Snow with a nip in the air - a great morning

 The thermometer said it got down to -4 degreees last night, but it was only -1 as I stepped out of the house for my morning walk. The snow was looking pristine as no one had walked on it yet, but a few cars had driven down the roads of course.

The first wildlife of any note was a Woodcock that flew out of the trees as I walked on the road - I managed to get a very distant photo as it disappeared.

A speck of Woodcock

The sun peeping through trees

Approaching Wassand Wood

Two Roe Deer were mooching around the track from Weatherhill but they scarpered when they saw the shadowy figure of yours truly approaching.

Along the track I heard Siskins calling, but I wasn't prepared for the number I found. I watched and photographed them as they fed and preened in the birch, alder and ash and when they took off to fly into the wood they made a heck of racket. I estimate there were over 130 birds flying and calling.

Siskin - one of c.130+

Male Siskin

As I walked along the paths and tracks I'd seen lots of animal tracks. I saw even more as I went into the wood and more still when I came out of the wood and into the south side fields. I reckon there were at least 4 sets of Fox tracks along my 6 mile route and I found one perfect set of Stoat or Weasel tracks. Deer and Rabbit were the most common though.

I reached the hide after a very quiet walk along the woodland path - hardly a bird was singing or calling. I expected the Mere to be somewhat frozen, but it was almost covered in ice and snow with just a few areas still open for the ducks and gulls to use.

Panorama from the hide at Decoy

About 28 Teal here

Going back through the wood I came across a pair of Bullfinch which was nice as I don't often see them in the wood.

Female Bullfinch

Woodland Walk

A snowy umbelifer from last year

The south side footpath was also quiet until I got to second field, then I heard geese plus a few ducks calling. A gaggle of Barnacle Geese were over towards the north side on the ice. They took off and circled a while - I counted between 38 and 41 as they came over.

Barnacle Geese

Barnacles on ice

 

As I walked through second field I put up a Snipe, and as I got into first field I flushed another 5. Had I known they were there I wouldn't have disturbed them.

On the water Goldeneye and Scaup were the main draw, with no sight of the grebes that I hoped may be  in view.

Female Goldeneye

Male Goldeneye

Three Scaup as usual

South Cliffs, Wassand Wood and Bedroom Window Wildlife

 The flooded fields got the better of me for a few days as my wellies were leaking and replacements only arrived last Monday afternoon. The fields are gradually drying out and the Mere water level is (very) slowly going down.

I walked on the cliffs this morning to check that nothing interesting hadn't arrived since my last visit - it hadn't, or if it did I missed it - no change there then 😂 only the usual pair of Stonechat and a few Mipits.

Female Stonechat

Male Stonechat

Male Stonechat

One of four Sanderling on the beach

 

Although I've been getting out and clocking up the miles, the chances of getting any wildlife sightings while keeping ones feet dry are slim, so I spent a fair old while looking out of the bedroom window in the afternoons. Plenty of geese, gulls, Linnets and deer to enjoy, plus a male Marsh Harrier drifted over going south west.

Roe Deer

Up to 121 Linnet and 12+ Yellowhammer

Yellowhammers

I had 7 Roe Deer in the field at one time

Up to 39 Greylags and a Pink-footed Goose

Two Common Gulls

 

 A walk through Wassand Wood in the new wellies confirmed that the water level along the path to the hide was still under water, at least this time the water had settled and wasn't murky so I could see the paving stones.

Jelly Ear fungus on a rotting log

Cormorant from the hide

Paving stones under water but visible

Deep water warning

 

Here's hoping for improved wildlife sightings to keep me going through the coming cold spell - at least it shouldn't be wet (but don't quote me!).

Sunny Start To The Year

 Sunny, not too windy and dry - a good start to the new year weather. Bet it doesn't stay dry for long though! 😂

Nothing along the sea front first thing, which wasn't surprising as the high tide was just on the turn as I walked along. Later as the tide recedes the Purple Sandpiper, Turnstones and Sanderling will hopefully be seen.

Two Stonechat in first field and a drake Scaup quite close in were nice additions to the new year list, as was a Water Rail strutting across the path in Heslop's.

Scaup off first field this morning

Stonechat on first field fence

The rain has really come down over the last few days and the footpaths are awash. The path to the hide was under water yesterday and wellies were the order of the day, but I didn't have wellies on today so I gave it a miss.

Heslop's footpath a bit damp

New paving stones disappeared under murky water

Can't see the paving stones through the murk

The Purple Sandpipers, Turnstones and Sanderlings have been showing well along the sea front over the last few days so I hope they continue to do so.

Turnstones and Purple Sandpiper

Purple Sandpiper

Purple Sandpiper x 2

Sanderlings on the beach

Sanderlings in flight - check out the bottom bird!

More Sanderlings