18th September 2015

Light northerly winds and sunny intervals prevailed. Seawatching highlights included 50 Red-throated Divers flying south and 176 Fulmars, four Sooty Shearwaters and two Manx Shearwaters moving north. Eight Arctic Skuas headed south, a Mediterranean Gull flew north, together with 567 Black-headed Gulls, whilst 111 Meadow Pipits also flew north past the Fog Station.

A Little Owl frequented fields near The Golf Course; the first record for the Outer Head for several years. Surprise of the day was the relocation of the male Eastern Subalpine Warbler in the hedge east of Old Fall; best viewed from the eastern edge of the Plantation. Additional birds of note included five Swifts, five Grey Wagtails, two Yellow Wagtails, 32 Lesser Redpolls, 4 Goldcrests, in the same area and 15 Siskins.

Bempton RSPB attracted a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Treecreeper and two Goldcrest, with a Marsh Harrier nearby.

Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Outer Head, by Andy Hood
Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Outer Head, by Andy Hood

 

Eastern Subalpine Warbler showing what appears to be? the penultimate tail feather T5 and its diagnostic short white wedge up a dark feather. Martin Garner
Eastern Subalpine Warbler showing what appears to be? the penultimate tail feather T5 and its diagnostic short white wedge up a dark feather. Martin Garner
Lesser Redpoll by Martin Garner
Lesser Redpoll by Martin Garner