Happy New Year to one and all!
The year dawned with brighter skies, extensive sunny intervals, a moderate westerly wind and temperatures peaking at eight degrees C. Seawatching started well, with a juvenile Iceland Gull flying south close inshore soon after first light. More surprisingly still, the headland’s first ever winter Common Tern headed north at 1102hrs. An increase in Red-throated Divers was also apparent, with 213 recorded during the morning.
Another surprise was a southerly movement of Pink-feet that took place throughout the morning, including several skeins moving well offshore: a total of 505 geese were logged heading south. In addition, the usual c.500 Pink-feet roosted near North Marsh before heading west just before dawn to feed. Additional wildfowl records included seven Mute Swans, two Shelduck, 61 Wigeon, 285 Teal, one Shoveler, 23 Tufted Ducks, a Goldeneye and one Little Grebe. In addition, a Short-eared Owl hunted the cliff top grasslands near North Marsh.
Three Short-eared Owls also remained at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where a Woodcock and 63 Snow Buntings were present.
