East Yorkshire RSPB Local Group

East Yorkshire RSPB Local Group The East Yorkshire Group was formed in 1986. We host wildlife talks, field trips & support the RSPB.

26/05/2026

6 members joined us this evening for a walk at South Landing car park. Lovely warm evening with a slight breeze. We walked back up Southsea Road and onto the footpath leading up to Beacon Hill. We had great views of a chiffchaff calling strongly from a gorse patch moving and tail flicking! Blackbirds and Chaffinch's were singing. On reaching the cliff top, the tide was very low, quite a few Kittiwakes were flying back towards the Head from Bridlington bay. On the cliffs great views of a Whitethroat singing away also Linnet, Goldfinch and Skylarks. We totalled 30 species at the end of the walk. Gill Reid

10/05/2026

Today’s field trip was to the great Tophill Low reserve near Watton.
The car park had a mass of scything swifts feeding over the trees. So good to see so many. 9 of us attended and initially set off to the south end. There were many singing warblers in D woods and in the reed beds. The cuckoo was calling constantly but eventually showed itself on the trees near Barmston Drain. Orange tip, Red Admirals and Painted Lady butterflies were very much in evidence. Sand Martins were investigating the artificial nest holes on South Marsh West. Many nesting Black-headed Gulls, with courting Common Terns and Oystercatcher sitting on a nest were all on South Marsh East.
After lunch we checked out the north end. Quick but good views of a Kingfisher on North Lagoon. A very vocal Garden Warbler near East Hide. In total we noted 64 species. Gill Reid

05/05/2026

The first evening walk of this year was a circular walk from Boynton Village. Ten of us came and we set off over the Gypsy Race river and had our bird of the day! A close Hobby flew by which was stunning! During the walk we had two Buzzards at roost in the same tree, two Red Kites and at least two Kestrel. Two pairs of Grey Partridge were also seen. 25 birds logged and a nice walk in pretty countryside! Gill Reid

13/04/2026

East Yorkshire RSPB group is 40 years old this year! One of our planned special events this year was the coach trip to RSPB St Aidans near to the village Swillington on 12th April. 21 of us collected in the reserve car park about 9.30am. The Little Owl was showing well on some wooden sleepers under Oddball ( the very large mining machine) ! A great start to our trip. We split into two groups to tour the various reedbed paths. The Bittern was booming well from the reeds but not seen! The Black-necked Grebes put on a lovely show. Their bright red eyes and fan of orange cheek feathers looked so good! Mostly already paired up!
Many sand martins scooped the surface of the water with an odd swallow. Willow warblers singing in the willows, Cetti’s warblers seemly calling from every bush and the recently arrived Sedge warblers getting into full song, all heralding springs arrival.
Black-headed Gulls screaming everywhere and a large count of 40+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls was impressive. We found a pair of Little Ringed Plovers and a few Redshank. We stopped for lunch at the Visitor Centre area. Some stayed in the cafe to missed the heavy rain shower, and the rest of us walked around Lowther Lake adding a pair of Jay, Bullfinches , fast flying Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail.
We has a busy but lovely day in this premier RSPB site!
Thanks to Alan Coe, Barry Smithson and Gill for guiding.
Gill Reid

09/03/2026

Last Sunday our March Field trip started at YWT Filey Dams. 11 of us met up. We started with highly energetic Chiffchaff and Goldcrest feeding avidly. Plenty of small birds, Blue, Great and Long-tailed t**s. Redwings could be seen in a distant tree. All five common species of gulls were seen. The usual duck species were seen, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Teal and one Wigeon. A brief view of a water Rail was a treat for two of us! We tallied 28 species. We headed to North Street, Flixton to eat lunch and then walked onto FlixtonCarr and the River Hertford. Fairly quiet but Curlew and Lapwing seen. A field with a good number of Common Gulls. Many busy small birds including Chiffchaff and also a highlight of 4 Redpoll. The afternoon yielded 25 species.
Our April Field Trip is to the excellent RSPB reserve of St Aidans.
Gill Reid

