Bempton Circular Walk - 30th August 2019

Magpie (Bempton Dell)

Last night was RSPB Bempton Cliffs end of season get together party and I have to say that I rather over indulged on the fantastic buffet food, particular the vast array of sumptuous desserts! This morning I felt that a good walk was needed and what better than the Bempton circular?

Arriving at Buckton pond which at the moment is no more than a "damp patch", the only bird of note was a solitary Grey Heron.

Hoddy Cows Lane was very quiet, almost devoid of birds with the exception of large Linnet flocks just passed the spring.

Thank goodness for the Gannets and their Gugas on the cliffs! The Kittiwakes are now sparse leaving only Gannets, Fulmars, Herring Gulls and Shags as the main cliff breeders.

Big Hug!

Do you mind, this is private!

Get away! I've seen you mating earlier in the year!

Tickled by a feather!

Feed Me! Feed Me!

Nearly time to fledge!

"Bempton", Guardian of the Cliffs, is beginning to show now that the vegetation is dying down

A much overlooked and noisy member of the Crow family, a Magpie, showing its colours in the Bempton Dell.

There was either a mass "clear out" of birds or they were all hunkered down in the strong westerly blow! Only two Whitethroats seen, one on Hoddy Cows Lane and one near the Dell. Eight Yellow Wagtails made their way through the derelict RAF station.

A Pleasant Surprise at East Lea, Filey! - 28th August 2019

Black Winged Stilt (Juv)

It always happens when I'm busy and miles away that a rare bird turns up on a local water! In this case it was a juvenile Black Winged Stilt that was initially observed on Filey Dams before it flew to the private FBOG reserve of East Lea. The last (and only) Black Winged Stilt I had seen was the long staying "Sammy" at Titchwell RSPB in Norfolk back in the 1990's!

I headed off to East Leas as soon as I could, expecting the Stilt to fly off just as I arrive. I was thwarted in my efforts by elderly drivers who fail to understand that their motor vehicles will travel faster than 35-40mph in a national speed limit area! Arriving at East Lea, I was surprised at the few cars parked near the entrance gate and, indeed, the numbers watching the bird. The Black Winged Stilt was, of course, distant and regularly harassed by corvids, making it appear nervous and flighty.

What a great bird to see!

With Dunlin

Unfortunately, the Black Winged Stilt failed to come closer (hence heavily cropped images!). While hoping it would, I was attracted to a couple of Snipe and well impressed with their swimming skills!

Bempton Cliffs - 25th August 2019

Carrion Crow, overlooked by many, an intelligent bird!

Wow! What a scorcher! Sunshine, blue sky but a haze over the sea. I felt overdressed in shorts and polo shirt (don't often get the chance on Bempton Cliffs!). Unfortunately, I could only stay until 1230hrs and I had a guided walk from 1100hrs with a lovely couple from York so not a lot of time to explore and obtain stunning images! Today was my last walk on the cliffs as they finish on 30th August.

On the cliffs the ledges continue to empty with many Kittiwakes on the move. Today they were forming large rafts on the sea and will no doubt be gone completely by the end of the month.

If you are a regular reader of my blog you will recall the last weeks mystery of the missing Fulmar chick and the arrival in its nest of a Gannet Guga. This occurred near Bartlett Nab viewpoint where a tunnel in the chalk houses a Fulmar nest. The Fulmar was far from fledging and looked healthy. Then, last Sunday, there was no sign of the Fulmar chick and in its place was a rather unhealthy looking Gannet Guga, dishevelled and dirty. It could only have tumbled from ledges above and managed to save itself by scrambling into the Fulmar nest. Did the Fulmar chick spit its oily stomach contents at the Guga, resulting in its dishevelled appearance? Was the Guga being serviced by its parents still? The Guga was alive yesterday and observed to move around the hole. Today, there was no sign of the Guga and no sign further down the cliff. Had it fallen? Had it died of starvation or hypothermia? It certainly hadn't fledged. This is now a mystery never to be solved! (Images of the Guga appear in previous blog posts).

Just off Bartlett Nab is a Guga, still being serviced by its parents, but will fledge very soon. Today, I caught it at feeding time!

Feed me! Feed me!

I've got enough for three!

Wow! That's some manoeuvrable  jaw!

I love my mum! Even though I'm bigger than she is!

Gannets on Staple Newk

And finally, Today's Sightings (as at 1230hrs)

Back to a full day next Sunday, in the meantime "Keep 'em Peeled!"

Glorious Gannets! Bempton Cliffs - 24th August 2019

Gannets with Guga

An early morning walk along the cliffs with Symphony this morning gave me a glimpse of the glorious Gannets, Gannets doing what Gannets do on the cliffs, real nature!

Feed me! Feed me!

Whatever you do, do not come into contact with

Some of the Gugas are ready to fledge, larger and heavier than their parents and almost constant wing stretching and flapping.

I had to check out the rather dishevelled Guga that appeared in the Fulmars nest hole at least a week ago. It is still there and appears to be thriving but very untidy!