17/2/22 A late walk around Willerby Carr on Thursday saw a good number of Teal and Wigeon at Carr Farm as well as three Shoveler. Also a Little Egret near Haltemprice Farm.
18/2/22 After all the talk up and footage elsewhere in the country on the news locally we seemed to have get off lightly locally with Storm Eunice. Took the dog out after the winds had dropped for a walk around KGV Rec but the only tree down was one by the BMX circuit.
19/2/22 Saturday morning had a walk round Northmoor Lane Flood Scheme which was living up to its title although you could have easily have walked across in wellies.
Plenty of gulls but no ducks except for the Mallard from the Danepark “fishing pond”. A large tree had toppled at the pond and was now resting on the metal fence. Walked back through the Oppy Wood and again had a few Siskin.
Continuing with the current wild weather we had snow in the afternoon but had gone by Sunday morning.
22/2/22 Went out with Roy on Tuesday afternoon. Went out via Harland Way but the [almost permanent] temporary traffic lights were only letting a few cars through at a time so we did a U-turn, passing a very long queue that had already built up behind us, and went to Beverley via Dunswell. Parked in the lay by on Weel Road to view Swine Moor from the River Hull bank.
We already knew the Baikal Teal was present but not easy with many hundreds of Teal and Wigeon present, not helped by a strong wind. Saw a few birders walking the opposite bank but didn’t get any feedback. Managed to picked out a few Dunlin and Golden Plover among the ducks to add to my year list. We were close to giving up but something repeatedly put all the birds up and after they settled again Roy picked out the Baikal Teal.
The planned had been to park outside Tophill Low NR [closed until April] and walk along Barmston Drain to view Watton NR but found the traffic on Hull Bridge Road stationary so turned right and headed to Hornsea seafront for a sea watch. Added Red-throated Diver, Guillemot, Gannet and Kittiwake to my year list.
23/2/22 Friday morning I walked Willerby Carr, again starting from The Garth. Had my first Linnet for the patch this year not long after starting. The Springhead Flood Prevention Scheme had some standing water.
Originally apart from gulls could only find four Canada Geese and a few Mallard but in the south east west corner I found was a drake Tufted Duck.
As a diving duck an unexpected species here with my only previous record been after the very heavy rain in October 2019 [see here for what happened at Tophill Low NR] .
Much the same Teal, Wigeon and Shoveler at Carr Farm with a flock of Greylag Geese in the fields opposite.
Now after nearly a week being down I was going to get up to date with Birdtrack but Wilbur has just come down for his second walk.
7/4/22 The Baikal Teal was still on Swine Moor on Tuesday late afternoon. Roy Lyon didn’t see it Wednesday late morning and no news so far on Thursday. If it’s gone at least it will help its credibility. Either park at Hull Bridge near The Crown and Anchor cTA057412 , although space is limited, then walk south along the river bank [not a canal!}. Alternatively for a quick more distant view park in the lay-by on Weel Road cTA055417 or at the entrance to Corporation Farm and view across the river.
Erich's birding and biking blog 