Blustery south-westerly winds featured throughout a day of sunny intervals with temperatures peaking at 14 degrees C. A series of Alpine Swift sightings provided the highlight – yesterday evening’s individual remained over the Gorse Field early morning before drifting west along the North Cliffs. Presumably the same bird was soon relocated over RSPB Bempton Cliffs, but it then headed inland at 0936hrs. Amazingly, two Alpine Swifts were located over Micklemires on the eastern edge of Flamborough village at 1500hrs; both remained until 1645hrs, with one still present early evening.
The Whooper Swan was still in residence, while a Goosander was on the sea off the Fog Station mid-morning, where 900 Starlings flew east in two flocks before 0800hrs. In addition, three Sand Martins, 90 Chaffinch, two Redwing and two Siskin indicated passage wasn’t confined to Starlings.
As well as the aforementioned Alpine Swift, notable sightings at RSPB Bempton Cliffs included a Red Kite and 110 Starlings flying south-east and 82 Meadow Pipits moving north-west.
