It was a day of two halves, with moderate south-south-westerly winds and relatively bright skies in the morning encouraging birding, while strong southerlies and heavy rain in the afternoon bringing such activities to a halt. The morning’s seawatch was quiet, with three Sooty Shearwaters and three Arctic Skuas the most noteworthy sightings. Once again, the juvenile Merlin hunted the outer head pursuing thrushes making landfall which were a particular feature. Passerine migrants included a Siberian Chiffchaff at Old Fall, 11 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, three Yellow-browed Warblers, 13 Goldcrests, a Fieldfare, 128 Redwing, 22 Song Thrush, two Mistle Thrush, 12 Stonechats, two Redstarts and 18 Brambling. Better still, at least one Raven was heard over Old Fall, presumably the same two Ravens that headed east over Buckton; a Yellow-browed Warbler was also trapped there. Nearby, RSPB Bempton Cliffs hosted a lone Ring Ouzel, 50 Redwing and a Brambling.
