1 May 2022 - Hollingworth Lake, Bempton & Filey

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Arctic Tern (Hollingworth Lake), Black-browed Albatross, various seabirds, Yellow Wagtail, Lesser Whitethroat, Corn Buntings, Tree Sparrows, Bar-tailed Godwit, Purple Sandpipers, Turnstone, Sanderling, Sandwich Terns, Porpoise, Grey Seal.

Today was the Littleborough Birders' day out; we decided to head for Bempton as the albatross had returned after a few days' absence, but not before grabbing an Arctic Tern at the Lake.

At Bempton the albatross was present but distant on the sea and gradually drifted further away until virtually lost from view. Birds at Bempton included the usual auks, including the odd Puffin, and one brief Peregrine. The odd presumed Porpoise was also offshore, visible occasionally. We tried for a Wood Warbler that had been singing near the car park but failed, though we did get Yellow Wagtail flying over. Tree Sparrows were ever present on the reserve, and on the way back to the car park, a party of around 30 or so Corn Buntings were moving about in the clifftop field.

We then went to Filey Dams where a Bar-tailed Godwit was present, along with a selection of ducks, and a few warblers heard by other members of the party (Reed, Sedge and Lesser Whitethroat). A few Stock Doves were around too. After this we visited Filey Brigg, walking down to the tip. On the way down a nice Lesser Whitethroat sang from bushes by the track, but avoided the cameras. On the brigg itself were several Purple Sandpipers, a single Turnstone in summer plumage, and a small party of Sanderling. Several Sandwich Terns flew through, and a couple of pairs of Common Scoter were on the water. Also here was a Grey Seal, and a Shag flew past offshore.

News came through that Albert was back so we headed back up to Bempton. Sadly when we arrived he had flown out to sea again, and despite waiting until 5:30pm in pleasant sunny conditions, he didn't return. We did have chance to photograph some of the seabirds though while we waited.

Gannets, 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 160 (view full size image)