25.04.2021 - Field trip to Winterton

Leader and Reporter: Sue Gale

The first WVBS outdoor meeting since lockdown was not blessed with great weather. The North Sea struck again – a moderate but very cold NE wind blowing across a bleak and sunless landscape!
Nonetheless, 6 of us set out to make the best of it.

We recorded the sightings made by Steve as he waited in the car park before the walk, and several of us manged to see the Common Scoters and Gannets flying past. We then explored the area around the ‘totem pole’ and the paddocks and shrubs on the landward edge of the dunes. Skylarks were singing loudly, unperturbed by the weather, and Stonechats posed obligingly. There were plenty of Linnets around, many with the lovely pink breast of breeding plumage, and many Jackdaws. Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were singing in the scrubby areas, and we saw Red-legged Partridges in the paddocks
Across the road in the South dunes we hoped to see a Wheatear or two, but without luck. Our best sighting was of 3 Ring Ouzels, although for most of us they were only seen in flight. Their white chest-plates and silvery wings were easily visible even in the air. There were more Stonechats and Linnets in this area, but otherwise only common garden birds.
The day was enlivened by the company of Liane and Alex, students of film who had travelled up from London (luckily not only for this morning out!). I think they will have a film of birdwatching at its most frustrating, with plenty of windswept birders, lovely views and very few birds! I do hope it hasn’t put them off. After a cup of coffee from the pop-up café that has replaced the much-loved café that fell into the sea, and a bit more sea-watching for some, we called it a day. Just as well as Kathy was turning blue! Let’s hope for better weather for the next trip..