Highlight of the spring so far was today's sighting of a Common Crane. Found be Fiona as it flew in from the west, the bird flew slowly over the reserve towards Flamborough.
A variety of weathers have been thrown at us over the last few days (driving into work seeing a Sand Martin in blizzard was unusual to say the least) and the birds have responded accordingly. Sunny and calm weather and the cliffs are alive with birds, Swallows are flicking by, Chiffchaffs and Wheatears are being seen and Skylarks and Meadow Pipits are singing everywhere.
On the windier and shall we say slightly cooler days, the seabirds are giving spectacular hanging in wind aerial displays - a particularly acrobatic Puffin at the weekend was especially popular, Siskins are at the feeding station and Peregrines use the air space to full effect.
When the wind is exceptionally strong, some of the birds head out to see to 'ride the storm', makes sense that seabirds are happier out at sea in a storm than on the cliffs. Each day is so variable though, that within a few hours and the wind dropping everything is back crowding onto the ledges.