Previously “Diary of a Birding Medic”; “Rugby Birder”; "Bempton Birder”. All views expressed in this blog are my OWN and do not represent the opinions or policies of any organisations or entities whatsoever with whom I have been, am now or will be affiliated. Reference to Bempton Cliffs in NO way promotes the organisation known as RSPB Bempton Cliffs, but rather the FREEdom of the cliffs.

Monday, 23 April 2018

Doing "Touristy" Things (with a bit of birding) in Whitby! - 22nd April 2018

The cardio vascular 199 steps workout!

Heather was working at a craft and gift fair at Whitby Pavilion over the weekend and I joined her on Sunday. This gave myself and Symphony the opportunity to wonder around Whitby and basically do "touristy" things! However, I felt there may be some year tick birds nearby, so it would have been rude not to climb the 199 cardio vascular steps to the abbey and a brief walk along the Cleveland Way! On my way I came across a group of Sandwich Terns and Arctic Terns passing the harbour entrance. On the Cleveland Way I soon came across male and female Wheatears (c8), Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. All was going well until a loose dog entered the fields setting up breeding Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and scattering the Wheatears. Symphony was on her lead but the owners of the loose dog had no concerns for the birds. Indeed, I had to say something, only to be told that they only had to put the dog on a lead if farm livestock was encountered and that bird watchers and environmentalists were too sensitive about wildlife!!!

Wheatears




Meadow Pipit





And, parts of Whitby






2 comments:

  1. Hi Kevin, It is in fact against the law to allow a dog off the lead at this time of the year in open spaces. There are odd people in Whitby as you well know. I think its in their blood !!!!

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  2. Thanks Mike. With no one to police such events, I fear it will continue.

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