Filey Holiday - Gannet and a feeding frenzy.

Our usual summer jaunt to Filey was spoiled somewhat by the miserable, cold, wet weather.

On Wednesday it peed down, big style, from dawn to dusk.

The days in between were half decent at times but this isn't my idea of summer.

Monday 31st July.
Arrived at out usual school holiday destination, Filey, this Monday with Abi and her dad.
The weather was , mixed, in travel agent speak.
On Tuesday 1st August I had a walk along the top of Filey Brigg while we were all 
deciding what to do today.
The sea was as calm as a mill pond and was on its way in.
Looking back from Filey Brigg top, towards Filey Town / Beach , there was a truly
 amazing sight .
Hundreds of diving Gannets were within touching distance of the beach! 500+?
A feeding frenzy with possible Sand Eels being chased by Mackerel and Gannet
 feeding on the Mackerel.
I have been coming here for many years and I have never seen anything like this - 
A once in a lifetime sight? 
Later the same day I had another walk up to the Brigg and called at the small pond
 on the left just beyond the top of the car park – always worth a look.
Today my look turned to luck with 2 Yellow Wagtail having a bath.
The ‘usual’ sea birds were seen from the brig including:-

Oystercatcher, Gannet, Kittiwake, Fulmar, Eider, Razorbill, 100 's Guillemot and a 
possible Shag.
A Juv. Black Headed Gull was unusual.
Another pretty Gull (too Pretty to be a Herring Gull?) among the Kittiwake could
 just be a Caspian Gull.
Merlin bird call app reported a Grey Plover on the water but it would not be a 
Grey Plover and was possibly the Juv. Guillemot that was calling loudly.
As usual with hundreds of Herring Gulls and Kittiwake zooming about it 
is difficult to scan for owt else.

Wednesday  2nd August was a real dog bag  of a day, with heavy rain on a cooler NE 
or so wind. I took a wet stroll down the steep lane to the Yacht Club , the calm  sea had
gone replaced by breakers churning up the sand as it came in.

Nothing much here but rain so I legged in back to the dry and warm.

The motorhome next to ours was leaving, or trying to,  skidding on the wet grass 
and making large ruts - getting nowhere.
We have  some big black Plastic Gripper Sheets and by some miracle, when 
we put these under their front wheels and gave a shove their motorhome gripped
 and was away.
 I didn’t realise how much mud would be left on the grippers for me to sort out 
in the pouring rain though!
A Yellow Legged Gull dropped in onto the Caravan Site. By the time I'd twigged 
and reached for the camera - the bird had flown.
Thursday  3rd August.
A better day today, after some light drizzle , the sun shone for a while , and we had an 
enjoyable day.
Abi decided she wanted to go into the sea with her wet suit and body board.
I though she was bonkers the sea was brrrrr.
But, off she went with her Dad and Sue.
I watched from way above the beach on the brigg - she gave it a good go but
the cold soon got to her.
Meanwhile on the brigg lots of birds to check out.
Dunlin on the small 'car park' pond (just before the brigg path begins on the left).
A favourite bird of mine.
A single Ringed Plover was as far away as possible on the rocks seen from the end of the
brigg cliffs.
8 or so Common Scoter were on the sea.
A couple of pretty Gulls plucked out from scanning 100's of 'em -
could just be Caspian Gull.
It was good tom talk to Mark P. along the top of the brigg.
Friday Morning 4th August.
Home today but I did have a wander up the brigg where Sandwich Tern were calling
and diving but the sun's position was a dog.
A Curlew was below the cliffs.
Froffies café came up trumps again this holiday - cracking café.
And the Cobblers Arms is a good place for an early evening chat with a pint just across
the street from Froffies as well.
Any comments  gratefully accepted.

Yellow Wagtail above.

Wednesday:-










Probably Herring Gull.
In among all the diving Gannet
I doubt it will go under the water.




Juv. Black Headed Gull.


Yellow Wagtail.







Another 'different' Gull.
Might be a Caspian.



A 'Pretty' Gull that I'm hoping isn't a Herring Gull.
Maybe a Caspian???




Eider











Thursday.


Sandwitch Tern






Dunlin.
Great to see

Ringed Plover.

Common Scoter

Dunlin.
I think - taken in the fading light.
'Colour a bit odd'

Friday:-



Not sure about the above:
(Time to check some other photos
of it later).
GBBGull ?

Curlew.

A bit of a weary looking Gull.
Is probably a Herring Gull?