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YCN on the Waves!

Fri 18th Jul, 2014

Riding high on the success of our National Park Safaris and Seabird Photography Boat Trips earlier this year we were all excited about getting back amongst the best trees and waves in Yorkshire on our Forest and Sea Spectaculars!  After cancellation of the 11th July trip due to severe weather we arrived in the Great Yorkshire Forest on the 12th a happy bunch, with the sun beating down on a calm morning.

Right on cue a big female Goshawk dropped into the valley beneath us! On both days we were surrounded by flocks of warblers, tits and finches and, a short drive away, close-up views of Tree Pipits, Dipper, Grey Wagtails and Buzzards as the local Kingfisher typically whizzed past! Insect highlights included great views of Light Emerald moths and a surprise Marbled White on the 13th.

After collecting our special chum recipe (for attracting seabirds close to the boat) from Scarborough’s Sealife Centre we headed to Staithes (with windows open!) to meet our hosts from the coast, Real Staithes. With Sean at the helm aboard All Our Sons, we were treated to local stories and stunning views of the highest cliffs in England!

On both days we had fabulous views of Gannets, Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills and Common, Sandwich and Arctic Terns, all providing great opportunities for photography! On the 12th a flock of Manx Shearwaters fed on our chum behind the boat. Cetaceans were in short supply but a Harbour Porpoise gave good views on the 13th.

As we were traveling back on the 13th we all got really excited about a dark triangular shape which rose out of the water. A cry of ‘Shark’ went out and the cameras were firing away. Before long the shape drew closer and revealed itself as a broken crab pot flag!

On both days we had a wonderful crew of clients and the small group enabled us to share our knowledge with everyone.  There are places left on our upcoming Forest and Sea dates here.

Richard Baines