The day started with gale force northerly winds and overcast conditions after heavy rain before dawn. The winds then gradually abated during the day which eventually featured sunny intervals and occasional heavy showers. Seawatching proved impossible on the Outer Head, but was still rewarding off South Landing. A total of 18 Red-throated Divers and a Great Crested Grebe flew north, as did a Manx and two Sooty Shearwaters. Four pale-bellied Brent Geese flew north, whilst six Brent Geese moved south. Additional wildfowl on the move included 43 Wigeon, 38 Mallard, three Eider, a drake Long-tailed Duck, five Velvet Scoters all heading north and three Goldeneye. A Merlin flew in off the sea, whilst two Arctic Skuas went south and 41 Little Auks headed north; with another four moving south. With less than ten Flamborough records, a Black-necked Grebe that lingered off South Landing represented the day’s highlight, with a juvenile Glaucous Gull also sheltering in the bay before flying off south.
A Great Grey Shrike was located in South Landing ravine mid-afternoon and a Long-eared Owl frequented the same area.
West of the Dykes, a Little Auk was noted off Buckton, where there was also a Short-eared Owl. Another freshly dead Short-eared Owl was discovered at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.
