Filey

We were away for a weekend in Filey, one of our favourite places and a found myself with a few hours to myself. I set off from the apartment and headed towards the Brigg, on the beach as I walked down were a lot of Black headed Gulls, Herring Gulls and the odd Common Gull. At the start of the Brigg a few waders were hunting amongst the seaweed, these were mainly Turnstones, Oystercatchers and Redshank.

Along the Brigg a few Rock Pipits joined me on my walk with a pair of Kestrels hunting the step slopes of the Brigg riding into the now windy conditions and occasionally dropping down into the grass. At the Brigg end a few Cormorants were hanging out, a few auk species on the sea and a handful of Gannets flying past.

The walk back consisted of going up the path on the side of the Brigg, along carr naze catching the coast path going past the rocket pole and down the long lane hedge,  finally down Arndale ravine with little reward.

Stopped off then in Filey for dinner after which I grapped the car and ended up at Filey Dams. My first stop was to the small hide to the right of the car park, but there was someone in, so keeping my distance I headed slowly back hoping to catch maybe a Common Darter in the late sun, it wasn’t too be, I did find however picked up on its distintive “tsu-weet” call and then finally seen. The pale yellowish eyebrow easily picked up along with the paler long wingbar the smaller wingbar a bit harder to pick up the sure signs of  the Yellow browed Warbler. A very active warbler about the size of a Goldcrest this one being in a party of Long tailed Tits a migratory species at this time of year with a few records yearly and always a nice find.

After that excitement I decided on going onto Bempton Cliffs in the vain hope of owls. The viewing platforms were the first port of call with me constantly scanning the fields only picking up Linnets and Goldfinch. On the cliffs could still be seen a few Gannets and Kittiwakes but very little else.  I then headed back towards the visitor centre when I suddenly stopped near the Mosey Downgate viewpoint as a bird had landed on the fencing, it was a Black Redstart another nice surprise for the day, I did try for a photo but I wasn’t quick enough it was soon away.
Back at the visitor centre a few people were hanging out around the back where views of a Short eared Owl had just being seen but had now flown over the hill, I gave it 45 mins but it didn’t reappear, neither did the Barn Owl.
The day was over not lots to see but two nice surprises for the day, and good to be out.

List for the Day :- Black Redstart, Blackbird, Black headed Gull, Blue Tit, Crow, Common Gull, Coot, Cormorant, Fieldfare, Gadwall, Gannet, Goldfinch, Great Black backed Gull, Grey Heron, Yellow browed warbler, Herring Gull, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Kittiwake, Lesser Black backed Gull, Linnet, Long tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Redwing, Robin, Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon, Rock Pipit, Shag, Shoveler, Starling, Stock Dove, Teal, Tree Sparrow, Turnstone, Wigeon, Woodpigen, Wren (41)