Tales of the river [Hull] bank 2024 Pt1

A Lesser Yellowlegs was found on Swine Moor, Beverley by Garry Taylor on the afternoon of 10/11/23. I was already out with Roy at Tophill Low NR looking for a Barred Warbler along Barmston Drain. Not surprisingly this turned out to a single observer birds with only a Stonechat as compensation. By the time we got down Weel Road the light was poor with little chance of locating the yellowlegs among a distance large number of Redshank. This wasn’t a site tick so not too disappointed. Roy and I found an earlier bird in 2008 on 22nd April which stayed until the 26th, during which time it was very popular. The early 200O’s were a good time for the species two records at Tophill Low NR one at Paull Holme Strays At the time I was “out of action” but had a vague promise I would get to see it. However by April this hadn’t happened but on the 3rd I was in Beverley for an MOT. Not expecting a poorly maintained 22 year old bike to pass I only had my bins but with an hour to waste I had a fast walk from Flemingate to Grovehill Road. Walking along Barmston Drain towards the moor I had a large shape dive near a large tangle of vegetation which could only be an Otter but couldn’t relocate. It was very muddy especially the bit from the drain to the river bank but my current dryware Doc Martin’s are the first pair in over 40 years to be truly water proof. Unfortunately I haven’t seen any more on the Doc Martin website since. The weather wasn’t good, murky with regular heavy drizzle and there wasn’t much hope anyway just with bins. The best I managed was a good flock of Golden Plover and a few Dunlin at the northern end. Walking back I got the call from RM Motorcycles and somehow it had got through with only a warning about the rear brake. However the weather was too poor to stay out.

Went to Tophill Low NR on Thursday[4th] morning where I had a pair of Scaup and a found a female Common Scoter on D res and had a male Smew on Watton NR but everything too distant to photograph.

The next few days I didn’t get out due to commitments or the weather. On Monday [8th] morning I had an unusually early dog walk when I had my first Willow Warbler this year in Millbeck Wildlife Area. In line with national trends, in Cottingham Willow Warbler is now rare and the above and Middledyke Fields are the only reliable sites. The weather was better than excepted so I got off to Hull Bridge mid morning.

Swine Moor looking very wet from the river bank

No sign of the Golden Plover as I got onto Swine Moor but a good number of mobile Redshank [I later counted over 50] due to a female Sparrowhawk regular flying over. Despite the water level seeming higher there seemed fewer wildfowl [Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall and Shoveler with a small number of Mallard] and didn’t find the hope for Garganey. Also no sign of Little Ringed Plover yet. Further south where the Lesser Yellowlegs has been usually reported there was even more Redshank and eventually I located it although distant feeding among sedge clumps. Tried to photograph it but nothing worth keeping. More photogenic were two Avocet swimming in a nearby pool.

Avocet on Swine Moor

I can’t remember if I’ve even seen one here before but certainly a good find. Walking back the yellowlegs appeared a bit closer and less obscured.

Lesser Yellowlegs on Swine Moor

Continued north towards High Eske NR. The river was very high [Blacktoft Sands RSPB is closed all week due to tidal flooding so not just the recent rain] and I can’t remember having to go via Crown & Anchor carpark before.

River Hull by Crown & Anchor, Tickton showing the submerged walkway.

The pub is closed but not aware whether due to flooding or economics. Reaching High Eske I wasn’t surprised it was fairly quiet as in the past there is usually little wildfowl when water levels are high.

High Eske NR showing the main island

Only single figures of Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Gadwall and Cormorant. There was a Marsh Harrier holding territory over Pulfin NR. Plenty of Willow Warbler, a few Cetti’s and only one Chiffchaff singing although I choice not to circle the pond incase the path was too flooded. Also a few House Martin which I already seen last week at Tophill Low NR. The water level means I have little hope of the yellowlegs roosting here currently as other wader have in the past. A nice surprise was a Red Kite bothering the nesting Rooks at High Eske Farm. Still not a common bird in the Hull valley.

Red Kite over High Eske Farm rookery

I had said with such an old bike I needed to get breakdown cover as soon as I got back on the road but had put it off until next month. Therefore I had serious concern when it died and initially refused to fire up at Swine Moor road about. Fortunately it did restart but no idea what the cause was. In the end though I would have only had had a fairly easy push to RM Motorcycles. My readers who live locally will know about the updating of the main road south of Beverley which could cause major hold ups until late 2026 so I am trying to avoid times of heavy traffic. However despite settling off before the schools emptied I found the traffic static at Morrison’s roundabout. Fortunately on a bike you can get past some of the traffic and it was clear beyond Jock’s Lodge.

A Red-breasted Merganser was on the watersports pit at Welton Waters which I hoped to look for on Tuesday but the weather was too poor.

2023 in 12 pictures

After finally getting back on the road in autumn of 2022 I got out regularly this year until the end of September but although I had “more material” it meant I had less time to actually blog not helped by family issues in summer. Also due to a difficulty with long car journeys, apart from a few butterfly trips to Lincolnshire, I only left Yorkshire once for the Northumberland Grey-headed Lapwing. Because of this I haven’t taken many rare bird pictures. However because of the above many pictures are new to the blog.

January After not seeing Brambling in Cottingham for many years for the second year I managed to see one twice in late January in KGV Rec by the BMX track.

Brambling-Cottingham KGV Rec-20/1/23

February This month’s bird is a Whooper Swan at High Eske NR the 5th.

