The weather consisted of light north-easterly winds, sunny skies and temperatures that reached 12 degrees C. During the seawatch, three Red-throated Divers flew south, two Manx Shearwaters moved north and 28 Sandwich Terns were also logged during the morning (16 south, 12 north).
The day’s undoubted highlight referred to an adult Goshawk that toured the headland. Initially seen over Lighthouse Road/Old Fall from 0920-0925hrs, it was eventually lost heading in the direction of Flatmere. Just over an hour later, it was relocated over Flatmere, before it flew west over the village in the direction of the Dykes; with only a handful of well documented records, this is a very rare bird locally. Raptors were a theme of the day, with three Marsh Harriers; two birds that flew south over Bridlington Bay and another that drifted west over the village. Nine Common Buzzards over the Dykes added further raptor interest, as did no fewer than 16 Sparrowhawks. A Long-eared Owl was located in the Gorse Field, whilst a pair of Grey Partridge were near North Marsh. Passerine interest included three House Martins, six Hooded Crows, two Redwing, a Firecrest along Old Fall Hedge, 24 Goldcrests, 14 Willow Warbler, 32 Chiffchaff, 35 Blackcap, two Lesser Whitethroats, four Common Whitethroats, six Wheatears, a White Wagtail, two Yellow Wagtails and a Brambling.
Sightings from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included two Cranes that flew south over RSPB Bempton Cliffs during the afrwernoon. Nearby, Buckton attracted 22 Fieldfare, three Redwing, a Grasshopper Warbler and a Yellow Wagtail. In addition, 15 Bottlenose Dolphins fed offshore there.
