Yorkshire Coast winter birding.

Well its that time of year if you want to get out and see some wildlife the only reliable subjects are birds. It has generally been rubbish near me this winter so I headed to the Yorkshire coast yesterday, firstly to Scarborough then on to Filey. Hazy sun was forecast up to twelve then white cloud but at least it wasn't windy. In Scabs harbour were 2 Black Necked Grebes a single Red Throated Diver and a few gulls. On to Holbeck where there are usually some Mediterranean Gulls easy to photograph if you have some treats for them. Next to Filey where it had now clouded over, the main quarry here was Purple Sandpiper and other waders.

 Black Necked Grebe

 Red Throated Diver

 Cormorant

 Great Black Backed Gull

Herring Gull

 Adult Mediterranean Gull

 Juvenile Mediterranean Gull

 Oystercatcher

 Purple Sandpiper

Redshank

Turnstone

Goosanders and other winter birds.

It's a bit weird but easy to explain but the best place for Goosanders in winter is my local park, a busy park in urban Sheffield. The reason is simple, easy fishing. The pond is relatively small and the goosanders tend to hang about under the trees near the island and then venture out when the coast is clear. Although over time they get less shy allowing some fairly close photographs that simply wouldn't be possible on larger bodies of water. This week I counted 8 females and 6 males.

 2 females (redheads)

 2 males

 Male and female Goosanders

 Males

 Male and Female

 Males

 Male

 Male

 Male showing serrated beak

Snorkelling Male

 

 Barn Owl

  Black Headed Gull (Sub adult winter plumage)

 Black Headed Gull (Adult winter plumage)

 Coot

 Male Gadwall

 Female Gadwall

Male Pintail

Summer Update

Ive not really been out that much with my camera of late as I tend to try and do a bit more cycling in summer but here are a few bits and bobs from the local area and a couple of pics from Cumbria. I've found another decent little spot for Water Voles about half a mile from my usual place.

 Siskin

 Water Voles

 Common Lizards

 Common Blue Damselfly

Emerald Damselfly

 

 6 Spot Burnet Moth

 Female Adder

 Ringed Plover

 Sanderling

 Sandwich Terns

 Female Slow Worm

 Small Copper

 Stonechat