I take the bus to Market Weighton to explore this end of the Hudson Way, a disused railway track which now serves as green corridor, right of way and cycle track. I weave around the village and take the well marked route to join the way, which crosses the Wolds Way on the track of a Roman Road. I take a short detour towards Goodmanham and re-take the Hudson Way by a bridge taking the road. The Rooks are very busy and noisy with young on the nest (and one that has met its end by falling out).
A view of the start of the Hudson Way, looking back towards Market Weighton.
The track follows Spring Dale, slowly ascending, and is lined with mature Hawthorns, now in bloom and tall Ashes and sycamores, and in this early section it runs parallel to Mill Beck, and by the spring line that runs at the base of the chalk, so, despite the prevailing drought in the last months, it feels cool and damp.
The picturesque bus route takes you around Beverley Minster, St Mary's church and the Westwood, where this cow patiently waited until the bus went past to cross the road.
Rook fledgling.
Rooks.
A Dunnock sat atop the finger posts in the crossing with the Wolds Way.
The gorgeously restored Mill House in Goodmanham, with the beck running at the front. Its design and placement indicates a double use
as a wind mill and water mill.
Another view of the track, by the Goodmanham road crossing.
There are several paths running down to Mill Beck, I spot this Common Polupody growing on a tree branch over the water.
St. Helen's Well location with its decorated tree.
St Helen's Well triangular bath.
This flower got my attention, yellow but reminiscent of Water Avens.
The petals form an attractive cup. Later I found out it is a hybrid.
Soon later I found one of the parental species: Water Avens, Geum rivale, which grows in locally abundant populations on the western fringes of the Wolds, favouring wet flushes and woodland.
And this is the other parent species, the very common Wood Avens, which grows in gardens and woods.
Green Veined White. Not as many butterflies as I was expecting, but I saw a few Orange Tips, a few Speckled Wood and a Brimstone along the track.
A curiously designed bench just by the crossing of the crossing by Riffle Butts Quarry.
By this crossing the beck opens us, and there is a large bed of Yellow Flag iris.
Red-legged Partridge. One of four seen.
Yellowhammer.
Whitethroat. A couple heard or seen near Kiplingcotes. Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Willow Warblers also in song.
The panel by the entrance to Kiplingcotes Chalk pit, a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve.
A view of the reserve, looking East.
Carline Thistle.
Twayblade Orchid starting to grow.
The first Common Blues of the year for me were out, but no sign of Dingy Skippers.
I rarely take a trip to Kiplingcotes without seeing a Red Kite.
Adder's Tonge. Many on the lowest part of the reserve.
Field Pansy.
I walked around the reserve, looking for the Dingy Skippers. Ten sheep were grazing at the top.
After lunch I witnessed the great sheep escape, as the YWT tried to get them down the cliff to transport them to Kilnsea. I didn't take too long walking back, although I found a lovely track by the beck with gave me my first Marsh Tit of the year, quite close to Market Weighton.
Marsh Tit.
Beckside path, with a soft dam on the beck on the left.
Some mature Alders were growing on the beck itself.
As I drank a coffee back at Market Weighton, I took a photo of a Swift, to mark the end of a lovely trip.
More information
Public Toilet facilities available at Market Weighton and and cafes and pubs both at Market Weighton and Goodmanham.
Market Weighton and the start of the Hudson Way is serviced by
East Yorkshire Buses, with connections to Hull, York, Driffield and Bridlington.
