Light winds were variable in direction during a day that began with extensive sunny intervals but ended with relatively overcast skies; temperatures reached 16 degrees C. The day’s undoubted highlight was the discovery of the year’s second Bonelli’s Warbler mid-morning; initially in the hedge east of Old Fall, it then flew into the Plantation, where it remained until the evening. Unfortunately, it stubbornly refused to call to aid specific identification.
Over 2000 Redwing flew west over the head in the morning, with 17 Barnacle Geese (north), eight Snipe, a Merlin, two Jays and a Fieldfare recorded during the same ‘vis mig’ session. Barnacle Geese were also recorded over Thornwick Pools (14), at South Landing (one) and Thornwick Lakes (two). A Little Owl along Lighthouse Road was an unsual record for the outer head, while two Short-eared Owls were recorded there; sadly one of these appeared to ditch into the sea. Passerine migrants included eight Jays, a Lesser Whitethroat, eight Yellow-browed Warblers, four Goldcrests, three Ring Ouzels, a Tree Pipit, 14 Brambling and a Lapland Bunting.
The most notable seawatch record referred to a juvenile Sabine’s Gull that flew north mid-afternoon. Other records included a Sooty Shearwater, 121 Little Gulls and a first-winter Yellow-legged Gull.
A Short-eared Owl flew in off the sea at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where a Firecrest was trapped and ringed. Nearby, a Yellow-browed Warbler was in Bempton village, while a Black Redstart was on the cliffs at Speeton.
