A total of 48 Common Terns flying north represented a marked increase, with 70 Sandwich Terns, an Arctic Skua, three Bonxies and a Sooty Shearwater also logged during the morning seawatch. A minimum of seven Minke Whales fed off Thornwick during the morning, joined by a huge feeding frenzy of 7500 Gannets and 12-14,000 Kittiwakes. Additional interest included a Marsh Harrier over South Dykes and a Red Kite west over the Bowling Green, where six Crossbills dropped in. Elsewhere, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover visited North Marsh, while juvenile Caspian Gull and juvenile Yellow-legged Gull lingered around the Fog Horn.
The day’s highlight was the discovery of the headland’s first ever Silver-washed Fritillary at Thornwick Pools; two Clouded Yellow butterflies near the Lighthouse were also noteworthy. A Roesel’s Bush Cricket at Oceanview maintained the rare insect theme.