Whooper Swan-High Eske NR-5/2/23

March 2023 was a great year for me locally for Bittern. One was seen at Tophill Low NR throughout the year, on 3rd May I hear one calling by Leven Canal, my first for the High Eske/Pulfin/Leven Carr super patch, I had one several times over Brough Airfield Marsh spring/summer suggesting nesting then on 11th September I had one at North Cave Wetlands.

Bittern-Tophill Low NR on South Marsh West-22/3/23

April This month again Tophill Low NR this my only Whimbrel of the year on South Marsh East on the 26th.

Whimbrel-Tophill Low NR on South Marsh East-26/4/23

May As mentioned above the Grey-headed Lapwing, which I saw on the 2nd, was my only rarity outside Yorkshire. However the pictures is rubbish and I aren’t yet convinced of it’s credentials. Therefore my picture is my first Slow Worm in Pickering Woods on the 18th. I also ticked two butterfly species that day. The full story here.

Slow Worm-Pickering Woods-18/5/23

June This month I go for a butterfly. Again in North Yorkshire at Farnham near Harrogate where the only [disclosed?] colony of Small Blue Butterfly in the county is. Being just on the outskirts of the village, a strange place to see such a rare insect. Full details here.

Small Blue butterfly-Farnham-16/6/23

July This month my second butterfly, a surprise find in Cottingham near Badger’s Wood, a White-letter Hairstreak on the 25th. Also seen the other known site in the village, on Snuff Mill Lane [see here] but I never got to see see them this year.

White-letter Hairstreak-Cottingham near Badger’s Wood-25/7/23

August On the 23rd I found the 2nd Blue-winged Teal for Tophill Low NR joined by the 3rd on following morning, but as I saw the first, this months picture is Willow Emerald Damselfly at the visitors centre pond, a site tick for me. Thanks to Pat Hoggarth for pointing at out for me. Considering the effort put in recording Odonata Tophill Low NR was late to the game.

Willow Emerald Damselfly-Tophill Low NR-21/7/23

September The month of the Yorkshire Brown Booby twitch but my photos were poor and it was only a county tick having seen one in Cornwall in September 2019. Even then it would take something very special to top my Clifden Nonpareil on the 14th. I had actually finished emptying the trap when I noticed a very large grey moth on the summer house railings. There was a good influx of this otherwise very rare moth but still something magic, the holy grail for moth enthusiasts.

Clifden Nonpareil-Cottingham-14/9/23

October What in the past would often be my best month was quiet with my bike laid up and not being up to long car journeys but a small flock of Egyptian Geese on my “green patch” at Carr Farm, Willerby on the 29th were a “Carrs” tick for my friends who saw them. I had seen the species at Tophill Low NR on the 16th February and there seems to be a feral population in East Yorkshire but whether from local non-self sustaining escapes or expansion from the population originating in East Anglia I can’t say. I personally witnessed the first wild breeding of Egyptian Geese at High Eske NR in the summer of 2004.

Egyptian Geese-Carr Farm, Willerby-29/10/23

November was very quiet for me and the best I can do is a Lesser Redpoll in Cottingham on the 29th at Millbeck Wildlife area where I had seen them in January.

Lesser Redpoll-Millbeck Wildlife Area, Cottingham-29/11/23

At least December brought a true rarity with a Black-throated Thrush being found at Tophill Low NR on the 10th which I saw the next day [full story here]. Not surprisingly new for the site list and although it could be elusive, not helped by poor weather, it remained into the start of 2024 by which time all who wanted will have added it.

Male Black-throated Thrush-Tophill Low NR-11/12/23-hopefully get the chance for a better image.

Ten most viewed posts of 2023

My highlights of 2022

2022 in 12 pictures

The Black-throated Thrush at Tophill Low NR

Black-throated Thrush at Tophill Low NR

Early 2023

Getting 2023 going

Two days in April at High Eske NR

A better day at High Eske NR

A trip to North Lincolnshire

10/7/23 Risby Warren and Alkborough Flats

A rare butterfly in Lincolnshire

16/6/23 Black Hairstreak at Chambers Farm Wood

A rare butterfly in North Yorkshire.

12/6/23 Small Blue butterfly in North Yorkshire

An updated version of my views on wildfowl being considered for addition to the British List.

Ross’s Goose added to Cat A [8/10/23 update]

A trip to North Yorkshire for rare butterflies

18/5/23 Appleton Le Moors and Pickering Woods

My first visit to Tophill Low NR after the shut down in 2022.

12/9/22 Back to Tophill Low NR

A better day at High Eske NR

8/4/23 Had a look at Swine Moor on Saturday afternoon. Took the easy route viewing from the flood bank on Weel Road as I wanted time to do High Eske NR. The duck numbers were well down with only Teal over a hundred and Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler and Shelduck in single figures. Had my first Ruff, with a few Redshank, Lapwing and a pair of Little Ringed Plover [not my first with three at High Eske NR on the Tuesday.

Three Little Ringed with a Dunlin-High Eske NR-4/4/23

Also a Yellow Wagtail was new for the year.

As it Easter Weekend I as was a bit apprehensive approaching High Eske NR. Wasn’t being pessimistic as the pit was almost empty of wild fowl. There were several anglers on the edge including one with a boat so large I couldn’t work out how it got there. The channel at the north edge has a “barrier” that should have kept it out and it would have been difficult to drag in over the bank at the south end. Boats aren’t allowed .

