Sunday 8 November 2009

BF Filey Meet - Marcus's Leaving Do

Kingfisher - the final 'good' bird of the day
Snow Bunting - the first 'good' bird of the day
but this pic from Spurn on Thursday
A Sparrowhawk like the one Keith & I saw today
(c) 2009 Mike Williamson
A Filey Dams Snipe
A Filey Brigg Grey Seal
Record shot of Pink-footed Geese
Record shot of Red-throated Diver
The day started well with a Snow Bunting on the tip of the Naze, but even better for Jim and Graham who almost certainly had a Lapland Bunting over first thing. There were some Goldfinches, Linnets, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks flocking around and a Kestrel, but nothing too exciting. We walked along the cliff top past Old Tip, but apart from a Gannet and plenty of Fulmar we didn't add a lot more. We walked through Old Tip, but only picked up a Reed Bunting and a Pheasant, but some interesting fungi. A strange bird call was emanating from Parish Wood, but we were unable to track it down. Some screaming in the hedge led Keith & I to see a Starling being hauled off by a female Sparrowhawk. She sat on it for some time, but it kept yammering, so she did a little plucking, and eventually flew off with it. There were plenty of concealed Goldfinches in Parish Wood, plus Tree Sparrows and a few Greenfinches. The housing estate didn't add much. Jim & I climbed to Carr Naze and saw plenty of Oystercatchers and a handful of Redshanks on the Country Park. We then had lunch & went down to the brigg. There were quite a few Red-throated Divers at first, plus a Great Crested Grebe flying past, and what we thought were a pair of Red-breasted Merganser heading north. There were quite a few Eider duck around (mainly females, with the odd male) and 2 different flocks of Common Scoter, both Shags & Cormorants were also seen. We went off to Filey Dams & saw a few Snipe, 2 Herons, Teal, and Tufted Duck, but the best bird here was a Kingfisher, which eventually gave great views as we switched to the larger hide. The Kingfisher provided a nice splash of colour to bring the meeting to its conclusion. The best thing about today was the company! Marcus stayed sober, and even left his own leaving do early! Namarie, Marcus

No comments: