A walk around Willerby Carrs

This sunny, still morning I take the bus to Springhead, on the western outskirts of Hull. I walk towards the golf course and then north on the public right of way. Two Bullfinches, Coal Tit and Song Thrush on the grounds are nice amongst a good mix of birds. The public right of way follows Sands Dyke, which carries a bit of water. Two Moorhens are feeding along the Dyke. At some point I get a Goldcrest on the ivy clad hedges.

This photo illustrate the amazingly wide field of view of Woodpigeons.

Starling.

Bullfinch.

Song Thrush.

Moorhen.

Goldcrest.

As I emerge from Springhead, I hear my first Skylark (72), singing from the fields beyond Carr Lane. A trio chase and rise chirruping over the field. I move onto the grounds of the old Haltemprice Priory with their rough grassland. Half a dozen Linnets are feeding on the field. I stand under a large tree and look north and soon spot a male Stonechat (73) feeding, flying up and down from its perch on the dock seedheads to the ground. 

A small flock of Linnets, one of them singing, and a Goldfinch.

Female Kestrel. At some point there were three Kestrels in view by Haltemprice Farm

A calling male Kestrel.

Kestrel hovering.

Male Stonechat.

Male Stonechat.

I turn round and take Carr Lane westwards and then turn towards Haggs Farm. I get great views of the Skylarks, one of them rising just in front of me. A large flock of Lapwing (I count 136 in the photo) takes flight and then lands in a field nearby. I pay a visit to the local pair of Little Owls, which are basking on their old, hole covered ash, although the species is new for the year, they are not in the Hull area proper, so they are not counting towards my challenge.

Skylark singing.

The Lapwing flock.

The flock lands on a field.

Buzzard.

Little Owls.

Little Owls.

Western Cemetery and National Avenue

As it's customary for me in the last few years, I set myself the challenge of seeing 100 bird species in Hull. I will write a blog post as I add new species to the list. This morning I stood at 70. In the autumn, when the oaks in the cemetery were laden with acorns, I watched a few jays collecting them and flying NW. In google maps in that direction at a reasonable distance there were allotments, and further on a small golf course. I thought the jays might be using the grass at the golf course to bury their acorns, so, today I headed in that direction for my daily walk, aiming for Jay for the year. It was sunny and very cold, but calm, and many birds were singing: Chaffinches, Dunnock, Robin, Wren, Coal Tit, Stock Dove and Mistle Trushes. 

I noticed a woodpecker landing on a birch. A flock of Goldfinches landed just above it, like mobbing it. When I focused my binoculars I realised it was a Green Woodpecker! (number 71) It flew to a large poplar, bright green in the sunshine, with a very undulating flight, and I managed a few record shots. It called again a couple of times: 'kew, kew, kew!' and I saw it again heading in the same direction as the Jays in the autumn.

Record shot of Green Woodpecker.

I left the cemetery and headed to Perth Street and National Avenue. A tenfoot allows visual access to the golf course, and I was surprised to spot two Fieldfares feeding on the lawns. Although I already had a fly-over Fieldfare from my walk to Garrowby Community Orchard, I rarely see them on the ground, and so close too. The fence didn't make for good photography, though!

Fieldfare.

A view of the grounds.

A walk along the River Hull from Sculcoates to Ennerdale

A morning walk along the river Hull from Sculcoates, along Air street and then taking the left bank walk by B&Q. A dull, cloudy, dark day, the river running full at high tide. The first surprise, and bird species number 69 for the year is a Peregrine (top shot), that flies over me, laden with a feral pigeon. It takes the pigeon to a ledge in a large building and then promptly leaves in the same direction it came. 

Calling Greenfinch.

Drake Mallard in the river.

Moorhen.

Redshank. This one and a roost of 3 near B&Q were the only ones of the day.

I walk along the grassy river bank, flushing a Grey Heron. Three Cormorants rest on their usual perch atop a pylon. As I get to Ennerdale I cross Sutton Bridge and return by the river bank along Oak Road Playing fields. A wren sings, triggering a Cetti's Warbler (number 70), who sings from the reedbed on the opposite side. I manage some recordings of the song, as it's customary, I fail to spot it.

Song Thrush singing by Oak Road lake.