End of January at Sculcoates

 I'm going to keep visiting the Sculcoates patch, but I might give it a miss the weekend in the month when the Wetland Bird survey is scheduled, especially now that I'm walking to the three sites where I survey. This meant that I hadn't visited the patch for a couple of weeks. It was a sunny, cold but still morning and as I walked towards Sculcoates across Pearson Park I had this feeling of spring in the air, with a lot of bird activity and a lovely sunshine that felt warm in sheltered spots.

I counted the Black-headed Gulls at the playing fields: 117 with about 10 Common Gulls. Several Blackbirds fed on the grass near the fence with a single Redwing. 

Redwing and dew.

Robin.

It was low tide at the river and it was the turn of the Black-headed gulls bath, so no large gulls about. A Moorhen was by the bridge and a Cormorant on the barge's mast, with other fishing in the river. Four Redshank were visible on the mud.

Cormorant on mast.

A Grey Wagtail crossed the river and landed by the tannery, where it fed around a puddle, surrounded by litter.

Grey Wagtail.

Redshank bobbing.

A Magpie marriage. The pair at Sculcoates park were retouching their nest.

Next I visited the cemeteries. Song Thrushes were all in evidence, not only singing, but also feeding in the open. The last few months they have been hard to see. There were plenty of Greenfinches at the cemetery, with some indication of courtship.

Song Thrush.

Wren.

At the drain, the water was running quite fast. There seem to be a lot to eat there as there were many Mallard and Moorhen feeding on the water, plus a couple of shy Little Grebes.

Another Song Thrush.

The final surprise of the day, a Coot on the drain on the edge of the km2.

A total of 31 species for the day in a couple of hours visit to end the month of January in 35 species.

A walk to Willerby Carrs and Wood Lane

 A cloudy, grey but still day, not as cold as yesterday, I walk along Setting Dyke to Willerby Carrs, back via Wood Lane and Snuff Mill Lane.

I search for water voles on the Setting Dyke, but other than seeing lots of burrows, I see none. A Herring Gull mobs a Grey Heron over Priory Road.

There are many floods on the fields of Willerby Carr Farm, which hold horses. After hearing their calls, I find five Redshank, scattered, feeding on the edges of pools. Siskins call from trees and I flush a Green Woodpecker from a paddock.

Redshank.

Green Woodpecker.

Siskin.

A very cool cat, like a tabby without stripes.

View of the fields by the Setting Dyke.

A large pool holds 117 Lapwing, 81 Teal and 1 Shoveler. 

Lapwing.

Lapwing and Teal.

A Shoveler was resting with the Lapwing. 

Horse paddocks and floods.

I take Swine Bank and then Wood Lane. As usual, Wood Lane is very muddy, but fortunately not flooded. On the muddiest stretch of the lane, someone has abandoned a mountain bike, the wheels so caked in mud that is probably impossible to ride. 

A mixed tit flock is around the oaks and trees on the lane, including Long-tailed Tits and two Goldcrests. I return via Snuff Mill Lane to Bricknell Avenue. 13 km round trip.

Urban birds at Hull. 29. Great Black-backed Gull

The largest gull, adult has blackish back and massive bill, and an overall bulky look.  Legs are pink, unless Lesser Black-backed Gull's, which are yellow. Juveniles are best identified by size and bill size when mixed with other gulls. Heavy flight when compared to other gulls. Great Black-backed Gulls are scavengers and kleptoparasites, snatching food from other marine birds. Feed on birds, fish, shellfish and carrion and discarded food in rubbish tips. Breeds on rocky cliffs and islands on West and North UK coasts.

A 4th year Great Black-backed Gull at Bransholme reservoir dwarfing the Herring Gull behind it. 9 Nov 2021. 

A dirty Great Black-backed Gull comes down to the river Hull for a wash. 29th November.

Status and distribution in Hull

A scarce wintering gull in Hull, although possibly under recorded. It is a wary bird and tends to rest out of the way, mixed with other gulls on roosts on industrial areas near the river Hull and the estuary. Nowadays usually in single figures, contrasting with Richard Broughton's report of the species being common and abundant around the docks and Humber front in the 80s, for example 'Hard weather in December 1985, meanwhile, brought 1,200 into St Andrew's Dock'.

Two adult Great Black-backed Gull atop an industrial estate roof, 4th December 2021.

13th December 2021. This Great Black-backed Gull struggled with a flounder, and ended up flying away with it.

20th Dec 2021. An adult Great Black-backed Gull comes down to the river Hull for a wash. Later 7 individuals will gather on the bank of the river, including a 1st winter individual, the largest group I've seen in Hull.

1st winter Great Black-backed Gull bathing in the river Hull.

Conservation and management

The species has suffered moderate declines in breeding and wintering populations, and it is Amber listed in the UK.

More information

Broughton, R.K. 2002. Birds of the Hull Area. Kingston Press. Hull, UK.

Top shot. 6 October 2020. Great Black-backed Gull on the old town by Scale Lane Br.

Urban birding at Hull: a walk to Victoria Dock

Today I walked across the city centre and reached the half-tide basin. I was going to pop in at Albert Dock, but I was told the lock gates were going to be left open for two hours so I ended up leaving. Still it was a 14 km walk. Although it threatened drizzle, it stayed dry, mild and calm. 

At Milky Way a pair of Stock Doves preened while a Blackbird sung all on the big poplar.

Stock Doves.

Singing Blackbird.

I stopped by Princes Quay to check the roof for the Mediterranean Gull, with no luck. A Pied Wagtail, new species for the year, somewhat compensated and also a ringed Black-headed Gull, J1P1. It is from the Norwegian scheme, and when I enter the details later I'm amazed to find later that I saw this gull on exactly the same spot last year at Princes Quay! It summers in Oslo, Norway. 

J1P1 Black-headed Gull.

White Wagtail.

A pair of Moorhens by The Dock. There were at least 4 individuals on the river.

The male Curlew was by the flood wall at Victoria Dock, then it moved to the Half-tide basin, where it promptly got a ragworm.

At the half-tide basin, three Coots a family of Mute Swans with one young and a passing Sparrowhawk.

The weak winter sun with a bit of mist over the Humber.

I'm very pleased to be able to walk on Victoria Pier, which was recently re-opened to the public.

A new addition to the fish trail.

A Redshank was at the entrance of the Marina.

A Finnish Black-headed Gull on the newly opened Victoria Dock, I managed to read the whole ring with several photos: 322216.

A Cormorant on the marina, trying to look as a piece of street furniture.

A young Herring gull scavenging.