Hull River bank by Bransholme

A sunny, warm and pleasant day, I went for a walk by the river bank between the A1033 Twin bridge and Sutton Road Bridge. Although the river is still tidal there, the banks especially the west one, is well vegetated with an almost continuous reed belt and occasional willows. On the East bank, there are still some fields, wooded patches and the reservoir of the Bransholme Water treatment works, which currently pumps surface water from Bransholme to the River Hull. This reservoir is an interesting birdwatching site. Today there were Lesser Black-backed and Herring gulls, a few Tufted ducks, Coots, Mallards a Mute Swan and three Gadwalls. Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were singing.

 The views were beautiful, with the new reeds starting to show at the base of the golden, old stems. Coots, Moorhens and Mallards fed on the river itself. I heard a Magpie singing from a tree, first time I hear it singing, most curious.

 As I arrived by the Sutton Road Bridge, three Swallows were flying and singing by it and under it.

Long-Tailed tit on Willow

The start of the walk on the twin bridge over the river Hull on the A1033.

A Magpie collected material to line its nest from the grassy banks.

River bank view

There were many butterflies on the wing, most Small Tortoiseshells feeding on dandelions, but also Peacocks and a few Small Whites

Feeding mallards

A bend of the river with reed beds and horses

Many Yellow Dung Flies, Scathophaga stercoraria on horse manure

Rabbit

Male blackbird

One of three Swallows flying by the Sutton Road Bridge

Sutton Road Bridge

Another view of the river

An unlikely pair: Coot and Woodpigeon

tethered Horse

Moorhen

Spider, Larinioides sp.

A view of the lagoon of the water treatment plant.

Location map

Bird list

1. Black-headed Gull
2. Blackbird
3. Blackcap
4. Blue Tit
5. Carrion Crow
6. Chaffinch
7. Chiffchaff
8. Coot
9. Cormorant
10. Dunnock
11. Gadwall
12. Great Tit
13. Greenfinch
14. Herring Gull
15. House Sparrow
16. Lesser Black-backed Gull
17. Long-tailed Tit
18. Magpie
19. Mallard
20. Moorhen
21. Mute Swan
22. Robin
23. Feral Pigeon
24. Swallow
25. Tufted Duck
26. Woodpigeon
27. Wren