Overcast throughout, with light winds that remained variable in direction until mid-afternoon, when slightly stronger south-easterlies established; temperatures peaked at 13 degrees C. Pride of place amongst the passerine migrants were two Firecrests at North Marsh, 18 Yellow-browed Warblers, two Siberian Chiffchaffs and the year’s first Red-backed Shrike, a juvenile at North Landing.
Four Whooper Swans remained in fields near North Dykes. Two Merlin hunted the outer head, frequently flying out to sea and returning with unfortunate thrushes. Notable wader records included the long-staying Grey Plover, six Woodcock and two Jack Snipe. Two Long-eared Owls also flew in off the sea.
Additional passerine interest included 150 Goldcrests, three Cetti’s Warblers, 32 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, two Black Redstarts, a Wheatear, six Ring Ouzel, 60 Brambling, 19 Crossbills, 20 Siskins, a ‘Mealy’ Redpoll, a Hawfinch flying west over the village and ten Twite. ‘Vis mig’ totals of 908 Starling, 1763 Redwing and 1133 Fieldfare were logged flying west over South Dykes.
Meanwhile, seawatch highlights included ten Brent Geese, 283 Wigeon, five Pintail, seven Red-breasted Mergansers, 125 Little Gulls, two Mediterranean Gulls and two Sooty Shearwaters.
Elsewhere, two Yellow-browed Warblers were caught and ringed at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where additional records included: 150 Blackbirds, 50 Fieldfare, 500 Redwing, 20 Song Thrush, two Ring Ouzel, a Swallow, 50 Goldcrests, 10 Brambling and a Crossbill. A Wheatear was between Cliff Lane Bempton and North Dykes, along with 12 Grey Partridge, three Brambling and 75 Yellowhammers. Hoddy Cows Lane, Buckton also hosted a Ring Ouzel. On the opposite side of the headland records from Bridlington Links to South Dykes included four Swallows, four Chiffchaffs and a Garden Warbler.
