Bempton Cliffs - 3rd February 2019

Tree Sparrow

The day dawned bright but a severe hard frost and very icy roads provided a challenge driving up Cliff Lane to the reserve. It was a sunny with a light wind, although morning temperatures hovered about -3c. The ground was frozen so I decided to visit all of the six viewpoints before it turned to claggy mud! during the afternoon, the wind strengthened, making it feel much cooler and clouds threatened squally showers late on.

Gannet numbers are slowly increasing with seven birds on the cliffs at Jubilee Corner and many more coming close in to the cliffs along the whole reserve.

"If you'd told me you were coming, I'd have tidied my nest!

The Tree Sparrow colony at Bempton is something to be proud of and many birders and photographers enjoy seeing them in good numbers. In many parts of the country, the Tree Sparrow is sadly very scarce, so it is no wonder that visitors spend a lot of time admiring them!

Back on the cliffs, Fulmars can be seen in increasing numbers, on the cliffs, on the sea and in flight.

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

At least two Barn Owls are being seen on the reserve, hunting in day light, often being seen in close proximity to the visitor centre.

The cliff top fields are worth checking out for Stonechats - a pair are regularly seen commuting between the grass areas and the nature trail bushes.

Bird of the day for me was a female Black Redstart, seen on the cliff ledges between Grandstand and New Roll Up viewpoints. This bird has been around for several weeks, is very mobile, thus tricky to locate. Alas, no images (yet!).

And finally, todays sightings:

Just a note about the seed eating birds such as Corn Buntings. Although they can often be seen flying over the main reserve, the large flocks can be seen on the reserves extremities. Beyond Staple Newk at Old Dor survey area, look towards the few bushes but stay on the cliff path and do not enter the farmland. On the other side, walk past the last viewpoint, Jubilee Corner and on to Buckton Cliffs. The flocks can be seen around the heligoland trap ringing area and Hoddy Cows lane.