20/02/2026

The last group field trip was on 8th February to North Cave Wetlands. Barry Smithson sent me a trip report. 14 members arrived for the trip and there was an improvement in the weather, no rain and a glimpse of a pale sun as well!
Barry wrote, In the morning we completed the circular route around the reserve. Without a doubt the highlight was an otter seen on Island Lake from the Turret hide, for the lucky few! A good selection of wildfowl, including 250+ Pink-footed Geeseflew over, nice flock of siskin, lots of Greenfinches nzd a stunning male Bullfinches. We also had two separate views of two Treecreepers, always a treat to see!
After lunch we walked up Dryham Lane to Crossland hide.
Where we had good numbers of Wigeon, three Redshank with dozens of Lapwing. The only other waders were two calling Curlew flying over. We completed the day at the new Dennis Wood Hide, where we saw two displaying Goldeneye, a Litte Egret plus a Marsh Harriers flying over. An excellent day and so lucky with the weather. Barry Smithson
Our March Field trip is on the 8th meeting in the car park at the YWT reserve Filey Dams. Moving to Flixton Carr, for a walk to the River Hertford hopefully with chances of Geese and Barn owls hunting! Gill Reid

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14/12/2025

Our field trip today met at Thornwick Pools Flamborough. A count of 110 teal were on the pools. After a walk they went to RSPB Bempton for another walk. The sea was calm and two harbour porpoise were seen. Gannets and fulmar were around. A stonechat on the cliffs and the resident birds. Our next trip is on January 11th meeting at kirkholme point. See you next year!
Our first Tuesday evening speaker is Richard Baines talking about ‘The Rarity Garden‘. We are back in the North Bridlington Library on 27th January.
Imagine staring out of your window as a rare bird or butterfly lands in your garden, for that moment time stands still. If such sightings are rare then you have a rarity garden. Richard’s talk is the story of his decade spent observing wildlife on the cliffs of Flamborough Head and his recently published book “The Rarity Garden”. BTO news review; This is a beautifully produced book, filled with stunning photographs and maps. Ultimately, it’s a memoir that isn’t so much about the author, or even the place, but the very wonder and pleasure of being truly invested in nature.
The link for more info about this book is
https;//www.yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk/products/139/the-rarity-garden.
Richard is donating a percentage of each sale to North Yorkshire Turtle Dove Project. As well as his speakers fee! Fascinating talk so please come!

01/12/2025

In November the group field trip was to Paull Holme Strays. They were entertained by a long staying male Blackcap. There were plenty of waders on the Humber mud Bar and Black-tailed Godwits, Golden Plovers, Lapwings. Redshank.
On the 14th December the group will meet on Thornwick lane Parking before the cafe road. Walking to Thornwick pools and surrounding bushes. After lunch to Bempton Cliffs hoping for an Owl!

12/10/2025

Six of us met up for days field trip at the Lighthouse car park, Flamborough. The wind was in the wrong direction and news of migrants poor! We set off though along motorway hedge and had a Marsh Harriers drifting across. Many skylarks in decent groups buzzing around. Also Long-tailed T**s in large family groups. A group of stonechats were on the cliff top. Old fall woodland was quiet but we were entertained by a weasel watching us!After lunch we moved to Thornwick Pools and watched for a while! A Mediterranean gull flew in to join a few Black-headed Gulls. A grey wagtail turned up as well. In total we logged 42 species.
Please remember our next evening talk on 28th October : Professor Tim Birkhead on The Great Auk, it’s extraordinary life, hideous death and mysterious after life! Fascinating!
Gill Reid

09/10/2025

Our next indoor meeting is October 28th 7.30pm at St John’s Methodist Hall St John’s Road, Bridlington. We have one of the country’s eminent Ornithologist as speaker. Professor Tim Birkhead is talking about The Great Auk: its extraordinary life, hideous death and mysterious afterlife. It promises to be a highly enlightening and educational talk from Professor Tim Birkhead. He has conducted a long term study of Guillemots on Skomer Island amongst many other studies. All are invited to come along and hear an expert in his field.

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