16th May '09 Flamborough Head

Cold, rain, windy.

Flamborough Head

Flamborough Head.

This was meant to be a steady wander to North Landing Pond. Instead we have two more site to cover following tipoffs. At the pond we were told of Dotterels at Beacon Head. With the earlier first sighting we were hungry for more. We had seen the usual, plus a Pink Footed Goose and a Common Sandpiper at the pond, and yound Linnets and Stonechats on the cliffs. We headed for Beacon Hill on our return which is just a short car journey from the Head.

Riding the waves.

On Beacon Hill we were struck by the expanse of the place and wondered where we were more likely to find these birds. The guidebook said they preferred mountain tops. This ain't no mountain top I can assure you. We'd had such a good day, for the first time we were feeling a bit lost at this game. But not chucking in the towel just yet we spotted what looked like scopes on tripods poking above the horizon. It was the cavalry! Three lads were on a sponsored birdwatch. Now where are those Dotterels? When we first came onto the hill we were looking on low scrub and ignoring the broadbean field behind us. Big mistake. In no time the intrepid trio had found the birds indulging themselves in a field the size of three Wembley pitches. Bless em. After wishing them luck, they told us of a Garganey at Buckton. Thats our next stop.

The pond with the old lighthouse behind.

Dotterel*, Kittiwake, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Guillemot, Razorbill, Gannet, Shag, Oyster Catcher, Pink Footed Goose, Linnet, Stonechat, Lark, Meadow Pipit, Whitethroat, Common Sandpiper.