Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire

Due to a forecast of lovely weather, we went up to RSPB site Bempton Cliffs which is three miles north of Bridlington, near Flamborough Head. Upon approaching the edge of the cliffs, the noise of thousand of birds was breathtaking, there are 5 or 6 lookouts with excellent views along the cliff top. To the right there were the gannets, we were told they had 4 thousand last year, this year they had arrived later, so no eggs as yet had been laid, but numbers were already looking good, also countless Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittywakes and a Peregrine shown to us on the RSPB assistants scope.

Further to the left we started to see the puffins, flying back and forth. The sea which was calm was covered with birds everywhere, it's a truely wonderful sight and well worth the trip!

Upon returning to the center, a Hawfinch had turned up at the feeder station, first record in 5 years, this presented an opportunity for photographs to the fortunate people there, other sightings on site included pair of Ring Ouzels, Corn Buntings, Brambling, Skylarks, Tree Sparrows, and Swallows.

Great birding, memorable weekend.

From Dave & Pauline.

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Fosse Meadows

A grey and overcast day did not deter a large group and did not disappoint on the birding front. Joined on the day by Ken, Dave and his grandson Billy, Graham, Fred and Linda, Vicki, Julie, Ellen, John and Angie, Sue and Beverly we made our way to the first of the two hides on the pond. Up to this point and here we had views of a Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, a pair of Kingfishers, Sand Martins, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and many more (see the bird list). From here we moved along trying to find the best route to dodge the waterlogged sections and the muddy sections. A pleasurable day had by all. I left the group early to check out the Kingfishers again and was also greeted by a pair of Oystercatchers having a squabble. I decided to also test out the new burger van which was delicious!

Lee.

Kingfisher Pair

Oystercatcher

Blackcap

Willow Warbler

Normanton Hall Bird Walk

Today eight of us visited the Hall, which is a gem for birding. The garden is set on higher ground looking out over the flood plain of the meandering River Soar which spills into small lakes, some used for fishing. There are views over the surrounding countryside on three sides of the garden with a wide variety of habitats - fields and meadows, tree-lined river, lakes with reed beds, hedgerows, landscaped gardens, mixed woodland, old buildings. This was the venue for our cancelled walk three weeks ago, when it snowed. What brought us here today was the sighting of three swallows yesterday, increasing to six by the end of the day, coupled with a possible view of boxing hares. The swallows nest in the horses' stables in old red brick barns. Last year, we were told that the swallows arrived on 3rd April, so surprisingly just a few days late this year. Joy had calculated that there must have been over 120 fledgling swallows last year from these barns alone.

Our first challenge on arrival was to negotiate the track, filled with young lambs and their mothers, to reach Joy and Ken's property. As soon as we parked in the yard we could see the swallows circling overhead and hear birds singing all around us. Slowly walking around the garden we began to appreciate the variety of birds in such a small area. At times it was hard to separate all the different calls - from woodpeckers drumming and cackling, to the sweet songs of dunnock, robin and blackbird. Of course the pheasant, chiff chaff and chaffinches were doing their own thing.

After spending an hour in the garden we walked down towards the fishing lakes. From the track we spied a very enthusiastic nuthatch singing his heart out, several pheasants and red-legged partridges and 6 yellowhammers fluttering around the hedgerow. Later we went to the other side of the property down by the river from where we discovered the reed bunting in the reed beds. Altogether, in two hours, we counted 33 species sighted and 3 calling.

Given the opportunity this site is one for visiting each season to appreciate the changes in the wildlife and their habitats.

Species sighted: Mute swan, greylag geese, mallard, red-legged partridge, pheasant, grey heron, common buzzard, kestrel, moorhen, coot, wood pigeon, great spotted woodpecker, skylark, barn swallow, dunnock, robin, redwing, mistle thrush, blackbird, goldcrest, wren, great tit, coal tit, blue tit, long-tailed tit, nuthatch, carrion crow, house sparrow, chaffinch, goldfinch, greenfinch, reed bunting, yellowhammer

Species calling: green woodpecker, blackcap, chiffchaff

Madeleine

Nuthatch

Swallow

Chaffinch Spring