Birding Scarborough: Scarborough Birders do the Skerries! DAY 3

Our first full day on the Islands.
The forecast wasn’t looking good with 50mph winds and heavy rain predicted all day, we were therefore pleasantly surprised to find no rain at 07.00 in the morning, and although breezy, not quiet the 50mph we were expecting.

We took advantage and headed out, heading over the bridge, on to Housay and eventually North Hill.
Despite the wind many of yesterday’s migrants were still around with a few Yellow-broweds, the Spot Fly and the Whinchat noted along with a couple of Chiffchaff.
Out on the rather bleak North Hill we worked our way to the large shingle bank at Storm Beach kicking out regular Snipe while Yellow-browed Warbler, Whinchat and Kestrel were all noted.

Walking up the shingle bank at Storm Beach the occasional Rock Pipit flushed from the tideline, followed by a Yellow-browed Warbler, a couple of Wheatear and a Lark – a rather pale, small looking Lark!

I followed it north where it dropped down a few meters to the left of where Dave was stood, suspecting something pretty decent, with Short-toed Lark running through my mind I quickly got on the radio and gave him a shout, he was soon heading towards the general area.
It flushed and flew a little further, a reply from Dave - he hadn’t got too much on it but he also thought it was incredibly interesting and needed further attention.
The team eventually met up on the hill and we began to search for it.
Over the next hour we had had a few flight views, me and Dave managed a few flight shots and we had all hear it call, it was a SHORT-TOED LARK!
More persevering and we got some views on the ground, albeit a little distant but a few record shots were obtained. Brilliant.
We were pretty lucky too, not that long after the ‘on the deck’ views the awaited rain arrived and our walk back to Rocklea began, through the vertical rain, although the find on North Hill took the edge off it a little.

After the rain we hit the field again, although with regular small showers and possibly a slightly stronger blow it made for rather difficult birding.
Again we used the remaining time to do a little exploring, the island of Bruray, where Rocklea is, was thoroughly walked, as was the peninsular on the south of Housay, Mioness.

By the end of the day my totals were as follows; 1 – 2 Kestrel, 4 Ringed Plover, 8 Golden Plover, 1 Dunlin, 10 Snipe, 6 Skylark, 1 Whinchat, 7 Wheatear, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Robin, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Redwing, 3 Blackcap, 7 Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and the Common Rosefinch.

Other bits seen by the team included Teal, Lesser Whitethroat and Snow Bunting.