A moderate north north easterly blew all day with an afternoon temperature of 15°C.
Those seawatching were amply rewarded with a Balearic Shearwater, quickly followed by a Great Shearwater minutes later. Sooties numbered 33 and Manxies 91. Further highlights included 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, a Shoveler, two Bonxies and ten Arctic Skuas.
A Merlin was hunting Linnets around the Lighthouse Grassland for much of the day. Sixteen Pink-footed Geese flew overhead while two remained at Thornwick Pools. A Cetti’s Warbler at Thornwick Pools was new and Yellow-browed Warblers continued to feature with six birds (singles at Highcliffe, Old Fall, Oceanview, South Dykes and two in village gardens). A Barred Warbler was reported from Old Fall as other inbound migrants included 9 Brambling and 17 Redwing. Five Redstarts, a Whinchat and a scattering of Chiffchaffs in the usual places were all probably birds that had been present for a few days.
At Bempton Cliffs, a Red-throated Pipit was seen and heard in flight but unfortunately didn’t stop. Forty two Pink feet were in a field next to the reserve. Further along the cliff, at Buckton, a blythi Lesser Whitethoat, Grey Wagtail, two Redstarts and two Brambling were all trapped.
