RSPB Bempton Cliffs, Flamborough Head and Blacktoft Sands. 4th-6th July 2015

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I had a thoroughly enjoyable first and hopefully not the last visit to the reserves in the title.The cliffs at RSPB Bempton are an awesome sight, sound and smell with all the nesting sea birds. Puffins were mostly to be seen on the water but a few were still spotted on the cliffs if you had a sharp eye to spot them amongst all of the Kittiwakes, Fulmars, Guillemots, Razorbills and the stunning Gannets! To see such quantities of nesting birds and also the vast quantity on the water was breath taking!

Flamborough Head and Thornwick Bay were interesting areas especially the walks in the valleys were Linnets, Meadow Pipits and Stonechat were observed.

RSPB Blacktoft was an exceptionally pleasing visit especially so as Montagu Harriers had nested and were feeding young! We had a distant view of the harriers but still a treat in itself. Ruff, Black-tailed Godwits and Spotted Redshank  in superb summer plumage were just a few of the highlights seen at RSPB Blacktoft which to my mind is a splendid reserve and one I hope to visit again sometime in the future. 

 

RSPB Bempton Cliffs

It was lovely seeing so many Tree Sparrows on and around the feeders. A House Sparrow is a highlight these days in my area so to see the Tree Sparrows in good numbers was heartening.

 

 

 

 

 

I was pleased to have  picked out a Bridled Guillemot though I was told by a volunteer that they are  there in good numbers.

 

 

 

Flamborough Head and Thornwick Bay.

 I believe this is a Northern Marsh Orchid, there were several spikes in the area.

 

 Thornwick Bay

 

RSPB Blacktoft Sands

 

   

I will end the post as I started it with a Tree Sparrow, good to see that Blacktoft are seemingly also doing well with Tree Sparrow numbers!

 

It was a really enjoyable trip in what is a very a scenic County!