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.

Friday, 22 February 2019

A Fantabulous Morning around Bempton! - 22nd February 2019

Yellowhammer

Wow! What a fantabulous morning! Great weather and great birds! What could be better than walking Symphony around the Bempton circular walk? A misty start to the day which soon burned off giving rise to a very mild, sunny day with blue sky and only a light wind. I soon realised that I was well over dressed for the walk, but it is only late February!

Buckton Pond was rather quiet but was in a "reflective" mood as we checked it out!




Hoddy Cows Lane was again golden yellow with dozens of Yellowhammers taking up territory in the hedgerows. A great start!






Robins belted out their songs


With Dunnocks a close second!



Close to the ringing area on Buckton Cliffs, the seed eaters increased in numbers with Skylarks, Reed Buntings, Yellowhammers, Tree Sparrows, Goldfinches and Corn Buntings. Overhead, Pink Footed Geese headed north.


Arriving on the cliff top path good numbers of Gannets and Fulmars were immediately obvious, but then the sound of "guttural growling" further indicated an Auk day! Scanning the Guillemots on the ledges (numbering 10000+) similar blacker birds were present - yes the Razorbills (100+) had arrived! My first opportunity to photograph them this year, many still sported winter plumage!







Guillemots were the most numerous birds today with 10,000+



Including Bridled Guillemots



Gannets



Fulmars



I'm pretty sure that the Fulmar on the left is female!!!

Also on the sea were circular rafts of Kittiwakes, probably about one hundred, but none on the cliffs …..yet!

In the sunshine, Shags took on their green / black sheen and are looking resplendent with their breeding crests.

So far, it has been excellent birding BUT I have left the best till last! With two of the three breeding Auk species on the ledges, in flight and on the sea, is it possible that an early Puffin would be found? I scanned the rafts but nothing. On Grandstand viewpoint, I scanned the ledges, then...……


A winter plumaged Puffin, on the cliffs, in February! How lucky is that?

And an image of all three breeding Auks on the cliffs!


Final bird of the day was one of the Barn Owls, hunting at the top of Cliff Lane.

So, what a great day! I have now seen the famous Bempton eight breeding birds (Shag, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Gannet, Herring Gull, Guillemot, Razorbill, and Puffin) and as I said it is only 22nd February!
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4 comments:

  1. Abby23 February 2019 at 21:45

    Fabulous pictures, Kevin! Lovely to see spring slowly coming around. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kevin Groocock24 February 2019 at 16:17

    Thank you Abby, I'm glad you enjoyed them.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mike Attwood24 February 2019 at 23:56

    I know I am getting old but my eyesight is still very good but I havn't seen a yellow hammer down here in my part of Sussex for more than two years.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kevin Groocock25 February 2019 at 08:25

    Regretfully a bird in decline, Mike. Living in a farming area adjoining the cliffs, we are lucky but still getting less each year.

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