Sunday, 18 September 2011

Flat Flam

Was at Flamborough yesterday for a seawatch and migrant bash. Thin pickings on both fronts with a few Manxies and Sooties plus a few Arctic & Great Skuas. Red-throated Divers were in evidence moving south in decent numbers and plenty of Teal were moving into Bridlington Bay alongside smaller numbers of Common Scoter and Wigeon. A Wheatear briefly popped up at the seawatching point before dropping down the cliffs. I gave up at half 10 but apparently it picked up later with a Sab's and a Black-throated Diver.

On the land it was difficult with Holmes Gut providing a couple of Blackcaps and two Whitethroats but little else although a Barn Owl was roosting in one of the willows. Thornwick Pools were quiet and only a Sparrowhawk landing by the hide sparked any interest.

Moving onto Old Fall and again pickings were thin - I bumped into a couple of regulars who pointed out a distant Buzzard being harassed by corvids. There were no migrants in the plantation but the highlight of the morning was a juvenile Hobby hawking overhead and buzzing me a couple of times. Further migrants in the form of an overflying Snipe coming in off and a group of alba wags which included a single definite White Wagtail were seen round the fields. There must be something coming soon?

How birds and brains become mutually exclusive

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