The barrier at the north end of High Eske NR

This is actually close season and although some may be pike fishing the bailiff seems to have given up trying to prosecute as despite the pit being connected to the river some anglers have managed to appeal being fined. There had been two pair of Great Crested Grebe and a regular pair of Oystercatcher but little manages to breed now. Fortunately I met Mandy, who I hadn’t seen for a few years, trying to photograph Kingfisher from a cruiser on the river and she managed to lift my mood. Also had a few Willow Warbler which have become scarce locally with the only regular records in Cottingham being on Middledyke Fields. Also a small flock of Swallow, my only previous being a singleton at Tophill Low NR on Monday. I walked right round the reserve but didn’t have any other migrants.

9/4/23 The weather was forecast to go off late afternoon but I thought I had time for a quick look on Swine Moor then High Eske NR. Didn’t have much on Swine Moor but did have my first House Martin. Approaching High Eske NR it again looked quiet but the first duck I saw I guessed Common Scoter and setting up my scope I confirmed it was female/immature and shortly after I found two males at the north end. There is currently a good movement of Common Scoter with strays on many inland waters.

Common Scoter at High Eske NR

Fortunately the Great Crested Grebes had returned. The Oystercatcher pair were also back on the island and as well as the regular but reducing flock of Redshank there was a Ruff, possibly the one on Swine Moor on Saturday,

Ruff at High Eske NR

Although it was clouding up I decided to head towards Leven Canal and see how far I could get. Checked the flock of Mute Swan to the north-west but couldn’t find any Whoopers. Did find a single Pink-footed Goose with a small number of Greylags. Started to rain so headed back. I don’t like leaving early evening as the traffic is too heavy. It took a while to get out onto the main and it was slow at Morrison’s road about but was wasn’t as bad as I feared and although it was raining it wasn’t too heavy.

Getting 2023 going

A few picture from late 2022

Great Spotted Woodpecker-Middledyke Fields, Cottingham 23/12

Mistle Thrush and Barn Owl near Creykebeck, Cottingham 27/12.

Had a slow start to the year. Having missed Thor the Walrus at Scarborough on Saturday I had hoped he would stay or even better move to Bridlington Harbour but instead he went 100 miles north to Blyth. Only did limited local birding around Cottingham the first two days and had nothing much but on Tuesday we managed to walk the full length of Park Lane then back across the fields to KGV Rec. Had a few Lesser Redpoll in Millbeck Wildlife Area, but as I hadn’t expected staying out long as it was forecast rain all day I had left the camera behind. Went back on Wednesday morning and locate the finch flock but it was too windy to pin them down. Finally on Thursday it was mild and still so took the opportunity to get to High Eske. Leaving the farm yard I added Tree Sparrow to the year list, a bird that locally was hard to see last year. The water level at High Eske NR was higher than I had seen it this winter with the summer islands submerged and the main island partly covered.

High Eske NR from the east bank.

There were c100 Redshank on the island and two drake Pintail in the area.

♂Pintail with Redshank-High Eske NR

Checked the wildfowl and couldn’t find the drake Smew, the Goosander or anything different. However I heard Greylags coming in from the west and scanning them I found the first White-fronted Geese I had seen, at the same site, since November 2019, also a few Pink-footed Geese. After circling for a while they dropped onto the pit. I located eight adult Russian White-fronted Geese and four Pink-footed Geese.

Russian White-fronted Geese and Pink-footed Geese with Greylags at High Eske NR

Walking north I had a drab Chiffchaff in willows but too brief to hear it call or get a good look. No sign of the Mute Swan flock with a single Whooper Swan in fields west of the river but a few Pink-footed Geese present. On the east side of the river I had a male and female-type Marsh Harrier over Leven Carr. Located a Little Egret then the first Cattle Egret I had seen since late October. Also, being from the river bank it was my first for my High Eske/Pulfin patch [as well as my Patchwork Challenge patch if I decide to do it this year]. Although mostly hidden in long grass it occasionally sat on the back of a sheep.

Distant Cattle Egret on Leven Carr

Also had a distant Stonechat but fortunately found a second one along the riverbank.

Stonechat-River Hull

Walking back I had a Great White Egret in fields just north of High Eske NR.

The weather had been spring-like when I first arrived but it had clouded over and become cooler and as I was walking back south it started to rain so didn’t look at the pit again apart from noticing the earlier Great White Egret or another on the island. A Waxwing had been reported in Molescroft recently but with out a precise location so as the rain had stopped I kept to my original plan to check Swine Moor. As usual I viewed from Weel Road. There were hundreds of Wigeon, Teal and Lapwing. New for the year were a good number of Golden Plover but no sign of the Grey Plover seen late last year. Also new for the year list were a few Dunlin and Shoveler.

Swine Moor from Weel Road

Tales of the river (Hull) bank chapter 3-Ice and mud

16/12/22 Tophill Low NR On Friday afternoon I got my first chance to bird away from Cottingham this month when I went to Tophill Low NR with Roy. No surprise that the reserve was mostly frozen although there was some open water on D Reservoir.

Partly frozen D reservoir

After scrutinising some strangely marked female Pochard close in and discounting anything more interesting I located the drake Smew further up the reservoir. Walking past the lagoons we flushed a Woodcock.

A trench dug as part of the North Lagoon excavation which if it goes to plan should turn it back to one of the best sites to get close to passage waders.

Had my first chance to walk beyond back-2-back hides path and see the mound for the new South Marsh West/O reservoir hide close up.

The mound awaiting the new South Marsh West/O Reservoir Hide

The path through South Scrub to Watton NR hide now takes a different route.

The more accessible Watton NR hide. My first view from the back.

