Heading For North Yorkshire. (1 Viewer)

[clydeboy]

I'm heading off on my family holiday on the 18th, to Scarborough in Yorkshire.
It is a normal family gig, but I'll be armed to the teeth with bins, cameras etc, and keeping my eyes peeled at all times.
My son wants to visit Flamborough head lighthouse which is a bonus, for me anyway :-O
What I was wondering was, which birds I should look out for, not just at Flamborough, but in general.
I expect to see some sea birds obviously, but I was thinking more of birds "common to the area" which are less common in my neck of the woods.

I fully intend spending 2 weeks convincing the family that some places "might be nice to visit" while of course hiding my underlying motives...o:-O


Ian

 

[James Thomas]

I'd start with this thread

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=138205

and make some extra requests on this forum

http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=171

 

[Steve Lister]

The Wykeham Forest raptor watch point is not too far from Scarborough and could produce Honey Buzzard, Goshawk, Crossbills, Siskins and Tree Pipit, plus Nightjars at dusk.

It is a bit early for much in the way of passage seabirds except a few Manxies and Arctic Skuas, but you never know - Cory's can pass the Yorks watchpoints in late July.

Steve

 

[Hotspur]

tophill low is worth a shout at this time, as is hornsea mere as waders and little gulls pass through.

 

[geedub]

Hi Clydeboy,

have a look at www.scarboroughbirding.co.uk for recent sightings and the low down on places to see what's on offer.

Hope you enjoy your visit, PM me if you need any more details

Geedub

 

[Cheshire Birder]

My son wants to visit Flamborough head lighthouse which is a bonus, for me anyway :-O
What I was wondering was, which birds I should look out for, not just at Flamborough, but in general.
I expect to see some sea birds obviously, but I was thinking more of birds "common to the area" which are less common in my neck of the woods.

Ian

Bempton Cliffs gets you the Gannet colony. Used to be Corn Bunting and Tree Sparrow by the visitor centre but going back a while. Visit - http://www.scarboroughbirding.co.uk for local sightings.

As Steve says Wykeham Forest for Honey Buzzard, etc. You could try one of the RSPB Skua & Shearwater cruises out of Bridlington. Filey Brigg has petrel ringing evenings in july (see http://www.fbog.co.uk). The nearby reserve at the Dams is worthy of a visit as it gets passage migrants & waders.

tophill low is worth a shout at this time, as is hornsea mere as waders and little gulls pass through.

If your travelling this far along the coast, also visit spurn (http://www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk).

All of the websites list local sightings and lots of useful local info - ideal if your a visitor to the area.

CB

 

[Hotspur]

spurn is a bit of a treck on and not really the added benefit at this time of year.

 

[James Thomas]

Avocets are easy enough to find along the Humber, put up a shopping list and I'm sure we can point you in the right direction.

 

[clydeboy]

Brilliant folks, thanks.:t:
I'll take a note of all the places and what to look out for, then convince the troops to take the odd detour when we are out and about.

Gannets, Petrel ringing, crossbills, raptors, whhooooo hoo, I can't wait.:-O
I've been to a few places all around the area, like Hornsea, Filey, Bridlington, etc. but before I was interested in birds, so this year will be quite a change.

Thanks to all who replied.:t:
I'll put on stories and pics on my return..........here's hoping I've got something to report.8-P

 

[Marmot]

Just got back from Bempton after 3 days stay and can honestly say that contrary to the newspaper opinions of the last few weeks there are more Puffins around. Other years it has been hard to spot the odd one here and there..this time they were even sat on the rocks in groups of 5.

When we went to Flambrough Lighhthouse, it appears that there has been a landslide of rock/earth and Puffins etc not as numerous [perhaps these have moved to Bempton] but some Sand Martins seem to have made the most of the fallen earth and appeared as if they were nesting.

Forgot to add about the Tree Sparrow that live at Bempton RSPB. Also there are Barn Owls around the area, we have seen them at Bempton reserve on evenings in previous years but not this ....but another couple that were staying at the B & B had seen one yesterday evening on the B1229 which is the road off the A165 that leads to Bempton village.

 

[clydeboy]

Bempton is an absolute must.
Even the missus would like a look at some puffins, I would imagine
Thankfully my son is slowly but surely becoming a "bird type", probably because he has become my eyes in the sky when I'm driving.
The wife needs a bit more work though.:-O


Ian