A Challenging Day on Bempton Cliffs - 27th January 2019

Gannets

A rather challenging day on the cliffs due to a very cold and strong north easterly blow. Despite the morning being bright and sunny, rain had been forecast from lunchtime and true to form it arrived! Another challenge was finding the birds! Those with sense had obviously hunkered down as very little was easily found. Gannets have been reported returning to their nests in small numbers with only two being seen beyond Jubilee Corner viewpoint. However, a good number of Gannets were seen in flight, braving the blow, but not making landfall. Similarly, first thing, Fulmars were very evident but as the day progressed, they also disappeared. No Guillemots were spotted.

So, what was seen today on this quiet day?

Although Gannets were present in flight, the wind tended to keep them low over the sea making photography a challenge.

It pays to have eyes everywhere as I almost missed this Kestrel!

I decided to leave the cliffs and investigate the nature trail and dell areas. Again, devoid of birds with the exception of this male Bullfinch feeding briefly in the dell.

As the weather deteriorated, the rain came and dullness replaced the brightness of the morning. This male Pheasant at the feeding station did its best to brighten the dullness.

The wind was very strong on the viewpoints, often taking your breath away as it attempted to blow you over. The sea was also very rough with high waves thudding against the base of the cliffs. The power could be felt on the viewing platforms!

On days when birds and wildlife challenge you to find them (usually winning!), attention turns to the spectacular views of the cliffs.

Hornsea Mere - 25th January 2019

Drake Smew between a pair of Tufted Ducks

I had not seen a Smew for several years and never in Yorkshire, so when a drake was reported from Hornsea Mere, I just had to go! Makes me sound like a "twitcher" which I am not! A lot of the mere were still frozen and most of the wild fowl (thousands) concentrated around Swan Island. It took several scans to locate the Smew, which remained distant and dived frequently. The distance and light was never going to enable good images, but as it was my first Smew in Yorkshire, I am happy with record shots!

I managed to get Dabchick on my year list and then scanned for Scaup. Amongst the Tufted Ducks I spotted a good contender but it didn't look right! At first I thought Scaup until I noticed a "bump" on the top of it's head and my thoughts turned excitedly to Lesser Scaup but again it didn't look right! The bird could only be a hybrid. How dare duck species interbreed! It can be hard enough to identify the legitimate birds at times! Again, here are some record shots - what do you think?

Thoughts so far are Tufted Duck x Pochard or Scaup x Pochard.

My quest to year tick Scaup must wait!

Bempton Cliffs - 20th January 2019

Fulmar

While walking Symphony before heading to the cliffs, the sky was clear and a frost promised a great day. I took the decision to head up early and capture the sunrise over Staple Newk. Good plan, but thwarted by thickening cloud!

However, while waiting for the sun, I was entertained by two Barn Owls quartering the fields at the back of New Roll Up. My images did not do the Owls justice with the poor light and ISO 6400 so they had to be deleted! Such a shame! The direct path to the cliffs had a pair of Stonechats, a pair of Reed Buntings and c9 Yellowhammers flying in.

Guttural growling on the cliffs indicated another Guillemot day with thousands on the cliffs, in flight and on the sea. Most of the birds were in summer plumage with a few winter plumaged birds on the sea. Sadly, I couldn't locate any "Bridled" Guillemots.

Fulmar numbers appear to have increased with c100 birds noted. A good number were on the cliff ledges with others challenging my photographic skills in flight!

A few Gannets normally return to their nests on the cliffs by the end of January with others arriving as the year progresses. None on the cliffs yet, but an increase in numbers in the vicinity (c70+) is a good sign!

So, what other birds are on the reserve at the moment? Here are today's sightings:

Many visitors at New Roll Up viewpoint mistake these boilers as rocks!

Back in February 1923, the Radium, a 3,254ton Italian steamer bound for Venice from Newcastle (it was carrying coal), ran aground in dense fog and gale force winds. The coastguard responded to the distress signals and rescued the captain and seventeen crew before the ship broke up. All that remains now are the ships boilers and part of what is believed to be part of the propulsion mechanism.

Sadly, the two ships cats, Lilly and Bobby, perished before they could be rescued. 

So, next time you are at New Roll Up viewpoint at low tide, see if you can spot the remains of the ship - the boilers are still quite riveting! And if you happen to be nearby on a dark night, listen out for the sorrowful calls of the two cats above the noise of the waves...……………!

And finally,

"Bempton" (named as such by me!) is looking well as "guardian of the cliffs)! But have you seen him? Next time you are on the cliffs why not try and find him? Here's a clue...…….!

Didn't I have a lovely time, The day I went to [Scarborough] - 15th January 2019

Waxwing

The forecast was reasonable and Heather had a meeting so I headed over to Scarborough (with Symphony) in the hope of close views of Great Northern Diver in the harbour. Previously this year, I have seen GND but at a distance. I was not to be disappointed and with one GND coming in close at times but also quite mobile.

While watching the GND, a Shag muscled in on the action

Also nearby, a group of Great Black Backed Gulls appeared as if "working out" together

Chatting with Steve Race, who had similar desires with the GND's, conversation turned to Waxwings and Seamer Road and the fact that large numbers of berries were still on the trees. I said I was intending to call in there (as I always do when passing). Driving around the retail car park, only poor parking was noticed, until I had a look behind Dunelm's! BINGO! A Waxwing! How lucky was that?

This poor bird was mercilessly harassed by the local "mafia" in the form of two Mistle Thrushes!

The Waxwing sought refuge in the trees on the opposite side of Seamer Road so I decided to head to Seamer Tip Pools in the hope that the Great White Egret had returned. This was my lucky day, it wasn't on the pool but on the adjoining field amongst Canada and Grey Lag Geese!

The pools held  Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Shoveler

Heading home, I called in at Primrose Valley Lake (not Scarborough but Filey recording area) where a drake Mandarin has been reported. Would I be lucky again?

Overall, a really good three hours birding, with year ticks of Waxwing, Mistle Thrush, Great White Egret and Mandarin!