No show Whimbrel

Oystercatcher

Redshank

Curlew bathing

Curlew (click for big)

I spent an hour or so this morning searching for the "Withered Leg Whimbrel of Saltwick Nab". 76 Curlew was a good total but no bird with a withered leg let alone a Whimbrel. Also at this site 4 Redshank and 66 Oystercatcher.

Off the Coastguard Station there were at least 180 Common Scoter and I glimpsed one likely Velvet in flight but failed to confirm it. Also in the area were 3 Wigeon, 6 Eider and a Mallard.

The fields along the east cliff were full of Lapwing, at least 500; Starlings, c250; and plenty of Black-headed Gulls.

In contrast west of Whitby was very quiet with just 3 or 4 Shag in Sandsend Bay and one or two distant flying duck which for irritating reasons (people getting in the way or me being too slow getting on to them) defied id. Grey Wagtail and Pied Wagtail were the only other birds of note.