Seawatching at Filey

I got the train to Filey today for a spot of seawatching. A calm, frosty and sunny morning, balmy at times, but then turned cloudy with threatening clouds and the wind perked up. As I was getting to Filey I checked the observatory Twitter and a Great Northern Diver had been spotted in the bay. I got to the sea front and It didn't take long to find, a first for the year, but after a spot of preening it started diving for food and on each dive it would move towards the Brigg, until if disappeared from sight.

Some record shots of the Great Northern Diver.

Coltsfoot in bloom, and also primroses on the grassy slopes in town.

Primroses.

Coltsfoot.

The tide was high and I decided to move to the top of the cliff by Arndale ravine and check the cliffs of Carr Naze. Sections of the cliffs were packed with Guillemots, with a few Razorbills sprinkled through, new for the year too. Many more auks were in rafts on the sea. A few Fulmars circled the cliffs, some pairs already sitting on nest sites.

A raft of Razorbills

Razorbill pair.

busy cliffs.

Razorbill.

Razorbill.

Wing flappling Razorbill.

From the top of Carr Naze in the bay a pair of Eider were close to shore. I could take better shots by the Brigg later.

Drake Eider.

Drake and duck Eider.

I had lunch sheltered by the seawatching hut. A crow kept cracking periwinkles had me entertained. Two Gannets flew north around the Brigg. After lunch, the tide was just low enough to walk back by the shore.

A Carrion Crow cracking periwinkles.

Cormorant on breeding plumage.

Oystercatcher. A flock of 68 were on the shore at high tide.

Another spot of seawatching by the sea wall in town added a few more birds to the tally.

Immature Razorbill in the bay.

One of two Great Crested Grebes in the bay.

Breeding plumage Shag. 

One of a pair of Pied Wagtails at Crescent Gardens.

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.

Wintry Flamborough

A cold, cloudy day with intermittent drizzle and a relentless easterly wind, it felt like the first day of winter. We head to Flamborough, first to the headland, for a spot of sea watching. The Flamborough Bird Observatory seawatching hide is almost complete, and it's looking great, the materials waiting to go on its green roof. It's so windy it's very uncomfortable atop the cliffs so we walk down to Selwicks Bay for some shelter. The tide is flowing and some Oystercatchers, a few Turnstones and a Curlew feed on the beach. Off shore, we spot Brent Geese, a flock of Eider north (my first this year), many Gannets and Fulmar and a few Red-throated Divers and auks. A Shag feeds close to the shore and a Grey Seal approaches and watches curiously.

Seawatching hide.

Red-throated diver.

Eider.

Shag.

Grey Seal.

Grey Seal.

Mid morning we move to South Landing, where the birds of note were two Common Scoter, a drake Eider north and a few Red-throated divers and a Shag.

Common Scoter.

South Landing.

Eider.

Redwing.

For lunch we move to Bempton Cliffs. There is little about offshore, a few Gannets is the only thing we pick up. The wind is picking up and in the viewing platforms I need to hang on to my glasses! We set off before a long shower starts. 

Tree Sparrow.

Tree Sparrow.

Filey Brigg from Bempton Cliffs.