Wild at Hull: Flamborough South Landing

Monday, 2 September 2013

Flamborough South Landing

We had an impromptu trip to Flamborough Head this morning, after a failed attempt at a rowing session at Hornsea Mere. The boating had been cancelled due to the strong westerly winds. South Landing in Flamborough is the perfect place to avoid the wind: it was quite warm and sunny too. First we had a peek in the brand new Living Seas Centre of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (although it was officially closed). We look forward to attending some activities there, but for the time being, I was happy to see a great sightings board.

We went down to the beach quite ready for a picnic. The tide was quite high and rising. Grasshoppers sung and a Wall Brown Butterfly settled on the grass next to us. A Yellowhammer feeds on the cliff, apparently unaware of our presence. In the distance, a group of waders fed, on an area where seaweed gathers by the tideline. Ringed Plovers with young, Dunlin, also with young, a family of Pied Wagtails amongst them, a few Black-Headed gulls, a pair of Oystercatchers a lone Sanderling a Redshank.
A Kestrel hunted at the clifftops, followed by a Crow in several occasions. Swallows move south overhead.
We walk East, and watch the Yorkshire Belle going to Bempton cliffs. The waders are quite approachable, and I take some photos. We see the Kestrel again, skimming the cliff tops, with the carrion crow following again.
We return via the nature walk. The kids spot the first Red Admiral of the year, and there are more, settled on the leaves, basking and nectaring on honeydew. Also many Speckled Woods, Small Tortoiseshells and a Wall Brown on ragwort. Not as many birds in the woodland as in other visits.
We notice one 'dinosaur' egg from the nest sculpture has disappeared (stolen?), but we joke that it must have hatched and the baby dinosaur must be roaming around!