Filey Dams and Brigg, October 16^th 2010

At this time of year thousands of migrants pass through the Yorkshire holiday resort of Filey, usually coming from the north or east. This week a coach full of Rochdale Field Naturalists travelled there from the west. They first visited Filey Dams to see Snipe, Siskin, Tree Sparrows and waterfowl such as Teal and Gadwall, then on to Filey’s North Cliff. The Rochdalians were fortunate to see many birds from the continent on passage to warmer climes. Hawthorn hedges, with their bountiful supplies of berries, were swarming with Blackbirds, Goldfinch and Chaffinch. The first Redwings of the season were also gorging their fill after travelling from their breeding grounds in Scandinavia. Many of these birds will soon be found in our gardens or local fields. Some species like Black Redstart and Mealy Redpoll, not usually seen in northern England, were probably feeding up before continuing their journeys southward.

 Shore birds like Turnstone and Oystercatchers were also on the cliff top because their feeding areas were covered by the high tide. Whilst waiting for the tide to ebb Society members were welcomed by the Filey Ornithological Group who were netting, measuring, weighing and ringing the birds passing through. It was thrilling for some members to be able to release the birds back into the wild. Two unexpected visitors to the ringing site caused great excitement. A Short-Eared Owl made a slow flypast to see what was going on and a Hare dashed out of the bushes and came to a sudden halt when its eyes met those of the massed ranks of birdwatchers facing it. The exposed cliff tops provided little opportunity for plants to flourish but there were plenty of the commoner fungi such as Inkcaps, Parasols and Field Blewit.

 As the tide receded the group crossed the sands for an exhilarating walk along Filey Brigg where breakers crashed down on either side. Waders like Turnstone, Knot, Redshank and Purple Sandpiper were busily feeding amongst the rock pools. A Chiffchaff feverishly hunted for food on the cliff and swiftly gobbled down an insect. Further out Eider Duck and Common Scoter could be glimpsed in the troughs between the waves.

Sightings list.

Click on Thumbnail to see full size image

Common Redpoll	Common Redpoll	Fairy Inkcap	Knott
Chiffchaff	Redshank	Bird ringing demonstration	Goldcrest being ringed

All images by Peter Stevens, Pat Waddington and Peter Francis.