Today's morning walk

 A much improved morning today. Yesterday was foggy throughout my walk but today was a fine, clear and sunny morning with just a touch of frost.

The first sighting of note was three brown hares running over a ploughed field near the farm. 

Two of 3 hares in the early morning light

 

Lovely early morning in Hornsea

On my way home a couple of hours later I saw two brown hares in the set aside.

One of two hares in the set aside field

As usual a few Goldcrests were feeding in the trees and bushes. I feel lucky that I am still able to hear them singing and calling, as the higher frequencies are the first to be lost to our hearing as we get older.

Goldcrest (Regulus regulus)

Next time you see a Goldcrest try and have a look at its feet. They are intriguing and different to the usual passerine's. It has a long hind toe adapted for perching vertically on branches and has furrows under its feet, providing a rough surface for gripping the thin conifer needles in its usual breeding habitat.

They show little fear of humans and often forage around us in search of food.

Lapwings are being seen almost daily at the moment, here's hoping a few decide to hang around and nest.

Lapwing over the Mere today

The 20+ that were here this morning soon got rid of a local Marsh Harrier.

Marsh Harrier and Lapwing

I checked Swan Island again in the hope of seeing an Oystercatcher - and this morning I was in luck at last. Distant but present ✅

A small black and white (and orange) dot on Swan Island spit

Not as many Great Spotted Woodpeckers this morning, but they were drumming. A lovely sound along with the rooks, song thrushes and calling mistle thrushes.