Crane and Ale

Western Bonelli's warbler, Bempton Cliffs RSPB, E.Yorks.

Western Bonelli's warbler

Western Bonelli's warbler

Western Bonelli's warbler 'twitch'

Saturday 11th Sept. 2010

When I checked the pager having driven to Beverley, I was delighted to see that there was a Western Bonelli's warbler just up the road at Bempton cliffs RSPB. The scene of great disappointment earlier in the week, dipping the Brown Flycatcher, at least this bird was definitely there. I just got a view of bird before the heavens opened sending everyone running for cover. The fact that the bird was in trees right next to the overflow car park meant we didnt have to run far. After the shower came the sun and the bird generally showed well, favouring an Ash tree amongst the Sallows.

The rest of the afternoon was spent at Flamborough seaching the Brambles and thickets near the Golf course for Migrants. Only common migrants; Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Willow warbler, Garden warbler and Spotted Flycatcher were noted with a number of Whinchats, a Stonechat and Hobby in the Gorse field next to the car park.

So where, I hear you Cry, does the Ale come in? Well, having eventually met up with my dear wife Jan we had a pleasant evening at the White Horse (Nellies) in Beverley, gas lamps and all, supping Samuel Smith's Brewery Bitter at £1.50 a pint!

Common Crane, Hornsea Mere, East Yorks

Common Crane

Common Crane

Common Crane

Common Crane

Black Redstart, Atwick

Weasel, Atwick

Red necked Grebe, North cave Wetlands, East Yorks

Sunday 12th September 2010

On Sunday I headed for Hornsea Mere. A Common Crane had been coming on to Swan island from time to time viewable from the car park. Luckily it was there when I arrived, even more fortunately it decided to fly, going up quite high before returning to its favoured area on the island. There were also small flocks of Dunlin and Ruff on other smaller islands. As the number of Sunday visitors built up I moved to check out the coastal path at Atwick the next village just north of Hornsea. The area between the two Caravan sites has always been worth a look, although the strip of weedy land between the cliff and the cultivated land has got less year by year with coastal erosion. There were a handful of Meadow pipits in the stubble fields and a Northern Wheatear on the path. My best find though was a Black Redstart on the mud cliffs. Having said that, I enjoyed watching a Weasel searching through the mud boulders of the cliff at close range and even managed a couple of photos. On the beach were a couple of Sandwich terns but with the tide ebbing and being in the bay between Flamborough and Spurn decided a sea watch wouldnt be very productive. I checked the hedges near the coast path for some way either side of Atwick but didnt find anything else.

Monday 13th September 2010

Popped into North Cave Wetlands on the way home. An excellent reserve well worth an hour on the way back from a Mega twitch at Filey, Flamborough or Spurn. When the current quarrying operation is completed the reserve may rival Potteric Carrs in significance. There are 3 hides from which to view the series of shallow pools. The main attraction today was a juvenlie Red necked Grebe but there was also a brief sighting of a Marsh Harrier, 2 flocks of Golden plover and a Kingfisher. I must just remark on the value for money birding in East Yorkshire. No charge at North Cave and you can get a cup of Coffee (in a mug) for 50p from the van in the Car park. Puts a lot of other reserves to shame.