29th March '09 Flamborough Head

Cool, very sunny, windy.

Flamborough Head

Sea stacks below Flamborough Lighthouse.

Today couldn't have been more different from yesterday. We enjoyed beautiful sunshine all day. When the sun falls on the chalk cliffs the views are magnificent. Soaking up the rays and the scenary we couldn't have asked for more. We didn't, but nevertheless we got it, with first sightings, Barn Owls, and deer! What a day. On days like this you could sit on the cliff top and observe the sea birds making their way to Bempton and those making their way back. It is important that you try to identify each group of birds. First those on the water and those in the air. After a while you get familiar with the behaviour of certain birds. For instance gulls generally when on the water will group together in a haphazard way, whereas Guillemots group together on the water but form a line in the way certain birds do in flight. Also to look out for are the divers. It was while doing all this that we saw our very first Eiders. A family group of an adult male and female, two juvenile males and a juvenile female.

Looking north from near the lighthouse.

The area of rough grass on the cliff tops bounded by fences to the south is alive with Meadow Pipits and Skylark. We spent over 2 hours in this vicinity before making our way north along the cliff path that borders the golf course. In the gorse and scrub below the cliffs is a good place for Linnets, Stonechats and the like. Our destination was North Cliff Marsh, a small pond complete with bird hide.
North Cliff Marsh. Note the small deer which had been spooked by a Barn Owl.

Each time we come to the marsh there is some improvement. This time a hide and screens have been added. We hadn't been in the hide long when a Barn Owl appearred just feet above our heads. Needless to say I hadn't got my camera set up so missed some really good shots.

EIDER*, Herring Gull, Guillemot, Kittiwake, Gannet, Shag, Oyster Catcher, Greylag, Teal, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Barn Owl, Jackdaw, Pied Wagtail, Pheasant.