After a calm start, a moderate northerly wind established bringing ashore a sea fret that rendered birding difficult, especially along the northern edge of the headland.
Thornwick Pools attracted a Little Stint, two Ruff, six Dunlin, a Redshank and two Green Sandpipers; ten Golden Plovers and two Snipe flew south. A Marsh Harrier headed west over the Gorse Field, whilst a juvenile Mediterranean Gull flew along the South Cliffs. The Greenish Warbler was present in Old Fall Hedge adjacent to the plantation early morning only, with the Icterine Warbler also there, but remaining elusive. Red-backed Shrikes lingered at North Landing and on the edge of the Gorse Field by the lighthouse. Other than increased numbers of Willow Warblers (36) and Lesser Whitethroats (19), there were scant signs of newly arrived passerines, with tallies of two ‘migrant’ Reed Warblers, two Garden Warblers, 12 Pied Flycatchers, a Redstart, two Whinchat and four Wheatears.
Notable sightings at RSPB Bempton Cliffs included two Golden Plover, a Greenshank, 16 Willow Warblers, a Reed Warbler and two Pied Flycatchers.
