13th April 2015

After an overnight frost, a day of sunshine until mid-afternoon, light south-westerly winds and temperatures that reached 10 degrees C. During the morning’s seawatch 160 Fulmars flew north, as did a Manx Shearwater, 11 Common Scoter went south, four Sandwich Terns flew north (and two south). Twenty-five Purple Sandpipers remained in residence. A male Ring Ouzel frequented the area around the Fog Station, where a Siskin flew north.

Additional migrants included a Firecrest at South Landing, a Black Redstart on the Outer Head, six Sand Martins, four Swallows, 17 Wheatears, six Chiffchaffs, one Willow Warbler and a Goldcrest. A Corn Bunting was also present near North Marsh.

The Rough-legged Buzzard again showed very well in the Buckton/Bempton area. with a Short-eared Owl, Common Buzzard, Willow Warbler and an early Common Whitethroat also present at Buckton.

Rough-legged Buzzard, Buckton, by Paul Reed
Rough-legged Buzzard, Buckton, by Paul Reed
Ring Ouzel, Fog Station, by Craig Thomas
Ring Ouzel, Fog Station, by Craig Thomas