Hornsea Mere South Side and Wassand Hide

Yet another great day here on the East Coast of Yorkshire. Dry and breezy, 15 degrees C with a force 3 or 4 south westerly wind.

Although I walked along the shore and over to Kirkholme Point earler, there was nothing of note, but when I walked into 1st Field and heard the song of a Cetti's Warbler, I knew all was well :)

Down by the fence line a late Sedge Warbler was flitting from bush to bush, picking insects as it went. No doubt fattening up for the long flight south to Africa where they spend winter.

Wild fowl numbers continue to increase with 28 Pochard, 8 Shoveler, about 240 Tufted Duck, about 500 Coot, 100 Wigeon, 30 or so Teal and 200 Gadwall.

The large flock of Barnacle Goose (101 is the latest count) were laying up in the recently cut field, looking like they may have roosted there overnight.

101 Barnacle Geese

Towards the hide at Wassand butterflies continue to be seen, mainly Large Whites and Speckled Woods but an odd Small Tortoiseshell pops up here and there. 2 species of dragonfly were out and about - Common Darter and Migrant Hawker.

Common Darter

In the hide itself there wasn't much to see so I passed the time by taking panorama photos -

180 degree view from Wassand Hide

There seemed to be the beginnings of a lenticular cloud formation but it didn't get any better than this before the wind changed and blew it away;

Lenticular clouds, from Wassand Hide

On the footpath from the hide out to the bridleway a large (very large!) branch had snapped off an ash tree and lay over the path. No doubt the estate workers will remove it.

Branch in the way

A Chiff Chaff was singing and 2 Bullfinch were a nice sight as I walked towards Southorpe Road. A Common Buzzard was soaring over the trees but no Marsh Harriers this morning.

There were lots of Grey Squirrel this morning, probably active because they are gathering food before winter sets in. Beech mast and acorns are all over the place. Personally I don't like the Grey Squirrel. It's an introduced species that has had a detrimental effect on the native Red Squirrel.