3rd Sept Saw Me and the Mrs at Filey for a bracing walk around the country park; Lots of jittery Goldfinches and Linnet .. that allowed no real close approaches … just as you got close they’d be off in a synchronised bouncy flight.. quite frustrating!!. Then they’d be back and off again. This very skittish behaviour could have been explained by a female Sparrowhawk that suddenly shot across the Naze .. definitely with Goldfinch on the mind for tea as it ambushed a flock of unsuspecting birds…no luck this time!! A great end to the days walk!!
5th Sept; an early Yellow -browed Warbler reported at Bempton Cliffs was worth a visit … but the weather was dreadful .. thick sea fret surrounded the cliffs and visitor centre .. what a wasted journey saw nowt!!! On the way home stopped at Wykeham Carrs and within minutes the best bird of the day was spotted and photographed … Marsh Harriers. Brilliant to see them in the local area.
9th Sept: Another trip to Bempton for Yellow browed Warbler …weather not brilliant again, but better than my last trip!! At least you could see the cliffs !!! There were some nice posing Gannets and just as we were losing the light a very nice Barn Owl was seen to the south of the Visitor centre quartering the fields in its typical moth-like flight. Always a privilege to see these birds…as for the Yellow-browed Warbler not a sign whilst I was there!!
11th Sept: A Birthday treat!!.. Nice walk around Scampston Hall.. Not many birds to report but it was still great to stretch the legs and get some fresh air… Some very nice Autumn Crocuses were out, which gave a nice splash of colour. The Mute Swans were out too … originally there were 6 cygnets but this time only 5 were on view … sadly even if one has died … to get so many through those first few months is an achievement when you think of all the inherent dangers.
16th Sept: Had another visit to Filey Dams reserve today as I wanted to try and photograph Green Sandpiper in better light and a bit closer. So I was very relieved that there were a couple of birds still present on the reserve. It was just over a month since I first saw Green Sands’ back in August and this time I was in luck, as one bird fed quite close in front of the hide and had a few flights around one of the small ponds; always great birds to see … and hearing their flight calls too.
22nd Sept:It was a week of easterly winds – but due to other commitments I couldn’t get out … however there were were some migrants still around the weekend 22nd/23rd. And what should have turned up but a Red Breasted Flycatcher at Hartlepool up on the east coast. So my birding mate Graham and I had a trip up there … which proved to be a great move. Parking just near the harbour we had Yellow- browed Warbler calling continuously from the churchyard’s Sycamores. As usual they were high in the trees so no chance of a photograph … as is the way when trying to photograph warblers ..so bloody frustrating!! And then the shout went up .. the R.B.F was showing really well, so a quick run over to the square … and YES !!! What a beauty!!! Although I’ve seen R.B.F before, seeing one again is always welcome, when you think how far these little birds have flown and the weather conditions too … A great privilege!!
We had a great morning in Hartlepool; despite dipping on a Great Grey Shrike and an Osprey… I eventually had nice views of a Yellow browed Warbler and just up from the harbour some nice views of male Eiders. As we were chasing the light … we moved onto the R.S.P.B reserve at Saltholme not very exciting …apart from a very nice White-fronted Goose, a bird I haven’t seen for at least 6 years !!! A great way to end the day!
The last few days of September were unsuccessfully spent chasing mythical Hawfinches locally… but never mind a week birding in the Algarve beckons … I’m sure well get some good sightings there …. Look out for the next blog!!!
