An overcast day, with persistent but mainly light rain throughout the morning; there were light south-west winds and a temperature peak of 11 degrees C. However, it wasn’t today’s weather that defined the birding quality, but that of the easterlies and heavy rain associated with Storm Babet over the previous 36 hours.
The highlight was the discovery of a Black/Red-headed Bunting at North Marsh. The same individual had been glimpsed two days previously, but the finder was then distracted by the simultaneous discovery of the Siberian Stonechat which was also relocated today. Incredibly, a Little Bunting was also found in the very same spot early afternoon.
Two Cranes flew south-east over the headland having first been seen over RSPB Bempton Cliffs and, latterly, the outer head. Three Great White Egrets did a similar double, firstly seen moving south-east over Bempton before crossing the headland near North Landing. Two ringtail Hen Harriers also hunted the latter area for much of the day, being seen alongside three Short-eared Owls and the long-staying Merlin. An adult Iceland Gull that flew west along the South Cliffs was particularly notable given the early date, while a Waxwing flew west over the outer head.
Visible migration over the Dykes recorded 1600 Starling, 1245 Redwing, 860 Fieldfare, 135 Skylark, 110 Song Thrush, 82 Blackbirds, 57 Brambling, 18 Redpolls, 14 Siskin, two Crossbills, a Swallow, 215 Pink-footed Geese moving north-east and a Great Northern Diver cutting the headland and flying north. Grounded migrants included 17 Woodcock, one Jack Snipe, a Firecrest, a Reed Warbler, three Ring Ouzels, a Tree Pipit, three Wheatears and a Lapland Bunting.
A late Wood Warbler at RSPB Bempton Cliffs was an excellent late record. Additional sightings from the reserve included 19 dark-bellied Brent Geese, 160 Pink-footed Geese, 50 Golden Plovers, three Woodcock, two ringtail Hen Harriers (potential overlap with outer head), six Blackcap, two Ring Ouzels, eight Brambling, eight Redpoll and 11 Siskin. A Firecrest was located along Hoddy Cows Lane, Buckton, where 200 Pink-footed Geese rested on fields.
