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!

Warbling at Sculcoates

A sunny, warm morning with barely a breeze, I head to the patch hoping for some new warblers for the year. I'm not disappointed as in the usual prime spot I hear the first Whitethroat (number 89) of the year for my Hull list. Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Cetti's are also in full song. Again, three Cetti's in song along Barmston Drain, as a couple of weeks ago, appearing to be in their territory. I have a fleeting sight of one of them as it flies across the drain. As I return, I walk by the drain again, and from the cycle path bridge I hear a Reed Warbler (number 90), I even manage some photos. Not a bad day at the patch, with 37 bird species seen.

The first Blackbird fledgling of the year, by Beverley Road.

Whitethroat.

Goldfinch.

Jackdaw, one of three feeding on the playing fields.

A breeding plumage Little Grebe, I also hear trilling.

Blackcap in full song.

Pied Wagtail.

Long-tailed Tit.

Reed Warbler on reeds at Barmston Drain.

Brimstone on the Green Corridor.

Blackcap and Reed Bunting at Sculcoates

A cool day with barely a breeze, mostly overcast. I head to the patch as I haven't been in a while. At Pearson Park, a Sparrowhawk is flushing the feral pigeons and in turn being harassed by two Carrion Crows. The female Greylag is on eggs on the island, with the gander keeping watch from the shore. A moorhen is also on eggs in the hollow willow trunk. The Common Gulls appear to have gone.

Sparrowhawk.

Moorhen on nest.

The deeper, more nasal calls of the returned Lesser Black-backed Gulls is all round, gathering and flying over calling together and seemingly attracting all those around, as the group increased in size.

It is a great bird chorus at Sculcoates, with at least three Chiffchaffs calling. I hear a Blackcap (number 83 for the challenge) in the wilderness across the drain, with plenty of undergrowth and ivy clad trees. Then a Reed Bunting, only the second I see in the patch, sings from the bushes by the cycle path over the drain, then flies to the reeds. Overall, 36 sp at the patch, which must be one of the highest counts.

Reed Bunting singing.

Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Rabbit.

Little Grebe. At least 3 in the patch, with a pair trilling, I wonder if they will stay to breed again this year.

Sparrowhawk.

Bullfinch.

Jackdaw at the playing fields.

The only Common Gull I saw today, a young of last year.