Filey and Flamborough

 Change of dog sitting days this week, so I decided to go to the coast.

Filey was my choice of destination. I walked along the beach towards the sea watching hide.

The sea is slowly winning the battle here, each time I visit there seems to be less cliff. 

This was the view from the hide. It was 5 hours before high tide and there were lots of birds about but none near the hide. Lots of gannets, guillemots, a few razorbills and even less puffins. Lots of herring gulls and kittiwakes, but not many fulmars.

A single purple sandpiper , the first one I that I have seen this year was on one of the exposed rocks along with two oystercatchers. After 2 hours I left and went to Filey Dams.

No special birds but nice to see birds in sunlight.

a mute swan was having a preen in between chasing away other mute swans.

the colours on this male mallard stood out in the sunshine.

greylags were defending a space even though they had no young.

this little grebe was swimming round, then fishing and then paddling very fast.

the male tufted looked smart.

I think that the feathers on a gadwall always look as if their feathers have been hand painted.

From the next hide I saw this lesser black backed gull.

 

a canada gosling was feeding in the grass next to the hide.

On the way to the last hide I walked to the pond. A canada gosling was on the water with its parents.

along the boardwalk a pair of blackbirds seem to be enjoying the sun.

I thought that this tree sparrow was dead but then I realised it too was sunning itself.

this was the view from the last hide, a lot of gulls. I then walked to East Lea,

mute swans, grey herons, greylag geese, shelducks and oystercatchers. Jackdaws were having a bathe.

I then decided to go to Flamborough to try to see the reported thrush nightingale. I joined several birders who were also hoping to see the bird. After 20 minutes I had a walk along the cliff top path.

lots of guillemots on the sea and gannets flying from Bempton..

This kittiwake ws taking nesting material to a spot near the path.

other birds were on the ledges

a kestrel was hovering

herring gulls were looking for a nest site. I went back to where the birders were looking for the thrush nightingale and the bird had sung briefly during my absence. Gary and Wendy Flakes joined the group. They had heard the bird early and had walked down to Old Fall and seen spotted flycatchers. I left the group and went to Old Fall, and yes the bird showed during my absence!

lots of butterflies along the footpath

this wall butterfly (thanks to Chris for the identification)  was one of many. As I approached the wooded area I saw spotted flycatchers in the hedge, thanks for the tip off Gary and Wendy.

a pleasant day out and forecast is for better weather towards the weekend.