With the garden more or less in order for Spring, I've somehow picked a dark, cold and windy morning to venture to the East coast. I have some catching up to do with my year list, so a seabird session at Bempton is an ideal place to start. A grey outlook from the cliffs but at least the sea was calm. It's still a little early for the activity Bempton is renowned for however, I had no difficulty in seeing many Gannets assembling on their breeding ledges where they will remain for some months now. Both Razorbills and Guillemots are arriving too. If not on the cliffs, they are present in large rafts on the sea. Razorbill having a wing stretch. Assembled Guillemots - a nice 'bridled' form in the centre. Fulmars are also arriving on the cliffs. On the sea, 3 Puffins were seen, a Red-throated Diver, 4 Eider, 2 Common Scoter and 3 Shag.
Walking the clifftop fields, I found my first Wheatear of the year. Unfortunately, the wind whipped it away all too quickly and I didn't find it again. A Redwing and a flyover Brambling reminded me that we're not out of the woods yet! Later at Flamborough, 3 Chiffchaffs were together near the lighthouse, always good to hear them in late March. Comments are closed.
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