Peregrine Falcon

The pair of Peregrines showing well today, just couldn't get a picture of the pair together or any decent flight shots but the above images say it all - magnificent bird of prey.

Water Rail

Got a tip off that a Water Rail had been seen in the Manor Gardens in the muddy area of the lake opposite the newt pond, so I thought I would take a look and as I walked around the corner to the lake guess what I saw?

Goosander

A rather very shabby Goosander on Scarborough Mere at 4.00pm today, doesn't really look that healthy, lets see if it sticks around for a few days.

Harbour Porpoise

As I walked along the Marine Drive towards the harbour I was lucky enough to spot 5 Harbour Porpoise's swimming along about 100 metres from the sea wall. Also seen off the drive: Red Throated Diver, Guillemot, Puffin and 2 Little Auks.

Desert Wheatear - Part II

The second attempt at getting some decent images of the Desert Wheatear at Cromer Point and finally some decent light levels. The bird was showing very well and started to use the fence posts as a lookout to the field below for grubs etc. A cracking bird, hope it sticks around for a few more days.

Firecrest

Firecrest

Long Tailed Tit

What a little beauty! Eventually caught up with the Firecrest in Crook Ness a small gully in between Long Nab and Cromer Point. This bird was seen yesterday so I thought it could still be skulking around and to my enjoyment it was. Occasionally it would follow a Long Tailed Tit flock for some company, but mainly it was a solitary bird.

Desert Wheatear - Part I

I had to shoot back across from my break in the Lake District to catch this beauty. Very poor light conditions all shots taken at ISO 800 or higher, but could not miss the opportunity of getting some images. This is my second Desert Wheatear, my first being almost in the same place in fact 2 fields closer to Long Nab to be precise on the 26th November 1989.

Many thanks to Dave Mansell for dropping me a text about this bird. Possibly will try again tomorrow to see if i can improve on quality of images (if good light prevails).

Siskin

Siskins

A drive up to Wykeham Forest to see what was about at this time of the year. Came across two large flocks of Siskins with a few Chaffinch's mixed in for good measure. Scanned the flocks very carefully looking to see if there were any Crossbills or Bramblings amongst them but had no joy. Also seen was Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Bullfinch, Pheasant and Mistle Thrush.

More Divers

Black-throated Diver

Red Throated Diver

Black Throated Diver

Both the above species of diver were feeding in Scarborough Harbour this morning. As i was taking the picture of the Black Throat which was feeding in the harbour mouth the Red Throat swam straight past in to the main harbour and started to dive down for food bringing up the occasional crab or two.

More Med Gulls

A 2nd winter and adult winter Mediterranean gull were present at Holbeck Car Park this morning and they both proved to be very territorial with plenty of head bobbing and fighting taking place. Both were happy taking bread with a group of 10 Black Headed Gulls also present.

Filey Brigg

Long Tailed Duck

Pink Footed Geese

Common Scoter

Common Scoter


Common Scoter + 3 Long Tailed Duck

Sanderling

Oystercatcher


Knot

Turnstone

Dunlin

Meadow Pipit

Another visit to Filey Brigg to try and capture some shots of the Long Tailed Ducks that have been feeding just off the brigg in recent days. They have been mixed in with the huge flock of Common Scoter which have also been feeding off the brigg end. Lots of wader species on the brigg with Oystercatcher, Knot, Dunlin, Purple Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Redshank and Turnstone all present.

Scarborough Divers

Black Throated Diver

Red Throated Diver

The divers in Scarborough Harbour have been showing very well now for several days. The Black Throated Diver has been present in the main harbour and the Red Throated Diver has been seen just off the east pier and in the harbour mouth.

Long Tailed Duck

Three male late autumn plumaged Long Tailed Ducks feeding close off Filey Brigg. Have been seen earlier in the week with a flock of 80+ Common Scoter which were still present today but kept there distance.

Black Throated Diver

1st winter Black Throated Diver in Scarborough Harbour sheltering from the rough seas that we have had over the past week.

