Happy New Year to all!
The year began with blustery south-westerly winds, bright skies and temperatures that reached ten degrees C. Seawatching proved rewarding with a juvenile Glaucous Gull flying south the highlight, alongside three Velvet Scoters moving north, and single Manx Shearwater, Puffin and Bonxie south. In addition, 33 Pink-footed Geese flew south during the seawatch, with a further eight birds moving south over Thornwick.
Away from there sea, wildfowl interest included three Mute Swans, two Whooper Swans, three Barnacle Geese and 21 Teal. A Little Grebe remained, as did the Kingfisher. Improved coverage in South Dykes resulted in the relocation of the wintering Firecrest along with a Chiffchaff and two Nuthatch. Notable sightings elsewhere included three Woodcock, eight Snipe and 17 Fieldfare.
One of the most notable sightings related to two Ravens that flew south-east over RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where a Bonxie was also offshore.