The view from the Watton NR hide is fine my only concern being the reduced screening necessitated by the lower position increasing disturbance by walkers along the drain. Only a small area of water was free so little to see today.

Watton Borrow Pit largely iced over.

A quick walk in South Scrub produced no Woodcock or Long-eared Owls. Next was South Marsh West which was also solid and no sign of the Bittern I saw late November although it hasn’t been reported since anyway, Did hear Water Rail and Cetti’s Warbler. Looking from the other back-2-back hide we had a male Marsh Harrier coming into roost.

19/12/22 High Eske NR Finally the freeze that had kept me off my bike so far this month broke and as isn’t unusual in the Uk it went from ice to spring. Admittedly overcast with some chance of rain and quite windy but I hurried the dog’s morning walk and was at High Eske NR late morning. Still largely frozen but as it is connected to the river it has some movement and thus some open water when other areas are fully frozen.

High Eske NR from the east bank with open water on the west side.

My last visit was on the 30th November when I had a Great White Egret, my first on the reserve proper with all previous being along the river to the north, and later two redhead Goosander.

Great White Egret and Goosander-High Eske NR-30/11/22

Looking through the duck I soon located possibly one of last month’s Goosander. I briefly saw a drake Smew but took a while to relocate it and was beginning think I had just seen a Black-headed Gull. I suspect this is the original Smew seen at Tophill Low NR that arrived as a redhead before moulting. It was originally on D reservoir but later moved to Watton NR to be replace by an adult drake then disappeared when the borrow pit freeze over.

Drake Smew-High Eske NR

Also along with the usual flock of Redshank was a Dunlin. Walked north to view the fields north of Leven Canal. Had a couple of distance female-type Marsh Harrier on Leven Carr as well as a decent flock of Lapwing and two Little Egret but again I failed to locate any Cattle Egret. The flock of c40 Mute Swan were still in fields west of the river and eventually I located the Whooper Swan. Also a few Curlew and a large Greylag flock but couldn’t find any other geese.

20/12/22 Greenshank on Willerby and Derringham Flood Prevention Scheme I’ve neglected Willerby Carrs recently as I’ve got into the habit of letting the dog pick the route but on Tuesday I headed that way with out any reluctance. Started from The Garth. I have recently seen this path labelled “Abbots Walk” on a map, which is the address of the two houses at the started of the path, so will use this in future. You wouldn’t think that two days ago the ground was frozen as it had reverted to the default winter setting of mud. Little doing as far as Haltemprice Farm except a small flock of Skylark. I walked the damp scrub to the north of the farm building but didn’t flush any Snipe. Also no wintering Stonechat yet. However with the amount of water in the “moat” I had hope that the flood lagoon might be interesting.

Water flowing well in Haltemprice Farm “moat”.

Not full but there was some water in the northeast corner and as I got near a pale long legged wader flew in. Approached with care and my initial suspicion, Greenshank, proved right.

Greenshank with Teal and Mallard-Willerby and Derringham Flood Prevention Scheme

My first in the area although Marc Rotherham heard one nearby in August. Got close enough to get a reasonable picture then after contacting Roy I back tracked.

Greenshank is a spring and autumn passage wader at similar sites to my recent Cottingham tick, Black-tailed Godwit, {see here] but in smaller numbers. It does also winter in small numbers, although can’t recall having one in Yorkshire, as well as a “less scarce” breeder in Scotland [1080 pairs-Hancock et al 1997].

I had hoped to continue on to check the wet paddocks at Willerby Carr Farm but the dog thought otherwise. Had a few Fieldfare just before I got back to The Garth.

Fieldfare-Abbots Walk, Cottingham

Tales of the River [Hull] Bank chapter 2

16/11 Arram/Aike Wednesday morning I went to Arram and walked Catchwater Drain towards the river. Had a look at the “secret pond” that held Ring-necked Duck a few years ago but saw only Mute Swan. A bit further on a Stonechat frustrated me. Reaching the river I walked north seeing two Marsh Harrier over Pulfin NR. As I reached Leven Canal I had a Great White Egret on the bank then flying towards Leven Carr.

Great White Egret on R.Hull bank near Leven Canal

At Aike I headed inland then took the footpath south across the fields which passed close to the swans and geese I had earlier seen at distance from the river bank.

Swans and geese near Aike.

I was correct with 7 Mute Swan and the c100 geese were all Greylags but as I was I was walking away a lone Whooper Swan walk into view.

Whooper Swan near Aike

Walked back through Arram. Throughout my walk I had good numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing.

19/11/22 The Whooper Swan was still present on Saturday afternoon joined by four Pink-footed Geese.

Tophill Low NR is now open all week but still with some areas off limits. Check the Tophill Low NR blog for more info.

Well “War and Peace” last time and now a “short story” but said I would try to be more current and with rain forecast for several days I may not get out much in the near future.

22/9-19/10/22 “On the road again” [High Eske NR and Tophill Low NR]

Finally on the 22/9/22 after over two years I got the spark to get the ER5 out of the garage to do the last bit of tidying up and adjust the chain, the latter in retrospect a waste of time. After a quick test ride I booked it for an MOT the following morning at RM Motorcycle. I already knew that I needed a front tyre and the front brake calliper was sticking but was annoyed to be told that my rear tyre had been put back the wrong way round after a puncture repair. An unnecessary extra expense.

