A sporting event to rival Euro 2012 and the Olympics took place on and around the reserve last weekend. Fortunately for our team, whose training probably consisted of bacon butties and cups of tea, the Bird Race had nothing to do with running.
The challenge was to spot as many different birds during a set time and in a given area. And with stiff opposition from Flamborough, our top birders had their work cut out.
Between 6am and 6pm, Team BC consisting of Assistant Warden Dave, Seabird Monitoring Assistants Fiona and Tim and Education Officer Steve, patrolled the cliff tops and surrounding area between Bempton and Speeton, and logged the different types of birds that visited their plot. There were plenty of comings and goings to keep them busy. Highlights during the day included a female marsh harrier, a red-throated diver and a red-breasted merganser.
And the result after 12 hours solid spotting? Bempton, 66 species. Flamborough, 93. So a resounding victory for our close neighbours. But as the gallant losers said, there’s always next time