Scaup, Common Scoter and Pinkies

A very still and quiet day - no breeze at all and about 10 degrees C, dry and cool.

At Kirkholme Point a Cetti's Warbler was singing as I walked in through the gate, this is getting to be a regular greeting and I like it :) In the same bush was a Chiffchaff, also singing away.

The floating vegetation is still hanging around on the North side of KP and a few Wigeon were feeding along it. 16 Pochard were bobbing around and the almost-local Little Egret was on Swan Island again.

I was hoping that the Scaup were still around from yesterday, and one was still present, swimming quickly to the East to join several Tufted Ducks.

Scaup off Kirkholme Point

While walking towards the boat jetties, a duck with a different profile was sighted and once on it, the bins showed it to be a Common Scoter. It took off as I got onto it so the photos are a little snatched and not as good as they could be.

Common Scoter off KP

Common Scoter

Walking around to the south side of Hornsea Mere hoping to see one or two migrants - specifically Ring Ouzel - I counted over 60 Pochard just off 1st field. A Scaup was also in there but it could have been the same bird I saw from KP. Another Cetti's Warbler was singing in the corner of 1st field.

About 80 Greylag Geese flew in and landed on The Mere and a few minutes later 5 Pink-footed Geese flew over.

Walking on through 2nd field to check the recently ploughed field and the stubble field, the 5 Pinkies that flew over were in the field about 20 yards from the Barnacle Goose flock (105 was the count today). Also in the same field was a Skylark, up and singing!

5 Pink-footed Geese - one is hidden behind 2nd from left

Flying Barnacle Goose - one of 105

In the willows by the wet piece of ground marked on the OS maps as "Snipe Grounds" there were 2 Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler. Good views of all 3 birds with the 2 Chiffies bobbing their tails as all good Chiffies should.

A Red Admiral flew past and this may be the last view I have of one of these striking butterflies, now that Autumn is fast approacing. No Swallows or House Martins today though.

The last bird I recorded before I turned for home was a Kestrel, sitting atop a hawthorn bush.

Along Southorpe Road I saw fleeting glimpses of Tree Sparrows as they foraged along the hedgerows. The hoped-for Sparrowhawk didn't appear though - maybe tomorrow?