Hoddy Cows Lane, Buckton

Yellowhammer

Today, I felt the need for a long(ish) walk. My body has been invaded by sniffling snot goblins and I needed the fresh air to encourage them to leave! I have not walked Hoddy Cows Lane for a while and I knew it would be muddy, so I opted to wear wellies, and so glad I did - it was even muddier than a really muddy place! The hedgerows were quite quiet, save for about five Yellowhammers calling out "a little bit of bread and no cheese". I had to try for images of these wonderful farmland birds, even though the light was (again) quite poor.

Yellowhammer

Near the dell, I managed to find my first Reed Bunting's of the year, one male and two females. Other birds along the way included Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Robins, Dunnocks, Great Tits, Long Tailed Tits and Blue Tits.

As I arrived at the high ground, near the Heligoland trap, the mist rolled in, challenging my attempts at capturing a pair of Stonechats.

The sun was making some effort to break through giving rise to dramatic views towards Bempton Cliffs.

Overhead, a skein of around forty Pink Footed Geese headed towards Filey and a distant Roe Deer headed through the old RAF Bempton listening station.

Buckton Cliffs held many Gannets, Herring Gulls and Fulmar, while the sea below had rafts of Guillemots and a few Razorbills, with Shag and a Red Throated Diver.

Heading back towards Buckton, enjoying the mud, I came across some very laid back sheep, begging to have their photograph taken!

Returning towards Buckton, the hedgerows were even quieter than my outward journey! Buckton Pond held a single drake Gadwall.

The water surface was clear and I was attracted to a Moorhen with a mirrored image!

The only other birds on the pond were Canada Geese, Black Headed Gulls and several Mallard pairs.

Even though the walk did me good, the snivelling snot goblins refused to leave my body so may be I can lose them on Bempton Cliffs tomorrow?