A dull dark morning turning into drizzle later. I did the usual route around the patch and ended at Fountain Road, where I walked along the drain. Flocks of Goldfinches were feeding on birches around the area. I walked around the North Sculcoates Cemetery and two birds were feeding also on a birch. I checked with the binoculars, Redpolls! I had this species in my wish list for the Hull year list so it's nice to get it with a couple of weeks to spare. The Redpolls were flighty, but kept returning to the birch. I walked around to get a (marginally) better angle for the light and managed some record shots. Unfortunately they didn't stay very long. This species brings the species list in the patch this year to 67 and the Hull species year list to 108.
A pair of Bullfinches were also at the cemetery.
Three Stock Doves atop the old Sculcoates School building sorting a territorial dispute.
One of two Cormorants posing on the mast of a barge.
The bathing spot was busy early on. I scanned the flock, mostly made of Herring Gull young of the year. There were also two adult Great Black-backed Gulls and a 4th year one.
Four Redshank were scattered along the river. One flew off calling and was joined by another, who came back to its spot. I wonder if this escorting passing individuals is a type of territorial behaviour.
One of the GBBGs was trying very hard to eat a flounder. Flouder is too wide to be swallowed whole, which is the usual technique in gulls. It is too stiff and wide. The gull tried pecking it and shaking it.
As I was taking a video of the GBBG, something spooked the gulls and, like a wave, all took off. The GBBG carried it's flounder in its bill. I scanned the sky, looking for a raptor. A female Sparrowhawk was on the hunt, diving a couple of times, maybe after Feral Pigeons. I was surprised the gulls reacted so strongly. The two Cormorants and the Redshank didn't fly off. A Grey Wagtail flew from the puddles at Transwaste.
After this, a few gulls settled back in the wash area, but not many, so I carried along Wilcolmlee and then by Fountain Road to the drain. I saw the ripples of a Little Grebe diving in the middle of the drain, but it also saw me and moved quickly to the side vegetation, where I found it, watching me nervously.
Little Grebe.
I could hear a Song Thrush singing, the first of the year. It was on a poplar by the drain.
After almost three hours on the patch, the last one in the drizzle, I headed home for lunch.The best thing on the way was a Mistle Thrush on the Endeavour lawns. Mistle Thrush has been scarce on the patch, maybe because I not normally walk on this southernmost edge of it. There are plenty of berries, mainly Rowan, large trees and grassy areas here, so it looks like the place could hold a pair.
We've been away in the weekend, where the core Webs for the River Hull was scheduled, so I headed to Scott Street bridge in the afternoon, an hour before high tide. It didn't stop drizzling, but at least it was quite mild. The alarm starts ringing as I step on North Bridge. I rush to the other side to watch the bridge lift to let a barge pass. I think it is always the same barge.
Drypool bridge lifting.
As the bridge lifts, I realise that there is a chance the barge will flush the Redshank from their roost. A Grey Wagtail flies from my bank, I would have missed it if not for the barge. The boardwalk from Drypool Bridge is still closed, but the Redshank roost site is visible from the bridge. Fortunately, as I get to the bridge, I see there are 8 Redshank on the Roost.
I walk by High Street, noticing this lovely tile with Sperm Whales by the Hull and East Riding Museum.
There is some exposed mud and I find four scattered Redshank between the roost and the Deep.
Three Moorhens are on the river too.
The drizzle is relentless, and I keep having to wipe my glasses every few minutes despite wearing a rain cap, the binoculars and camera are suffering too. I don't hang on. It's been a long day of walking, 18 km in total. I'm rewarded by the Med Gull at Princes Quay, who is moulting into its black head.
Mediterranean Gull on it's usual spot atop Princes Quay.
No comments:
Post a Comment