An overcast day, with light south-west winds and temperatures reaching two degrees C. Single Goldeneye and Mediterranean Gull flew south during the morning’s seawatch, while an influx of 525 Lapwings included southbound birds over the sea and burgeoning numbers settling on ice free fields. A total of 110 Golden Plover were also associated with the influx, as were seven Dunlin, a Grey Plover, 16 Snipe and seven Woodcock.
The Thornwick area attracted two Whooper Swans, two Mute Swans, three Barnacle Geese, a Little Grebe, 65 Teal, two Tufted Ducks, a first-winter Caspian Gull and a Kingfisher; a Great Northern Diver flew south-east past nearby North Landing, while a Velvet Scoter was off South Landing. Passerine interest included a Chiffchaff, 150 Fieldfare, eight Redwing and a Snow Bunting.
The Lapwing influx was also noted at RSPB Bempton Cliffs where 256 birds were recorded, the majority in off the sea. Additional sightings involved eight Golden Plovers, five Woodcock, 32 Snipe, a Mediterranean Gull, one Little Owl, a Merlin, 193 Fieldfares, nine Redwing, two Snow Buntings and 28 Corn Buntings.
