The month opened with sunny intervals, a blustery south-west wind and maximum of 14 degrees C. A Red-necked Grebe flew north during a seawatch that also featured two Shoveler, a Gadwall, 206 Wigeon and ten Little Gulls. Migrants made landfall throughout the seawatch including a Woodcock, 20 Lapwing, two Snipe, 480 Starling, 447 Redwing, 32 Blackbirds and 78 Fieldfare. Grounded migrants included an additional Woodcock, 11 Goldcrest, four Chiffchaffs, 275 Redwing, 25 Song Thrush, 70 Blackbirds, 30 Fieldfare and six Crossbills. Elsewhere, the Kingfisher re-appeared at Thornwick Pools, while single Merlin and Cetti’s Warbler were recorded at the nearby Roost.
The ringtail Hen Harrier remained on cliff top fields between RSPB Bempton Cliffs and Buckton. Additional sightings from the reserve included a Lapwing, eight Snipe, three Woodcock, two Little Egrets, one Marsh Harrier, a House Martin, an ‘acredula’ Willow Warbler, five Goldcrests, 208 Starling, 47 Song Thrush, 279 Redwing, 75 Blackbirds, 15 Fieldfare, a Redpoll and a Snow Bunting.
