Winter thrushes at RSPB Bempton Cliffs

 When Stu, Catherine and I arranged to meet at Bempton we were not expecting a strong northerley wind!

I walked down to Staple Newk in the hope of finding Snow Buntings, but no sign of any birds, I guess that they were all sheltering. Lots of Gannets out and about. Ian, one of the volunteers thought that the wind had probably blown some a bit closer to the coast.

2 peregrines were displaying their flying skills, soaring high and then stooping down on unsuspecting prey.

We think that this one had caught something and had landed to eat it.

We stayed close to visitor centre to shelter from the wind. Jackdaws were busy at the feeders.

We sat in the "Dell" for a while and watched birds flying through.

Lots of berrys for the birds at the moment. A redwing and fieldfare were enjoying them.

I left at lunchtime to meet my son in Bridlington. Thanks to Stu and Catherine for the company.

Warm welcome at RSPB Blacktoft Sands

 

I spent a couple of hours at RSPB Blacktoft Sands this afternoon. Mike had the log burning stove working to welcome visitors on a cold day.

This was my view from Marshland hide, the mist did clear about 3pm and visibility was good until dark.

I was in reception hide talking to Daz when he pointed out the kingfisher, outside the window.

I spent the last few minutes of my visit in Marshland hide and just managed this poor shot of a barn owl out hunting.

Whooper Swans

 The recent rain has helped to maintain the water level in the scrape. Will we get a flood this winter?

Lots of black-headed gulls flying about chasing insects.

Buzzards and marsh harriers looking for food.

Just before Elaine arrived in the hide several whooper swans flew over the reserve before heading back up the valley.

Little owl

 

Spot the little owl at St.Aidans!

The little owl was sheltering from the wind. I did not take any other photos as my visit to the Aire Valley was to complete H&S checks and attend a meeting about next years walk. So look out for the dates for walks to see/hear bitterns, black-necked grebes and spoonbills.

Last days of birding in my summer.

 

My summer starts on December 22nd when the nights start to get lighter and ends when BST ends in October and we change our clocks. This summerI, have been out birdwatching on 182 days and visited North Duffiled Carrs 25 times, and have seen 88 different birds there.

My last visit was on the 22nd of October, the highlight was when this great white egret landed on the scrape.

Carrion crows were very active, chasing away buzzards, marsh harriers and kestrels.

On Wednesday I was leading a walk in Homestead Park, as part of York Environment Festival.

The weather was better than what was forecasted. Not many birds to be seen.

I started the week at Fairburn Ings,

Lots of activity at Pickup Hide.

So 58 days of winter birding before summer starts. Can I find 2 other birds to get to 200 this year?

Homeword Bound

 Our last day at Flamborough Migfest. Ringing session this morning had some new birds, grey wagtail and coal tit.

I came home via North Cave to see the Jack Snipe. David and Suzanne were just leaving as I arrived and gave me instructions of where to go to see the bird. I followed their instructions and soon saw the bird. It was a fair distance away, hence the poor photo.

While I was watching the bird, I spoke to a couple who came with me on a local group trip to Mull before the pandemic. They are going to Mull in May next year, a couple of weeks after me.

There were lots of people on the reserve, so I decided not to wait for Stu to arrive and drove home via North Duffield Carrs.

a rainbow after a rain shower.

Still some water in the scrape, so the rain was welcomed. This pheasant was the closest bird!

A very pleasant trip with excellent company. Thanks to Suzanne, David and Stu for their generosity.

Migrfest Day 4

 Usual routine, ringing from 8am. Chiffchaff, blackcap, redwing, robin, blackbird, blue tit and yellow browed warbler.

Bempton Cliffs was our next visit, where we hoped to see brambling.

The team have planted sunflower seeds and the plants are now attracting finches.Sadly we only saw goldfinch and greenfinch\

A late flying dragonfly

We walked to the small pond where we saw goldfinches and redwings coming for a drink.

a chiffchaff also popped in for a drink. There was an emergency at the reserve and lots of police and coastguard staff were present and a helicopter was hovering.

lots of noise and disturbance so we left and went to Filey.

The tide was going out so lots of people and dogs on the beach and only a few herring gulls.

Last day tomorrow.