Leven Canal and Leven Carrs

Since I walked the River Hull a couple of years ago, I have wanted to walk the Leven Canal. The canal, 5 km long, is not in use for navigation, and is actually split in half and not connected to the River Hull, but since 1962 it is a SSSI due to it's aquatic flora. The canal is fed by springs and its waters are very transparent, the submerged, wrinkled leaves of the Yellow Water Lily visible. The canal path is enclosed by overgrown hedgerows in its first stretch, but then it opens up and appears higher than the surrounding countryside, affording views across the low-lying, generally flat area surrounding it, while still lined with reeds and scrub with occasional willows and hedgerows. There are two bridges to navigate, one pedestrian, which sits atop the aqueduct that allows Holderness Drain to cross the canal (although the canal has been infilled in this stage, and the Waterloo Bridge, from which I took the photo above. Up to this bridge the land is cultivated and there are small copses, but in the area between this bridge and the river Hull there is wet grassland, which is being managed under a stewardship scheme to enhance its biodiversity value.

Leven Carrs.

The weather was fair, calm, but cloudy, and cold, about 10 degrees C. I parked on Carr Lane in the village about 9:00 and joined the canal path at Sandholme bridge, by the caravan park. Birds were in full song, warblers in particular, with Willow, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Reed and then a Sedge Warbler, my first this year.

Sedge Warblers were indeed singing at regular intervals all along the canal. Whitethroat joined the warbler list not long after and further along the canal, by Leven Carrs near the river, 4 Cetti's warblers were in song. Despite my best efforts I had just a glimpse of one of them as it skulked in brambles. The best was still to come. I realised I was hearing the reeling song of a Grasshopper warbler! I had been unable to see/hear one in the last couple of years, so that was a very pleasant surprise. On the wetlands north of the canal, several waders were present: Whimbrel, Greenshank, a pair of Little Ringed Plovers, a pair of Oystercatchers, and Lapwing.  Also Mallard with ducklings, Shelduck, Wigeon, Greylags and a few Black-headed gulls. I wished I had a telescope as some birds were too distant. As I reached the river Hull, three Sand Martins flew north.

Reeling Grasshopper Warbler.

 I turned back and reached the Grasshopper warbler again and decided to have lunch on the path there in case it became visible. It was singing from the other side on the canal. I scanned the area and managed to see it through some reeds at the same time that a cuckoo called (for some reason I often hear cuckoos in my lunch time, around 12:00, coincidence?).
On the way back a few sunny spells and slightly warmer temperature meant some butterflies were on the wing. Peacock, Orange Tip, Speckled Wood and Green-veined White were recorded.

Yellowhammer.

Female Linnet with nest material. 

Brown Hare. It seemed to have some sort of abscess/injury on its shoulder, but it could run well, and it seemed to be enjoying rolling on the soil.

Male Linnet singing.

Orange Tip, overexposed, but they are so hard to get. It flew off before I had the chance to adjust the settings.

Another view of Leven Canal.

I must return to the canal later in the year during peak dragonfly season.

More information
An informative video on the creation of wetlands and fenland in Leven Carrs. Here.

Spring migration at Spurn and Kilnsea Wetlands

Despite the weather forecast of showers, I decided on a trip to Spurn today. I hadn't even checked the tide, but when I did on arrival to Kilnsea Wetlands hide I realised it was just before high tide. Waders were indeed plentiful: a flock of Bar-tailed godwits, many in full summer plumage, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew and Whimbrel, Ringed Plovers, later on, a lone Common Sandpiper who almost frantically circuited the whole wetlands. Swallows and Sand Martins hunted over the water. At some point when the rain got heavier many sat on flower heads or the grass, facing the wind.
 The rain fell steadily now, but there were many birds around and several birdwatchers in attendance, calling new birds here and there. A drake Pintail fed at the far end, yellow wagtails fed on the grass, an avocet making a funny call, a pair of Sandwich terns waking up and displaying.

Bar-tailed Godwits.

Spotted Redshank in summer plumage roosting amongst Redshanks.

Displaying Sandwich Terns.

Yellow Wagtail.

Greenshank.

Hurrying Common Sandpiper.

Swallows and Sand Martins stopping during the shower.

After a very pleasurable couple of hours in the hide, the rain eased, and feeling the cold, I decided to move to the Triangle. I walked towards the warren by the clifftop. Four Wheatears were about, one of them had enjoyed a bath. They moved south in a loose group.

Wheatear.

Pair of Wheatears.

 I decided on a hot drink and early lunch stop on the Discovery Centre cafe to warm up. As I crossed towards the centre I saw a Ring Ouzel flying from the hedge and disappearing behind the freshly made bank. Hiding behind the bank, I moved closer to it. It fed on the wet grass while I took some pictures. I am not very familiar with Ring Ouzels, this being my best view ever. An adult female, it was a very well marked individual, the wings gleaming particularly pale and very nice scaly markings, even a little white feather on its neck. I left it feeding and, as I got to the discovery centre I exchanged the location of the ring ouzel with a birder, who gave me in turn the location of a singing Lesser Whitethroat.

 After lunch, I walked to the breach. The tide was now far out. A very out of place young swan walked on the mud, I wonder if expelled from its parent's territory now that breeding is underway.

Young Mute Swan on the mudflats.

A 59 strong flock of Brent Geese flew over and settled on the area near the Crown and Anchor to feed.

Whimbrel.

The same spotted Redshank as before, but near the Crown and Anchor?

Altogether, 57 bird species, and 10 new species for the year, a great day out at Spurn and Kilnsea.

Alkborough in flood

Spring tides and the high river Trent has meant that Alkborough Flats have flooded. Many of the field had water and some of the paths are only passable with wellies. It was a sunny morning, but with a chilly breeze. On arrival at the bottom car park a Cetti's singing, then a Chiffchaff. I had three Cetti's singing across the site during my walk today. I walked to the main hide. A pinging male Bearded tit gave me some brief views amongst the reeds, but it was my first this year. In the distance, a large flock of Black-tailed Godwits.

82 Black-tailed Godwits

 As I approached the hide I could hear the Avocets. There were well over 150, very active and quarrelsome amongst themselves.

In their usual spot at the back there was a pair of Pintail upending.

Many mallard on site, more that I've ever seen. As I was preparing to leave a Water Rail made an appearance in the clearing between the reeds, shortly followed by another.

Water Rail, amongst the greening reeds.

 I decided to do a circular walk by the Trent. There was an aggressive Mute Swan chasing any Greylag that dared landing on its patch. The coots were left alone. Two pairs of Little Grebes called from the reeds.

One of the entrances of what appears to be a Badger sett on the sea wall.

The view from the Trent, upstream. A wooded cliff by the river on the background.

Black-tailed godwits on breeding plumage on flooded field.

A Jay watching from a large tree. The mixed habitats of old trees by the wetlands means you can watch a Jay while hearing a Cetti's singing.

I returned to the main hide and had my lunch there. Marsh Harriers passes flushed the waders regularly. Buzzards, three at some point, were also soaring over the reserve.

Some quarrelling Avocets.

As I was taking my wellies off by the car I heard a swallow alarm call, and looking up, there it was, perched on a wire by the sewage works, my first Swallow of the year. I took a couple of quick photos and it took off, flying high and then north.