The following Friday got the called that the bike was ready but had already arranged to go to Tophill Low NR with Roy. Although this meant waiting until Monday with raining starting not long after we arrived, early afternoon, it was probably for the best. Started in the “members’ hide” the only way to do D res at the moment. Again I failed to locate my first Goldeneye of the autumn. As well as wildfowl, a Ruff, Green Sandpiper and Redshank flew south and a flock of c80 Swallow with at least one House Martin was feeding over the reservoir. A Marsh Tit was at the centre feeders. Walked south and after missing him on my previous visit located Tiddy Mun now hidden in the reeds.

Tiddy Mun [see my earlier blog for more information]

Despite the waders over D res the only wader on South Marsh East was a Green Sandpiper with about a dozen Curlew flying over. By then the rain was heavy and we headed back and had another look from the “members’ hide” where we had 49 Golden Plover circling the reservoir.

3/10/22 Avoided taking the dog out on Monday morning and took the train to Beverley mid morning. At RM Motorcycles I remembered how expensive having a motor was only lessened slightly when after a long wait for the card reader to work I checked my wallet and found, although not the full amount, enough money to cover the bill. I could have sworn David Grohl had done my MOT [only bikers local to Beverley will understand this!] Headed to Hull Bridge to walk up to High Eske NR. My first time at the reserve since late May 2020. Nothing much along the river but getting there a Green Sandpiper flew over. Interesting to see, likely due to this years drought, the “summer islands” were not only visible but had willows growing on the them.

High Eske NR showing the “summer islands” and the main island behind.

Not too much wildlife with a few Mute Swan, Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Little and Great Crested Grebe but no Teal or Goldeneye. Did have c75 Pink-footed Geese flying south. Did a full circuit. A new “structure” in the north inlet might stop kayakers using it.

The north inlet at High Eske NR

I had a Kingfisher flying over the bank at the north end.

Walking back south it seemed that much of the east bank had been burnt, whether one big fire or several smaller ones I couldn’t tell but fortunately although the bushes were scorched most looked likely to recover. However this shows the serious risk of wildfires from dead wood fires, often made by overnight anglers or “deposable” BBQs. It would be great if EA could police the area more often but not likely with likely imminent limitations on public expenditure.

Fire damage along the east side of High Eske NR.

High Eske NR from east shore.

Getting to Hull Bridge I walked south. As expected Swine Moor was dry but did have a good number of Migrant Hawker, mainly along Barmston Drain.

6/10/22 Thursday morning I headed to Tophill Low NR. At Skidby roundabout the traffic was backing up and was solid as far as Jocks Lodge junction due to temporary lights just to the south. Although this held me up at least on a bike I rode past much of the queue. I parked at the entrance to Tophill Low NR and had my first look at Watton Borrow Pit since the Great Reed Warbler in spring [the Watton NR hide although in place isn’t accessible with no access to South Scrub yet). Looking at it from the outside it may give a good view but now but at a lower level to make it more accessible the price is increased risk of disturbance from walkers [and horse riders] along the drain as well as a greater need to keep the drain trees low.

The Watton NR Hide.

Watton NR from the drain bank

I had four Ruff as well as c120 Wigeon on the borrow pit.

Ruff on Watton NR

Wigeon on Watton NR

On the reserve proper I started in the members’ hide checking D res. I again failed to locate any Goldeneye and checking the log book in the hide found Smew and Black-necked Grebe had been seen yesterday but as my time was limited I continued on to South Marsh East [both birds were located later].

Grey Wagtail on D res wall

On South Marsh East I had 31 Curlew and a Snipe as well as singing Cetti’s Warbler and a juvenile Marsh Harrier flying over.

Snipe on South Marsh East

Curlew on South Marsh East

The mound for the new accessible South Marsh West Hide

9/10/22 Tophill Low NR

Started off at Watton NR where I again had one Ruff. Looking back when walking back towards the road I saw a distant Great White Egret so walked back south and eventually it emerged again from the reeds.

Great White Egret-Watton NR, Tophill Low NR

Next I went to the members’ hide by the centre to look for the Black-necked Grebe and Smew I had missed last time. Eventually saw the former but it was distant. With a juvenile Ring-necked Duck seen at Hornsea Mere on Saturday I started looking through the Tufted Duck and fairly quickly found a likely candidate. Unfortunately it was asleep and only occasionally showed its bill but I was confident enough to report it as the Ring-necked Duck to RBA. The features that stood out were the head shape including no hint of a tuft, a white eye-ring and although not apparent in my picture a pale stripe [a bit like ancient Egyptian eye make up] behind the eye [see the Hornsea Mere Blog for more pictures].

Juvenile Ring-necked Duck-D res, Tophill Low NR

I managed to show it to four visitors. It didn’t wake but the Black-necked Grebe at least was now showing just below the hide.

Black-necked Grebe-D res, Tophill Low NR

I left to check South Marsh East where I had a juvenile Dunlin and a fly over Green Sandpiper. Also a moribund Pink-footed Goose [bird flu or a wild-fowler’s victim?]

Juvenile Dunlin

Pink-footed Goose

Back at D res I found Chris Straw looking for the Ring-necked Duck. I re-found it but more distant in poor light but at least awake.

Juvenile Ring-necked Duck with Tufted Duck

11/10/2022 High Eske/Pulfin NR

Tuesday morning I went to High Eske Farm to renew my permit to avoid the walk up the river from Hull Bridge. Plenty of wildfowl on the pit including Teal which I hadn’t recorded last visit. Looking through the swans at the south end I located three Whoopers. Also had a Marsh Harrier over.

