A great 'Six Goose Day' @flamboroughbird.bsky.social with 14 Tundra Bean Goose, 52 Russian White-fronted Goose, 4 Pinkfeet, and a single Barnacle as well as the ubiquitous (and slightly annoying) Canadas and Greylags. Here are some of the Tundra Bean Geese doing a flypast.
With only a handful previously this winter, it was nice to see a reasonable flock of Russian White-fronted Geese yesterday @flamboroughbird.bsky.social when 34 appeared out of the gloom, alighted briefly and then headed south across the headland.
We have a relatively small number of wintering Teal each year @flamboroughbird.bsky.social Only a few brief spells of sunlight yesterday managed to light up this group on a murky day.
A handful of migrants the last couple of days included Pearly Underwing, Angle Shades, Vestal and several diamond Back moth plus last night this rather late, particularly for Yorkshire, Bordered Straw. Driffield, East Yorkshire VC61. #teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @doublekidney.bsky.social
I seem to have a problem not photographing every Snow Bunting I see. There's just something about them constantly shuffling and bouncing along the ground feeding or a flurry in flight. A few have been very obliging for several days now along the cliff path @flamboroughbird.bsky.social
A multitude of striped 'sprites' @flamboroughbird.bsky.social today with personal totals 3 Firecrest, 1 Yellow Browed Warbler and 2 Pallas Warbler.
Is there anything as smart as a Firecrest? On a quiet day (autumn) for birds, a cool, windy south westerly and this is more than enough to brighten up the day @flamboroughbird.bsky.social today.
Quite a bit of visible migration today @flamboroughbird.bsky.social Thrushes flying low in the strong south westerly wind with cloud, coming off the sea and making landfall. A flock of 11 Snipe and several Woodcock. A marvellous sight.
A very smart juvenile Merlin today @flamboroughbird.bsky.social hunting Skylarks and Linnets.
Siberian Chiffchaff from yesterday in failing light @flamboroughbird.bsky.social giving itself away with its pleasant 'peep' call and clean plumage.
Clancy's Rustic from the garden, Driffield, East Yorkshire VC61.
Still rare in Yorkshire but increasing records. Migrant or wandering colonist? #teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @doublekidney.bsky.social
Plenty of Yellow Browed Warblers around this week, but getting a decent view is not always that easy. This one appeared briefly in the evening sun at South Landing today @flamboroughbird.bsky.social
Likely UK birds (mainly juveniles?) dispersing south and concentrating birds together close to the coast as a weather front/cloud/wind moved from south west.
Common Buzzards filled the sky in an amazing sight yesterday @flamboroughbird.bsky.social when early afternoon thermals filled up with raptors . You could be forgiven for thinking you were at Batumi or Tarifa. A minimum of 75 C Buzzards and 4 Red Kites, appearing and dispersing south west quickly.
Barred Warbler @flamboroughbird.bsky.social today.
This from @flamboroughbird.bsky.social Friday appears to be Agonopterix rotundella (Ashen Buff) - (subject to final confirmation) which would be the second Yorkshire record after one in 1986 (also at Flamborough!). Nationally Scarce and apparently relatively few records annually in UK. #teammoth
Excellent! The first in 2023 and then Yorkshire records just got into double figures last year in total, but I'm still waiting in my East Yorkshire garden. They are on the way.......
Red Breasted Flycatcher @flamboroughbird.bsky.social yesterday. Elusive for long periods but showed nicely a few times if you were prepared to wait. The weather system gave expectation but really didn't produce the classic day it was hoped for. Never give up....... #yorkshirebirding
Euchromius ocellea (Silver-spotted Veneer) from Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire VC61 yesterday. A smart looking micro and a rare migrant moth in Yorkshire. New to Flamborough.
@flamboroughbird.bsky.social @doublekidney.bsky.social #teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
A mild cloudy night last night with 320 moths of 45 species which is exceptional for mid-September in the garden. Driffield, East Yorkshire. This smart Choreutis pariana (Apple leaf Skeletonizer) was a nice surprise. #teammoth
Clifden Nonpareil
Moth numbers and variety way down last night. But any day with one of these is a good day. My fifth in the last three weeks in the garden, Driffield, East Yorkshire VC61. #teammoth @doublekidney.bsky.social
Nephopterix angustella (Spindle Knot-horn) from the garden last night, Driffield, East Yorkshire VC61. Mainly found in southern England and not particularly common anywhere but seems to be increasing records recently in some areas. It is still rare in Yorkshire. #teammoth
Yes, I think you are right. The back is not long enough for Sei. No large blow seen, just sparse weak blows. No impression of larger size. Thanks... interesting discussion!
The middle right image is the same individual and here's another similar shot. You can see the blow hole and dorsal together here. Longer backed? not sure in this image. Dorsal I agree looks good for Sei. The Minkes were definitely blowing quite a lot but still weak sparse blows.
Definitely not a stupid question. I agree it does look quite like Sei. No, couldn't rule it out. Difficult at distance. You may be right? Not sure if someone with more knowledge could tell from the images?
Up to ten Minke Whales with periodic feeding frenzies @flamboroughbird.bsky.social on Thursday included a small calf. Quite a variation in dorsal fin shape and plenty of blows as very active. The blows are usually weak and faint but seem much more visible and strong when very actively feeding.
A juvenile Caspian Gull @flamboroughbird.bsky.social today. Several different birds have been around for a month now. Seawatch today had adult Long Tailed Skua mobbing a Bonxie, 3 Roseate Tern, Black Tern + a variety of other Duck, Terns and Gulls. @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
A subtly smart micro from the garden last night. Ptocheuusa paupella (Pale Seedhead Moth). At 5mm you do need a lens to appreciate it. Driffield, East Yorkshire. A very local species in Yorkshire. #teammoth @doublekidney.bsky.social
Indeed, there's quite a few unusual (early and late) and out of season things happening recently and seems to be more every year.
