Foggy at the cliffs and a Razorbill adventure

Despite the not ideal weather forecast, I made a trip today to RSPB Bempton Cliffs. Although the sun shone before getting to Bridlington, a thick blanket of fog covered the Flamborough headland all the way to the reserve and beyond into the sea. The wardens in the visitor centre reassured me that birds were still visible at the cliffs. The foggy breeze was quite chilly and I was glad I took my raincoat and hat, but I would regret for more than one reason not to have taken my gloves as it will become clear later.
 Despite the dismal weather, the Skylarks sung more invisible than ever from high within the mist, and even the Whitethroats and Reed Buntings were actively singing. I took the Nature Trail to start with, but there was little to see, other than the half carcass of a Guillemot or Razorbill probably eaten by a fox.
 As I got to the cliffs the sea was not visible, and Guillemots and Razorbills could barely be told apart. I was cheered up by a couple of Puffins, and they were quite numerous at the cliffs today, I reckon I must have seen over 20.
 The fog lifted up a bit, and when I reached Jubilee Corner the birds were easier to see. I spent some time taking photos of Gannets collecting grass for their nests, and when I turned to carry on my way I was confronted by this incongruous image:

A Guillemot, looking straight at me from the middle of the path. It had probably flown over the cliff confused by the poor visibility and, despite its best efforts, it was unable to lift itself from the ground by just flapping its tiny wings while running. I have previously found a Kittiwake stranded in this way, which could fly perfectly once facing the breeze coming over the cliffs, so I decided to capture the Guillemot and release it from a high vantage point with a clear run down the cliff. Unfortunately, after I took this single shot the bird decided it didn't like me, turned on its heels and run/flapped away from me quite fast despite its poorly placed little legs. After some pathetic chasing along the path, I was able to corner it against some long grass and catch it. The Guillemot protested immediately and it was most uncooperative, pecking my wrist - fortunately, together with watch strap - fiercely, showing its beautiful yellow mouth. Unfortunately, at that point the path was quite sunk, so I had to carry on walking with the angry Guillemot goring my wrist and complaining. I had its wings well under my hands, but having quite small hands and nil experience in handling Razorbills, I was unable to keep its head pointing forward. Finally, I spotted a suitable point of release and placed the Guillemot on top of a fence post with a clear fall to the sea. Within a couple of seconds, it flew away, leaving me quite relieved and scratched.
 Out of the eight species of marine birds that breed in the cliffs, I was able to see seven, missing only Shag.

A Swallow rests on top of the camera installed to be able to watch its nest from the visitor center.

Red Campion is at its best now in the reserve meadows.

The view toward the sea as I arrived at the cliffs

Herring gull

Kittiwake at nest

Razorbill

Puffin

A pair of puffins.

Guillemot

Fulmar

Gannet collecting grass

Gannet in flight

Staple Newk

This grassy slope was favoured by a group of Gannets for collecting grass and other nesting material

Make some space, I'm landing!

More grass collecting

Displaying Gannet couple

The Gannet colony at Staple Newk

A close up of the tip of the Gannet colony. Not quite Bass Rock, but very impressive notwithstanding.

A squabble on the grass collecting slope

Grass collecting trip

This one found a feather

Spot the couple of puffins amongst the Guillemots

Tree sparrow

Now the gory stuff!

The remains of a frog by the pond at the Nature trail. I could hear some croaking.

The remains of a guillemot/razorbill

The state of my right wrist after the Guillemot incident. I would proudly carry Razorbill scars, but I think it won't be.

Bird list

1. Blackbird        
2. Carrion Crow        
3. Chaffinch        
4. Collared Dove        
5. Dunnock        
6. Feral Pigeon        
7. Fulmar        
8. Gannet        
9. Goldfinch        
10. Greenfinch        
11. Guillemot        
12. Herring Gull        
13. Jackdaw        
14. Kittiwake        
15. Linnet        
16. Pheasant       
17. Pied Wagtail
18. Puffin        
19. Razorbill        
20. Reed Bunting        
21. Robin        
22. Skylark        
23. Swallow        
24. Tree Sparrow        
25. Whitethroat        
26. Woodpigeon        
27. Wren

