22nd October 2016

The weather consisted of moderate north-easterly winds, sunny intervals and occasional light showers. Seawatching highlights included eight dark-bellied Brent Geese, two Gadwall, five Eider, three Sooty Shearwaters and four Arctic Skuas; in addition, a Short-eared Owl came in off the sea and 70 Little Gulls lingered offshore.

The day’s best sighting related to a Hume’s Warbler discovered late afternoon near Thornwick Pools; it gave sporadic views in the line of willows immediately south of the lower hide. Nearby, a Richard’s Pipit was located in the cliff top grassland north of Thornwick camp. A Dusky Warbler was found along the path between Highcliffe Manor and the cliff top at South Landing, a Siberian Chiffchaff frequented Thornwick, whilst a Waxwing flew west over the outer head.

Other migrants included three Jack Snipe, a Jay, 50 Blackbird, 60 Fieldfare, 760 Redwing, a Ring Ouzel, 52 Robins, one Redstart, a Black Redstart, two Whinchat, four Grey Wagtails, two White Wagtails, 40 Rock Pipits and a Lapland Bunting.

West of the Dykes, a Siberian Chiffchaff was trapped and ringed at Buckton, with three Lapland Buntings at the same site and three Whinchat were at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.

Redwing, Bempton, by Don Hustings
Redwing, Bempton, by Don Hustings