A day of two halves; the morning featured light south-west winds, sunny intervals and a high of 15 degrees C. Minutes after temperatures peaked, winds switched to the north-north-east; cloud rolled in off the North Sea, temperatures dropped to nine degrees C and birds started to arrive.
Good coverage at RSPB Bempton Cliffs was rewarded with a vocal Richard’s Pipit dropping into cliff top fields early afternoon. A Long-eared Owl came in off the sea and additional reserve sightings included three dark-bellied Brent Geese, a Woodcock, one Water Rail, a Siberian Chiffchaff, eight Goldcrests, 27 Redwing, 35 Fieldfare, 50 Chaffinch, 17 Siskin, one Snow Bunting and a Lapland Bunting.
At least one Dusky Warbler remained in residence at South Landing, while a Siberian Chiffchaff was at North Landing. Other records from the outer head included a Merlin, two Woodcock, a Firecrest (Golf Course Willows), two Black Redstarts (Fog Station), 30 Siskin and eight Snow Buntings.
Seawatch highlights included three dark-bellied Brent Geese, two Goosanders, 140 Little Gulls and a Great Northern Diver.
