The weather consisted of light west-south-westerly winds and sunny intervals resulting in temperatures reaching 23 degrees C. During the seawatch, seven Teal, a Tufted Duck, two Velvet Scoters, 214 Common Scoters, 16 Whimbrel and an Arctic Skua flew south; 143 Sandwich Terns and three Common Terns moved north. In addition, a Minke Whale fed offshore, whilst a Little Egret flew past the Fog Station.
Thornwick Pools attracted four Teal, two Ringed Plover, six Dunlin, three Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper and two Snipe. Two Green Sandpipers flew over the outer head, with a Wood Sandpiper heading south-east over RSPB Bempton Cliffs; 22 Whimbrels also flew south-east there. A total of seven Grey Herons flying west over the headland included two birds coming in off during the seawatch.
It proved to be a fantastic day for raptors: a Honey Buzzard initially seen over RSPB Bempton Cliffs (1105hrs) was relocated circling over South Dykes before it drifted off west (1120hrs). A minimum of seven Red Kites visited the headland, with six over Bempton and another flew west over Flamborough village. At least three Marsh Harriers flew south-east over Bempton, whilst three Hobbies over Flamborough village represented a notable local count. A Short-eared Owl flew south-east over Bempton and latterly Flamborough village early evening.
An influx of gulls was another feature of the day. The vast majority observed coming in off the sea from due east, then after making landfall, they flew west over the southern half of the headland to pass over Mid-/South Dykes; totals of 1225 Black-headed Gulls and 180 Common Gulls were logged. Interest along the outer head’s coastal path included a juvenile Cuckoo and a Wheatear.
