40 Not Out

So, the big four o arrived on 3rd October. After a night in the pub in Ellerby, headed for Flamborough. What a treat to have the day off and spend the day birding the Great White Cape! Good company in the form of Tony and Dob, but sadly, not many birds to be seen due to southerly winds and clear skies. We hunted high and low around Old Fall but only found a Chiffchaff. Following a birthday bacon buttie, took a trip to the northside where we worked hard for birds. Gone eleven and a few Song Thrushes and a Shoveler (!) came in off. A distant bird called - Yellow-browed Warbler! It sounded like it was near the sewage plant, but we couldn't find it. Did a loop round the tracks and as we arrived at the North Landing CP, a tiny green and white warbler flew up off the cliff top and across the car park, buffeted by the strong wind. It disappeared into Holmes Gut. A good search failed to find it, then on the way back to the car a Siskin flew over, followed by the characteristic call of a Yellow-brow at close quarters. We soon got on the little sprite as it worked through the elders. High fives all round! Not a big bird, but boy we had put in the effort and it felt like a great reward.

Birthday selfie, and Old Fall from the south


We headed to The Mighty Hornsea Mere, via the chippy. Not a lot from the new Wassand Hide, though Tony jammed a first year Med Gull cruising past. Later, we did the south side, adding female Scaup and a fine first year Caspian Gull, complete with red darvic. Whilst savouring this bird, Tony picked up one of Dob's Slavonian Grebes, a juv, from yesterday which finished the day off nicely, before heading back to meet the family, for birthday fun.