South Landing to Danes Dyke circular walk

 The morning promised a northerly wind and little risk of showers. With the hope of finding some migrant birds, I headed for Flamborough, where I was also last week. The tide was high on arrival, but it wasn't a particularly high tide. I spent the first hour slowly walking around the woods of South Landing, enjoying a long sunny spell that was also being enjoyed by a myriad of insects. Four ladybird species were sunbathing, including many Harlequin, several 7 spots, a 10 spot ladybird and some Pine Ladybirds. At least 3 Common Darters were on the wing on sheltered spots and a noon fly (Mesembrina meridiana) sat on a fence.

Pine Ladybird. This is a tiny ladybird.

Harlequins.

Noon fly.

10 spot ladybird.

Melanic Harlequin ladybird.

I descended the steep steps to the beach. There was enough space between the cliff and the beach on the ebbing tide to walk to Danes Dyke by the cliff, which allows for seawatching. Although not a particularly difficult walk, walking on boulders and shingle requires some concentration, so I took plenty of stops for sea watching. Curlews flew north in ones or twos. Cormorants dried their wings on the rocks and in the distance, scoters and divers could be seen.

Three Common Scoters fly north.

Red-throated Diver.

This pipit called my attention. It had the look of a Rock Pipit, but cleaner streaks than the locals, Harry Witts on twitter identified it as a Scandinavian Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus littoralis), which often winters in the area.

Cormorant on the rocks.

A Rock pipit surrounded by swarms of seaweed flies on the strandline.

Caught one!

One of two Pied Wagtails on the rocks.

On turning a corner on the cliff, Danes Dyke became visible (top shot). I filmed a flock of Turnstones feeding on the strandline

I got to Danes Dyke in time for a picnic. I sat on the rocks at the base of the dyke, only to be interrupted by a sharp shower! Never mind. Having finished my lunch, I took the parth on the left of the stream to walk around the dyke. It is such a wonderful place, the contrast between the bright chalk cliffs and the sea on one hand, and the creek in woodland on the other is amazing to see. I flushed a Woodcock at the top of the woodland, on the edge of fields, my first this year. 

After walking around the dyke, it was time for the return walk, which I took on the coastal path at the top of the cliff. After a steep ascent, I took a few minutes to look back onto the coast towards Bridlington.

On the path I noticed a large squished insect. It was still alive, its antenae and jaws still moving. I photographed it at home and identified it as a Violet Ground Beetle, Carabus violaceous, which I've never seen in an intact state. It appeared to have been pecked, its elytra indented. I wonder if a bird had attacked it and then let it go?

I went to South Landing beach again. A Wigeon looked a bit lost, surrounded by Oystercatchers. 

Record shot of three drake Eiders went north...

And a seal balanced itself precariously on the rocks. Here stretching and yawning.

It looked like a Common Seal.