The day began with strong east-north-easterly winds and heavy rain, with winds backing north-easterly and increasing to gale force by the afternoon when the rain also intensified. Once again seawatching was order of the day, with a Great Shearwater along the surfline from 0900-0910hrs the undoubted highlight. Other sightings included 19 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, two Shoveler, seven Pintail, 78 Teal, 30 Common Scoter, 850 Fulmars, 35 Sooty Shearwaters and 17 Manx Shearwaters flying north; birds heading south included five Red-throated Divers, 17 Bonxies, 85 Arctic Skuas and 16 Long-tailed Skuas.
Thornwick Pools hosted single Teal, Shoveler, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank and two Snipe, whilst the ‘new workings’ attracted Ruff and Common Sandpiper. A Pied Flycatcher sheltering in a garden at North Landing hinted at a larger arrival, but weather conditions were atrocious.
Sightings from RSPB Bempton Cliffs three Brent Geese, two Marsh Harriers, six Arctic Skuas, one Pied Flycatcher and a Hawfinch.
