A day of moderate south-west winds that also featured sunny intervals, after a damp start to the day. During the morning’s seawatch, a dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Grey Plover and 12 Little Gulls flew south; at least 20 Bottlenose Dolphins performed offshore, whilst a Long-eared Owl flew in off the sea. A late afternoon seawatch off South Landing witnessed an impressive southerly movement of 2244 Little Gulls, along with 17 Common Terns, an Arctic Tern, two Mediterranean Gulls and three Arctic Skuas.
Sixteen Whooper Swans frequented the headland during the morning, of which 14 flew south, as did a skein of 42 Pink-footed Geese. The Velvet Scoter was again off South Landing, with a Great White Egret flying east over Old Fall at 1430hrs; wader interest included single Grey Plover and Woodcock. Notable passerine records included a Jay at Old Fall, 178 Redwing, 66 Song Thrush, four Ring Ouzels, six Yellow-browed Warblers, seven Stonechat, a Whinchat and five Brambling.
Sightings from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included 242 Pink-footed Geese (200+42), one Merlin, four Short-eared Owls, a Jay, 90 Redwing, a Whinchat, four Stonechat and a Black Redstart.
