A memorable day at the Obs with our second BB rarity of the year (after the Coues’s Arctic Redpoll a couple of weeks ago) in the shape of a Pallid Swift feeding over the Brigg early afternoon before heading south-east over the bay. Other notable records included a significant southbound movement of Pink-footed Geese; although many slipped through unnoticed this morning (judging by counts at Flamborough), skeins continued throughout the day, numbering at least 1792 by late afternoon, most of which were out over the sea.
Pallid Swift over the Brigg (Mark Pearson)
Also at the Brigg, a Red-necked Grebe and a Black-throated Diver were offshore, a Kingfisher is still in residence, while four Snow Buntings (one Carr Naze, three south) were recorded. The Gap saw record counts of 6570 Woodpigeons and 71 Stock Doves as well as 140 Chaffinches, 115 Goldfinches, 49 Siskins, 10 Bramblings and a Crossbill. Six Whooper Swans went south over the country park, with a further two off the Brigg this morning, and a Short-eared Owl was at Gristhorpe Bay.