbers of Red-throated Divers were a feature once again, with 193 off the South Cliffs. A Long-tailed Duck was on the sea off Cattlemere and the Velvet Scoter remained off South Landing, while a single Woodcock and two Jack Snipe frequented the outer head. Passerine interest included a further arrival of Fieldfare (103), 12 Redwing and five Stonechats. The two Short-eared Owls lingered at RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

Red-throated Diver, South Landing, by Andrew Allport