Annual York Birding Trip to Flamborough

 I led the York Birding field trip to Flamborough Head today. 

19 of us York birders met at the Head this morning at 8am (though the count was a little higher according to Duncan!). A Wheatear perched on a chimney pot was a good start. We headed down to the fog station with a keen southeaster blowing, so we hid in the lee of the buildings. Several Red-throated Divers were flying about, among the commoner local seabirds, with 5 Arctic Skuas and 1 Manx Shearwater the pick of the seabirds. Several flocks of Teal flew south, along with two drake Pochards which are scarce over the sea here. Two Peregrines gave good close views hunting along the cliffs, and a number of Common, Arctic and Sandwich Terns passed by. Best of all - for some - was a small pod of Bottlenose Dolphins that moved slowly north offshore, allowing us all good views. A few Harbour Porpoises and Grey Seals were noted too. 

We then split into two groups, with Duncan taking one group anti-clockwise round the Old Fall loop, and Jono taking the other clockwise. The wind made birding difficult, but the sun was warm and there were a few migrants around. The best spot was in the Old Fall hedge just north of the plantation, where a fine male Redstart made sorties on to the path to catch an unwary insect, with two Pied Flycatchers and both Common and Lesser Whitethroats for company. 

 

  

A quick coffee break and we drove round to Thornwick as we had heard the exciting news of a Greenish Warbler having been discovered. We reconvened and grilled the copse by the Activity Barn, but despite good views of a trio of Pied Flycatchers, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Goldcrests, we couldn't repeat our luck from last year and find the Greenish.

 

 

 

A relaxing walk down to Thornwick Pools revealed Reed Warbler and a few common ducks, before we headed back to the car park for lunch. Next up, Bempton Cliffs where we peered into the Dell, grilled Pallas's Patch and sheltered out of a brief downpour in the centre, looking for more migrants. A fine Spotted Flycatcher was zipping around; Duncan and me saw a brief Sedge Warbler looking proper rare, and a couple more Pied Flycatchers were along the nature trail. Despite reports of Whinchats all over the place, we couldn't locate any - they seemed to be avoiding us! 

Time was getting on, so we called it a day, and said our goodbyes in the overflow car park. An enjoyable day with a sprinkling of migrants, with Pied Flycatchers and Bottlenose Dolphins the highlights. 

 

A late brood of Swallow fledglings being fed by the parents by Bempton VC. Very sweet.