Happy New Year to one and all!
A relatively overcast day, with sunny intervals and a moderate south-westerly wind; temperatures never exceeded five degrees C. The seawatch was quiet, with 100 Shag leaving their roost and 30 Purple Sandpipers below the Fog Station notable.
A total of 39 Barnacle Geese flew south at the outer head, 53 Great Crested Grebes were off Sewerby, the Jack Snipe showed well at Thornwick Pools and six Grey Partridge were located at Oceanview. A Nuthatch remained in South Dykes, whilst a minimum of 93 Tree Sparrows were recorded, including 88 at Oceanview. However, the day’s highlight undoubtedly related to the discovery of 20 Lapland Buntings over cliff top fields near North Dykes.
West of the Dykes, Bempton Cliffs RSPB attracted a Common Buzzard, 40 Yellowhammers, ten Reed Buntings and five Corn Buntings. Buckton hosted single Water Rail and Jack Snipe, the long-staying Willow Tit and 80 Linnets.
