Wild at Hull: Burton Constable lake walk

Sunday, 9 June 2013

Burton Constable lake walk

This afternoon we went for a walk on the grounds of Burton Constable. It was cloudy, but pleasant enough. On arrival, by the reception buildings, Swallows, House Martins and Swifts fed on the air, while House and Tree Sparrows chirped from the roof.
We took the lake's walk, which we missed last time we visited. A long, straight path over long grassy pasture land with scattered trees and small copses leads to the lake. The kids run ahead as there is an 'adventure playground' by the caravan park at the other side of the lake.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker chips from the trees.
By the lake on the shore, a Pied Wagtail busily hunts insects for its hungry fledgling (above). The lake shores have lots of Yellow Water Lilies.
There was a large flock of Greylags and a few Canada Geese with grown goslings.
Also by the lake, a large cloud of House Martins passed overhead. As we leave the lake area, we watch Swallows and sand martins on the short grass collecting nesting material.

The wagtail fledgling

The male Mute Swan. None of the adults were ringed

Sleepy Cygnet

The always entertaining Rooks making for an interesting composition

Mallard family with ducklings jumping over water lilies.

An unusual tree, probably grafted between a Horse Chestnut with white flowers and a hybrid Horse chestnut (red flowers). The base of the trunk was not obviously divided.

The kids got very excited about a white stag in the distance, but it was just a well placed sculpture

A resting mallard family

view of the Burton Constable house

Large shells of Swan Mussel, Anodonta cygnea, left on the side of the lake. They were about 15 cm long.

Bridge over the lakes. Large swathes of Yellow Waterlilies in front of it

The promise of an ice-cream had the kids rushing back on the long straight path

Male swallow by the stables. He sung, and then engaged in a long preening bout, only occasionally raising its head.

The sperm whale skeleton lays on a large room by the stables. The author Herman Melville, was inspired to write a passage of Moby Dick after seeing the whale skeleton.