Filey Bird Observatory and Group - Ringing and Migration Week

Ringing and Migration Week

Saturday 15th - Saturday 22nd October 2016

Full Details

Click

Ringing and Migration Week

Bridlington Beach, North Side

Sanderling

Not really a birding day but a dog walk on Bridlington Beach north side. However, there is always birding to be done and this morning was no exception, after all, who cannot resist Sanderling? Our walk started with two Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, Oystercatcher and Sanderling. At least ten Sandwich Terns rested on the waterline but too distant for my 400mm lens!

Sanderlings

With Dunlin

With Dunlin

You put your left leg in........!

RSPB Bempton Cliffs

Gannet

The weather on the cliffs today was a great deal better than originally forecast with no rain, blue sky and sunny intervals, but a cool blow. The day started with c5 Yellow Browed Warblers in the car park hedges which proved a hit with visiting birdwatchers! Two Stonechat were in the grassland, the cliffs held Gannets, still with many Guga, Fulmars and Herring Gulls. A few juvenile Kittiwakes were on the water.

Gannet with Guga

Growing Donald Trumps Hairpiece!

A study of a Gannet

Gannets being Gannets!

"And this time, don't forget the fish!"

Herring Gull

Fulmar

Tree Sparrow

From Bartlett Nab

Flamborough Head

Yellow Browed Warbler

A couple of hours spent on Flamborough Head this afternoon with the aim of getting Heather a life tick of Yellow Browed Warbler and a year tick of Wheatear. Yesterday on Flamborough c132 Yellow Browed Warblers were reported, so I was confident that we should succeed. Within the golf course willows, we had the pleasure of viewing c10 YBW's, zipping about a great speed! I of course suffered the frustration of trying to get one in my camera lens, with a sweet choice of comments being uttered under my breath! The "record" image above was the only one that was "usable"! Elsewhere, several Wheatear were observed in the short stubble field, so our aim had been fulfilled!

Wheatear

The Bath! Pied Wagtail

Bridlington Harbour

Drake Velvet Scoter

Today is Bridlington Market and after assisting Heather to set up our greetings card stall, I took Symphony for a walk around the harbour. The tide was nearly at it's highest and we walked out along the north jetty. There was a bit of a sea fret and the morning was rather dull and grey. Approaching the harbour mouth, I noticed a black bird among the many juvenile Gulls - it was a drake Velvet Scoter! Although it was distant for my 400mm, and the light poor, I grabbed a few record shots!

Velvet Scoter

There were a few Kittiwake on the fish dock, several Sandwich Terns, a dozen Redshank and some obliging Turnstone. I didn't have time to check the walls by the Spa Centre for Purple Sandpiper.

Turnstone

Yorkshire Belle at Anchor

Bridlington Harbour on a Dull, Damp Day!

Guillemot

In a "roundabout" way, I heard that a Velvet Scoter had been seen this morning in Bridlington Harbour, about an hour before I discovered the fact! Knowing that by now the tide would be low, I didn't hold out much hope, but I had a look anyway. The harbour area was just a puddle so I walked out to the entrance in the hope that the Scoter was still nearby. I was in luck but it had drifted south into Bridlington Bay so my hoped for images were not to be! The harbour mud had good numbers of Turnstone and Redshank and at least ten Sandwich Terns patrolled the shore waters. Quite a few Kittiwake were on the fish dock wall and Gulls included Great Black Backed, Lesser Black Backed, Herrin and Black Headed. Also of interest was a Guillemot at the harbour entrance. Not a bad 30minutes birding!

Guillemot

Oh no! Not a photographer!

Oh no! Not a photographer!

Greater Black Backed Gull

Herring Gull

BANG!

1. The tide is high [low] but I'm holding on
   I'm gonna be your number one
   I'm not the kind of girl who gives up just like that
   Oh, no
   (I’ll be sailing again on Wednesday)
2. Yorkshire Belle at low tide, Brid Harbour.