Dovekies,Oceanic Waders And Stunning Cetacean......Sunday November 17th 2014.

After hearing on Saturday that there was a decent movement of seabirds on the Yorkshire coast and that there were at least 2 Grey Phalorope still present at Filey,this is the direction i headed in today. I began my journey out bright and early across the heart of the Yorkshire Wolds,with the only highlight seen on the drive being a lovely Barn Owl hunting a grass verge between Langtoft and Foxholes.
 On arrival at Filey it was pretty cold,so plenty of layers and lots of pack up was the order of the day before making my way to the Brigg.
 On the way down to the Brigg there were a few waders feeding along the shore which included a couple of Sanderling and a single Purple Sand amongst the larger numbers of Oyks and Turnstones.
 After finally reaching the seawatch hide and having a quick chat with Filey regulars John Sanderson and Brian Pinning i settled down to watch the sea.
 It wasn't long before i was watching my first Little Auk and this was quickly followed by brief views of a Grey Phalorope as it flew past relatively close in to the north.
 There was lots of activity on and over the sea with a handfull of Razorbills,larger numbers of Guillies and a single Juvenile Puffin from the Alcid family and a smaller number of Shags and Red-throated Diver watched diving for food.All these birds were mostly feeding in the rough water on the northern side of the Brigg with a couple of Common Scoter,2 Eider and the odd Little Auk on the sheltered side of the Brigg.
 I was just scanning the sea when all of a sudden a dolphin burst into view through the waves,at first i was pretty gob smacked to be fair and it gave some pretty impressive views over the next 20 plus minutes as it broke the surface hunting for prey.It was identified by it's tall dorsal fin,large size and white markings on its back as a White-beaked Dolphin,a new species for myself and a most welcome one.It was last seen heading in a southerley direction,i could have watched this stunning animal all day!.Other marine mammals observed through the day included a single Harbour Porpoise and 2 Grey Seals.
 Back to the birds,the first of 14 Pomarine Skuas flew south but most of the birds were distant,but thankfully 3 Juv's flew south relatively close together giving some nice views of this superb Skua species.
 While scanning the bay for the umpteenth time,i picked up one,then two Grey Phals together and they spent a short time in close proximity together before separating again,with one bird flying right across the bay towards Reighton and the other being seen on a few more occasions on the sea off the northern side of the Brigg.It was really great to see these tiny oceanic waders actually in some stormy seas,showing how they perfectly deal with these conditions,bobbing about like little corks,fantastic to watch.
 More Little Auk sightings included 1 flying right past us were we were watching from,what cracking little birds they are and i always feel sorry for these diminutive Auks.
 More notable sightings included a Great-northern Diver which flew south and then doubled back,flying back north,giving some good views of its steady goose-like flight action,a flock of 22 Shag flying south high up above the sea,on first views being reminiscent of a flock of Pinks,but as they neared our position it became apparent what they were.This is the first time i have seen a large flock like this migrating together so high up,both impressive and educational to witness.
 A real surprise came in the form of my latest record of Sandwich Tern as a single bird flew in from the north and into the bay and just goes to show that anything can turn up,particularly when you think all the summer migrants have passed south.
 Other sightings seen included 2 Bonxie south,6 Little Gull feeding off the Brigg end,a flock of 5 male Eider additional to the earlier birds,2 Snow Buntings which flew in off the sea and 9 Purple Sandpiper.
 So what a cracking day out with plenty of great sightings with the stonking Dolphin stealing the show for me,another great day out in the home county.

Stormy seas off the Brigg today.