Green, wood and common sandpipers

The weather was very miserable at home, wind and rain for most of the morning. I kept looking at the reports on my phone and swifts are going south in incredible numbers. In the afternoon 2 wood sands were reported at Fairburn,so off I set.
When I got to the viewing screen at Lyndike a birder was already there and he very kindly soon pointed out to me where the waders were.
If the hide had been open then I would have had the opportunity to take some photos as the birds were in front of the hide, and not too far away. The green and wood sandpipers were fairly close together and eventually a common sandpiper flew in from the other end of the lagoon.
Ringed plover, redshank and lapwing were also feeding close to the hide. Pied wagtails and linnets were also feeding in front of the hide.
A pair of spoonbills were some distance away and a pair of avocets were keeping an eye on a chick.
Chris joined me at the viewing screen but we were unable to find the common sandpiper.
More ticks to bring my year list upto 161.

At a wetland in the rain!

It might not sound logical to visit a wetland in the rain but there are two hides very close to the road, so I am able to park within a few yards and not get wet walking to the hides.

 I had just sat down when the rain started!

The birds were keeping away from one of the corners of the lagoon for some reason. These male pochard were very wary.

 In the other corner a black swan was preening

and a few yards away greylag goose were also sorting out their plumage.

In the other corner a grey heron and a little egret were sheltering.

Oystercatchers were looking after their two young who were walking back and forth near the waters edge.

 

A male tufted duck swam by

 black headed gulls are still on the raft.

I then drove to Crossland hide. Not many birds there. I think that a lot of them are now using the new works further along the road.
A great crested grebe with a chick.

On my last visit there were 2 chicks.
The weather seemed to have improved so I took my chance and walked all the way round.
Not many birds to be seen. A few butterflies, blown along by the stiff breeze.

 Colour along the side of the path

 I managed to get a photo of this butterfly as it landed in a sheltered spot.
A whitethroat was singing from the top of a bush.

From the Tower hide I could see an avocet having a nap

Eight black tailed godwits were feeding. Most of them were too close to the edge for me to get a pictutre without vegetation getting in the way.

I just got back to my car when it started to rain again!

Staveley Nature Reserve

I have not been here for quite a while, years in fact, so it was a pleasant surprise on my visit on the hottest day of the year,

I do like reserves with good maps to show you where things are.

 Lots of flowers in the meadow

 Damselfly and dragonfly at the pond

 It was nice to walk in the shade.

 Good to see social distancing signs etc.

 Mute swan family and 2 black tailed godwits

a party of oystercatchers

home from home, I could stay all day here.

Common terns were busy bringing fish back for their young.

 this pair had a chick in the water

 wash time for this adult

A very pleasant place to visit, I will be back soon.

 

 

Bempton Cliffs

Decided to visit Bempton Cliffs today. Visitor centre is closed but toilets are open.
I arrived at 0845 to find the car park half full. Later on when I was talking to the maintenance chap and he told me that there were 15 cars at 7am!
Lots of people and plenty of room. Only problem was a couple with a dog on a long lead. They were at Flamboro and the dog was in Filey!!
Plenty of birds to be seen at each of the viewpoints. I was trying to show one lady a puffin, but as she had no binoculars it proved to be mission impossible. Her husband could see it as he had a pair of bins, but he did not offer them to his wife!
No real order for the photos.

You have to watch where you land when fellow gannets are near.

 Looking for somewhere to land

 A young gannet

 More grass for nesting material

 Kittiwake chick

 Look out a young gannet is trying to land

 lots of meadow pipits, but could not find a corn bunting

Peregrine resting on the cliff top.

 Lots of skylarks at Bempton. I took this picture in the car park at North Gare

Time for a sleep

 Lots of whitethroats about and this one liked to come back to this post.

or sit on a plant