Kirkholme Point and Mere South Side to Wassand

January to date - 146 miles
Year to date - 146 miles

Another lovely day was promised but as I stepped out it was 2 degrees, grey and overcast. Never mind, at least I'm not busy today so my time is my own. I went down to Kirkholme Point first to see if the Long-tailed Ducks are still there.

As I reached the jetties where the boats are tied up the sun was just breaking through the cloud cover, which would have normally been great but the sun was right in my eyes as I looked over the water and photos were a bit of a challenge as I was shooting into the sun. I moved along the shore a bit to try and get a better angle.

Only one Long-tailed Duck again this morning and it stayed well out so I couldn't get a very good image. It's plumage is developing nicely with the dark patch and a pale head more in evidence now.

Distant Long-tailed Duck off KP jetties

There were good numbers of Pochard, Goldeneye and Gadwall with a few Teal flying west but nothing else of particular interest so I headed for the south side footpath.

Into first field and I was greeted by a raucous Cetti's Warbler singing from the willow and bramble scrub to the right of the gate. I walked over to try and catch a glimpse of the bird but as usual, although it sounded to be right in front of me, I couldn't see a thing 😂

Nothing to see here all the way though first field but at the bottom of second field a Kingfisher was in the shore line willows. No chance of a photo as it was well obscured by branches but nice to see.

Through into third field/Snipe Grounds (where the path gets really boggy in winter) and the sun was well out now. I still have my hand warmer in my pocket though as it was chilly and didn't get above 5 degrees all day.

The Barnacle Goose herd was in the crop field just the other side of the hedgerow so I laid down and took a few photos from underneath the hawthorns. Another ear-bashing from my nearest and dearest when I get home for trying my best to collect as much mud and undergrowth as possible on my clothes🙄

Maximum count of the geese this year has been 154.

Barnacle Geese

The Kestrel that is usually seen along the path each day was joined by another this morning.

The set-aside field was next on my route but the large flock of Linnet was absent today, maybe put off by the tractor that was hacking and flailing the hedgerow along the footpath. However, I caught up with them later as they were in the tree tops down towards the hide. I took several photos and counted them when I got home - a total of 226 today. There were probably a few more but that's my highest count so far this winter.

226 Linnet over 4 photos

Here's a few photos without the red marks which ensure I don't double count.

Some of the Linnet flock

In the wood I saw/heard 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and heard a Green Woodpecker again. Treecreepers are a bit scarce this year but Goldcrest are usually to be seen.

South Cliffs and Beach

January total - 130 miles
Year total - 130 miles

An overdue walk on the cliffs this morning and looking for Stonechats that usually appear on the cliff tops in January. Also Meadow Pipits join the permanently resident Skylarks so I was hoping for a few sightings.

On the way I saw that Snowdrops are out and looking good.

Snowdrops brightening up the town

Straight away as I got onto the cliffs I could hear a Skylark singing! What a great way to kick off your day. Half a mile further along another couple of Skylarks and the first Meadow Pipits of the year.

The first of 6 Mipits

...and just a few yards away - a pair of Stonechats. Fantastic.

They like to use the gorse bushes along the cliff tops but unfortunately they are disappearing due to coastal erosion.

There was nothing else of interest on the cliffs so I went down to the beach. There I found the usual Sanderlings and Turnstones.

Sanderling

Turnstone

A Walk through Wassand Wood

Lovely day for a wander through the wood. Good light too, perfect for a few pics.

There are several different species of fungus in the wood and I'm hopeful that I'll be able to id each one (eventually!).

Variable oysterling fungus

Variable oysterling fungus

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit throwing weird shapes

Lots of birds singing now - Great Tit, Coal Tit, Robin of course, Song Thrush, and a couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming

Blue Tit

GSW drumming

Out of the wood and into the fields. There is a Kestrel over Snipe Grounds/Heslops area almost every morning. It doesn't allow you to get close and this is the best photo I've managed so far.

Kestrel hovering over Snipe Grounds

The male Goldeneyes are displaying - it must be Spring soon 😉

Male Goldeneye displaying off KP

Female Goldeneye stretching

female Goldeneye

male Goldeneye off first field

Circuit of Hornsea Mere

A brisk walk around the Mere was well overdue so I set off in the sunshine to enjoy a morning's outing. A light breeze in place of the strong winds made the sun all the more enjoyable.

I walked anti-clockwise so my first stop was along the north side for a check of the birds from Seaton Road hide. As usual when I visit there wasn't much to see apart from Gadwall, Goldeneye, Coot and Mute Swans. All very nice in their way of course but nothing for the camera to feast upon. I contented myself with a view or two...

Swan Island from the west

about 9:30 and the sun is just about up

Along the north side up on the footpath through the fields and I'm quite sure there should be more birds about. A single Herring Gull and 2 Wood Pigeons are all I saw for a mile and a half. Into the copse by Brockholes and a few finches and tits appeared, which at least gave me something to look at.

I reached the drive up to Wassand Hall pretty quickly and the sun through the trees looked nice.

A Mistle Thrush and a Great Spotted Woodpecker made themselves heard and I thoroughly looked forward to getting into the Woodland Walk so that I could enjoy more birds.

Along the track towards the wood, the line of pine trees made a fine sight.

There are usually Coal Tits flitting about in these pines and today was no exception, with at least 4 birds seen.

Coal Tit

Coal Tit

Along the walk through the wood the Great Spotted Woodpeckers were very active and vocal - I counted at least 5 individuals. The challenge as usual in a few weeks time will be to follow some of these birds to try and find their nest holes. Just 2 Goldcrests in with the flock of around 12 Long-tailed Tits.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

At Decoy Hide the view was disappointingly short of birds. 3 Mute Swans, 5 Goldeneye and around 20 Coot, with a few Black-headed and Herring Gulls passing overhead. I moved on sharpish.

Grey Squirrels are numerous in the wood and can easily be seen when walking along the path.

The wintering herd of Barnacle Geese took a break from munching their way through the crops and circled for a while before landing and resuming their meal.

Barnacle Geese

Barnacle Geese - just some of about 147

Out of the wood again and back onto the footpath that runs through the fields along the south of the Mere, which is still very wet underfoot despite the dry weather recently.

Good habitat for Snipe and Jack Snipe

The set-aside field

The set-aside field is not holding as many finches this year as last. We had a fine Goldfinch and Linnet flock of c.450 birds last year, with a few Greenfinch and Chaffinch mixed in; this year the most I've seen is c.220 Linnet with a few Greenfinch and Chaffinch and very few Goldfinch around. More Bullfinches though, with up to 10 seen now that their usual haunt of the large hawthorn patch near the farm has been cleared.