Hornsea Wildlife and Walks: November 2022

Tuesday 29 November 2022

Forever Autumn Part 2

The oak trees seem to be hanging on to their leaves this year, or do they always do that? Can't say I've ever noticed in previous years. Lots of autumn colour still around, even though a lot of it is on the ground now.

Autumn has brought the winter thrushes to us again. Fieldfares, Redwings and a scattering of Song Thrushes are now brightening the hedgerows as they go looking for food.

Fieldfare

Redwing

Fieldfare

The beach here at Hornsea isn't particularly productive for birds at any time of year. Through winter we get a few Sanderling and Turnstones, then every now and then a nice bird pops up - like this Purple Sandpiper this afternoon.

Turnstone on the left, Purple Sandpiper on the right

Purple Sandpiper


Turnstone

Sanderling

Sunday 13 November 2022

A Rainbow In Curved Air

Walking through the Mere south side fields on Thursday afternoon was a real joy as, although it was raining hard at times, the rainbows that were on show were fabulous.

As usual, music came to mind and this time it was Terry Riley's A Rainbow In Curved Air from 1969. I bought it on the strength of hearing a short clip of it on the radio, but it turned out to be somewhat disappointing. Still got it in my collection though 🤣

A Rainbow In Curved Air on the south side

The Redshank that had lingered for a few days on first field shore was still there so I managed a bit of video through the scope.

The two areas of planted set aside are providing good nourishment for the birds. Finches and tits are there in reasonable numbers and these will hopefully grow through winter.

Great and Blue Tits on sunflower seeds

Wildfowl numbers are gradually increasing as the days shorten and a highlight for me was getting a few Pintail near enough to take photos with the camera rather than phonescoping. Still not particularly good but they are recognisable as Pintail.

Pintail on the Mere

Whooper Swans have continued to come and go over the past week and I saw 13 together one afternoon. Photos were taken and discarded but when they left I got a few seconds of video...

2 of 13 Whooper Swans Leaving the Mere

There have been some stunning sunrises this month and I got a few of them on the camera, usually from home. Got a bit of flare on this one but hey ho, nothing to lose sleep over.

Sunrise from our bedroom window

Since the Osprey left us for warmer climes there hasn't been much to see from the hide. One sight had me laughing though when a Grey Heron came in to land but misjudged the water depth. It ended up swimming and floundering for a second or two before it managed to take off again.

Grey Heron out of its depth

Good recovery! Nothing to see here 😂

Thursday 3 November 2022

Good Start to November

The month started off well with the juvenile Osprey giving excellent views at the Mere. The local Marsh Harriers have taken against it though and the last few times I've seen the Osprey it has been mobbed by up to 4 Marsh Harriers and prevented from fishing.

It's obviously managing to feed OK though as it has been seen eating fish in the trees on the north side.


Osprey and Marsh Harrier

Osprey showing its impressive wing span

Osprey

Osprey and Marsh Harrier

Cream crown Marsh Harrier over north reed bed


Marsh Harriers taking a break from Osprey hassling

Continuing the good start to the month, yesterday we had some rare visitors in the form of 3 Ring-necked Ducks. Apparently this is the most that has ever been seen at any one time in Yorkshire. Distant photos unfortunately, but views through the scope were better.

2 of the 3 Ring-necked Ducks off 1st field

Whooper Swans have been seen regularly over the Mere, but they don't stay long even if they land. We had 45 this morning on the water off Heslop's but they only stayed for about 20 minutes - calling constantly all the time they were here.