Scarborough Castle Headland (In search of Migrants)

Scarborough Castle Headland (In search of Migrants)

13/10/2013

Scarborough

A total of 5 or 6 hours was spent around the Castle Headland looking for migrants with the first 3 or so hours spent in horrible wet conditions and then 2 or so hours in better brighter conditions.

Apologies for the quality of photographs as the weather and light was poor all day and the birds were mainly in cover, but at least I got a couple of good shots of the Chiffchaff

Siberian Stonechat

Siberian Stonechat

19/10/2013

Scalby Mills, Scarborough

After seeing Scarborough Birders News while at work all week, I finally got to Scalby Mills on Saturday morning when it was very dank and wet, to search for the Siberian Stonechat and found it along with a few other borders from Lancashire and Cheshire on the Landward side of the beck.

Though not unbelievably rare in this country a great sight for a bird that should be in Siberia Migrating to southern areas of Asia or Northern Africa.

Other notable sighting of the morning were a Ring Ouzel, a Bullfinch, Brambling, a Wren, Blue Tits, Thrushes, Blackbirds and two Heron passing over to Scalby Mills Rocks.

Scarborough Birders Pelagic

Scarborough Birders Pelagic

06/10/2013

Scarborough

A great morning out at sea, with a hardy bunch of birders, in search of the unusual, which unfortunately didn't turn up, but there were the odd passing, but reasonably distant Tern, Skua, Red Throated Diver, Red Breasted Merganser, Common Scoter, Guillemot, Razorbill, Gannets and Pink Footed Geese, along with masses GBB Gull, (including a couple of Norwegian visitors) Herring Gull and a few Common Gull.

I thoroughly enjoyed the morning, but realise I'm still at the beginning of a massive learning curve regarding birding, when in the company of excellent and seasoned birders. Indeed not knowing the difference particularly in juveniles, (and quickly at distance) of  Herring Gull, a GGB Gull and a Common Gull was not great and a bit embarrassing!! Note to myself more reading to be done!!

Rock Pipits

Rock Pipits

27/09/2013

Marine Drive, Scarborough

Couple of photographs of what I think are resident Rock Pipits on the Marine Drive in Scarborough, as they seem to have been around most of the year!! I may be wrong!!

Jacksons Bay

Jacksons Bay

28/09/2013

Jacksons Bay, Scalby, Scarborough

 

Cracking couple of hours at Jacksons Bay, before all the birds being disturbed by dogs and un responsible owners, which pees me off, but then I suppose it's a free beach!!

 

Lots to see during the, with many birds not photographed including;

Yellow Browed Warbler and various Tits at the Castle

Rock and Meadow Pipits along with a Dunnock on the Marine Drive

A large flock of some 100 + Goldfinches at Scalby Lodge Ponds (see picture)

Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Oyster Catchers, Bar Tailed Godwits, Rock Pipits, Redshank and Curlew at Jacksons Bay (see pictures)

 

 

Kingfisher Delight

Kingfisher Delight

21/09/2013

Tophill Low Nature Reserve, Watton, Near Driffield

Great sightings on a Saturday morning at Tophill Low's, North Marsh Hide. Initially awaiting a sighting of the regularly visiting Otters that never showed, but who cares when these beauties hang around for an while.