Across the headland a fine day ensued, with plenty of sunshine and light south-westerlies, switching to north then round to south-east, with highs of 10°C in the afternoon. A drake Scaup heading north, followed by the year’s second record of Sandwich Tern, were the morning’s seawatching highlights.
Migration finally started to hot up with three Firecrest recorded on the headland; a single bird at North Landing and two birds between Old Fall steps and the Plantation. Two Ring Ouzels were also welcome finds, with a bird at Booted Gully and another near North Marsh. An impressive total of 51 Goldcrest was also noted across the recording area, as well as a minimum of 16 Chiffchaff, four Woodcocks and single Blackcap and White Wagtail.
Thornwick Pool hosted to a Green Sandpiper, two Shelduck and a Little Grebe. Little Grebes were also present at North Marsh, with two birds there, and a single bird on the Outer Head. South Landing produced a Great Northern Diver, five drake Eider, 11 Common Scoter and a Great Crested Grebe, while four Red-necked Grebes remained offshore between there and Sewerby.
As well as birds arriving, there were clearly birds ready to depart, with small numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare recorded around the Head. West of the dykes a Short-eared Owl lingered at Buckton, where two Buzzard drifted north-west over the village.
