Another day of moderate south-easterlies and overcast skies. Seawatching highlights included the following southbound: 27 Pink-footed Geese, 23 White-fronted Geese, two dark-bellied Bent Geese, one Brent Goose, 65 Wigeon, six Scaup, four Eider, one Sooty Shearwater, two Balearic Shearwaters and one Long-tailed Skua. A Pomarine Skua headed north and a Short-eared Owl came in off.
Geese were clearly on the move, with another 30 White-fronted Geese moving south over the outer head and two White-fronted Geese and four Bean Geese touring the headland. A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull fed in Selwick’s Bay in the evening.
Pride of place was the discovery of a 1st-winter male Pied Wheatear at Cattlemere Hole late morning. After showing well for 30 minutes it flew west and wasn’t relocated. Two Pallas’s Warblers were present, with one remaining in South Landing and the other located in Old Fall. Great Grey Shrike, Firecrest and Hawfinch were also seen at Old Fall, whilst a second Great Grey Shrike was present at South Landing. A Richard’s Pipit and six Shore Larks frequented the Cattlemere area, whilst two Yellow-browed Warblers were at South Landing. A 12-strong flock of Redpolls at Thornwick CP contained both Mealy and Lessers.
West of the Dykes, Buckton recorded 65 White-fronted Geese south, two Woodcock, a Jack Snipe, two Water Rails, single Firecrest, Black Redstart and Ring Ouzel, with 20 Brambling also present. Two Shore Larks also flew over. The Dusky Warbler remained at Bempton Cliffs RSPB, where eight White-fronted Geese flew south, together with 76 Pink-feet; a Firecrest, one Lesser Whitethroat and six Mealy Redpolls were also present on the reserve. Speeton attracted a Ring Ouzel.
