Although the day began with relatively bright skies and light south-west winds, the weather soon deteriorated bringing very strong southerlies and rain; temperatures eventually reached 12 degrees C. The Rufous-tailed Robin continued its stay in South Landing and showed on several occasions. A Richard’s Pipit also re-appeared there, albeit it was only seen in flight. Nearby, the three Tundra Bean Geese continued to feed on Beacon Hill.
The day’s major surprise came during a ‘vis mig’ session overlooking South Dykes: 2085 Redwing flew west and were accompanied by 475 Fieldfares, 15 Blackbirds , 24 Siskins and a Jay. However, it was the sight of a Hoopoe heading west trailing a mixed Fieldfare and Redwing flock at 0826hrs that provided a touch of the surreal. A flock of 26 Russian White-fronted Geese also flew west during the same session. Additional counts on the outer head involved four Whooper Swans, three Goosanders, 91 Golden Plovers, four Woodcock, two Jays and a Firecrest, with 115 Redwing, 21 Fieldfare, 55 Blackbirds and a Ring Ouzel grounded.
RSPB Bempton Cliffs continued to host the Pallas’s Warbler. Other notable records from there included 83 Knot flying south-east, two Grey Plovers, a Woodcock, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Siberian Chiffchaff and a Ring Ouzel. Nearby, 16 Russian White-fronted Geese visited ‘Cliff Lane Flash’.
