Wild at Hull: Hornsea Mere and Wassand

Monday 8 July 2013

Hornsea Mere and Wassand

I went to Kirkholme in the morning, and then had a walk around Wassand Estate. Kirkholme was dominated by a very large flock of moulting Canada Geese resting with a few Greylags and the usual hybrid/domestic geese assortment. The noisy Jackdaw flock included many juveniles, and hirundines and swifts flew overhead. As I approach the point, a flock of Canadas swims in a line with the backdrop of Swan Island (above). No Little Gulls on the jetty, just some mallards and Black Headed gulls.
A family of swans provided some entertainment. First, the male was preening on the shore, feathers falling to the ground as he vigorously, and noisily! rubbed his flanks, chest and belly.

A little further, by the jetties, the female and three cygnets. One of them giving the impression that it already felt quite grown up, as it was chasing the mallards, that were more or less its size. The quarrelsome cygnet approached me and I offered my hand. It hissed and pecked me several times! I won't be messing with it when it grows up.
At Wassand, despite the overcast sky and drizzle, many Ringlets and Meadow Browns on the wing around the meadows, with Common Blue Damselflies. Just before I left, I spotted a Jay and watched it on a large oak before it flew away.