To celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, my folks decided to rent a place to stay in Bridlington for a week. Mum was born and raised in Brid so it was a bit of a trip down memory lane for her. I popped up for a couple of days to celebrate with them and of course managed to get some time to go walkabout with the camera too despite it throwing it down with rain for 2 days straight.
The Friday I arrived I had to have a trip to Bempton Cliffs to see the Gannets and Puffins. There were plenty of fluffy Gannet chicks. How they were dealing with the heat I have no idea, I was struggling and I don't have floof! I was going to walk the cliff path to South Landing but the heat was unbearable so I chickened out.
There were some little Puffins flying in and out of the cliffs, but they were quite a way down so I only caught glimpses with the camera. See if you can spot the dot!
Having made my way back to the place where we were staying, Dad was muttering about the Wood Pigeons (they drive him crazy with their calls back at their home)
There were Pigeon shenanigans a-plenty but I couldn't resist a photo of the loved up couple in the garden. They're so sweet together and I love listening to their tippy tappy toes on the roof of the studio, watching their comical nest building activities and their expressive little faces.
But of course it wouldn't be the seaside without seagulls! Or rather, Gulls as they're properly known as. I'm sorry, but they'll always be seagulls to me, and I love them. They're such characters and survivors. But to keep the bird nerd in me happy I thought I'd better break it down.
These guys below are Herring Gulls - they have pink legs.
The brown one is a youngster. I used to think they were a different kind of Gull or even that they might be a female, but they're just youngsters.
Next up is the Black Headed Gull. They do what the name says, unless it's winter, and then they don't have a black head, it turns white, apart from a little black smudge above the ears and eyes and a black tip on a red beak. Yeah, I thought they were both different species too!
And this is what they look like as youngsters - but whatever age they are they're so beautiful and have lovely eyes.
So next up we have a Sandwich Tern. Not the best photo in the world but I love the shape of their wings and the black markings on their head make them look really streamlined.
Now we come on to one of my favourites! Sanderlings!
I call them "Priddlers" as I love their tiny little leggies priddling back and forth across the sand as the tide comes in and out.
Once again, Sanderlings have different plumage in the summer - lovely warm browny tones, and in winter they have a very different white and grey colour scheme. Either way I just adore these sweet little characters.
Next up are the Ruddy Turnstones. I didn't expect to see any of these guys but on a trip down the coast to Fraisthorpe Beach I chanced on a couple! The one below has a non-breeding adult plumage, and the one in the photo of the Sanderling above is the breeding adult plumage.
I really had to ask around to find out who these guys were - I could see they were ducks from their shape but some kind person identified them as "Common Scoter Ducks." A red list species I felt really rather jammy to have seen them!
These loud little guys need no introduction - the Oystercatcher with its iconic red bill and black and white plumage really stands out. I'd not seen one on the beach before, only in the fields around where I live, so it was a real treat to see them in this habitat.
Toddling about on the beach was also a young Wagtail. I can't tell if it's a grey or yellow but it was ridiculously cute nonetheless.
OK, so now you need to brace yourselves.
I saw Sand Martins for the first time. Not only did I see them, but I fell in love with them. I spent ages watching them flying in and out of their nest holes, listening to their calls as they fed their youngsters. As for the youngsters, well, I just can't...
I mean, look at those little peepers peeping...
Just as I was about to head for home I caught a flash of white over the water and couldn't believe it - there were about half a dozen Gannets flying over and diving! I know it's not exactly clear so you may have to take my word for it!
Farewell Bridlington, until we meet again next time. Thank you for the wonderful birdy sightings and feet in the sea. Now I'm off to sculpt some new faces!