Whooper Swan at High Eske NR

I walked north to the fields north of the canal. I had eight Pink-footed Geese flying along the river but initially little else but scanning with the “scope I found a distant male Stonechat. I started walking back but heard a Greenshank [a birder I’d earlier spoke to had reported one] and managed to get on it flying over the carr.

13/10/22 Tophill Low NR

Finally managed to see the redhead Smew and Goldeneye on D res as well as the Black-necked Grebe although all quite distant. Walking south I noticed that Tiddy Mun was no longer hiding in the reeds.

Tiddy Mun

Pair of Common Darter near South Marsh

On South Marsh East Black-tailed Godwit was new.

Ruff and Lapwing-South Marsh East

Black-tailed Godwit-South Marsh East

14/10/22 Watton NR to Aike

Parked at Wilfholme Pumping Station and walked north to view Watton NR from the drain bank. Had the Great White Egret again as well as two Ruff. Walked back south then continued along the river. Admittedly only ‘permissive’ but the path was regularly blocked by fortunately low fences or not too difficult to unfasten gates. Reaching Aike I walked back north along Barmston Drain, which is a right of way. No obstructions but there were no finger posts until Wilfholme where the path was block although I was able to walk through the farmyard straight into the pumping station compound.

On 17/10/22 I had a trip down to Bryher for the Blackburnian Warbler [see here].

19/10/22 Tophill Low NR

Started by viewing Watton NR where I had my first Pintail of the autumn.

two of three Pintail on Watton NR

As I was approaching the visitors centre I met Margaret. She had seen an interesting tern so I joined her in the members’ hide and quickly found an adult Arctic Tern. The Black-necked Grebe was again close in but couldn’t locate the Smew. Leaving the members’ hide I had a quick look on the feeders for Marsh Tit but instead had a Brambling in trees behind. Went into the visitors centre and had two Brambling feeding below the feeders.

Brambling below the visitors centre feeders

Headed for South Marsh East where a Avocet had been seen earlier and fortunately it was still there. Also a Redshank which I hadn’t seen yet on site this autumn.

Redshank-South Marsh East

immature Avocet-South Marsh East

Checked from the back-to-back hide where the Avocet was a bit closer then started heading back but saw two waders flying onto the marsh so I went back into the first hide and located two Ruff. Now a dead and, a moribund Pink-footed Goose on the marsh.

Ruff-South Marsh East

Had a quick look on D res at dusk in the hope of Whooper Swan but had none.

If you are planning a trip to Tophill Low NR in November read the blog first.

After the Beast from the East

5/3/18 Filling the feeders on Monday morning it felt more springlike, helped by my resident Blackcap starting to sing. No sign of the dog so headed to Welton Waters. My first visit of 2018 and with reports of Smew, Scaup and Slavonian Grebe on the opposite side of the Humber at Barton Pits I hoped for something interesting. As usual parked on Myrtle Way and took the path to the across the airfield. A few Curlew there and Skylark singing. Reaching the flood bank set up to scan the airfield and adjacent marsh. A few Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Coot on the marsh and on the recently created ‘scrape’ a few Redshank and Dunlin, the latter a year tick. Walking east had a few Goldeneye on Brough Angling Complex. Next was watersports Pit but this apart from a small number of Mute Swan and Mallrd was empty not helped by a few sailing boats. There were a few Black-headed Gull at the far end and looking closer picked out an adult Little Gull, another species that had been seen in small numbers last week. With little to be gained from continuing east I walked Common Lane. Had a good number of small birds including Bullfinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Since taking over, the now, Brough Angling Complex, Hull and District anglers have shown if anything hostility to birders so was pleasantly surprised to see a feeding station set up near the entrance gate, attracting a good number of birds including Reed Bunting and Greenfinch. Had a Cetti’s Warbler singing by the small pond. Walked east along the road to view the area of watersports pit not visible from Common Lane. No new birds but was fortunate that the now two Little Gulls were feeding close in.

Adult Little Gull-watersports pit, Welton Waters

Walking back to my bike had two Stonechat on the fence enclosing the building site of the new school. Unfortunately while I had my camera out they didn’t return to the fence so had to make do with shooting them through the mesh, perched on vegetation. I had seen one nearby late last year.

Stonechat-Brough

6/3/18 Tuesday morning headed to High Eske NR hopefully for a more complete coverage that my last visit. Still several Russian White-fronted Geese, although exactly how many I wasn’t sure as despite eight birds flying off, including a bird that may have been a Bean Goose, I again counted the regular seventeen birds on the water.

Russian White-fronted Geese with Greylag Geese-High Eske NR

An Otter was feeding at the north end but I decided to walk to the south end then around the back. A Cetti’s Warbler was singing in the bushes but didn’t flush the Woodcock that had been seen for a few weeks on Pulfin NR. This time made it to Leven Canal. The two Whooper Swan were still to the west on Arram Carr and found a Stonechat on Leven Carr. Back at High Eske NR the Otter was showing well and also had a drake Pintail with the Wigeon.

Otter-High Eske NR

A quick look at Swine Moor added Redshank and Golden Plover to the site year list.

7/3/18 On Wednesday the dog went back to his usual routine so had a morning walk. Nothing different from our normal birds but had a very relaxed Brown Rat in Oppy Wood that somehow was missed by the dog, probably too obsessed by Rabbits.

Brown Rat-Oppy Wood, Cottingham

Was genuinely warm. Headed to North Cave Wetlands in the afternoon. My previous visit had been little more than a twitch of the Green-winged Teal so today I headed up Dryham Lane so to avoid wasting time on it. Found an adult Mediterranean Gull on Main Lake then spent a while waiting with out luck for Siskin by Far Lake.

