RSPB Bempton Cliffs - 30th October 2016

Stonechat

A rather "quiet" day weather-wise greeted us on the cliffs, dull, cloudy, very light breeze and a low grade sea fret. The last of the Guga's (young Gannets) fledged from the cliffs last week, leaving them "naked" but still fantastic to view! Bird wise, the grassland and nature trail bushes are worth a look for small passerines such as Stonechat. Look to the skies for passage of Geese and Swans and maybe even a Short Eared Owl. The sea gave views of Seals and Harbour Porpoise, Shags, Cormorants and Common Scoter, Gulls and fly by Gannets.

Reed Bunting

Wren

RSPB Bempton Cliffs is spectacular at any time of year and there is always something new to explore and point the camera at!

Who could want for a better "office" view?

The remains of the Radium, a 3254ton Italian steamer, en-route to Venice from the Tyne with a cargo of coal. Floundered in February 1923 in dense fog and gale force winds. The crew of 18 were saved by the coastguard. All that remains today are two boilers and part of the propulsion system, viewed from from New Rollup, RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

Training to save lives

Although the seabirds have now left the cliffs (they will be back next spring!), the nests remain with "treasures" of previous breeding seasons! Gannet nests on Staple Newk.

It is always pleasant to here the sea swirling below the cliffs

and finally, diligent volunteers keeping the viewpoints clear of litter!

Hume's Leaf Warbler @ Thornwick Country Park, Flamborough.

Hume's Leaf Warbler

Today did not start well! Firstly, the printer scanner would not work and secondly, the garage door jammed and would not budge! Both were eventually rectified by some rather colourful expletives and some brute force! I needed to cheer myself up so headed out to Thornwick Pool  where a Hume's Leaf Warbler had been showing well for a couple of days. With my luck today, I expected a third problem, such as the bird had gone! Thankfully, it was still in the willows of the country park area and within seconds it was at the end of my lens and showing rather well! Phew! Happy now! (I can even forgive the sun for being in the wrong place!).

Hume's Leaf Warbler

Having filled my boots with the Hume's Warbler, I headed down to Thornwick Pool which held about a dozen Common Snipe, two Jack Snipe, numerous Teal, a Dunlin, a Grey Heron and a Water Rail.

Common Snipe

Drake Teal

Duck Teal

Snipe with Dunlin

Record Shots of the Jack Snipe(s)

As I am writing this, news is coming in of another Hume's Leaf Warbler in bushes in the overflow carpark at RSPB Bempton Cliffs!

RSPB Bempton Cliffs - 23rd October 2016

Goldcrest

A reasonable weather forecast gave us sunny intervals but the strong northerly blow did its best to chill! It is now rather quiet on the cliffs with most birds having departed, with the exception of one Guga on Staple Newk. Although the cliffs look "naked" without the birds, they still raise the "wow" factor and will continue to encourage visitors to enjoy an invigorating walk. Away from the cliffs, on the nature trail, Goldcrests, Brambling and other passerines continue to thrill.

Stonechat

Wren

Goldcrest

Scarborough Castle in interesting light!

Staple Newk

From Bartlett Nab