Whooper swans

Highlight of the morning were this probable pair of whooper swans at scalby mills. They were distant at first but came closer, one in particular looked tired and was often asleep. I think the male is the larger right hand bird, great to see them in good light and locally. Lots of redshank in the pools and turnstone. This bird was turning over quite large stones which can be seen in the picture.

Filey

Continental blackbird.

A wary ringed plover.



Nice to see the sanderling flock back in the bay corner, about 30 birds being harrassed by flocks of dogs! Quiet on the fields and hedgerows, just a few crests and lingering migrant blackbirds. This blackbird is a first year male and typical continental dark bill! A flock of about 50 knot on the brigg and 12 ringed plover of note.

Black Redstart

Just a short time to rest in the warm afternoon sun, but always highly alert.









Mid afternoon the sun came out so did this nice black red on Filey church. High up and actively feeding, superb camouflage against this stone, just a few records in spring and autumn.

Short eared owl

A quiet morning at filey top fields, lots of skylarks, linnets, tree sparrows, some yellowhammers and 6 lapland buntings but all flighty. However, this short eared owl just in off the sea is a typical october event. Its no wonder they do not hang around here, the crows, magpies and gulls mob them constantly.

Red flanked bluetail

Arrived late afternoon for this superb bird, after being ringed near flamborough lighthouse it was released in old fall plantation. With a low sun and difficult light conditions not an easy bird to get just right. However, just pleased to get shots. A new bird for me and so easy, fantastic.

Barred Warbler

This barred warbler was far too distant for a photo, however, you can see the main features of this juvenile bird. Found in a ravine not far from scalby lodge pond, the bird has been showing well for two days. A wren was busy catching spiders nearby, and this male peregrine falcon flew past the headland, seems to have a full crop, super bird.

Mediterranean Gull

A 2nd winter and adult showing well at holbeck car park again, they seem to appear from nowhere when there is bread around.

Filey

A few birds around filey over a couple of quiet days! Large numbers of blackbirds have arrived, just a few linger on. Despite its bright colours, the male bullfinch almost disappears within the autumn leaves. Carrion crows scour the stubble fields for spilt grain. Three lone pink feet seem lost without the large flocks that have passed through lately. Redshank, snipe and a superb gadwall are the pick of birds on the dams. Finally after a search for the lapland buntings on the top fields, a lone stonechat was feeding low down on the cliff top.

Lapland bunting

Lots of birds moving over the last two days, mainly blackbirds, redwings, thrushes and fieldfares. This well marked lapland bunting, one of about six birds present was unusually confiding, a young male of the year. A Richards pipit gave good views through a scope before flying out of sight. The top bird is a reed bunting, a neat, smart little bird. Many different migrants seen, good days birding.

Filey dams nature reserve

Just a few common species feeding through the hedges. The redwing was most probably hatched in the birch forests of scandinavia, who knows? A flock of about 30 lapwing, mainly birds of the year loafing around the pools, possibly local birds from the moors.