The weather consisted of blustery northerly winds during the middle of the day, with their strength gradually dropping; there were sunny intervals after an overcast start and temperatures peaked at 16 degrees C. Predictably seawatching improved over recent days: single Red-breasted Merganser and Red-throated Diver flew north together with nine Sooty Shearwaters, 40 Manx Shearwaters, 257 Common Terns and ten Arctic Terns. Heading south were 77 Oystercatchers, 173 Sandwich Terns, 14 Bonxies, a Pomarine Skua and 42 Arctic Skuas. A Green Sandpiper overflew the Fog Station, where a Wheatear was in residence on the cliffs, whilst a lone Whinchat frequented the neighbouring grassland. However, the day’s most noteworthy record related to an exceptionally early Redwing at South Dykes. In addition, the Black-browed Albatross lingered on the cliffs at Staple Newk, RSPB Bempton Cliffs.
