An overcast day, with light south-south-east winds and a high of 18 degrees C. The 2025 Seawatch Festival began with all four species of ‘regular’ skua: two adult Pomarine Skuas, a juvenile Long-tailed Skua, 30 Arctic Skuas and five Bonxies. An impressive six species of terns included two Little Tern, a Black Tern and a Roseate Tern, while larid interest included a juvenile Caspian Gull, 290 Little Gulls and a Mediterranean Gull. A total of 20 Sooty Shearwaters flew north, as did 46 Manx Shearwaters. A Marsh Harrier flew north over the sea, while cetacean interest included 44 Bottlenose Dolphins, six Harbour Porpoise and a Minke Whale.
Elsewhere, a Ruff flew east over Old Fall, a Cetti’s Warbler remained at Thornwick Pools and a Grasshopper Warbler was at South Landing. Single Spotted Flycatcher and Reed Warbler were at RSPB Bempton Cliffs. Three Marsh Harriers, a Merlin, one Hobby and a Whinchat were recorded at Buckton.
