Idle Birding around Scarborough - 31st October 2019

Rock Pipit, Harbour

I usually have a wander around some of the birding areas of Scarborough  after dropping Heather off at the indoor market. With Symphony in tow (on her waist lead), I decided to stay clear of areas where dog walkers and birders can come into conflict and restricted the walk to the harbour followed by Scalby Mills, the Open Air Theatre and Peasholm Park. Secretly, I didn't want to find anything "controversial", with my head still spinning post Lesser Kestrel! So, an idle wander was appropriate and very enjoyable!

Around the Harbour area, I started off with this Cormorant

Followed by this Great Crested Grebe making its way towards the harbour mouth

Close to the lighthouse, a couple of Rock Pipits toyed with me before I was able to get clear images

In the absence of my hoped for Little Auks, I aimed my camera at something much larger in the form of Greater Black Backed Gulls (birds that often feed well on the tiny Little Auks!)

And finally for the harbour, Turnstone

Before I left the harbour, my eye was drawn to a cyclist checking out the harbour wall, no doubt looking for Purple Sandpipers. Was this a cyclist or could it have been a Porpoise?!! (Not everyone will understand this!)

Leaving the harbour, I headed to Scalby Mills, taking the top path past the golf course. Very little to see until I walked towards the Open Air Theatre where three Roe Deer followed the railway track.

The pools at the back of the Open Air Theatre held a Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail. This Grey Heron was the only bird within camera range

Over in Peasholm Park, this Grey Heron was regarded as an unwelcome intruder and mobbed relentlessly by Black Headed Gulls!

The Peasholm - Scalby Mills railway must be having a Halloween event, either that or the delays and cancellations on mainstream railways is taking its toll!

The view from Scalby Mills towards Scarborough Castle was rather spectacular!

A very enjoyable, idle wander around Scarborough, and (hopefully) no controversy! I don't know why, but I have found myself fixated on the colour of birds claws and the lengths of their primary feathers!

Tomorrow, I can do it all again!