Warbles and butterflies at Noddle Hill

I went to Noddle Hill for a walk this morning. It was a long time I hadn't visited this reserve, and the weather was quite pleasant, turning warm when the sun shone in the middle of the day. The diversity of habitats in the reserve: wooded areas, scrub, lake with reeds, ditches, and many well vegetated ponds translates into a diversity of birds. Today it was warbler day: Whitethroat, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Reed, Sedge Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat were all singing. I thought I heard Garden Warbler too, but was unable to see it, and I am not very familiar with its song to rely only on that, so it didn't count. I spent quite some time trying to see the Lesser Whitethroat, but it defeated me. It was singing within a large scrubby patch of Hawthorn, Nettles and Brambles, almost impossible to enter without a machete!
 By the lake, I watched the Reed Warblers singing. The reeds are quite low for this time of year and don't offer as much shelter so it was relatively easy to spot them, but hard to focus with the camera for any pictures.
A number of active butterflies were on the wing:
Peacock, Holy Blue, Speckled Wood, Green-veined white, Orange tip, Large White and Brimstone.
St Mark's flies (Bibio marci) were everywhere, and a group of Swifts flew quite low over the vegetation, presumably feasting on them.
I also saw a damselfly, pale brown, but it settled too high in a tree and at an odd angle for ID.
 The council has installed a composting toilet at the entrance of the reserve. It would be good to see some action regarding the clumps of japanese knotweed.

Woodpigeons

Cows and Magpie

Collared dove

Pony

Hovering kestrel

My best shot of a Swift  

Speckled Wood

Greylag family

Holly blue

Mating St Mark's flies

Orange Tip

Reed Bunting singing its 'cheese-on-toast'

Green Veined White. A female was seen laying eggs.

 Bird list

1. Blackbird        
2. Blackcap        
3. Bullfinch        
4. Carrion Crow        
5. Chaffinch        
6. Chiffchaff        
7. Collared Dove        
8. Coot        
9. Dunnock        
10. Feral Pigeon        
11. Goldfinch        
12. Greenfinch        
13. Greylag Goose        
14. House Martin        
15. Jackdaw        
16. Kestrel        
17. Lesser Black-backed Gull        
18. Lesser Whitethroat        
19. Linnet        
20. Magpie        
21. Mallard        
22. Moorhen        
23. Pheasant        
24. Reed Bunting        
25. Reed Warbler        
26. Robin        
27. Sedge Warbler        
28. Skylark        
29. Song Thrush        
30. Swallow        
31. Swift        
32. Tufted duck
33. Whitethroat        
34. Willow Warbler        
35. Woodpigeon        
36. Wren     

Urban birding

As I drove to East Park, I saw my first House Martin of the year. Once there, a large mixed flock of Swallows and House Martins flew around the lake. After many attempts to photograph a House Martin in flight, the top photo was the best (I got lots of empty skies). Other than the hirundines, the Greylag goslings were the stars of the day. I tried not to get too close, as the parents get nervous easily, but unfortunately, I witnessed a dog attacking and injuring a Greylag, and then the dog latching onto its owner's hand when he managed to separate goose and dog. The greylag had a bit of a limp as he joined his family, but otherwise seemed OK.

Pied Wagtail

This Coot rushed to me - probably expecting to be fed - and then lunged at some mallards that had joined her.

Deer

Greylag Geese family. There were a number of families in the park. Several of them with 6 goslings. The adults walk carefully with their necks down low, leading the goslings. 

A walking gosling.

The goslings fed on the grass.

so fluffy!

All that walking leaves them tired! Gosling feeding while sitting down.

A poor Chiffchaff shot

Goldcrest flying towards the camera

Bird list

1. Black-headed Gull        
2.  Blackbird        
3.  Blackcap        
4.  Blue Tit        
5.  Carrion Crow        
6.  Chaffinch        
7.  Chiffchaff        
8.  Coal Tit        
9.  Coot        
10.  Cormorant        
11.  Dunnock        
12.  Feral Pigeon        
13.  Goldcrest        
14.  Goldfinch        
15.  Great Crested Grebe        
16.  Great Tit        
17.  Greenfinch        
18.  Greylag Goose        
19.  Herring Gull        
20.  House Martin        
21.  House Sparrow        
22.  Lesser Black-backed Gull        
23.  Long-tailed Tit        
24.  Magpie        
25.  Mallard        
26.  Moorhen        
27.  Pied Wagtail (yarrellii)        
28.  Robin        
29.  Starling        
30.  Swallow        
31.  Tufted Duck        
32.  Woodpigeon        
33.  Wren