With the wind subsiding there was more enthusiasm for scrutiny of the land today, even if the welcome return of a gull flock off the Bill did deflect attention and actually provided most of the day's noteworthy sightings. After a brief false start last week when an early Willow Warbler showed up it's certainly hoped that the 2 new in at the Bill today marked the start of more concerted passerine action; besides these, a Teal at Ferrybridge, a Blackcap at Sweethill and 6 Sand Martins and a Ringed Plover overhead at the Bill provided the best of the non-seabird interest. A total of 21 Balearic Shearwaters through or occasionally lingering off the Bill marked a resurgence in their numbers, whilst 40 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, 3 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Arctic Skuas and a Great Skua were amongst the other sea sightings from there.
The renewed presence of a feeding flock of gulls off the Bill attracted a few Manx and Balearic Shearwaters...
...and several skuas, including this Bonxie that was in flight feather moult and so demanded extra scrutiny - we presume it's a second calendar year bird © Martin Cade:
