Winds were light and variable in direction throughout a day where a best of 12 degrees C indicated they essentially originated from the north. Generally overcast, with sunny intervals late afternoon followed by a spectacular electric storm at dusk. Birding interest was split between the sea and land: seawatching was rewarded with 53 Sooty Shearwaters and 15 Manx Shearwaters flying north, with 130 Bonxies, six Pomarine Skuas (the latter confined to the afternoon), a juvenile Long-tailed Skua and 16 Arctic Skuas heading south.
An appreciable southerly movement of 715 Pink-footed Geese occurred in the morning. A Little Bunting at Thornwick Camp was the year’s first, with other notable sightings including three Yellow-browed Warblers, 33 Siskins and a Crossbill.
A total of 567 Pink-footed Geese south over RSPB Bempton Cliffs would undoubtedly have included many of the birds recorded over the outer head. Two Goosander, 19 Golden Plovers, 15 Bonxies, two Arctic Skuas, two Marsh Harriers, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a blythi-type Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Goldcrests and nine Lesser Redpolls were also recorded from the reserve.
