Whitby weekend 25th-28th November 2011

I set off excitedly at 9.30am on Friday morning for a long weekend in Whitby. Excited because I have never been to Whitby before, but was aware of its history and beauty, but also because a very dear friend (and my old boss) was getting married at the Ravens Hall Hotel, situated on a cliff top overlooking the beautiful Robin Hood Bay, half way between Whitby and Scarborough.

Six long hours and several trains later I arrived at the guest house that I had booked and it wasn't very long before I was down at the harbour, wandering why she couldn't have got married in flat Norfolk!! I negotiated some of the steepest climbs I have ever had to do - surpassed only by a long ago trip to Mont Parnasse in Paris.

I sampled the local fare and visited a hostelry or three before making my return ascent to my lodgings and slept fitfully.

Saturday morning saw me having to do it all over again, this time with a full English breakfast holding me back! - don't worry, I managed!! This was not a specific birding trip, but a chance to explore the town and the delightful harbour.

However, there were of course - gulls! The ubiquitous Black-headed gull and Herring gull had followed me here too. I was suprised and delighted to see many Turnstones associating with the gulls around the harbour and they were even jostling amongst them for food. I was amazed when one of them started pecking around my feet!! In the shrubbery on some of the cliff sides were House Sparrows, a Robin or two and there were plenty of Crows soaring over the rooftops. Oh, and some pigeons!

I was delighted to catch my first ever glimpse of a seal in the harbour, the identity of which is up for debate in the forum. So far it has been suggested that it is a Common Harbour Seal or a Grey Seal.

It was not long before I had to make my ascent again (planting a flag at the summit and writing letters for family members) in order to get ready for the wedding. It was a thoroughly enjoyable occasion with many friends old, current and new, all congregating at this beatifull hotel in the middle of the North Yorkshire Moors. The drive to the hotel was awesome, bleak and inspiring. At various times in the night, those of us that smoke, were buffeted by 70mph winds roaring up from the bay which was quite an experience - the quickest 'smoke breaks' ever, one drag and they were gone!! We had excellent food, toasted the happy couple with mulled wine drunk from silver goblets and many dances later, dispersed into the night. I wish I could tell you my carriage arrived, but it was instead Andy in his cab!

Whitby, in the early hours of Sunday morning was buzzing. Lets just say I got back to the guest house at some point or other, and woke up later that day at some point or other and then ambled, very, very slowly to a cafe and on to an ale house for a hair of the dog - it proved to have very big teeth!!

There was a tidal surge happening just as I came out of the restaurant I had eaten in and the staff had to run about getting sand bags!! The road was completely flooded and some shops too: Whitby under water - Local - Whitby Gazette

Monday morning, bright and revitalised, saw me strolling along Whitby beach. Boy, that was fresh!! There to keep me company in the howling winds were some pipits - the identity of which are also being currently debated in the forum. I had an inkling that they might have been Rock Pipits due to appearing quite grey on the backs and a dirty, smudginess to the streaking on the flanks. These were annoyingly at the very top of the cliff when I was, of course, at the bottom. Others I'm sure are Meadow Pipit.

There was also Pied Wagtails, a Robin, a couple of Curlews, many Oystercatcher, Redshank, more Turnstones, Cormorants and the afore mentioned gulls were joined by several Greater-black backed Gulls too. The star attraction however, was a lovely male Stonechat - the first I have seen in well over a year!

Once off of the beach, I further explored the town and visited the Abbey. Stunning views from up there and a great place to watch the town as the sun set.

I've had a great 4 days in Whitby and although it wasn't specifically a birding trip, managed to record 20 odd species. I definitely will go back, but summer next time!!

Update - The pipits have been agreed as Rock Pipits - woohoo - LIFER!!!!! and the consensus on the seal is that it is a Common harbour seal (LIFER also!!)

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