A walk to Southwoods, Cottingham

The walk name is a bit misleading as there is no wood to the south of Cottingham, although the evidence that there was a 'Southwood' is there on local names and old maps. The area is now ploughed and under cultivation, but there are plenty of uneven hedges, where some woodland plants, cling on. I walked along the Setting Dyke from home. Just as I walked on the Hull city council side south of Willerby Carr community orchard, a Reed Bunting, Greenfinches, Goldfinches and Siskin sit on the trees. 

Flowering Lesser Celandine on the Setting Dyke banks.

Reed Bunting.

Siskin.

I rejoin the Setting Dyke and then walk around the flood defence reservoir (mostly empty) to start the walk proper. Just west of the reservoir a public footpath goes straight north towards Cottingham, via the grounds of Haltemprice Priory (top shot).

An entrance to a footpath by the Setting Dyke by Everingham Walk.

A flock of Greylags and some Canada at Willerby Carr Farm.

The reservoir had emptied since my last visit.

A male Stonechat on Haltemprice Priory grounds.

The rough grassland at Haltemprice priory where the Stonechat was.

The path to Cottingham. The way crosses a couple of ditches, but the footbridges are good.

Just by Southwood Farm garden centre, a new wood has been planted.

The only woodland plant that reminds us of the lost Southwood this time of year is Cuckoo's Pint, Arum maculatum, surviving at the bottom of hedges.

I have a break at the farm cafe before heading back home in the drizzle before storm Jocelyn hits.

A walk to East Park in January

First walk of the year to East Park, as I arrive the squeals of a parakeet attract my attention. It's much easier to spot them in the winter, the poplar where they are sitting bare of leaves. It turns out that it is the Alexandrine Parakeet (top shot), accompanied by a Ring-necked. It's very handy to see both species together, the Alexandrine is much bigger, with a massive bill and a pink patch on the wing. The Ring-necked looks dainty by comparison.

Alexandrine Parakeet, a male with black and pink neck ring.

Ring-necked Parakeet female, lacks a neck ring.

Ring-necked Parakeet female.

The usual assortment of wildfowl on the lake, which is fortunately not frozen over. Some Goosanders, a Cormorant, Tufted Ducks and two drake Pochard. A flock of Woodpigeons is flushed by a Sparrowhawk near the cafe. It sits on the ground for a few seconds after missing on a Blackbird.

Sparrowhawk.

Two pairs of Coots sorting out some territorial dispute.

Pochard.

Common Gull.

Just before I leave I spot a group of Siskins with Goldfinches on the western side of the park.

This made my day, evidence of Rabbit on the Sculcoates patch on the way back!

 

January at Noddle Hill LNR

A morning trip to Noddle Hill with friend Rob J. It feels mild after the hard frosts of last week, and there are long sunny spells. As we cross the bridge by the playing fields, we spot a Great White Egret, a first for Hull for both of us, and four Little Egrets, which is also the most I've seen in Hull. They fly to the path, but look keen to carry on fishing, the Large White and one of the Little Egrets make a neat comparison shot (top shot).

Great White Egret at the Sutton Cross Drain.

We head straight for the north side of the reserve by the road, and in the feeders there are a few Tree Sparrows and many Yellowhammers, more than 40, that come and go in flocks. A pair of Kestrels and a Buzzard are about, and a Stonechat shows briefly at the north fields too.

Tree sparrow at the feeders.

A new scrape has been dug on the north side of the reserve.

Buzzard.

Stonechat.

Yellowhammer.

About 100 Lapwings on the fields by the solar farm.

Redwing.

A walk to Willerby Carr in January

A walk along the Setting Dyke, Willerby Carr and Wood Lane, returning via Snuff Mill Lane. This is a good walk to bump up the bird year list. It has been very rainy lately and the Carrs and Ings are flooded, the Setting Dyke running gingerly. It was cold, but no wind or frost, which meant that the walk was quite muddy underfoot. 

A Goldfinch feeding on Ash keys.

Stock Dove, singing and displaying.

Two Lapwing chasing and pirouetting at Willerby Carr. 

The Willerby Carr and Derringham flood reservoir was as full as I've ever seen it. Some Mallard and a pair of Wigeon were on it.

Wigeon and Mallard.

Displaying Black-headed Gulls.

Teal and Wigeon on the flashes.

I counted 66 Lapwing roosting.

Pony grazing.

I scan the field margins with the binoculars and spot a fox. It looks most relaxed, scratching, rolling on the ground, running back and forth.

Red Fox.

Wood Lane is very muddy, but not flooded. Near the north paddocks a Roe Deer sitting on the field looks at me over her shoulder. It follows me with its gaze, but doesn't move. A wonderful encounter.

Roe Deer doe portrait.

I catch up with the local pair of Ruddy Shelduck, feeding on the flash south of the crematorium.

A Blackbird feeding on Ivy berries.

Sparrowhawk over the Avenues.