Wild at Hull: Balmy february at South Landing

Monday, 10 February 2014

Balmy february at South Landing

We headed to South Landing today, the sea was calm and the sun shone most of the time. Out of the breeze was very pleasant. Once on the beach, we saw some Oystercatchers and a young Greater Black-backed gull. The tide was half way up, but there was no trace of the patch of seaweed to the left of the bay, so we saw no waders, other than the Oystercatchers and a couple of Curlew.
We headed south towards Danes Dyke, lured by a Fulmar circling by the cliffs and a mystery pigeon. The fulmar turned out to be one of seven that were sitting on the ledges of the cliff, some already in pairs and noisily complaining when the flying individual passed too close.
The mystery pigeon was to be a Stock Dove, one of two who flew together. I had never seen this species by the coast.
A male Kestrel hovered over the cliff and we flushed a couple of Rock Pipits.
After turning round before the tide was too high, we went up the path to the walk around the little wooded valley. A very kind gentleman showed us the location of three roosting Woodcocks, my first chance to see this species at rest and take some photos.
In the wood, there were Chaffinches, Great and Blue tits, Robins, a Treecreeper, some Crows and many Grey Squirrels.
Atop the cliff we watched the sea, still, and watched a seal who seemed to be eating something. A lovely end of a great day out.