30th-31st July 2018
East Coast Meanderings
July 30th
Up to Blackhall Rocks to see a drake surf scoter along with a velvet scoter and about 500 or so common scoters. A long linear raft of birds with the surf scoter showing well at the northern end of the raft. Too far for a photo. Later at Dorman's Pool a wader fest plus a juvenile marsh harrier kept me entertained. No photos from this trip however. I tried to photograph the harrier but it was a mite too far away.
July 31st
Barry and I set off fairly early for Flamborough, intending to visit Thornwick Pool. I hoped the wood sandpiper might be present and close. Year tick for Barry - the woodsand delivered.
We headed south calling at Hornsea Mere. Little gulls and common terns. Plus an obliging Painted Lady. Ladies first!
Common tern, including one that was bothering a little gull dozing on one of the jetties.
Little gulls - quite a few around.
Moi! photo by Barry.
Spurn next - Kilnsea Wetlands and Beacon Ponds to be precise. For a full account of the wader filled day [20 species seen!] visit barryjohnbishop.blogspot.com. Overall we saw 62 species of birds that day.
At Kilnsea we had excellent views of a blackwit and of a greenshank. All photographed in Mediterranean-type light conditions.
