A moderate south-south-west wind and sunshine predominated once again. The seawatch highlights included 17 Manx Shearwaters moving north, three Tufted Duck south, 84 Knot and 15 Whimbrel doing the same, an Arctic Skua flying north, two Mediterranean Gulls south (an adult winter and a juvenile) and five Little Gulls also south. In addition, there were 40 ‘sinensis’ Cormorants, 55 Shags, 275 Sandwich, 50 Common and 25 Arctic Terns.
A Little Tern was offshore between South Dykes and South Landing this evening, together with 22 Redshank, 16 Sanderling, 13 Turnstone and a Whimbrel. Thornwick Pool attracted single Snipe and Redshank, whilst two juvenile Cuckoos were present together during the evening.
A day-hunting Barn Owl near a nest box immediately west of South Dykes was indicative of an adult still feeding young. The species has had an excellent breeding season locally, with indications that around 15 pairs may have bred on the Flamborough Headland.
