The weather consisted of light winds veering from a northerly in the morning to north-east later, sunny throughout and temperatures peaked at 20 degrees C; classic drift migrant conditions that didn’t disappoint.
The seawatch highlight consisted a Cory’s Shearwater that flew south relatively close inshore – initially past RSPB Bempton Cliffs at 0836hrs and latterly past the Fog Station shortly afterwards. Other sightings included a Sooty Shearwater north, 311 Oystercatchers south, a Grey Plover, 18 Arctic Terns and 106 Common Terns; at least one White-beaked Dolphin was present offshore.
Thornwick Pools hosted two Ringed Plover, a Ruff, a juvenile Little Stint, six Dunlin, six Green Sandpipers, three Common Sandpipers and three Redshank; a flock of 13 Common Sandpipers also frequented the rocky shore near Hartendale. Two Marsh Harriers and a Hobby graced the skies over the outer head. Passerine migrants were headlined by a Greenish Warbler that graced Old Fall from early afternoon, showing best on the sheltered southern side of the wood in the willows. An Icterine Warbler was discovered mid-morning along Lighthouse Road, but proved elusive. Later in the day a Red-backed Shrike commuted from Thornwick to North Landing. Passerine totals included 17 Willow Warblers, a Spotted Flycatcher, nine Pied Flycatchers, a Redstart, three Whinchat, six Yellow Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail.
In addition to the Cory’s Shearwater, sightings from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included 218 Oystercatchers, ten Golden Plover, seven Whimbrel, a Curlew Sandpiper flying south-east, two Common Sandpipers, four Green Sandpipers, seven Willow Warblers, a Pied Flycatcher, two Whinchat, a Wheatear and 22 Yellow Wagtails.
