FILEY

To Filey this morning in the hope of seeing the Olive-backed Pipit.

We didn't. But we did see the magnificent sight of a Ring-tailed Hen Harrier flying below us off the cliffs. The chap who first spotted it was a real gentleman-birder and was perfectly happy to share his knowledge with we two amateurs.

To G, with lack of Olive-backed Pipit, it won't necessarily count as a "good" birding day, but to me seeing Tree Sparrows (I love them) drinking at a tiny puddle at Bempton was enough. Also passing an ancient single-decker bus decorated in bridal flowers near York on the way there, and then passing the same bus as we headed home. Both times it was empty apart from the driver, so we must have seen it pre and apres wedding. I wish the couple well on their marriage.