Trip reports

FILEY BRIGG AND BEMPTON CLIFFS on 15th April 2007

Friday, 20 April 2007

For the second month running, 40-plus members made the trip, this time to the above sites which are well known for sea birds and cliff nesting birds. Our lists were not long but a few good ticks made it a rewarding day. From the Brigg a few waders could be seen, i.e. Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Sanderling and Redshank. On the top of the cliffs a Wheatear was spotted. Bempton was more productive for cliff nesting birds, i.e. Fulmar, Gannet, Guillemot, Razorbill, Puffin, Rock Dove and Rock Pipit. The Visitor Centre has a very good feeding station from which we saw Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet and Great-Tit. Some members spotted Brambling and others saw three Fieldfare flying North. There were Skylarks and Meadow Pipits everywhere with the odd swallow flying past, but just before it was time to depart, the bird of the day appeared - a Short Eared Owl! They don't come much better than that to end a great day out!