Very Quiet at Hornsea Mere

Well it's been a very slow start to the birding year at Hornsea.

The weather has been so-so with a few showers and a couple of days with strong-ish northerlies. The temperature has been above zero with no frost yet and a few bright days.

So what has been seen over the last two days - here's a quick review of the photos I've taken yesterday and today.

The Roe Deer population continues to be quite visible, particularly early in the morning. These four were sauntering across the stubble field just north of Southorpe Road yesterday.

4 roe deer

We have a large flock of finches that feed regularly on the set aside field towards Wassand. It consists mainly of Goldfinch and Linnet with a few Tree Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch and Greenfinch making guest appearances. This photo was taken yesterday morning and, together with the adjacent tree's population, I counted 293 Linnet. This is the largest number of Linnet I've ever seen!

212 Linnet and a lone Goldfinch

A blizzard of Linnets taking off

Barn Owls are always great to see and one was still hunting as I walked past the field where I usually see one.

Barn Owl

Barn Owl

The flock of sheep grazing in the field between the end of Southorpe Road and Weatherhill Farm were quietly munching their way through a bale of hay when I interrupted them by walking down the path that goes right down the middle of the field. They all seemed to stop eating as I approached and they turned to watch me - reminded me of the old westerns when a stranger walks into the saloon and the piano player stops playing and all the cowboys stare at the newcomer 😂😂

Hay, why don'chew move on

This morning I walked on the cliffs to see what was about and was rewarded with the sight of a common Snipe taking off in front of me and disappearing into the distance. Moments later a Mistle Thrush appeared on the path, possibly having just come in-off?

Mistle Thrush on the cliffs

I walked on the sea front and along Stream Dike without seeing anything else until I got to 1st field where, after chatting with Jon for a while, a Common Scoter appeared. The light was poor and I had to adjust the exposure by almost 2 stops before I got anythng like a decent image. A record shot at best but at least it's recognisable.

Common Scoter, female, from 1st field