Strong north-westerly winds gradually dropped in strength and sunny intervals eventually prevailed after heavy showers early on; temperatures were appreciably lower than of late and peaked at eight degrees C. A Grey Phalarope off the Observatory was the highlight of the seawatch, with other notable sightings including a Pale-bellied Brent Goose north, seven Whooper Swans and two Pintail south, two Sooty Shearwaters north, 40 Little Gulls, a Mediterranean Gull, one Bonxie and four Arctic Skuas south.
Yesterday’s juvenile Spoonbill remained in residence and returned to Thornwick Pools in the afternoon. Ten Whooper Swans flew south over the village along with skeins of 238 Pink-footed Geese; considerably larger skeins of Pink-feet headed south over the headland after dusk. Other notable records included a Short-eared Owl that overflew the Bay Brambles, a Hooded Crow south over South Dykes, three Blackcap, two Chiffchaffs, 14 Goldcrests, 36 Redwing, 28 Rock Pipits, two Brambling, two Redpoll sp., 29 Siskin and six Snow Buntings. An additional Snow Bunting continued to linger at RSPB Bempton Cliffs.
