A walk to Victoria Dock in May

The day started leading a walk at Pearson Park as part of a community event organised by the park's Heritage Lottery Fund. Amazed that 26 people turned up, many more than I expected! I learned on the location of the Moorhen's nest and the highlights were 5 Swifts and a House Martin flying over. All the group became quiet to listen to a singing Coal Tit, and Chaffinch and Song Thrush were also singing. There were a number of interesting questions and great conversation.

Greylag brooding goslings.

Moorhen on nest.

A Coal Tit hunting sycamore aphids for its chicks.

Afterwards, I realised there was a spring tide and the low tide was after 2pm, so I decided to head to Victoria Dock via Queens Gardens.

Pleased the trees at Queens Gardens are still standing.

I'm surprised to hear a Swallow singing near Drypool bridge. The blue paint of North Bridge in the background complements its plumage. It preens, and then flies under the bridge.

Mallard on the saltmarsh near Myton bridge.

Scale Lane Bridge pigeons.

Blackbird.

The Mouth of the River Hull at low tide.

As soon as I get near the Half Tide Basin I notice the House Martins flying about, there is a group of about 10 collecting mud. They fly around in groups until one decides to land and then others quickly follow. They are lovely to watch!

After the mud collecting session, the House Martins gather on the basin itself and bathe, flying low in groups and splashing in the water.

 

I'm always pleasantly surprised to see how bird species you usually don't associate to saltmarsh or mud take advantage of the bonanza of food.

Crow turning stones.

Collared Doves feeding by the tideline.

Starling probing in the wrack.

And finding lugworms.

The sparrows were getting muddy too.

On the grassy top of the sunken barge by Corinthians way, a Goldfinch fed on saltmarsh seeds.

And dandelion seeds.

A nice addition to my aerial birds series.

This young gull got a lugworm high up on the mudflats of the river. It walked to the water's edge to wash it, and almost got it stolen by another gull!