Overcast throughout, with a moderate south-westerly wind and high of 15 degrees C. However, it was yesterday’s weather system that defined the quality of the day’s birding and what quality it was. Scarce migrants included:
– eight Red-backed Shrikes, including four individuals in the Thornwick area & a male at RSPB Bempton Cliffs;
– three Icterine Warblers, with one on the edge of the Lighthouse Crop Field that showed well into the evening, one at RSPB Bempton Cliffs and another at Buckton for its second day;
–two Marsh Warblers with a bird caught & ringed at Buckton and another singing at RSPB Bempton Cliffs;
-a female Bluethroat at RSPB Bempton Cliffs.
A flock of six Spoonbills flew west from the lighthouse and eventually headed over South Dykes from 0746-0758hrs. An Osprey flew south over the outer head at 1340hrs and a Red Kite also moved west in the morning. The Water Rail remained at the Golf Course Willows. Passerine migrants included a Garden Warbler, 2 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 1 Pied Flycatcher, six Spotted Flycatcher and a White Wagtail.
