11th October 2023

There were overcast skies throughout, south-west winds and temperatures of 17 degrees C early on, before a band rain arrived with winds then switching to the north-west and temperatures dropping to 12 degrees C. A Goosander flew south during a morning seawatch that also featured a Common Tern and two Arctic Skuas. Thornwick Lakes attracted eight Mute Swans, 33 Tufted Ducks and a Little Grebe, while the nearby Pools held 17 Teal, a Water Rail and ten Snipe. Small numbers of birds made landfall including a Short-eared Owl, while 97 Golden Plovers and a Ring Ouzel headed west.

Sightings from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included three Short-eared Owls, 50 Goldcrests, a Yellow-browed Warbler and 90 Redwing moving north-west.

Short-eared Owl, RSPB Bempton Cliffs, by Dan Howe