Urban River Hull: Wilmington Bridge to Reich Carter Way

A cold, frosty and sunny morning, I decide to start by walking to Wilmington Bridge to check on the Great Black-backed Gulls. On the way there, I see that the pond at Pearson park was half iced over. The Common Gulls like to stand on the ice. I checked gull legs, but no luck with rings.

Common Gull on ice.

A pair of Greylag were feeding on the playing fields.

On the river, the tide was quite low and there was a large group of Herring Gulls, mainly young of the year, bathing on their usual spot. In between them, the massive king of the gulls: an adult Great Black-backed Gull - looking a bit dirty all be said - approached the water and proceeded to shake it's bill repeatedly, trying to clean it on the shore of the River Hull. I love these amazing gulls and I can't believe I've travelled to Bridlington to catch up with them in the past!

Bath time for the gulls.

Great Black-backed Gull and Herring Gull juveniles, they look tiny in comparison.

The river Hull with the Reckitt chimney rising in the distance.

There were a few Redshank feeding and the usual Moorhen on the river too. I crossed Wilmington bridge. A pair of Kestrels were sitting on a sunny window ledge of the British Extracting Co, the first time I see two on the patch.

Kestrels.

I walk towards Stoneferry Road. A Peregrine flies up and up and lands on the Reckitt Chimney. It must have impressive views of the city as it is the tallest structure in Hull with 141 m. There is some Feral Pigeon movement, but they seem relaxed, maybe the Peregrine just wants to enjoy the sunshine.

Peregrine.

I climb the steps to rejoin the river bank path. There are three Redshanks in the section and I film two that walk in parallel repeatedly up and down the bank, and another alarm calling.

Redshank.

Black-headed Gulls.

The view from the bottom of the steps.

An urban otter track

Close up.

I notice they have put netting on the B&Q roof, presumably to deter the gulls, as there were a few Lesser Black-backed gulls which bred there and their mobbing cries must have been irritating to customers. Hopefully there won't be entanglements. There is no end of industrial roofs on the area so hopefully they will settle nearby.

A yawning Cormorant on the pylon.

A Kestrel near Sutton bridge. Looking down onto a grassy patch.

One of half a dozen Redwings on Yews at Haworth Hall.

The cycle circuit with the ponds has been fenced off, so I can't do my customary wander around and carry on. I hear a passing Kingfisher from the river, a rushed neat high pitched, repeated whistle but no luck in spotting it. Roebank Reservoir is 70% iced over. Fortunately there are 7 Mute Swans making sure there is some open water. There are more Teal than last time, 14+, also 29 Gadwall, 3 Shovelers, and 63 Coots. Many gulls, too tricky to count. 

A 4th year Great Black-backed Gull on ice on the reservoir with Black-headed Gull, Common Gulls and juvenile Herring Gull. This was the 3rd GBBG I saw today.

A surprise Pheasant on the reservoir wall.

Grey Heron.

A Sparrowhawk flushes a Redshank from the river, very close to the Reich Carter Way bridges. The Sparrowhawk flies onto some trees, I think it is going to land, but instead it zig-zags in between openings between branches and drops on the other side. I get to the bridges and move onto the other bank.

At Haworth Hall, a Greenfinch sits atop a tree, looks like a lime. Then I noticed that the tree has a clump of mistletoe. 

Mistletoe.

I have my picnic on a bench overlooking the playing fields at Oak Road. I'm hoping to see the white crow, but no luck. Later, three Carrion Crows come down to the river for a wash.

Two Little Grebes are visible from the bridge at Beresford Avenue.

A total of 45 bird species, and 10 Birdtrack lists, on a 14.5 km walk.