Carr Naze, Filey - 30th November 2018

I've been out to Carr Naze, Filey several times this week, hoping to touch base with Snow Buntings. Although I saw a flock of nine birds earlier in the week, I really wanted to capture them on camera. I think Symphony is getting bored with her walks here but this morning I did manage to get on to two Snow Buntings on the path. Another plus point for today was that the sun was shining!

Also about was a Redshank on Carr Naze Pond, a distant Great Northern Diver off the Brig and three  Whooper Swans over Filey town.

Snow Bunting

Carr Naze Pond held just one Redshank

Goldfinch

Black Guillemot, Filey - 25th, 26th, 27th November 2018

Reports came in of a Black Guillemot (found by Will & Graham Scott) off Carr Naze in Filey Bay. This would be a life tick for me so I harnessed up Symphony and headed to Filey. Several birders with scopes had not got onto the bird so I walked to the end of Carr Naze where I met Mark Pearson. Mark had the bird in his scope but it was diving regularly so I had to be quick and yes another lifer! Cheers Mark!

I decided to go back next morning to try and get some images. It was a challenge getting an image of a grey bird on grey sea under a grey sky! I achieved my aim but the images (heavily cropped) can only be classed as record shots.

The weather forecast for 27th was promising and the day dawned with blue sky. However, by the time I got out to Filey, grey clouds had covered the blue, a strong wind had got up and the waves in Filey bay made observation challenging! However, the Black Guillemot was located near the bottom of Carr Naze steps before flying out of the bay and landing, distant off the brigg. Yet more record shots of the bird in flight.

It was also pleasing to see a flock of nine flighty Snow Buntings on Carr Naze (a year tick) but sadly no images. Does this mean another visit tomorrow? Hmmmm!

Guillemots Galore on Bempton Cliffs - 25th November 2018

Guillemots in various plumages

The weather forecast was not good and the start to the day was rather inclement - heavy rain, moderate wind and very cool. Thankfully, about 0900 some brightness occurred and continued throughout the morning. Although the rain had stopped, the sky remained grey as did the sea, the cliffs and the birds - a photographers nightmare!

As I sat in the car with rain hammering down, I noticed a small group of Redwings in the grass nearby

When the rain eased and eventually stopped, I headed down to the cliffs. Would they still hold the thousands of Guillemots reported yesterday or would they impress with their unashamed naked beauty? I soon had the answer as I approached with the loud guttural growls of thousands of Guillemots! I would estimate 10,000 Guillemots, on the cliffs, on the sea and in flight!

The Fulmars are also returning to the cliffs, two weeks ago I spotted two but today this had increased to c50, probably more. Trying to get images was a nightmare - grey sky, grey sea, grey birds!

Great Black Backed Gulls were also in good numbers, shear brutes, more than capable of plucking  Little Auks out of the sky and Puffins during the breeding season!

Today's sightings board

And finally, I managed to get out to Filey late afternoon, to touch base with a Black Guillemot off the Brig! No images due to distance but grateful thanks to Mark P for letting me use his scope in order to get a life tick!

Scarborough Harbour - 15th November 2018

Cormorant

A brief visit to Scarborough Harbour this morning did not excite me! The two Great Crested Grebes are still in residence, initially in the bay before moving into the harbour. It was high tide so c12 Purple Sandpipers were still roosting on the rocks, but little else. Following early mist, the sun eventually broke through, giving the opportunity for an image or two.

The sun reflected a golden hue on one of the two Great Crested Grebes and water

As I say, I wasn't at all excited over the wildlife in or around the harbour. Indeed, I set off to find some wet paint that I could watch dry! I couldn't find any so concentrated taking images of this obliging Cormorant. I was rather impressed with the wing structure!

It was, perhaps, the sunrise that impressed me most and of course it had to be captured! I tried to record it slightly differently

Love the swimming hat!