17th March

The chilly but fair conditions of dawn didn't last and it wasn't long before signs of the forecast downturn in the weather were apparent, with a buffeting westerly well established by dusk. Wheatears replaced Chiffchaffs as the conspicuous migrants of the day: more than 50 were grounded at the Bill early in the morning, with more dropping in as the day went on, whilst other counts included 21 at Ferrybridge. Chiffchaffs were about but reduced to fewer than 40 at the Bill, with other migrant interest there consisting of little more than singles of White Wagtail, Blackcap and Goldcrest; 3 Black Redstarts were also still about there and 4 Red-throated Divers passed through on the sea. The only report of note was of an Eider at Ferrybridge.

Moth numbers were again rather reduced, with 3 Rush Veneer, 2 each of Diamond-back Moth and Dark Sword Grass, and a lone Turnip the only immigrants at the Obs.