Purple Sandpipers

A flock of around 35 Purple Sandpipers were resting on the rocks just over the east wall of Scarborough Harbour. I managed to get very close with the camera and the above pics are just a few of some very decent shots. I will add some more to this post very soon.

Little Auks

A large influx of Little Auks up and down the east coast with the above birds found off the Marine Drive. I'm a huge seabird fan and when i got the word from Dave Mansell that large numbers where moving past the headland i just had to get a piece of the action. Very small and cute, it was fantastic to see these birds fairly close and in such large numbers.

I could not manage any flight shots, but check out Dave Mansell's awesome flight shots on his blog through my links section.

The Fatal Attack

Very disturbing to watch even through the lens of a camera, but i suppose this is nature. The adult Great Black Backed Gull made the first move in the killing of the Little Auk with eventually a juvenile bird taking over the proceedings and drawing in more birds for the kill.

Great Black Backed Gull

Great Black Backed Gulls the scavengers of the sea. I do really like gulls and these bad boys are huge and as you can see from the above post they will kill live prey, like the Little Auk and especially chicks or very young birds.

Scalby Mills

Shag

Wigeon

Redshank

Curlew

Oystercatcher

Rock Pipit

Kestrel

A morning spent at Scalby Mills and a walk along the cliff tops to Scalby Lodge Pond. The sea was at its best with a big swell happening behind the rocks waiting to rush in as high tide appears. A lone Kestrel was hunting along the cliff tops and the Wigeon in the rock pools have increased to at least 100+.

Battle of the Redshank

Started to watch a single Redshank feeding in the rock pools and noticed it was moving closer towards another bird also feeding close by. I didn't realise Redshanks where so territorial and aggressive, it was very entertaining to watch.

Flixton Carr

A large flock of Fieldfares, Redwings and Blackbirds where busy feeding on Hawthorn down Flixton Carr Lane, Flixton. The birds kept there distance but i could just not get close to a Redwing for a picture, however the Fieldfares where most obliging.

Thanks to Dave Mansell for the tip off to these birds, check out more pictures of these birds on Dave's blog through my links section.

Holbeck

The Mediterranean Gulls are still present at Holbeck Car Park with up to three adults showing very well. One of the individuals unfortunately has got a piece of dried seaweed stuck down the side of the ring which is attached to its right foot.

Bransdale Moor

A drive around Bransdale Moor produced two Common Buzzards soaring very high on a thermal. Went up to Bransdale on the off chance of seeing a Rough Legged Buzzard but did not have any joy. Also seen where Red Grouse, Stonechat, Lapwing, Jay and Red Legged Partridge.

Top Hill Low

Pochard



Ruddy Duck

Graet Crested Grebe

Teal

A visit to Top Hill Low Reserve to check on what waterfowl may be building up on the reserve. Not large numbers just yet but plenty of species to take a look at. Present where: Pochard, Teal, Ruddy Duck, Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Goldeneye and Great Crested Grebe.

Goshawk

Took a drive through Troutsdale to find a flock of Brambling which have been in the area for the last few days (see Dave Mansell's blog through my links section). Across the valley I heard a lot of commotion and to my surprise I witnessed two Goshawks play fighting before they went there separate ways to which one of the individuals then landed on a pine tree for a rest. Very distant views as you can see from the quality of the images which have been cropped severely, but ok record shots.

Spurn Point

Grey Partridge

Brent Goose

Stonechat - female

Stonechat - male

Grey Plover

Little Egret

Shelduck

Roe Deer


Its been a very long time since I have been to Spurn so I thought a visit was in order. The tide was out so most of the waders were feeding far away on the distant shore. However I did mange to find a Grey Plover lurking close in front of the hide.

Also seen where - Knot, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Oystercatcher , Curlew, Red Throated Diver, Redwing and Fieldfare. On the way back up Spurn Point I spotted the Little Egret wadding on the edge of the estuary and in the fields leading in to Kilnsea was a flock of 100+ Brent Geese, Roe Deer and Grey Partridge.