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.
A spring-like day, with moderate south-westerly winds, prolonged sunny intervals and temperatures reaching 16 degrees C. During the seawatch, 11 Teal and a Manx Shearwater flew north, whilst 11 Common Scoter, two Knot and five Lesser Black-backed Gulls headed south; 19 Purple Sandpipers were still in residence on rocks near the Fog Station.
The day’s most notable record related to a drake Garganey that graced the headland, together with a male Marsh Harrier. The warmer conditions initiated an influx of hirundines, involving eight Swallows, eight House Martins (first of the year) and three Sand Martins. Further passerine sightings included 20 Chiffchaff, three Blackcap, single Fieldfare and Redwing, eight Wheatear, the year’s first Yellow Wagtail, two Siskin, one Brambling, a Lapland Bunting and one Corn Bunting.
The Hooded Crow remained on Cliff Lane, Bempton.
