Three days walking around Hull

I had a relatively low key few days after having travelled quite a lot. On Sunday, I took advantage of the extra light in the morning for a walk to Sculcoates. On Monday, I postponed my walk to Welwick as I thought being too exposed it would be too windy, so I headed to Oak Road lake and the River Hull and it paid off. Today an early morning walk to East Park and Rockford fields before a Zoom meeting.

Sunday: Sculcoates

It was high tide when I got to Wilmington Bridge, on a cold morning with sunny spells. The Redshank, 11 of them, were at their roost on the river wall.

Spiked Shieldbugs mating. The sunshine brought out some invertebrates out.

Green Meshweaver spider.

A record shot of Goldcrest, there seem to be plenty around. This one was hanging with a group of Long-tailed Tits.

Moorhen.

Monday: Oak Road Lake and River Hull

On Monday, I headed for Clough Road, then I did a circuit at Oak Road Lake and continued by the river to the Kingswood reservoir.

 Two Pied Wagtails were sat at the Bingo roof.

Long-tailed Tit.

The Mute Swan family at Oak Road lake. The remaining juvenile was at the river.

A Buzzard mewing at Ennerdale.

The reservoir has water after the rain in the last couple of months, but it is quite shallow, the crows happily landing on it and wading amongst the gulls. There were a few Shoveler, about 20 Teal and a large group of mixed gulls, and the ever present Grey Heron.

Teal, now in full breeding plumage.

An immature Great Black Backed gull, number 101 for the 100 species challenge.

The biggest surprise was a Green Sandpiper, who was feeding to the left of the reservoir, by the reeds, but after being flushed by a crow, it approached after flying low. This was number 102 for the 100 Birds in Hull challenge, but also the first time I have this species in Hull, which was very nice. The light made for good photography too.

There were two Lesser Black-backed Gulls hanging out at the reservoir.

Tuesday: Rockford Fields and East Park

A mild day, reaching 13oC with sunny spells. I headed to East Park, but my aim was to have the last orthopterans of the year at Rochford fields. At Stoneferry, a Buzzard was flying south, estorted at close range by a group of Carrion Crows.

Buzzard.

A Sparrowhawk soaring at East Park.

Grey Heron.

Black-headed Gulls are always very interested in Goosander activities.

Four female Goosanders were at the park.

One of the two Grey Wagtails on the splash boat.

A drake Shoveler moulting into breeding plumage was near the boardwalk.

Cormorant.

After East Park, I moved to Rockford Fields hoping for a sunny spell. I had this, and more!

A Peregrine powering over Rockford Fields.

Female Roesel's Bush-cricket.

Some male Long-winged Coneheads were still calling, This female was cleaning her ovipositor from the base to the tip.

I was suprised to spot a Lesser Marsh Grasshopper.

To top the three days in Hull, a Curlew at the playing fields at the Sculcoates patch on the way back.

Blending in amongst the loafing gulls and the Jackdaws walking around between them. As I walked away, I heard the curlew calling, feeling totally out of place, I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it!

Summer in October at East Park

It was unseasonably warm today, we reached 22 oC, and the sun shone. I walked to East Park as the warmth in the air contrasted with the flocks of Redwings migrating overhead. A Little Egret flew over Beverley Road.

As I got to East Park I heard the Rooks calling from the oaks. Thousands of acorns carpeted the road, is a mast year, when oaks in an area produce a bumper crop of acorns. The Rooks will be busy visiting the oaks, filling their bills with acorns, and transporting them to cache somewhere else, as they don't come to the ground at East Park.

 

It was a surprise to find two Coot families with young chicks. Will they have enough time to raise them?

The parents were visiting regularly with tiny bits of food to offer the chicks.

There were two Cormorants in  the lake today. This one flapped its wings vigorously.

A female Gadwall was on the central island...

...with two Teal.

Two terrapins were enjoying the sunshine in the branch by the zoo island.

I like how they stretch their feet behind them when basking, they remind me of seals!

At some point five Migrant Hawkers were patrolling the boardwalk. The only dragonfly species I saw. No Willow Emeralds today.

This male stopped briefly.

I notice that the Water Lettuce that we spotted on the lake a month ago, is doing well and the clumps are spreading. Their tiny flower is visible in this one.

A growing clump of water lettuce. This is one of the worst invasive aquatic plants in tropical and subtropica areas, but it is not thought to be able to survive our winters, so when released it behaves like an annual. Lets hope that any seeds won't survive either.

One of the Great Crested Grebe parents with their young. The young were skorkelling and diving following the parents' behaviour.

A Comma, a Red Admiral, several Speckled Wood and two whites was the butterfly list today.

On the way back I visited the trunk at Rockford fields. There was a single Roesel's female basking. There were many Roesel's calling, more than Lomg-winged Coneheads. I spotted this make on his perch.

Speckled Wood.

This large terrapin was on the drain, watching me as I took her photo.

East Park in February

A morning of sunshine and showers with a light, northerly wind. I walk to East Park via the Hornsea cycle path and Rockford Fields. On the way, I spy a male Kestrel in his usual alcove by Stoneferry Road. All the greenery is increasing by the footpath, with plenty of fresh leaves sprouting. Red Deadnettles are flowering everywhere.

Male Kestrel, well sheltered from the northerly wind.

Green lane by Rockford fields.

Green Corridor.

Three Goldcrests were singing along the way and at East Park. One near Stepney station, another by Chamberlain Road, and the last one at the shrubbery at East Park, by the little pond. This one wasn't singing, but posed nicely for a few milliseconds.

A flotilla of Tufted Ducks. Unfortunately only a drake Pochard was sleeping by the central island today.

One of the two pairs of Mute Swans in residence. The pair by the boardwalk had a young of last year.

A hybrid Canadaxgreylag goose, paired with a Canada. Its presumed Greylag parent paired with a Canada is in the background.

The Great Crested Grebe pair was about. Neil was patiently trying to photograph then courting, in between the showers. They had a little snooze, even bumping against each other, then did a little, vocal courtship (top shot).

Snoozing Great Crested Grebes, the 81st species seen in Hull this year.

Just before I left, I walked along the western edge of the park, and found some Siskins feeding in the Alders, with very nice light.

A single Lesser black-backed gull was by the boating lake.