TonyQ Big Year 2018 (The Third)

[TonyQ]

306.UK.141. Shag  Phalacrocorax aristotelis

Flamborough Cliffs, Yorkshire 06.07.2018

[xelas]

Beautiful photos, @TonyQ, and excellent weather ... some of this we would love to have where we are just now.

[Peter Connan]

Magnificent series of photos @TonyQ!

[Dave Williams]

Some excellent images there, Bempton seems to be one of the places for Gannet shots. You certainly took full advantage Tony!

[Galana]

What a fantastic and interesting collection @TonyQ Well done indeed.

[PeterHG]

Superb seabird images, @TonyQ!

[lmSA84]

@TonyQ - beautiful shots! I had no idea that this placed existed. Did you take this shots from a boat or is from a platform on the cliff face? 

[Towlersonsafari]

lovely photos @TonyQ  spookily we were at Bempton 2 sundays ago and most of the puffins were on the Sea getting ready to leave but he gannets were putting on a fine display-they are beautiful birds indeed. jane was last there over 20 years ago when it apparently was just a rickety fence as a barrier!

[Zim Girl]

Stunning pictures Tony, especially the Gannets.

[TonyQ]

@xelas Thank you - we have had the driest summer for about 40 years! I presume you are getting some rain, but I hope you are all enjoying Costa Rica anyway.

@Peter Connan @Dave Williams @Galana @PeterHG @Zim Girl Thank you

@Towlersonsafari we must have just missed you!

@lmSA84 Thank you. All of the images are from the clifftops. There are some wooden viewing platforms which overlook part of the cliffs, but some of the Gannet photos are taken from the path that runs along the cliff top.

 

[TonyQ]

I will put in a few duplicates to show what other birds are around at Bempton

Firstly from the cliffs

Fulmar - not in such large numbers as the other sea birds

Herring Gull - again not in such large numbers

Herring Gull chicks

There is an area of grassland at the top of the cliff, and as well as lots of butterflies

Common and approachable

Jackdaw - common

Linnet

Swallow collecting nesting materials near the RSPB visitor centre

Tree sparrow - common and nest near RSPB visitor centre

Just up the coast at Flamborough we also saw

Peregrine

I also have one other new bird coming up from the grassland area.

[TonyQ]

307.UK.142. Grasshopper Warbler  Locustella naevia          

New Bird

Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire       06.07.2018

We made a second visit to Bempton in the early morning (we arrived at about 7.30) before the RSP centre opens. This means the area is much quieter (in terms of people) but you can still walk around the cliffs. We heard the very distinctive sound of a Grasshopper Warbler and were able to track it down - it was in fact fairly close to a main track. We were delighted it stayed around and we got such good views of it

Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire       06.07.2018

[Dave Williams]

Excellent photos Tony. That's a species that's eluded me so far too so very envious!

[Galana]

It just gets better. Lovely Grasshopper. I too need to get to grips with that species.

One day.

I will be not far away in early September but by then no doubt the birds will have flown. Even though no lifers it is still a place I need to visit.

Edited July 24, 2018 by Galana
Additonal text.

[Towlersonsafari]

the three herring gull chicks are rather bigger now and were sweltering in the heat @TonyQ lovely Grasshopper warbler photo

[PeterHG]

Great shot of the Grasshopper Warbler !

 

[lmSA84]

Add me to the group of those envious of the Grasshopper Warbler - I’ve searched before at Otmoor with no luck 

[offshorebirder]

Superb shot of the singing Grasshopper Warbler @TonyQ!    Looks like you did well under so-so lighting conditions. 

[TonyQ]

@offshorebirder @lmSA84 @PeterHG @Dave Williams @Galana Thank you

@Towlersonsafari Thank you, and good to hear about the Herring Gull chicks

[TonyQ]

I have a few more birds from inland. Good birds but not good photos!

 

308.UK.143. Honey Buzzard  Pernis apivorus

New Bird 

  

Wykeham Forest Raptor Viewpoint, Yorkshire  06.07.2018

Wykeham Forest Raptor Viewpoint, Yorkshire  06.07.2018

Honey Buzzards are regularly seen from this place. Not good photos but wing pattern, stripes on body and head shape are visible!

 

[TonyQ]

309.UK.144. Crossbill  Loxia curvirostra        

New Bird

Wykeham Forest, Yorkshire    06.07.2018

Wykeham Forest, Yorkshire    06.07.2018

[TonyQ]

310.UK.145. Dipper  Cinclus cinclus  

Troutsdale, Yorkshire  06.07.2018

We spent a lot of time looking for Dippers, so very pleased when MrsQ managed to spot this one. We watched it for a long time, but light was very low! Only the second Dipper I have seen.

[TonyQ]

311.UK.146. Mandarin  Aix galericulata         

Troutsdale, Yorkshire  06.07.2018

With chicks, Troutsdale, Yorkshire  06.07.2018

First time I have seen Mandarin chicks. (Not surprising as the previous female I saw was in Birmingham and the previous male in Scotland!)

[Galana]

Yorkshire certainly repaid your time spent there. Great sightings.

[PeterHG]

Like you said: some good birds! Very good indeed.