King's Mill with Hull Nats

A breezy, sunny and mild day, I take the train to Driffield and walk along The Bottoms between the young river Hull and Driffield Navigation. At Riverhead, a family of Moorhens relaxes in the sunshine. An adult briefly grooms a juvenile, and the juvenile reciprocates with a long grooming session. Two Little Grebes are chasing, running along the water surface like tiny coots. Little Grebes are plentiful today, I see at least 4 pairs, some with juveniles during the day. By the canal, there is some Himalayan Balsam, a plant that hasn't invaded the river Hull yet, despite being plentiful elsewhere.

The footpath by the canal is a bit enclosed, with poor views both to the canal or the river due to the marginal vegetation. I hear a Kingfisher beeping as it zooms past over the water, but I don't even get a glimpse. There is a slight elevation in the path and I get a view of a bend in the river: Mallards, Little Grebes and a wader resting on the shore: a Green Sandpiper!

Moorhens preening.

Himalayan Balsam.

Green Sandpiper.

A view of a bend in the river Hull from the footpath.

Pair of Mute Swans, one has angel wing, I wonder if it is the juvenile I saw in the same area in 2017 when I walked the River Hull. It is the left wing too. A Grey Heron is behind them.

A nymph of Blue Shieldbug.

Two Roe Deer running towards the river.

I retrace my steps towards Driffield and go to Bell Mills. Another pair of Little Grebes, these with two large chicks.

Little Grebes trilling.

It's time to head to the meeting point for the Hull Nats meeting. Before that, I have a coffee at Roberto's and visit All Saint's Church. I take my picnic lunch at the benches in King's Mill. A Kestrel briefly lands on a bare branch, but quickly leaves as it is getting more windy.

House Sparrow male and juvenile in Driffield.

We start by the pond near the entrance. Completely dry, which allows us to examine the aquatic plants on the bed of the pond and some interesting invertebrates. 

Cinnamon Bug.

Phasia hemiptera, a fly that parasitises shieldbugs, swiped by Bill.

A view of the central pond, also dry.

Common Green Grasshopper.

Common Groundhopper.

Common Emerald.

Common Field Grasshopper.

Long-winged Conehead.