Sunday 2 June 2013

A day by the sea - Flamborough South Landing

Myself and Mrs Kiz decided to head to the coast this weekend to enjoy the sun, walking from South Landing at Flamborough to North Landing and back, a 5 mile round trip but well worth it!

Some stunning views along the way and birds too!



First up were masses of House Martins, good to see after poor numbers seen inland, and a few Swallows too.

                                                           House Martin (Delichon urbicum)

Had some very close flypasts which is always fantastic to see and this is my first non blurry shot of a House Martin, ever!

As we tramped on I came across a bird I wasnt expecting to see, one I haven't seen since visiting Scotland in 2011, 3 common Eiders, my favourite sea duck and the heaviest duck in the UK!


  Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)

A good movement of Manx Shearwater was underway heading south not far out so had my best ever views in the scope. There were also quite a few Gannets and Kittiwakes flying around.

This is the first non white butterfly i've seen this year, really shows how late the season is and how its having a bad affect on our butterfly populations.

                                                                             Painted Lady

  Flamborough Lighthouse - Trinity House


Arriving near North Landing I finally connected with the birds i'd hoped to see, Guillemots, Razorbills and last but by no means least, the Puffin!

                                                         Auks - Guillemots, Razorbill & Puffin
                                                                     Guillemots & Razorbill

The Guillemots are the birds with the slender long bills & more brown appearance, there is a Razorbill in the first image on the right hand side at the front of a group of 5 birds, more black in appearance with a more stunted thick bill and a white stripe on the bill.  See if you can find one in the second image!

And the birds everyone loves to see... the Puffin!

                                                                          Puffin (Fratercula)

Stopped off for lunch at Headlands Restaurant for a bite to eat, which was very nice! 
A quick look at some more Auks before a quick march back to the car, time was 
running out on the ticket! 

On the way back I had a quick look in some woodland and managed to find this beauty, 
my first self found Spotted Flycatcher! 


                                                    Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)
                                                                                        
A very enjoyable day combining a nice walk with good birding in the sunshine! 

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