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| Kingfisher (A Barrett) |
Weather: Warm and fine
Members
and friends: 28 Driver: Glenn
Twenty-eight members and
friends set off from Stockport for a trip over to the east coast of Yorkshire. The
journey was largely uneventful, with Kestrel and Buzzard recorded before our
supplies stop at Ferrybridge service station.
Arriving at Flamborough Head there had been an early morning report of a Common Rosefinch in one of the hedges. A search proved fruitless for our group (as did the search for a reported Red-breasted Flycatcher), but both were apparently seen whilst we were in the vicinity. On the previous day there had been reported large numbers of migrants in the area but we only managed to catch up with small numbers, presumably many birds had just passed through the area.
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| Great Black-backed Gull (J Wharton) |
In the long hedge (bizarrely names Motorway Hedge by the local birders) running south from the Lighthouse a small flock of Goldfinch and Linnet were flighty. We picked up Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting in this area, with both Swallow and House Martin flitting overhead. Most of the group added Redstart in this area with a lucky few picking up a single Whinchat. In the adjacent field up to three Wheatear were present.
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| Sedge Warbler (A Barrett) |
Sea-watching from the
adjacent cliffs quickly added Gannet to the day’s list with many birds passing
the headland. Distant auks on the water included small numbers of Guillemot and
Razorbill. In excess of five Red-throated Diver were present, relatively close
inshore, including birds that had retained their breeding plumage. Sandwich
Tern passed in low numbers and we had flock of a dozen Common Scoter flying
south. A couple of Fulmar and the odd Kittiwake were noted. At least two Manx
Shearwater were recorded, both birds moving north. Other birds flying north included
a flock of Wigeon.
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| Whinchat (J Wharton) |
Grey Heron and Oystercatcher were added to the day’s list, as well as various loafing gulls, on the rocky shore around High Stacks. This area also held an impressive number of Common Seal sun-bathing on the rocks. Whitethroat and Blackcap were recorded whilst we explored the area around the lighthouse. A couple of Stonechat and a fine male Redstart were frequenting the brambles and gorse on the banks down to Selwick’s Bay.
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| Black-headed Gull (J Wharton) |
Without recording any of the major rarities whilst we were there (including a reported Honey Buzzard in the area) we returned to the coach slightly deflated and left Flamborough Head for the journey over to North Cave Wetlands Nature Reserve. The keen eyes of Pete W. identified a Red Kite in flight during the journey and we saw a couple of Little Egret in a field as we approached the reserve. Arriving at the reserve we disembarked the coach and took the circular track around the reserve perimeter. The first bird seen was a Kestrel followed quickly by a hunting Hobby, seen taking a dragonfly.
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| Gadwall (A Barrett) |
The fields to the south of the reserve (Dryham Ings) were dried out with only Pheasant and Greylag Geese present. Viewed from the South Hide, Main Lake held Little Grebe (with chicks), Great-crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Little Egret and a lucky few had good views of two Kingfisher.
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| Kingfisher (A Mossman) |
Continuing on down the
path we recorded Blackcap and a few of the commoner tit species. Paul L. and
Brenda added a Great Spotted Woodpecker to the day’s list. Other waterbodies
held small numbers of Shoveler and Pochard. On the muddy perimeter of Reedbed
Lake we watched Little Ringed Plover (an adult and a juvenile), Ruff and a juvenile
Ringed Plover. Two Whinchat in Snipe Field gave excellent views as they caught
insects from the top of two shrubs. A Yellow Wagtail was also seen in this
vicinity.
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| Green Sandpiper (A Barrett) |
From the hexagonal Turret
Hide we overlooked Island Lake and recorded singles of Common and Green Sandpiper.
Singles of Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Greenshank and two Black-tailed Godwit
were also seen. A Water Rail gave good views to a few of the group. Insects
were well represented on the reserve and Pat B. had Migrant Hawker. We returned
to the coach for the return journey to Stockport, adding Collared Dove to the
list as we passed through North Cave village.
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| Black-headed Gull & Coot (J Wharton) |
Birds seen;
Total Species: 91
Little Grebe (A Barrett)
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