Barn Owl
A whirlwind couple of days back home to see the folks, iron out a few wedding-related issues, and (luckily) squeeze in the best part of a day in the field; lucky in that the time I had spare coincided with a cold, sharp day of brightness, while those either side were equally cold but barely illuminated through the battleship clouds.
Lapland Buntings
The highlights of a morning spent along the northern cliffs from North Landing to the lighthouse were a flock of 50+ Lapland Buntings in the ploughed field between Northcliffe marsh and the sea, and a pair of wonderfully entertaining Barn Owls in the same area.
Herring Gull, Barn Owl, Tree Sparrow
Within the growing throngs of seabirds laying claim to ledges and crevices on the cliffs themselves, several pairs of Stock Doves investigated nest sites; a feature of the colony for as long as I can remember, they're an overlooked species in this habitat, and no counts (or even recognition) have been recorded to my knowledge.
Stock Dove at cliff-face nest site
An afternoon at Filey Dams YWT, always a pleasure, produced five Goosander alongside the more predictable groups of Teal, Wigeon, Redshanks etc.
Next time I come back to Flamborough, it'll be to do the deed with the other half...... but there'll be time for birding, naturally.
Shelduck, Goosanders, and a freakish House Sparrow in the back garden
