Hornsea Wildlife At Its Best

The past few days have been epic for me. Walking along the quiet roads and the many footpaths around Hornsea, you see just what great wildlife there is around.

Although the media is full of bad news about how our planet's wildlife is struggling - and it is under pressure and declining make no mistake about that - getting out and seeing some local creatures is a good antidote.

Early this morning, braving the gusty and cold Easterly winds, I went down to check on the water voles. I had my camera in hand with the long lens fitted, and thought I was ready to get some photos. I reckoned wrong! A vole showed itself almost right under my feet, so close that I couldn't focus with the long lens and I didn't dare faff about swapping lenses so I got my phone out and set the video going instead. I had to edit the full video as this blog has a size limit:

Good to see they were still OK, so I walked on past the voles and went along the Mere south side footpath towards the hide at Wassand. A Lesser Whitethroat was singing in the trees along the bank at 2nd field, a lovely Spring sound right there! Lapwing were calling and Skylarks were singing over the crop fields and the White-fronted and Pink-footed geese were still hanging out with the Greylags in one of the fields. Surely it's time these birds left us? Most of the other wildfowl has gone now with just a few Gadwall and Goldeneye still lingering. The clouds were gathering in large, dark bunches and the light was getting worse and worse. Rain wasn't forecast but it sure looked like rain was on its way.

I got onto the viewing platform above the hide and noticed a number of hirundines flying around the trees by the hide - mostly Sand Martins with a few Swallows and House Martins mixed in. I tried to get flight shots of them but the light was awful, and sure enough the threatened rain arrived. I was OK as I was under cover and out of the rain and the very chilly easterly wind. I passed the time taking photos of the rain hitting the Mere...

Arty shot of the rain landing in front of the hide

The rain stopped and the sun came out. A pair of Marsh Harriers were showing well over the far reed bed and a second male flew over the hide.

Marsh Harrier in sunlight after the rain

Walking out of the wood I heard a Green Woodpecker yaffling. It seemed to be getting closer, usually when I hear a Green 'pecker it gets fainter and fainter. Walking along the footpath I kept scanning the taller trees, trying to get a glimpse of it. I've seen them before but never had a clear view without twigs or leaves getting in the way. Having spotted it perched on a tree trunk about 150 yards away I took a few photos, but twigs from another tree were in the way. I moved to a better location and spent half an hour watching and listening and taking photos. It was always distant and called lots of times. I really hope it amanges to find a mate this Spring!

Green Woodpecker record shots

I'm still hopeful of getting some good photos of these birds, but it all depends on luck as there are no feeders around to lure them down as people do in their gardens.

All this was after a fantastic day yesterday, when I walked along pleasant footpaths and almost empty roads to the spot where the local Little Owl can sometimes be seen. Another brilliant morning started with great views of the owl:

Add to this wonderful start a group of 4 Bullfinch in a tree full of blossom buds with a blue sky behind and well, what can I say!?

A caption competition beckons!

Hornsea and its immediate surrounding fields, paths and roads are alive with wildlife, so get out and wander around - you'll be amazed at what you can see.