Today's walk is the same stretch of coast as the Mappleton to Hornsea stage of my Migrants Way. It is about 13 km round trip walking on the beach as the alternative is walking on the road. Today I start at Hornsea, after catching bus 24. I got there at low tide. I walk along the cliff edge recording the few plants tat manage to grow there. Linnets, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks sing and call from the clifftops, occasionally landing on the cliffs. Offshore there is a Guillemot and a Gannet, whilst on the sand far out, in Rolston Sands, a mixed group of gulls are loafing. Mostly Herring Gulls, but there are two immature Great Black-backed Gull and a Lesser Black-back Gull. Two Black-headed Gulls fly along the beach.
A Red Kite over Hull, as I walked to the bus station.
The perilously perched static caravans just south of Hornsea sea defences.
Linnet. Small groups feed on the cliffs.
A Gannet feeding offshore. I watched a couple of dives.
A Carrion Crow joins the gulls for some beach combing.
Meadow Pipit. Some territorial males were displaying and singing along the cliff top.
This tail-less Pied Wagtail was very vocal on the beach.
Oystercatcher.
Rolston Sands at low tide.
A Great Black-backed gull dwarfs the Herring gulls.
There were scattered Black-headed Gulls around.
I walked past two Sand Martin colonies, this one close to Mapleton had several chicks getting ready to fledge.
Sand Martin colony.
Mappleton has some sea defences as the road is very close to the cliffs. I explore the slope protected by the defences. There are many insects about and several patches of Bee Orchids and others. Afterwards, I have a coffee at the Old Post Office tea rooms.
Linnet pair at Mappleton beach.
Mappleton Church
A Rook with a beak full of food.
Bee Orchid close-up.
Lovely to see many fresh spikes of Bee Orchid on Mappleton Beach.
Six-spotted burnet with common spotted orchid.
Small Skipper.
Common Sandpiper.
Be especially tide aware if you are doing this walk
I can't emphasise enough how important it is to give yourself plenty of time ahead of the high tide, well over 3 hours is advisable, as the beach just south of Hornsea sea defences is very low lying due to erosion and floods very quickly as the tide rises. Today, I had to return to Mappleton quickly due to not giving myself enough time. For this walk, it is best to start just after high tide, as the beach becomes passable.
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