September has disappointed, but for a couple of exceptions – one of which waited until the last day to grace the headland. A Red-eyed Vireo was discovered at RSPB Bempton Cliffs mid-afternoon and, although elusive, it remained until the evening. This represented the first North American passerine for the reserve and only the third ever for the headland, following previous records of Blackpoll Warbler (1993) and White-throated Sparrow (2002).
Elsewhere, a Merlin hunted Linnets over Mid Dykes, while the autumn’s first Barred Warbler was discovered at Thornwick Pools in the morning. Additional migrant passerines included five Song Thrush, 17 Blackcaps, six Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat, one Reed Warbler, 16 Chiffchaffs, three Willow Warblers, four Goldcrest, 23 Stonechats, one Wheatear and a Lesser Redpoll.
Pink-footed Geese were moving south once again, with a total of 515 recorded. Other sightings from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included a Swift, 104 Skylarks, a Willow Warbler, six Goldcrests, five Song Thrush, a Lesser Redpoll, six Siskin and a Snow Bunting.
