Holderness: Coniston, Thirtleby, Old Ellerby, Skirlaugh

I got bus 24 to Coniston and got there about 9am. A bright, spring-like mild day of blue skies and little wind. A female Linnet collects nesting material from a roof at Coniston. I cross the road and take Thirtleby lane to the hamlet of that name. There is a lot of farm traffic on the single track road. A Yellowhammer sings from a hedge,Skylarks rise. I get to Thirtleby, a spread out hamlet with some new farm outbuildings. The hamlet sits on an area labelled on the map as Gravel Hills, which reminds me that the undulating landscape is due to the presence of sands and gravels deposited by glacial moraines. The gravels are exposed on a ditch. I take a detour towards Thirtleby Grange to explore the hamlet a bit more. There are many birds singing, amongst them the lovely song of my first Willow Warbler of the year. I spot a hare standing on a field track, I take one photo with the wrong exposure and she's gone. 

A female Linnet collects nesting material from a gutter at Coniston.

Yellowhammer singing.

Linnet singing.

Stock Dove at Thirtleby.

Song Thrush.

A Brown Hare stands up to eye me out. It bounded off after this photo.

Skylark singing.

I then turn round to the main road towards Roe Hill Farm. More Skylarks and Pheasants and a distant Yellowhammer. Soon I get to the left turn into a public right of way towards Roe Hill. It is a gentle climb to its more than 25 m of altitude. The landscape shows evidence of ancient woods, with copses and plantations including a diverse ground flora of Wood Anemones, Bluebells and Greater Stichwort. I get to the evocatively named Bog Wood, on the grounds of Wood Hall. Although the trees are not particularly old, there is some evidence of woodland continuity, as opposed to the carrs and marshes of the low lying lands. In the distance I can see Old Wood (previously known as Yaud Wood) of Burton Constable, and later on, Woodcock Wood (there are some great names in the area such as Spacey Field, and Bittern Boom Mere). There is a round pond sunk amongst the trees (top shot) reflecting the blue sky. I come near and there is a carpet of Greater Stitchwort.

A view North from a gap in the hedge.

Peacock.

A few Buzzards enjoying the thermals today. This was over Roe Hill plantation.

Climbing Roe Hill.

Looking back.

Burton Constable's Old Wood from Roe Hill.

A gnarled oak near the hill top.

I'm surprised to find Wood Anemones on Roe Hill plantation. There is a carpet of Bluebells now blooming too.

Wood Hall amongst the trees.

Bluebells and Greater Stichwort by the pond.

Wood Hall farm and rookery.

There is a track by the field by Fox Covert, and then the right of way crosses a wheat field just before I get to Old Ellerby. A large hamlet with a pub, the Blue Bell, and church, St James, on Crab Tree Lane, another lovely name. I take a narrow footpath between houses that emerges on the churchyard, where there are a few young and curious Rabbits.

A Coat Tit singing at Old Ellerby.

Several Greylags were watchful on a field.

Young Rabbit.

St James Church at Old Ellerby.

An old building at Old Ellerby.

The two hamlets of the walk are done, so I make my way to Skirlaugh and wait for my bus back.

Wren atop Ellerby Grange.

My first Holly Blue at Skirlaugh.