Bridlington Harbour - 30th Seotember 2020

 

Kittiwake (I'm really not sure about that shadow though!

A quiet walk around Bridlington Harbour is a pleasant experience but does not very often offer up interesting wildlife. Maybe a few Divers and sea ducks will appear as winter arrives. It was interesting to sea c60 Kittiwakes on the fish dock still.

Nope! Still not convinced about that shadow! 

Purple Sandpipers are always a pleasure to see, especially when they are not asleep!

Always on the look out for an easy meal, the brutish Greater Black Backed Gull

And the harbour itself can be quite atmospheric!

Tophill Low - 29th September 2020

 

Green Sandpipers

At this time of year it is lovely to have sunny autumnal days, unless you are walking around the south side of Tophill Low, when the sun is directly in your face from most of the hides! I arrived at about 0645 and already there were five cars in the car park. I decided that most of the occupants would be glued to their cameras in north marsh hide, hoping for Kingfisher and Otter. This is why I opted to walk south, meeting only two people, but being challenged by the light. It is now compulsory to wear masks / face coverings in the hides. A serious side effect of this is optics steaming up! As a result, the combination of direct sunlight and steaminess made me wonder if I was capturing any images at all! Nothing new to see, just the expected species, mainly duck - where are the waders?

Dabchicks

Green Sandpipers

Water Rail

Grey Wagtail

Spooked by a passing Marsh Harrier, the ducks come back

Grey Heron "Meditating"!

Little Egret

Common Buzzard

Views over south marsh

'till next time....................................

Big Seas at Bempton - 27th September 2020

 

The last few days have been rather challenging! Very strong wind from the north east coupled with rain, heavy at times, have not been at all pleasant! Although this morning the wind had lessened, squally showers were a bit of a pain still requiring my big coat, woolly hat and gloves! The light was poor, requiring high ISO and the wind challenged the steadiness of my posture. Hopefully, I have made the following images a little bit atmospheric?

I managed to get on to my first Great Skua of the year albeit out of camera range. Several Red Throated Divers, groups of Wigeon, Eider, Cormorants and Shag were seen heading north east. Dominant birds are the Gannets with Fulmars in much smaller numbers.

Gannets

Year 3 and Year 1 Gannets

One of several groups of Wigeon

And an Eider

Till next time.................................