Normally, there is nothing quite as depressing as a seaside town out of season. Hardly anyone around; all the cafes and arcades closed or boarded up. The wind is chilly, and the sunshine, when it is out, weak.
Bridlington was just like that today, but for one element. Birdguides had put out a report of Purple Sandpipers near the harbour, and it was that that had attracted me. I wandered around the harbour but other than a small group of Turnstones, which seemed to be imitating pigeons picking up crumbs from the pavements, there was no sign of the Sandpipers. I walked to the end of the pier hoping to see them roosting opposite where the seafish are landed, but still none.
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| Turnstone cum pigeon |
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| Another |
So off I went down towards the Spa where the rocks are used to break the waves at high tide. Sure enough there they were, feeding amongst the barnacles, muscles, and seaweed. The tide had not long reached its height, and the birds were picking off titbits as the waves ebbed. As well as about 20 Purple Sandpipers there were plenty of Knot, Turnstones, a few Dunlin and Oystercatchers, and even a Rock Pipit.
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| Purple Sandpiper |
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| Purple Sandpipers |
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| Purple Sandpipers |
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| Purple Sandpiper |
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| Rock Pipit |
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| Knot |
It seems, after all, that Bridlington has plenty of offer, even out of season!!
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