After a foggy start, sunny skies eventually prevailed as light onshore winds established and temperatures reached 13 degrees C. Conditions looked conducive for the arrival of migrants from the south-east and so it proved: the headland’s first Great Reed Warbler in an age was discovered in Hartendale Gutter early morning. Although very elusive, it showed occasionally on the same stretch of hedge until mid-afternoon although there were no subsequent sightings.
A Dotterel dropped onto a field next to Old Fall Hedge at 1050hrs and remained in situ for the rest of the day. Additonal wader records included a Wood Sandpiper, two Greenshank, five Sanderling, two Common Sandpipers, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a flock of five Whimbrel. Three Mute Swans toured the headland, six Tufted Ducks on Thornwick Pools were notable, while a creamcrown Marsh Harrier hunted fields near North Marsh. Drift migrants started to make landfall from early afternoon including four Pied Flycatchers, a Garden Warbler, five Whinchat, three Common Redstarts and a Tree Pipit; three Wheatears, two Fieldfares and a Brambling were also in residence.
Two Common Redstarts also arrived at RSPB Bempton Cliffs in the afternoon.
