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| Puffin - J. Wharton |
Weather: Warm, broken cloud
Members and
friends: 27 Driver: Glenn
Twenty-seven society members left the Gateway at 7.30am to
head over to the east coast. After a provisions and comfort stop at Ferrybridge
Services we soon picked up our first target species of the day as a Red Kite
passed over the coach in East Yorkshire. Buzzard and Kestrel were also seen on the
journey.
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| Gannet - A. Barrett |
We arrived at the RSPB Bempton Cliffs reserve mid-morning
and were met by a very efficient volunteer who proceeded to give the group the
site Covid instructions. As the party passed the picnic tables and headed for
the cliff viewing points, we quickly picked up numerous Tree Sparrows. They seem
to be doing very well at this site and birds were plentiful over much of the reserve.
Walking along the string of viewing platform’s we spent a
pleasant few hours watching the seabirds. The sheer number of birds was very impressive,
leading a number of the party to comment on whether it was the highest number
of individual birds they had ever seen here.
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| Barn Owl - A. Barrett |
Guillemot and Razorbill were plentiful, many lined up in organised
rows up and down the cliffs. Kittiwakes were seen in good numbers, as were Fulmars
gliding, stiff winged, alongside the cliffs. Dominating the tops of the cliffs
were the Gannets. Adult birds were nesting and there were plenty of second
summer birds around in their piebald plumage.
Probably the most popular cliff dweller were the Puffins,
never in substantial numbers but a scattering of adults concealed in crevices
and cracks. Found generally towards the top of the cliffs, many gave good views
for the birdwatchers on the platforms above. The reserve was extremely busy and
people jostled for position to get good views.
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| Linnet - J. Wharton |
A walk along the adjacent field edges added Whitethroat,
Sedge Warbler, Linnet and Meadow Pipit to the list. The highlight was a hunting
Barn Owl, quartering the fields in bright sunshine at 1130am! Apparently, it
was feeding a second brood so hunting in daylight to meet the demands of the
ravenous youngsters.
We also, after a fair bit of searching, connected with
another target species, the Corn Bunting. At least two singing males were
observed. A species that we are unfortunately encountering less and less on our
trips.
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| Puffin - A.Barrett |
Departing Bempton we arrived at North Cave Wetlands in the early
afternoon. Looking out over the pools we quickly picked up Avocet and Shelduck.
There was a breeding colony of noisy Black-headed Gull and Pochard, Gadwall and
Tufted Duck were noted.
Moving around the reserve we found a single Yellow Wagtail,
a few Reed Bunting and a single Common Tern. Blackcap’s and Chiffchaff were
singing in the wooded area’s and Reed Warblers singing from the reed beds. The writer
noted a newly fledged Cetti’s Warbler, yellow gape still showing. The occasional
burst of the adult’s song was heard at various points on the reserve.
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| Long-tailed Tit - A. Barrett |
The reserve’s waters held good numbers of Little and
Great-crested Grebe and a handful of Little Egret were observed. The highlight
was probably a male and a female Marsh Harrier, seen separately but good views
were had of both birds.
We looked for Bee Orchids and snakes (under the sheets put
down to attract them) both without success but Penny was fortunate to have views
of a Stoat.
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| Cetti's Warbler - A. Barrett |
Birds seen;
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| Gannet - J. Wharton |
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