A relatively cloudy day, with occasional brighter intervals, light southerly winds and temperatures that peaked at 12 degrees C. To the delight of a great many visiting birders, the Two-barred Warbler remained in the Lighthouse Grassland and showed exceptionally well. The Pallas’s Warbler and Dusky Warbler also remained in the same area. An additional Dusky Warbler was located along Hartendale Gutter, interestingly in the exact same place as the Radde’s Warbler earlier in the month. The first-winter male Red-headed Bunting continued in residence at North Marsh.
A Pallid Swift flying south-west over the Dykes headlined a ‘vis mig’ watch that also featured 12,130 Redwing, 5205 Starlings, 6765 Fieldfare and 24 Siskin moving west, while 3860 Pink-footed Geese flew north.
Nineteen Woodcocks represented a notable increase, a Water Rail was near the lighthouse, two ringtail Hen Harriers toured the outer head and three Short-eared Owls included one in off. Passerine migrants included a Waxwing, ten Ring Ouzels, a Cetti’s Warbler (Thornwick roost reedbed), two Siberian Chiffchaffs, three Yellow-browed Warblers, a ‘continental’ Coal Tit, two Northern Wheatears, three Black Redstarts, a Hawfinch, two ‘northern’ Bullfinch, three Mealy Redpolls, six Crossbill, one Twite, two Lapland Buntings and a Snow Bunting.
A Jay, two Hawfinch and a Waxwing were recorded at RSPB Bempton Cliffs. Other sightings from the reserve included 6970 Pink-footed Geese, single Merlin and Hen Harrier, a Jack Snipe, three Short-eared Owls, one Ring Ouzel and a Mealy Redpoll.
