Jacqui's wildlife : April 2014

Wednesday 23 April 2014

Flamborough Head and Bempton Cliffs RSPB 18.04.14

Having traveled over to Barton-Upon Humber decided to go up to Flamborough Head , and Bempton for the day on Friday , weather forecast looked pretty good too . We set off at about 9.00 am and had a lovely drive through my most favourite countryside , the sun was shining and everywhere looked so fresh and beautiful . When we arrived at Flamborough we first took a walk down to the sheep field to see if we could locate the Tawny Pipit . There were a few birders about and no one had located the Tawny . Also spotted plenty of Linnets a few Wheatear and White Wagtail , We seen an immature male Eider on the sea which was a year tick for me :) We scanned the fields in the hope of the Tawny but no luck . We then headed along the cliff edge and back towards the car park . From here we walked along the coastal path towards the Golf course still scanning every Pipit that moved , but all turned out to be Meadow Pipits . We then decided to get on up to Bempton Cliffs . Lots of Gannet

, Guillemot , Kittiwake , Razorbill , Shag and just a couple of Puffin , so lots of year ticks for me . Then I had a Lifer a Great Skua flying high . We had not one Great Skua but four , all flying high , which i am told is unusual for Skua's . We went back to the visitor centre where I spent a fortune , and also had a coffee and enjoyed sat in the sun photographing the Tree Sparrows and Linnets . Had an amazing day out as always on the coast . :)

Flamborough Lighthouse

Flamborough

Bempton Cliffs RSPB

Tree Sparrow

Collared Dove

Dunnock

Goldfinch

Jackdaw

Song Thrush

Wheatear

Wood Pigeon

Linnet

Gannet Rock

Great Skua (record shot)

Great Skua (record shot )

Fulmar

Gannet

gannet

Gannet

Puffin

Friday 11 April 2014

Pennington Flash CP 11th April 2014

Well with the sun shinning today I decided to have a day out to Pennington Flash CP . We didn't set off until 11.00am as had to wait for my auntie to visit first . When we got there the car park was full as it always is when the sun shines . Kids everywhere and dog walkers , not good :( First went in Horrocks hide , there were Oystercatchers , Gadwall , Lapwing , Cormorant , Black headed gulls , coots , about 6 pairs of Great Crested Grebe , Goosanders , Shoveler , Tufted Ducks . On the walk to the next hide I could hear all the usual woodland birds and also Blackcap and Sedge Warbler . The next hide we went in was a bit quiet although did see quite a few Butterflies Orange Tip , Peacock and small Tortoiseshell . Also had a female Blackcap and a Wren in the hedge at the side . Then we had a walk through the woods and round to the Bunting hide , where I got to actually take a few photos of the woodland birds there . There must have been about 8 Stock Doves today , also seen were Bullfinch , Greenfinch , Reed Bunting , Chaffinch , Dunnock , Robin , Great Tit , Blue Tit , Jay , Wren . As we left the hide there were kids everywhere and the car park was packed , so not a quiet day out birding really .

Male Bullfinch

Female Bullfinch

Dunnock

Great Tit

Greenfinch

Jay

Stock Dove

Wood Pigeon

Wren