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| Barn Owl (A Barrett) |
Bempton Cliffs RSPB Reserve and North Cave Wetlands Nature Reserve
17th June 2023
Weather: Warm, cloudy morning, sunny afternoon
Members and friends: 43 Driver: Glenn
A sizable party of forty-three society members and friends 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, Grey Heron and House Martins were
noted on the journey.
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| Gannet (J Wharton) |
We arrived at the RSPB Bempton reserve mid-morning and passed through the reception area. We were immediately met with a Barn Owl gracefully quartering over the adjacent meadow. In addition, there were good numbers of Tree Sparrow around the visitor centre, with House Sparrow and Chaffinch also recorded. A Chiffchaff called from the wooded area by the car park.
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| Kittiwake (A Barrett) |
Walking along the string of viewing platform’s we spent a pleasant couple of hours watching the seabirds. The sheer number of birds is always an impressive sight at Bempton. Guillemot and Razorbill were plentiful, many lined up in organised rows up and down the cliffs. Many nests had chicks in and parent birds were watched feeding the balls of fluff. Kittiwakes were plentiful, as were Fulmars gliding, stiff winged, alongside the cliffs.
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| Puffin (J Wharton) |
There was plenty of Gannet activity. Adult birds were nesting and there were plenty of second summer birds around the colony, in their piebald plumage. Probably the most sought after cliff dweller were the Puffins, never in substantial numbers but a scattering of adults concealed in crevices and cracks. A few birds could be seen distantly out on the sea. The reserve was, as usual at this time of year, extremely busy and people jostled for position to get good views at the viewing platforms. Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gull were added to our list.
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| Linnet (A Barrett) |
A walk along the adjacent field edges added Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Linnet, Stonechat and Skylark to the list. The highlight was a couple of Corn Bunting and, at least, one Yellow Wagtail. The corvid trio of Jackdaw, Magpie and Carrion Crow were all in the area. Woodpigeon, Collared Dove and Swallow were also recorded.
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| Razorbill (J Wharton) |
Departing Bempton we arrived at North Cave Wetlands in the early afternoon. Red Kites were seen enroute. Looking out over the reserve pools we were disappointed to see the previously healthy and noisy Black-headed Gull breeding colony had been decimate, anecdotally, by bird flu. Only a handful of pairs remained. On the water we found many duck species represented, with Pochard, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall and Tufted Duck recorded.
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| Common Tern (A Barrett) |
Moving around the reserve we found at least two Yellow Wagtail, a few Reed Bunting and three Common Tern. Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff were singing in the wooded areas and Reed Warblers sang from the reed beds. Sedge Warbler were singing somewhere in-between. The occasional burst of Cetti’s Warbler song was heard at various points on the reserve. A Hobby and a female Common Scoter were highlights and a lucky few people had good views of up to two Green Woodpecker.
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| Swallow (J Wharton) |
The reserve’s waters held Little and Great-crested Grebe and a couple of Little Egret were observed. An Avocet pair, with two chicks, was noted as were a couple of Little Ringed Plover. A pair of Stock Dove flew in and we had a small flock of Sand Martin in attendance. Shelduck and Lapwing were added to our list. A Red-legged Partridge with a group of small chicks was the last species to be added. A good day had resulted in 89 species being recorded by the society.
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| Yellow Wagtail (A Barrett) |
Birds seen;
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