An overcast day, with a south-westerly wind increasing in strength throughout and peak temperatures of 11 degrees C. Seawatch highlights consisted of the following birds reorientating back north after strong northerly winds yesterday: 15 dark-bellied Brent Geese, 23 Wigeon, 69 Common Scoters, two Great Northern Divers, 13 Sooty Shearwaters, 62 Manx Shearwaters, 30 Little Gulls, ten Bonxies, an Arctic Skua, 20,000 Razorbills and 16 Puffins.; a Snow Bunting also flew in off the sea.
A Velvet Scoter sheltered off South Landing and the Jack Snipe remained at Thornwick Pools. The first appreciable arrival of Fieldfares (594) accompanied 476 Redwing, whilst notable passerine records also included three Yellow-browed Warblers, 50 Siskin, 20 Lesser Redpoll and a Crossbill. An additional 120 Fieldfare and 20 Redwing flew through RSPB Bempton Cliffs.
It was a productive day for ringing on the outer head, with 127 birds caught including the autumn’s first Siberian Chiffchaff, a Garden Warbler and a Grey Wagtail.
