There were extensive sunny intervals throughout; light/moderate north-easterly winds gradually abated, with the day ending with light south-easterlies. A good seawatch was expected and so it proved. Five species of shearwaters included a Great Shearwater north at 0620hrs, a Cory’s Shearwater south at 1635hrs, three Balearic Shearwaters and 304 Sooty Shearwaters flying north. Getting ever rarer, a Leach’s Petrel that flew north in the morning was particularly noteworthy, while two juvenile Sabine’s Gulls headed in the same direction at 1800hrs – both were the first for the year. A lone Storm Petrel also headed north. Four species of skuas were recorded, including four juvenile Long-tailed Skuas and four adult Pomarine Skuas, along with 55 Arctics and 13 Bonxies. Four Pale-bellied Brent Geese flew south over rafts of auks feeding amongst five Minke Whales.
Seawatching proved rewarding at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, with a lone Leach’s Petrel recorded moving north-west alongside 62 Sooty Shearwaters. Two Short-eared Owls remained in residence, while passerine migrants included four Goldcrests and a Whinchat. Four Minke Whales also fed offshore, with at least the majority likely to be different animals than those observed off the outer head.
