The following only summarises the records from our resident birders’ health walks and garden sightings; consequently, it provides a mere snapshot of the true scale of spring migration.
Winds remained light throughout, backing south-south-east after starting south-westerly; there were prolonged sunny intervals and temperatures reached 11 degrees C. Single Manx Shearwater and Lesser Black-backed Gull flew north during the morning’s seawatch.
Single Red-breasted Merganser and Great Crested Grebe loafed on the sea off Hartendale, whilst two Little Ringed Plovers and a Redshank frequented Thornwick Pools. A juvenile Iceland Gull along the South Cliffs represented the day’s highlight. There was also evidence of an increase in migrants with a Swallow, seven Chiffchaffs split between South Landing and Old Fall alone, three Blackcaps, 11 Fieldfare, five Redwing and four Wheatear.
