Beverley Westwood and Burton Bushes in April

A cold, sunny start of the day. I put an extra layer on and took the bus to Beverley. I head towards the Westwood, keen not to miss the Wood Anemone's show, which I've been told is soon to be over. As I reach the Westwood, I can hear Skylarks and Linnets singing.

Skylark.

Bluebells.

The impact of the fence (keeping cattle out) on the density of Bluebells is striking.

A very nice patch of Greater Stitchwort.

The entrance to the central ride of Burton Bushes.

An ancient oak near Burton Bushes.

A fallen trunk got wedged on another tree and suspended over the path.

I get to a lovely glade with a large carpet of Dog's Mercury (above and top shot). I linger in that area for a while, as it is a hotspot of woodland birds. Nuthatches are calling, a Jay screeches and then does a hawk-like call for a while. A Goldcrest is singing over my head. A Great Spotted Woodpecker is feeding on a tree nearby. Even a Tree-creeper joins the party. A Speckled Wood flutters around, and finally settles. A Blue Tit arrives with feathers on its bill and enters a crack in the trunk of a large oak.

Speckled Wood.

Singing Goldcrest.

Robin.

Treecreeper.

Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Nuthatch.

After a while, I leave the glade. I'm a bit disorientated after moving back and forth. So far, I've met nobody in the woods, but soon I meet a few dog walkers on the main paths.

Wood Anemones.

I still find a few fresh Wood Anemones, including these very pink ones.

Pink Wood Anemones.

Time to leave the Burton Bushes. Here they are, looking back.

Flowering Cuckoo's Pint, Arum maculatum.

A peek into the Cuckoo's Pint flower. The hair-like projections stopping flies from leaving the cavity containing the male and female are visible. Flies are attracted to the flowers' carrion smell and pollinate the plant.

Jackdaw at the Minster.

Blackbird carrying food.

I check the towers but I don't see the Peregrines. I find a couple of old legs of birds and some Barn Owl pellets, which I will dissect and report back here.

Pickering Park WeBS and Albert Dock

A cold, breezy day with occasional light showers, I head towards Pickering Park for the Wetland Bird survey count.

This Goldfinch was picking grit from a roof.

Although the cob Mute Swan appears to be smiling in the photo, he was actually hissing at me. Its partner is sitting on eggs now on the nearby island.

Coot on nest.

There were several greylag families, this was the largest.

This Pied Wagtail repeatedly looked at its feet, like gulls do sometimes.

Brown Rat.

Mallards don't do very good on Pickering Park, apparently due to the fact that there are several enormous Pike.

Instead of going back home after the Wetland Bird survey count, I headed to Hessle Road and when over the bridge over the railway line a large Herring and Lesser Black-back colony became apparent.

Lord Line Reddbed.

Dunnock.

This pair of Herring Gulls had just mated.

The Shelduck pair is back at Albert Dock, but no ducklings yet.

As I step down from Murdoch Connection, the gulls alert me to a raptor, a Red Kite, the first this year.

And later, over Princes Avenue, I spot the silhouette of a Peregrine and manage a single photo, what a day for urban birding!

Peregrine.

Walk to Willerby Carr and Wood Lane

A sunny, cool day with a light North Easterly wind. I head to Willerby Carr and Wood Lane via the Setting Dyke. I'm keen to see ancient woodland flowers at Wood Lane. I have no luck with Water Voles in the dyke.

Greenfinch singing from one of the mature oaks by the Setting Dyke.

The entrance to Children's Wood.

Willerby Carr Farm.

I meet a local naturalist at Wood Lane, and while we talk, a skein of Pink-footed Geese flies over north to their Icelandic breeding grounds. It feels late to see them migrating!

Pink-footed Geese.

Nor the best focus, but this is one of two Chiffchaffs with nest material seen at Wood Lane today.

Teal and horses. About 14 Teal still left on the flushes at the farm.

Wood Lane.

Bluebells at Wood Lane

Wood Anemone.

Wood Anemone.

Greater Stitchwort, widespread along the lane and in bloom now.

It is warm in the shelter of sun-facing hedges, and butterflies are out, with Speckled Wood, Peacock, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White and Brimstones seen, all but Small White in some numbers, particularly Brimstone. More Dark-edged bee flies that I can record too. The cool easterly breeze meant there was plenty of basking, even the usually elusive male Brimstones!

Comma.

Peacock.

Speckled Wood.

Small Tortoiseshell.

Brimstone.

Brimstone

Small White.

A cluster of 16 Spot Ladybirds becoming active, this is just one section of the cluster. I've only seen one before at Alkborough Flats, the species appears to be expanding north.

Dark-edged Bee fly on Blackthorn.

The alarm cries of a pair of Herring Gulls alerted me to this Buzzard, the only raptor of the day.