Day 1: We begin with an afternoon visit tothe Filey area where, with suitable weatherconditions, we hope to find some interestingdrift migrants. The most likely migrantspecies include commoner warblers,Wheatear or Whinchat and, with luck,scarcer migrants such as Pied Flycatchermight be present. Previous groups encoun-tered Bluethroat in May 2013 and two Red-backed Shrikes in May 2014. Although mostwaders will have departed, we may find afew lingering Ringed Plover, RuddyTurnstone or Sanderling. The bay attractsfeeding Sandwich Terns and there may besmall flocks of Common Scoter (with a SurfScoter present in May 2016) or Eider pres-ent. Filey Dams attracts small numbers ofducks and there is always the chance of aninteresting wader appearing here.

Day 2: Today we head into the heart of theNorth York Moors National Park.We first visita picturesque stretch of river in Troutsdalewhich is home to breeding Dipper and GreyWagtail, with the nearby woodland andscrub hosting Garden Warbler, SpottedFlycatcher, Marsh Tit, Redstart and TreePipit. From Troutsdale we will visit a regularsite for Turtle Dove and then head deeperinto the moors in order to visit the scenically

beautiful Rosedale where several pairs ofRing Ouzels breed amongst the steep-sidedrock-strewn slopes. Nearby moorland isdominated by extensive tracts of heather,home to Red Grouse and breeding waderssuch as Golden Plover, Curlew, Snipe andLapwing. With much luck we may see Merlinhere, whilst further possibilities includeNorthern Wheatear and Whinchat. In theevening, we visit Wykeham Forest forNightjar and Woodcock, whilst Barn Owl isalso likely.

Day 3: This morning we begin the day witha visit to the spectacular seabird colonies atBempton Cliffs. Here we have the opportuni-ty to spend time getting up close and per-sonal with Fulmar, Kittiwake, Razorbill,Guillemot and Puffin, whilst an ever-increas-ing colony of Gannets affords wonderfullyclose views. The reserve also hosts a small

England

Spring birds of moors and the Yorkshire Coast

Wednesday 17th May - Sunday 21stMay 2017Leader: Chris BradshawGroup size: 2 - 6Species: 110-125

Dates

The varied countryside of North and East Yorkshire incorporates a wide diversity ofhabitats that are home to an impressive range of breeding and migrant birds. Theextensive expanses of heather in the North York Moors National Park host breedingwaders such as Golden Plover, Curlew and Lapwing whilst other upland specialtiesinclude Red Grouse, Merlin and Ring Ouzel. Extensive forests support small buthealthy populations of Goshawk, whilst woodland species include Tree Pipit,Redstart and Marsh Tit. The spectacular cliffs of Bempton are an amazing locationthat is a must for anyone with an interest in seabirds. Thousands of auks, Kittiwakesand Gannets all come ashore to breed here and present an incredible spectacle. In achange to our earlier itineraries we have added a visit to the Teesside area whichmakes up for what it lacks in scenic beauty with a diversity of wetland species. Ourtour coincides with a productive time for spring migration and we have an excellentchance of seeing some scarcer or rare migrants, with previous spring toursencountering Spoonbill, Red-backed Shrike, Icterine Warbler, Little Stint and evenWhiskered Tern. So, why not join us on this single centre break based in a beautifulcorner of Yorkshire?

number of breeding Corn Buntings whilstPeregrine is regular.

After we have had our fill of the seabirds,we will explore the headland at Flamborough.This headland juts approximately eight milesout into the North Sea and is an importantmigration watchpoint which in suitable weath-er conditions can attract impressive numbersof migrating birds. The headland has a mix offarmland with hedgerows and small copses.We can expect to see commoner warblerspecies here and, if the wind is in the east,we have a chance of encountering somescarcer migrants with Pied Flycatcher per-haps being among the more likely prospects.With luck, Marsh Warbler, Red-backedShrike, Wryneck or Bluethroat might showup. Our 2014 group enjoyed views of asinging Icterine Warbler here. A visit toThornwick Pools might yield an interestingpassage wader or two and Little RingedPlover is regular.

Day 4: Today, we drive up to the Teessidearea where we explore the range of wetland

habitats that comprise the Saltholme RSPBreserve. The reserve is host to a variety ofwaders with Avocet, Redshank, andLapwing certain to be present, and Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank and WoodSandpiper among the more likely migrants.Wildfowl should feature Wigeon, Shoveler,Shelduck, Pochard and Tufted Duck withGarganey a reasonable prospect, whilstthere may be the odd lingering goose ofinterest with Barnacle and Pink-footed seenby our 2016 group. There are breedingcolonies of Common Tern and Black-headedGull, with our 2016 group especially lucky toenjoy two Whiskered Terns associating withthe Common Terns. Reedbeds are home tobreeding Reed and Sedge Warblers. Thenearby Greatham Creek is an excellentlocation to see Common Seal, whilst waderssuch as Curlew and Ringed Plover may bepresent along with Yellow Wagtail in the wetgrassland. If the weather is suitable for driftmigration, then the area may experiencearrivals of interesting migrant species, withnearby Hartlepool headland often coming

England

Golden Plover Photo: Chris Bradshaw

up trumps in such conditions and where a2016 group enjoyed a male Bluethroat withour guide.

Day 5: On our final morning we will explorethe Wykeham area. Wykeham Lakes ishome to breeding Little Ringed Plover andGreat Crested Grebe and also attracts smallnumbers of migrant waders with CommonSandpiper the most likely species, but LittleStint among the species seen by our groupsin previous years. The area is a regular sitefor Sparrowhawk and Hobby, with YellowWagtails and Grey Partridge often present inthe surrounding farmland. Finally, we willvisit the raptor watchpoint at Wykehamwhere we will spend some time searchingfor birds of prey which will certainly includeCommon Buzzard. We may also seeGoshawk and, with luck, perhaps Hobby oreven Honey Buzzard, a small population ofwhich returns to these forests each summer.Rarer species such as Red Kite, Osprey andeven Black Kite have been seen in recentyears.

England

Tour Price: £695Single room: £60Deposit: £100

Included: Guidance, accommodation,breakfast, packed lunch, and transportto and from the birding areas fromHunmanby.

Excluded: Travel to Hunmanby, pre-tour extra nights and meals, drinks,tips, insurance and items of apersonal nature.

Clients should be ready to beginbirding by lunchtime on Wednesday17th May and the tour will conclude inthe early afternoon of Sunday 21stMay. There are good rail services toScarborough and Filey and pick-upsfrom Seamer, Scarborough and Fileyrail stations can be arranged.

Prices

Wood Sandpiper Photo: Chris Bradshaw