32
members and friends set off from Stockport expecting, according to the weather
forecast, a soaking on the east coast of Yorkshire. Miraculously whilst there
was heavy rain in the vicinity we managed to stay dry all day! The journey was
largely uneventful, we picked up a small flock of Golden Plover at our exit
junction on the M62 and on the “A” roads to Flamborough added Buzzard,
Red-legged Partridge, Stock Dove and Mistle Thrush.
Arriving
at Flamborough Head there had been an early morning report of a Greenish
Warbler calling by the golf course. A half hour searched proved fruitless but
we did pick up Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. A walk around the cliffs added
Blackcap and Whitethroat to the list. A Wheatear was seen by the Lighthouse and
there were half a dozen Whinchat and a couple of Stonechat in the area.
Sea-watching
was generally quiet, there was no great passage of birds apart from good
numbers of Gannet moving north. Some watchers were lucky to pick up singles of
Artic Skua, Red-throated Diver and Manx and Sooty Shearwater. Birds were
generally distant and, although viewing conditions were generally good, a
number of frustrating birds passed through without 100% certainty on
identification.
(Holly Page)
Also
out at sea Fulmar, Shag and Kittiwake were seen well with an occasional
Sandwich Tern. The rocky shoreline below the cliffs produced a couple of Rock
Pipit, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Redshank and, not quite so expected, at least
two Little Egret. Amongst a small number of Curlew a Whimbrel was identified
sleeping within the group.
The
return walk to the coach via the hedge-line and field produced a small flock of
Tree Sparrow accompanied by a further Whinchat. A couple of House Martin were
overhead and Pied Wagtail ran around the field adjacent to the carpark.
A
traffic diversion slightly delayed our arrival at the North Cave Wetlands
Nature Reserve managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. Mr Mossman had phoned
ahead and thankfully the onsite café was still open. Most of the coach party
duly lined up for welcome refreshments. A single Swift passed overhead.
A
walk along the wide boundary path produced good numbers of Chiffchaff with the
occasional Reed Bunting. A few lucky members connected with a Spotted
Flycatcher and a Lesser Whitethroat. There were small parties of the commoner
tit species as well as the usual Dunnock, Wren and Blackbird.
Out
on the deeper pools a good selection of wildfowl was on view with Mallard,
Pochard, Teal, Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Shoveler present. Little Grebe and
Great-crested Grebe were recorded and a few individuals had a brief view of a
Kingfisher. Mute Swan and Greylag Geese were in abundance.
The
newer pools to the south of the reserve held a small Lapwing flock and a single
juvenile Dunlin was, eventually, identified amongst them. There was also Common
and Green Sandpiper on these pools and a single Green Woodpecker flew overhead.
Insects
were well represented on the reserve and many individuals chose to add
butterfly and dragonfly species to their lists.
Comments
Post a Comment