The following summarises only the records from our resident birders’ health walks and garden sightings; consequently, it provides a mere snapshot of the true scale of our spring migration.
A largely sunny day after an overcast start, with a light/moderate north-west wind and temperatures that peaked at eight degrees C. Seawatch highlights included a Goosander, four Red-throated Divers, 233 Fulmars, a Manx Shearwater and four Sandwich Terns flying north; a Common Tern headed south.
Sightings on the headland included one House Martin, two Swallows, a Hooded Crow, three Goldcrests, 22 Willow Warblers, a Sedge Warbler, three Redwing, a Ring Ouzel, one Wheatear, a Grey Wagtail, one Yellow Wagtail and a Brambling. In addition, a Swallow, two House Martins and 17 Sand Martins were recorded between Sewerby and South Dykes.
Late news concerns the exciting discovery of a Large Tortoiseshell butterfly photographed on the southern side of the headland on 12th April; part of an influx of this migratory species into southern England, this represents the most northerly record by some distance.
