Holderness: Catwick, Little Catwick, Long Riston

A sunny, spring feel day that starts very pleasant with a light breeze. I take bus 24 to Catwick. I walk around the village, first to Rowpit lane, then along Church lane, a very pleasant walk. The mature trees, rough grassland patches and hedges give it a very rural feel. Patches of Dog's Mercury grow under hedges and on the bank of a ditch. The village sits on a gentle ridge, up to 12 m high,  of sand and gravels that was quarried in small pits from the 1800s, and since the 1930 at an industrial scale. I take the path by St Michael's Church leading to the village green, which is being grazed by a pony. Rooks are calling from two large trees in Main Street. Many houses have spacious front gardens with prominent street hedges, bushes and large trees. I return by Church street, walk along the edge of a field around Manor Farm, and then along a ditch to take Riston road. A pair of Oystercatchers feed on the field.

A singing Siskin was a highlight as I walked to the station at Stanley Street.

Greenfinch at Catwick.

This nest looks of relatively new construction and has survived the winter well. Not long until the House Martins will be back.

 

St. Michael's Church (Grade I listed) and cemetery.

Redwing by the church.

Rooks.

Grey Squirrel on the field by a hedge.

Oystercatchers.

Rabbit.

One of four Fieldfares.

Pied Wagtail at Willow Croft Farm.

Wren.

I soon get to Little Catwick. This is a hamlet, dominated by extraction works buildings. There is a wooded Old Hall grounds, where I find some Stinking Hellebore. There used to be tile works at Brickyard lane. The road crosses a bridge over Stream Dyke and the landscape opens up, with large fields and hedges.

Red-legged Partridges were calling.

Hares on a field. I count 8.

More hares. One or two kept raising on their hindlegs, but there wasn't much 'boxing'.

Open field with the hares from a gap in the hedge.

Riston Road had little traffic and was a pleasant walk to Long Riston.

Bombus hortorum feeding on red dead-nettle.

The only Yellowhammer I saw today.

I have my lunch on a bench at Long Riston Church, the Jackdaws busy on the roof, a Kestrel flying past. As I arrive I see my first butterfly or the year, a Peacock. Later, a Comma feeds on Lesser Celandines. I guess it really is spring now. It wasn't a long walk today, but there was plenty of interest.

Kestrel.

Jackdaw.

Starling.

Comma.

Robin.