Overcast skies, spells of relatively light rain throughout, and light winds resulted in another significant fall. A Pallas’s Warbler at RSPB Bempton Cliffs was the most notable new arrival, along with a brief Siberian Stonechat at Hartendale; both the long-staying Siberian Stonechat and Red-headed Bunting also remained at North Marsh.
Thrushes arrived en masse including 6700 Fieldfares, 6900 Redwings, 1890 Blackbirds and 270 Song Thrush. Amongst these were 12 Woodcock, three Water Rails, three Ring Ouzels, 105 Goldcrests, two Siberian Chiffchaffs, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Water Pipit, 12 Waxwings, a Northern Wheatear, a Black Redstart, 16 Mealy Redpolls (plus 22 Redpoll sp.), 34 Bramblings, a Hawfinch and a Snow Bunting. Unfortunately, a Swift sp. evaded specific identification. Three Short-eared Owls and a Long-eared Owl also made landfall, while a ringtail Hen Harrier hunted the outer head. Pink-footed Geese headed north from the Humber to feed on cliff top fields, with 3690 geese noted during the first couple of hours of the day.
In addition to the aforementioned Pallas’s Warbler, six Waxwings flew west over the reserve, as did 775 Redwings, 85 Blackbirds and 726 Fieldfares. Two Short-eared Owls, a Merlin, 45 Goldcrests, six Brambling and a Mealy Redpoll were grounded there. Seven Waxwings also flew west from Bempton village.
