Good Friday, 29th March and decided to re-visit the Barmston, Bridlington and Scarborough area of East Yorkshire. A great area for birding and at the same time I really wanted to catch-up on the 1st winter/1st summer Kumlien's Gull that has been frequenting Barmston Beach everyday since we last visited this area back in February. I was begining to think this would be another no show but after several hours of working the area, the bird flew in from the north-side and settled down on the south-side of the beach, below the caravan park. It was not very approachable and so I had to settle with a distant record shot.I've not seen Kumlien's Gull before and clearly not an easy bird to identify. I need to see a few more!! More approachable was an adult winter Kittiwake.
Flamborough Head from Barmston Beach –Tony Davison©
Kumlien's Gull – Barmston, East Yorkshire – Tony Davison©
2nd Winter Kittiwake – Barmston Beach, East Yorkshire – Tony Davison©
As it was low tide we decided to head off to Bridlington and try and catch a few waders feeding along the harbour wall. A few Purple Sandpiper were present amongst the Turnstone but little else. Time for a cuppa..
Purple Sandpiper – Bridlington, East Yorkshire – Above three images- Tony Davison©
Our next stop was to pick up a loaf of bread and head-off to our Mediterranean Gull site at Scarborough. When we arrived there wasn't a gull in sight. However, a few slices of bread thrown into the air did the trick and Black-headed and Med Gulls seemed to arrive out of nowhere. A full summer Mediterranean Gull takes some beating.
Mediterranean Gull – adult summer, at least three different birds – Scarborough, East Yorkshire (above six images) – Tony Davison©
2nd summer Mediterranean Gull – Scarborough, East Yorkshire – Tony Davison©
2nd summer Mediterranean Gull – Scarborough, East Yorkshire – Tony Davison©
Adult summer Mediterranean Gull – Scarborough, East Yorkshire – Tony Davison©
2nd summer Mediterranean Gull – Scarborough, East Yorkshire – Tony Davison©
2nd summer Mediterranean Gull – Scarborough, East Yorkshire – Tony Davison©
2nd summer Mediterranean Gull – Scarborough, East Yorkshire – Tony Davison©
Adult summer Black-headed Gull for comparison – Scarborough, East Yorkshire – Tony Davison©
Our final point of call was the RSPB reserve at Bempton Cliffs. Plenty of seabird activity, with Gannet, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Razorbill and Guillemot all back on the cliff ledges. A great day, bloody cold but bright sunshine for most of the day. A few year ticks during the day moved my Year List on to 122
Bempton Cliffs – East Yorkshire – Tony Davison©
Fulmar – Fantastic aerial displays – Bempton Cliffs – Tony Davison©
Adult Gannet – Now many pairs at Bempton – Tony Davison©
Great shots, looks like you had a great day out.