Near summer adult Mediterranean Gull-Main Lake, North Cave Wetlands

While checking reedbed was called by SG, from Turret Hide, he had the Green-winged Teal as well an adult Mediterranean Gull [later proved to be a second bird on comparing photos]. I had a good number of Teal which were pushed into the open by a low flying Marsh Harrier so now knew I didn’t need to look at them too well. Joined SG in Turret Hide and were lucky to see the recently regular Barn Owl.

Drake Green-winged Teal-Island Lake, North Cave Wetlands

On the way out we checked the fields near the entrance and added Red-legged Partridge then a distant Stonechat on Dryham Ings. Had noticed a good number of birds on Church Pond on the way in so stopped to have a look on the way home. Plenty of Tufted Duck, Gadwall and Wigeon and a few Little Grebe. Had a couple of Kingfisher on the far bank, one of which flew closer and was last seen sat high in a large tree, higher than remember seeing one before. Just before SG arrived I found the drake Mandarin that had been resident at the Wetlands all of last year among the tree roots.

9/3/18 After a wet Thursday, Friday morning was again warm and although again like Wednesday turned cooler in the afternoon I headed to Tophill Low NR. Started in the visitor centre and had the Glaucous Gull on the same section of D reservoir straight wall as on my first encounter. Got a record shot and would have tried to get closer walking up the road but it decided to join the other gulls on the reservoir so after a quick look at the feeder without seeing Brambling or Lesser Redpoll by the centre pond I headed south.

Juvenile Glaucous Gull-D reservoir, Tophill Low NR

Work on South Marsh East had finished and had a few birds, unlike on previous visits this year, including returning Oystercatcher. On Watton NR had three Pintail [two drake and a female] as well as a fly over Marsh Harrier which I saw again on my second visit to South Marsh East. Did the D reservoir gull roost and added Lesser Black-backed Gull but failed with Mediterranean Gull but as the gulls were at the north end of the reservoir so weren’t easy from the centre hide. Also no sign of the Glaucous Gull but it doesn’t always appear in the roost. Had a distant Peregrine over D woods.

 

My first {brief] visit to High Eske NR in 2018.

2018 continues to be cold and wet and I am still struggling to do anything more than walk the dog but the last few days were forecast, at least, to be a bit milder. Wasted Sunday morning on a reported Siberian Rubythroat in South Yorkshire at Bramwith Lock. A bird of my dreams having chickened out on a twitch to Shetland a few years back.  As I would struggle to get there on my own so I took up the offer to go early morning with SM and SE. This would have paid off if it had been seen anyway as the parking was limited and I must admit the navigation would have been difficult with out a satnav. Wasn’t a total waste of time as I added Jay to the year list and the regular Goosander fly overs were nice. The authenticity of the bird has been well debated. My thinking is although a hoax is never out the question [proved by a fictional American Robin in London the same day] the report of several sightings over a few days does make me wonder what actually was seen. No photo doesn’t help as a female Siberian Rubythroat isn’t a straight forward bird. Anyway it’s not been seen since so no point wasting anymore thoughts on it.

Monday was a wash out and Tuesday, with the strong cold wind, kept me to our regular walk to Lawns Farm.

21/2/18 Wednesday, the wind at least had gone but heavy rain mid morning wasn’t promising. However set off with the dog expecting an early return. Walked through the The Lawns Centre then round the playing field behind. The weather didn’t seem to want to make it’s mind up. It was quite warm when the sun got out but black clouds kept building. Head to the Millbeck Wildlife area where I made up my mind to head home and get out early afternoon. The choice was North Cave Wetlands, to add to my small list from the the Green-winged Teal twitch, or make my first visit of the year to High Eske NR. The first would at least give me shelter but it was the cowards choice so headed to the second. A rainbow over the area wasn’t a good sign but it was dry when I pulled up at High Eske Farm. Little in the orchard so didn’t waste any time and quickly headed down the track to the reserve. With DH now on twitter I knew what was about. Quickly picked up two of the Russian White-fronted Geese with the Greylags then the other fifteen in a separate flock of their own.

Russian White-fronted Geese-High Eske NR

Otherwise there was the usual few hundred Wigeon, a few tens of Goldeneye but only a few Mallard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe and Great Crested Grebe. No Coot reflecting the situation last year when numbers were very low throughout. One of Oystercatcher pair had returned. No confidence in the weather so headed north to check the fields to the north for the Whooper Swans. Added Kingfisher to my year list over the north end of the pit. Saw two distant swans just after I left the reserve behind. Got the scope on them and confirmed they were the yellow billed birds I was looking for. Continued towards Leven Carrs but the rain started again becoming heavy as I hurried back to the farm for shelter. Added a few common species as I waited for the shower to pass. Went home via Weel Road to do Swine Moor. As expected there was plenty of water, holding a few hundred Teal and Wigeon and a pair of Shoveler but none of geese from last year. Also the only waders were a few tens of Lapwing. A fairly poor start to the year list but the amount of water should make spring at least interesting.

Swine Moor from Weel Road, Beverley

2017 in 12 pictures

Intro

The beginning of the year was interesting, reflexed in the number of posts, but in contrast to 2016 there was a very poor return wader passage followed by a predominance of westerly winds leading to little interest on the Yorkshire coast then winter has, so far, been very poor for rarer wildfowl. Thus the blog has been quiet the second half of the year. I have not posted in Cottingham Moths this year. I started but due to technical problems lost the first post and never bothered starting again. It was a poor year anyway but a few highlights will feature below. I hope to start again next year, maybe with a different approach.

