27th October 2015

It was a misty and overcast day, with a moderate south-easterly wind. During the seawatch 28 Red-throated Divers flew south, eight dark-bellied Brent Geese moved in the same direction (with two heading north), whilst 60 Wigeon, 43 Teal, six Pintail, seven Pochard, five Tufted Duck and two Goldeneye also headed south. A total of 59 Eider headed north, as did three Red-breasted Mergansers, with a duo flying south. Four Pomarine Skuas and a Mediterranean Gull also moved north. Five Little Auks headed north past South Landing and another was picked up at Sewerby and taken to Bempton RSPB. Thornwick Pools attracted a Little Grebe, two Wigeon, a Shoveler, 15 Teal, two Water Rails and two Rock Pipits.

A Hume’s Warbler was discovered mid-afternoon in bushes below the Lighthouse and showed well until dusk. A Yellow-browed Warbler and a Firecrest frequented the same area, whilst the Pallas’s Warbler remained at Old Fall. Additional migrants included five Woodcock, a Long-eared Owl, four Black Redstarts, 150 Redwing, 80 Fieldfare, seven Mistle Thrush, 68 Goldcrests, 11 Chiffchaff, seven Lesser Redpoll and 30 Brambling.

Hume's Warbler, Lighthouse, by Andrew Allport
Hume’s Warbler, Lighthouse, by Andrew Allport
Black Redstart, Outer Head, by Craig Thomas
Black Redstart, Outer Head, by Craig Thomas