Early spring pioneers

As befits mid-March days dominated by high pressure here in Filey, there's a trickle of pipits and larks on the move. Some (most) are heading north, while for others, it's the last stop, and territories are there to be claimed. Both Skylark and Rock Pipit are affording fine views on Carr Naze in the early morning sunshine in recent days.

Knot yet bored

It's that time of year - not a great deal going on, but what there is can often make for great subjects - and this little gang of Knot have been hanging around for a long time now. They are, of course, somewhat more colourful in breeding plumage, but (like so many waders) they're often hugely underrated in the off season.

The wrong crowd

A family of Pink-feet, hanging out with the ferals at East Lea and the Dams presently.

Friendly Fire

So our wintering Surf Scoter has just passed his two-month anniversary as a Filonian, allowing for plenty of interesting observations in the process - particularly re: interaction with other species.

He's displayed a benign curiosity - or even friendliness - towards various other bay dwellers, particularly over recent weeks, and has actively approached and shadowed no fewer than five other species - Common Scoter, Guillemot (both on multiple occasions), Long-tailed Duck, Great Crested Grebe and Goldeneye (see photos).

On each occasion, the Surfy has made considerable efforts to get close to the bird in question - it's a very big bay, where personal space is hardly a problem if you need it - and as might be expected, but for Common Scoters, his attentions have been afforded somewhat short thrift....

... on other occasions, it's been more about keeping your head down, with both Great Northern Diver (see photo) and Shag administering cautionary jabs, and a Cormorant apparently actively attacking from beneath, which caused the scoter to panic and fly across the bay, only to return a few hours later. Never a dull moment it seems, but with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of razorfish to trough, it's apparently worth all the drama.

Cross-pollination

Creative activity here in our seaside retreat is pleasingly high presently, with a host of new Morning Bride songs in the development stage (some pretty much finished, others getting there with patience); we're on schedule to record our new album in the spring, with a release hopefully in the summer. We debuted a couple of them acoustically on a radio show a couple of weeks back, and we're also looking at playing live more in 2016, with shows on the calendar for spring and summer - all of which can be found via our Facebook page, which you can drop in on (and 'like' if you'd be so kind) right here.

Our back catalogue is now fully represented on our Bandcamp page, including both our first and second albums; after selling out long ago, it's the only place Lea Valley Delta Blues is now available (as a digital download), while The North Sea Rising is available as either a download or limited edition CD. You can visit the pages here and listen to the songs for free (before buying, of course...), or via the links below. Enjoy.

Purple Sandpipers

When there's nothing around, there's always something around.... and it's hard to beat Purple Sandpipers for regulation winter fare. There are up to 60 scattered along the shore of the Brigg and Bay corner presently, often allowing very close approach.