Scarborough -28th March 2019

Mute Swan - Peasholm Park

My regular walk in the Scarborough area started at the harbour which was rather quiet, save a few Turnstone. Johnsons Marsh fared a little better with two Shelduck, two Grey Herons and six Teal. Scalby Mills had two Grey Wagtails on the beck and half a dozen Wigeon. The open air theatre had two Lesser Black Backed Gulls, two Tufted Ducks and at least three singing Chiffchaffs. Peasholm Park had the expected waterfowl and gulls but little to excite me! Seamer Tip Pool was also quiet with Mute Swans, Tufted Ducks, Mallards, Grey Lag Geese, Herring Gulls and Moorhens. Overhead was a single Buzzard.

Greenfinch, Scalby Mills

Wigeon (drake), Scalby Mills

Tufted Ducks, Open Air Theatre

Lesser Black Backed Gulls, Open Air Theatre

Chiffchaff, Open Air Theatre

Marsh Marigolds, Open Air Theatre

Mute Swan, Peasholm Park

Bempton Circular walk - 26th March 2019

Daffodils Buckton

Decided to walk Symphony around the Bempton circular walk this morning in the hope of some spring migrants. Of course, I was to get home disappointed! It was a cool, overcast morning so I decided to "Wander lonely as a cloud" in good Wordsworth style, taking time to brighten things up with the Buckton daffodils!

Buckton Pond held two Coot, a scarce bird on the headland

Three Teal (2drake)

Also around the pond were two Mistle Thrushes, a Common Gull, Chiffchaff, Moorhen, Mallards and Canada Geese.

On Hoddy Cows Lane, this Wren posed briefly

And four Roe Deer paused, distantly

Overhead, approximately 50+ Pink Footed Geese headed north

What started off as a promising morning was about to end. When I walk Symphony, she remains on a lead around my waist. Unfortunately, not all dog walkers are as considerate. Two walkers with two large, out of control dogs, ensured that no birds lingered around the top part of Hoddy Cows Lane. These dogs ran amok through the fields and failed to respond to the shouts and whistles from their owners. Several Hares were chased but thankfully escaped. Unbelievably, the owners stated the dogs do this regularly! Obviously not heard of leads! However, when the dogs returned after half an hour, they were temporarily put on leads. Unfortunately, you cannot reason with these people as they have "rights".

The ploughed field next to the ringing area did hold good numbers of Linnets, Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks, but no Corn Buntings.

Arriving on Buckton Cliffs, there was no sign of any Auks on the cliffs, just Gannets, Kittiwakes and Fulmars. A Peregrine flew low over the sea. A similar picture on Bempton Cliffs but rafts of birds on the sea revealed Guillemots (c100), Razorbills (c40) and c6 Puffins. At least 200+ Kittiwakes were also rafting.

With little of interest, I desperately photographed a couple of Fulmars off Grandstand viewpoint

My guess is that the Fulmar on the left is female!!!

And Bempton, guardian of the cliffs, nonchalantly continues his vigil!

Bempton Cliffs - 24th March 2019

Gannets

The day looked promising with long periods of sunshine and blue sky but the strong north westerly blow challenged down on the viewpoints! It felt arctic! Sadly, many of the birds had deserted the cliffs with rafts of Auks (Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins) could be seen on the sea, but dispersed further out to sea as the day progressed.

Here are todays sightings:

Sightings recorded on the board are a summary of birds seen during the day by volunteers, staff and visitors. Many are birds that fly through the reserve and may only be seen for a few minutes. It is still early in the breeding season and bird numbers are variable and some species can be difficult to see. This is nature! To give you the best chance of seeing specific species here are a few tips. Wrap up warmly including head and hands and carry a waterproof / windproof jacket. Bring binoculars / telescope or hire binoculars from the visitor centre. Speak to the knowledgeable staff / volunteers in order to find out where specific species can be found. Be prepared to wait, some birds can be very elusive so don't be disappointed if your favourite does not give good views or is absent, this is nature!

Overlooked by some and much sought after by others, the enigmatic Tree Sparrow shows well

There is no doubt that today, the most obvious birds on the cliffs were the Gannets

Gannets often steal nesting material from other Gannets nests for their own use!

"I call Mr Jackdaw as witness for the prosecution in the heinous crime of stealing nesting material!

Guilty as charged!

As with the Auks, many of the Kittiwakes preferred the sea to the ledges but these seemed happy to be together!

I don't know why but I also think of vampires when Kittiwakes "gape"!

Scarborough - 21st March 2019

Mediterranean Gull - Holbeck

A beautiful spring day with blue sky, sunshine and very mild temperatures. A great day for a wander around Scarborough, taking in some of the birding sites. Overall, the weather was great but the birding mediocre! As usual, the birds were not where I was! Maybe I should issue a warning when visiting birding hotspots?

Starting with hope at the harbour but nothing of note at all! Moving on to Johnsons Marsh which held two Shelducks, three Herons, six Teal and two Moorhens. Then to Scalby Mills but the tide was going out and disturbance by engineers working on the drainage system meant little close in. The usual suspects, Wigeon, Curlew, Oystercatchers, Redshanks, Herring, Black Headed and Common Gulls, Pied Wagtail, were present but to far for any images. The open air theatre had three singing Chiffchaffs, a Water Rail (year tick), Mallard and a pair of Tufted Ducks. Of interest were several Common Toads.

Tufted Duck

Common Toads

My walk back to Scalby Mills was just as unproductive!

Stopping at the Peregrine site on North Marine Drive, both birds were present and well fed.

Regretfully, I was unable to lock on to one of the birds carrying what appeared to be a pigeon.

While on Marine Drive, I managed to get on too one of several Harbour Porpoises

Finally, I headed up to the car park at Holbeck which held one Mediterranean Gull