Gone Surfing

Another misty murky day although the sun did break through on a couple occasions, me and Mark headed to Filey first thing for the drake Surf Scoter that had been found yesterday, it was feeding about halfway along the Brig and we were amazed at just how close it was, giving us our best ever views and photographs of this species, there was also a good selection of Waders along the Brig. We then went off to Scarborough Mere where the long staying drake Scaup is starting to look a bit less scruffy but that unfortunately kept its distance, then after half an hour at Forge Valley where a Brambling has been attending the feeders recently (not today) we headed for Grindale, as we passed through Wold Newton on the way we noted there were still three or four Snow Buntings in with the large flock of Linnets but at Grindale there was no sign of the Rough Legged Buzzard at first, we had a tour around the area and eventually came across a group of birders who were scoping the bird sat distantly in the middle of a field, it wasn’t long before it was flying around though and it eventually flew back across the road and plonked itself down on a nearby hedge, it sat there for quite a while but was then noted flying off over the back of the field, we had the inclination it might have returned to one of its favourite areas, the track out to High Easton Farm, we drove round there and sure enough there it was and once again it showed very well in this area. 

amazing views

a few Waders entertained on the way back

Scaup at Scarborough Mere didn't really come close enough

initial views of the Rough Leg

sat on this hedge for a while

before moving round to one of its favoured areas

trying to balance on a thin twig