January

Although not a great picture this shot of the male Hooded Merganser at Barr Loch, Renfrewshire on the 21st was a desperate tick for me. Only seen two previous but the first in Nottinghamshire [can’t remember the date!] was an obvious escape on first site, the second at Scaling Dam, Cleveland felt more reliable initially but was quickly deemed an escape also. Always a tricky one to judge but this one had been around a few weeks and hadn’t given any reason to be damned. Also having arrived in late 2016 I only had to wait 9 months for the BBRC to deem it kosher.

Drake Hooded Merganser-Barr Loch,Renfrewshire-21/1/17

February

In a fairly quiet month February I go for a mammal in a Short-tailed Field Vole at Raywell. See here for the full account.

Short-tailed Field Vole-Wauldby Scrogs, Raywell

March

Two close contenders for this month but as one appears in the”top ten viewed posts” for the year I will go for the male Pine Bunting at Dunnington near York. One of my bogey birds having had untickable views of one in South Yorkshire and missed another at Filey after it was flushed by a dog then for the fields to be shut, like much of the country, because of Foot and Mouth. Originally saw the bird in January, a few days after it had been found, on the way back from the Hooded Merganser. Wasn’t too happy with the views, in fact wondered whether I should have counted my first unticked bird, but a return visit 7th March provide much better views when it showed regularly in a hedge with finches and buntings in good weather and to a smaller less excited crowd with no-one flushing the bird in an attempt to get the best shot.

Male Pine Bunting-Dunnington, N.Yorks.

April

April was poor for birds so Shoulder Stripe moth caught on the 9th, a first for me, is this month’s picture

Shoulder Stripe moth

May

Early 2017 was very good for white-winged gulls so with little else of note this month I go for the Iceland Gull that give great views at Hornsea Mere from Kirkholme Point for a few weeks in May and June.

Juvenile Iceland Gull-Hornsea Mere

June

Best bird this month was Black-browed Albatross at Bempton Cliffs RSPB. Missed one in October 2016, setting off too late for the Eastern Crowned Warbler, which was followed by several fly throughs but none lingering in 2016 before one on 28th June decided to hang on long enough for RL and I to make a less than hectic trip and despite it departing as we reached the cliff top gave us tickable but not photographical views. Also earlier in the months on the 11th saw Elegant Tern at Pagham Harbour which was beyond useful photographic range. Had seen one in Ireland at Lady’s Island Lake,Co.Wexford in July 1999 so a UK tick but as this one was previously ringed France also a known Elegant Tern. Had two new moths durning the month so the more photogenic, Scorched Wing is this month’s picture.

Scorched Wing moth

July

Probably the best month of 2017. My choice is the Pacific Golden Plover at North Cave Wetlands on 21st. A site tick and my first since the Brough Haven bird almost 17 years to the day. Full account here.

Pacific Golden Plover-North Cave Wetlands

August

This month’s picture is another moth [making up for not posting in Cottingham Moths this year!] This Magpie Moth was found in hedgerow north of Millbeck Wildlife area in Cottingham on 11th. A first for me and the Marsh Harrier that flew over at the same time was my first for the village.

Magpie Moth-Cottingham

September

This month it’s the Ryhope Scops Owl. The Lewis American Redstart was the other candidate but the fact the owl was totally self twitched pushes it to the front. Full account here.

Scops Owl-Ryhope, Co.Durham

October

Although a let down compared with last year October still offered a few choices. If I’d got a picture of the Richardson’s Cackling Goose at Budle Bay, Northumberland, that would have been the obvious choice, but without the Great White Egret at High Eske NR is the the next best, being surprisingly my first for the site and only the second certain record despite the number of records just north at Tophill Low NR. First seen on the 3rd, the photograph was taken on the 7th. Found another at North Cave Wetlands on the 4th where the possibility of it being the same bird continuing south did cross my mind but but subsequent multiple sighting the area proved this unlikely. Only added the species to the latter site list on 24th September.

Great White Egret-R.Hull N.of High Eske NR.

November

This month it’s a Little Egret, not a rare bird but still an unusual bird to see in your local park. Taken on the 7th it was often seen along a drain by Millhouse Woods Lane Water Works in Cottingham until the freeze in early December [including some non birder fellow dog walkers]. Possibly a different bird was seen on the other side of the village in fields south of Haltemprice Farm in December.

Little Egret-Millbeck Wildlife area, Cottingham

December

Little choice with the last one as the pair of Stonechat present in Willerby at Haltemprice Farm {Abbey} ruin since October were the only nature photographs I took this month. The species winter here most years. More here.

Stonechat-Haltemprice Farm, Willerby

Top 10 posts of 2017 [viewing figures]

1. Birding from the new Tophill Low NR Visitors Centre

2. Scops Owl in Co.Durham

3. Eastern Lesser Whitethroat in Cottingham

4. Stejnegers Stonechat at Spurn Point From 2016 likely boosted by the Stonechat’s upgrade to full species from 2018

5. Scarborough A day of winter birding with plenty to see.

6. Pectoral Sandpiper at Tophill Low NR Another from 2016 reflecting the interest in the site. No Pec Sand in 2017!

7. Eastern Black Redstart in Skinningrove From the end of December 2017 so most of the interest was in early 2017.

8. Geese at Hornsea Mere

9. Great White Egret and other stuff at Tophill Low NR

10. Twitching Waxwing with Wilbur A dog-walk/twitch to Hull.