An exciting day! Around 10.15am Jim Middleton found a WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL feeding on the south side of Castle Hill. It remained to feed around Castle Hill for about 2 hours and was twitched by many visiting birders. It was seen to leave northwards along the cliffs. At 3.18pm John Hewitt and Hazel Wiseman observed the swift arriving at Long Nab from the south, it then turned round and left back south. There were no further confirmed sightings. The previous two days this individual had been seen at Bempton RSPB reserve and Filey Brigg. This is only the 11th British record!
A total of 1600 Pink-footed Geese and 3 Whooper Swans flew south along the coast. 250 flew north over Stepney. A Marsh Harrier also flew south over Castle Hill. A first-winter Caspian Gull was seen flying north at Scalby Mills, and a Snow Bunting was at the harbour.
