A strong west-north-westerly wind veered northerly and gradually decreased in strength. Drizzle persisted for the first post-dawn hours, but visibility gradually improved, with occasional sunny intervals by the afternoon. Such weather conditions appeared conducive for seawatching and so it proved. The day’s highlight was a Great Shearwater that initially headed south at moderate range at 1720hrs; it then returned back north close inshore at 1850hrs. In addition, a Storm Petrel that flew south past the Fog Station subsequently lingered off the headland for an hour early morning. Other notable sightings included five pale-bellied Brent Geese, 54 Sooty Shearwaters and 53 Manx Shearwaters all north, a Pomarine Skua, 59 Bonxies, 117 Arctic Skuas (highest daily count since 29th August 2011) and 13 Long-tailed Skuas all south; a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull and single Mediterranean and Little Gulls were also recorded. Elsewhere, a Short-eared Owl was present at North Landing.
Sightings from RSPB Bempton Cliffs included the aforementioned Brents, seven Long-tailed Skua, a Pomarine Skua, 21 Arctic Skua and a Marsh Harrier.
