In the spirit of trying to be more comprehensive on these here pages (especially during migration periods), here's the first of a run of posts from coastal birding exploits during the late October / early November window - kicking off with two recent sessions at Filey.
A solid four hours plus on the morning of the 29th before plans back in York were sunny and clear, and steady at best as a consequence - small numbers of thrushes, finches, buntings, good numbers of Skylarks, plus a scattering of Robins and Chiffs in the bushes; large, vocal flocks of Pink-footed Geese (totalling 360, above) and a substantial, noisy flock of Whooper Swans early on (below) were a joy....
.... as were at least 15 Twite - two on Carr Naze, ten south, and then two absurdly tame birds which warrant their own post (to be uploaded shortly).
Another few hours sneaked in before commitments on 31st were of a similar ilk, although more Redwings, Starlings, Meadow Pipits, Blackbirds and Skylarks were incoming, 14 Grey Partridges were in the Rocket Pole Field, and a flock of ten Long-tailed Tits flew high out to sea....
... before eventually thinking better of it and u-turning back onto Carr Naze.
As November beckoned, as did genuine time off and northerlies swinging into easterlies - but would they provide? Stay tuned....
Below - Blackcap in Top Scrub, Grey Partridges in the Rocket Pole Field
