WINTERTON BEACH WALK

   Last week on a calm day I decided to drive to Winterton and walk along the beach looking for the small flock of Snow Buntings that had recently arrived for the winter. Setting off northwards from the car park I immediately spotted a couple of pipits near the sea wall but as there were several people and dog walkers around I carried on up the beach and after 20 minutes or so came across a large group of Sanderlings resting at the tide line.I stopped to take a few pictures but the light was very subdued so I didn't linger and carried on passing only a few gulls and Cormarants resting on the groynes.

   As I neared the Horsey end of the beach a group of gulls and crows were feasting on the corpse of a seal pup and were reluctant to move far from their meal as I passed. Shortly afterwards I reached signs informing me that the beach ahead was closed to allow the seals to pup in peace so I moved up into the dunes and continued up to the seal watch points where I joined several other people looking at the first of the seasons pups on the beach along with a few females but all in all the area was still relatively quiet. Another couple of weeks should see the the pupping season really start in earnest by which time the beach will probably be covered in pups and their mums with the bull seals getting aggressive with each other as they wait for the chance to mate. I kept looking out to sea in the hope of seeing the Humpback Whale that had been offshore here the day before but there was no sign and on returning home reports said that it had been seen further north at Happisborough, never mind maybe next time.

   Leaving the seals I made my way back towards Winterton eventually locating the flock of Snow Buntings which numbered around 15 individuals but unfortunately for me they were very flighty and did not allow close approach. The reason for this was soon obvious as I watched several dogs repeatedly chase the birds around the beach with the owners seemingly oblivious to the antics of their pets! A little further south and the Sanderlings came back into view again along the tide line but this time they were more dispersed all along the beach. The light was much better so I spent some time with them taking pictures as they ran in and out with the waves allowing me to approach fairly closely. Occasionally dogs would disturb them and they would rise up, form in to a flock, fly along the beach a little way and then resume feeding on the shore. Very confiding little birds with great characters, constantly on the go and a joy to observe and photograph. No Snow Bunting pictures but a great day for a walk without too many people around once you get away from Winterton.