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!