Mediterranean Gull
New Years Day means only one thing to most birders - the start of a new year list! If this can be combined with a brisk walk in pleasant sunshine, then so much the better. Today, we headed over to Scarborough to check out a few of the excellent birding locations. The day started well with several Barn Owls sitting on road signs en-route. Initially we were going to start at Scalby Mills but a message of a Black Throated Diver off the harbour was too good to miss. This turned out to be a good decision because we saw the BTD at a distance, but at the time we would have arrived, a New Years Day swim / dip was taking place and the beach / harbour was heaving! Brrrrrrrr!!
Birds in and around the harbour included Great Black Backed Gulls, two Redshank, Cormorants, Turnstones, Great Crested Grebe, House Sparrow, Purple Sandpipers, the Black Throated Diver and at least four Red Throated Divers.
Red Throated Divers
Moving on to Scalby Mills, the crowds were increasing and we decided to walk along the sea front, through the open air theatre and around Peasholm Park. This ensured ticking off a good number of expected birds. Scalby Mills had the usual Wigeon, a Grey Wagtail, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Oystercatcher and a single Purple Sandpiper.
Wigeon
Purple Sandpiper
Moving on again with a stop at Johnsons Marsh. Here at least ten Grey Herons were lined up on the bank, a single Shelduck, a dozen (ish) Teal and take off of at least ten Pink Footed Geese from the field at the back. Taken completely by surprise, this is the best image I could get of the Pink Feet!
Our next stop was at the Holbeck car park for Mediterranean Gulls.
Our final stop was Seamer Tip Pool, in the hope of Geese and the Great White Egret. We were of course, disappointed! However, the pool did hold seven Gadwall and three Shoveler.
Overall, it was a good day both for birds and weather. Forty six species of bird were spotted and our health improved by walking 5.6 miles equating to 16,196 steps!
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