Promising seawatch conditions delivered once again: moderate north-north-easterly winds, overcast skies with occasional drizzle. The highlight was a Fea’s-type Petrel that flew north past the observatory at 1117hrs; it was watched from RSPB Bempton Cliffs at 1126hrs and latterly additional sites along the North-east coastline. A total of 130 Sooty Shearwaters also tracked north, together with two Balearic Shearwaters and two juvenile Long-tailed Skuas. Four Pomarine Skuas included two birds heading each way; 50 Bonxies and 50 Arctic Skuas were also recorded. A juvenile Sabine’s Gull spent the evening feeding amongst a Kittiwake flock, whilst ten Little Gulls were seen off the headland.
There was evidence of an arrival of passerine migrants including 12 Pied Flycatchers and four Whinchats on the outer head.
The Black-browed Albatross remained at RSPB Bempton Cliffs in the morning, but later flew out to sea and there were no further signs. Eight Sooty Shearwaters, three Balearic Shearwaters and 11 Manx Shearwaters headed north-west off the reserve, whilst seven Bonxies headed in the same direction and three Arctic Skuas south. Three Pied Flycatchers and two Whinchat were also in residence.
