A trip to Selwicks Bay

The westerly wind lashed strong and I decided to go to the coast, to an east facing beach sheltered by the cliffs, Selwick Bay, just below the lighthouse at Flamborough. It was very breezy atop the cliffs and I made my way down on the steep path and steps, and quickly found respite from the wind. I searched the scrub at the side of the path for migrant birds and I soon found a young Stonechat. There were at least three in the area, sallying for insects during sunny spells, and watching intently from their perches in prominent dry flowerheads. Large flocks of goldfinches and Linnets were also about.
A few House Martins flew over the cliffs, they didn't seem to mind the wind. There are several nests in this bay and others at Flamborough headland, but these are more likely to be migrants.
 There was a Migrant Hawker dragonfly hunting in the beach, flying low over the kelp in the tide line, which is buzzing with flies. As for other invertebrates, a few Red Admirals and some Carder Bees.

The steep steps and the Flamborough lighthouse. 

There is a fold in the chalk sediments at the cliff, where strata are vertical instead of the usual horizontal in much of the Flamborough coast. 

A small creek near the area of rock folding is parallel to the stairs,

Beach robin foraging for flies among the strand line kelp.

The tide was low but rising.

One of two very sleepy turnstones were roosting atop the beach.

Also some pied Wagtails, showing how cryptic they are on a background of pebbles.

View of the bay.

There were a couple of meadow pipits on the beach. This one had a quick bath on a freshwater puddle from the creek.

The usual Rock Pipits were around too.

Male Stonechat.

There were at least six grey seals, some looking young. Several were dozing, but this one spent quite some time watching a couple of dogs running on the beach.

Another male Stonechat. 

A male Whitethroat sheltering from the wind in some brambles.