Hornsea Wildlife and Walks: A Quiet Time

It has been pretty quiet on the wildlife front - hence no update until now. Even though I've waited and waited for something of interest to post I am still struggling!

Let me clarify that when I say something of interest, I mean something interesting that I've managed to get a photo of. The recently sighted Ring-necked Duck was of course very interesting, but I didn't even manage to see it, never mind get a pic. Likewise the drake Smew that was here a week or so ago.

We have been without a Green Woodpecker locally for two years so it was great to hear one on the south side of the Mere last week, and almost every morning since. I've seen it a few times now but have been unable to get a photo. Hopefully it will stick around for a while and present more chances of photos.

As I was walking along Southorpe Road earlier this week I heard a squealing, shrieking noise coming from the trees just ahead. Wondering what the heck it was I approached slowly and a Sparrowhawk flew out with a Blackbird. It landed in the ditch and was looking to settle down with its meal but unfortunately I disturbed it. Last I saw, the Sprawk was disappearing into the trees, meal in talons.

Sparrowhawk

Mammals have been few and far between since Autumn disappeared and I've had to make do with glimpses of Brown Hare and Fox. Squirrels and Roe Deer are still around around to provide some photo opportunities though.

Roe Deer munching on crops

Four Roes of deer

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that Little Egrets were not being seen as regularly these days. Since that I've seen them often!! Another one (or the same one - who knows?) was in a flooded field by the old railway line.

Little Egret

The festive spirit has been captured wonderfully by the Hornsea Inshore Rescue Team. Their christmas tree in the lifeboat compound shows some skill and ingenuity, making the tree out of lobster pots, the star from a lifebuoy and baubles from fishing floats.

Merry Christmas from HIR

We've had some excellent sunrises over the last few days - here's a few images of them.

This and two below at Weatherhill

The next three are from the sea front where a strip of sunlight was just visible under the heavy clouds.

Hornsea sea front sunrise

Westermost Rough to left of sun, Humber Gateway to the right

The above pic highlighted the two off shore wind farms that are visible from Hornsea - Westermost Rough which is 15 miles south east from here, and Humber Gateway which is 27 miles south east.