Hornsea Wildlife and Walks

Wednesday, 24 May 2023

Close Encounters of The Hairy and Hare(y) Kind

A sunny day again today, and although the wind started of as a north westerly it ended up north easterly once again - so cool later on.

Having the warm sun out early in the morning encouraged hundreds of damselflies to take to the air in a blizzard of wings as I walked through the long grass. A wonderful sight!

Hairy dragonflies showed well in the wood and I got one that had just caught its prey and was eating it alongside the footpath. Could have been a Soldier Beetle but it's hard to say.

Hairy Dragonfly with prey

Yum yum

We had just been discussing how much harder it is to see Brown Hares these days now that the crops have grown so tall, when just a minute later one came running along towards me. It stopped about 5 yards away, realised that I wasn't a tree and ran off. I had to reduce the zoom on the camera to fit it into the frame.

First photo at 600mm focal length

Stop for a rest - 600mm still

Carried on coming - last one at 600mm

Still approaching - down to 320mm focal length

Closest it got - at 320mm

Just brilliant to see one so close again, I had a similar experience on here last year but it was a leveret and it didn'tm quite get as close as this one.

Yesterday morning took me to Ulrome for a walk around, looking to see Grey Partridge and Corn Bunting. I saw both but no pics of the Grey Partridge as it was very distant.

Corn Bunting

Corn Bunting, and below is a video of singing Corn Bunting

Yesterday afternoon I walked on Southorpe Road once more on my way to Wassand when a Whitethroat popped up on top of the hedge and started singing. Yes, I know I've posted lots of Whitethroat pics here already this year, but these are probably the best yet.

Whitethroat on Southorpe

As above

Ditto above, and below is singing Whitethroat

Brimstones have been scarce this year (as have most butterflies apart from Orange Tip) so it was good to see one yesterday.

Brimstone basking

Saturday, 20 May 2023

Empty Nest Syndrome

I've been watching a Long-tailed Tit nest for a few weeks and the young ones fledged a while ago but I haven't been able to get pics until today.

The nest is now empty (I think)

Young Long-tailed Tit

Feeding time

Adult having a breather in between feeds

I saw 5 Hairy Dragonflies this morning on my walk, which was very good seeing as I'm out early and the temperature hasn't really had time to reach double figures. A fine sunny morning brought them out.

male Hairy Dragonfly

Also oiut and about were Red Admiral, Orange Tip, Brimstone and Comma. Only the Comma settled for any length of time though.

Comma at Wassand

At least 52 Mute Swans were in the field with Greylag Geese when I went past.

Mute Swans and Greylag Geese

A few Roe Deer were quietly wandering around minding their own business before I disturbed them by moving my arms to put the camera to my eye. Doesn't take much when they are so close.