January 2015

25th January 2015 – North Ferriby and Brough

A brief walk around North Ferriby walkway this morning provided a couple of new ticks for the patch. Both in the same location, a showy tail flashing male Reed Bunting joined the House Sparrow flock as did a couple of Tree Sparrows.

A Mistle Thrush was on the paddocks again and 4 Mute Swan flew low over towards the river

In the afternoon I took myself off to Brough to see of the Twite were still present. Whilst there were no Twite on this occasion, a Linnet and 3 Meadow Pipits were new birds for the year. As before, Goldeneye were plentiful with over 20 counted on the river and at Welton. I have been expecting a Marsh Harrier, but when a male rose from the airfield and proceeded to hunt just 50 yards away it was a more dramatic sighting that I have been expecting.

Welton was quiet again, with the same birds as yesterday with the addition of just a Gadwall. The wildfowl highlight was a fine male Goosander which flew downstream.

24th January 2014 – North Ferriby to Welton Water

The low tide gave a chance to walk from North Ferriby to Welton Water. Even at low tide the first part of the walk is a little precarious as the sea defences have been washed away – but picking along the shingle and mud flushed a couple of Redshanks before reaching the rather more solid underfoot woodland. Tit flocks here demonstrated the potential of this stretch of woodland which reaches up to the A63 if you walk north at this point.

After the woodland I was happy to find a large open field which quickly provided me with my first Pheasant (it has only taken 24 days!). This open space is yet another addition to the wide range of habitats on my new patch.

Some great scrubland and reedy channels which should be great for Sedge and Reed Warbler in the Summer are found between this point and Welton Water. Welton seems quiet at the moment, with Goldeneye and Tufted the commonest birds in equal measure with 8 of each. A male Wigeon was out in the centre of the lake providing another patch tick.

The walk back was quieter, but the low tide was providing much excitement for Dunlin and Ringed Plover which were feeding amongst the stoney ground

18/01/2015 – Hessle to Ferriby and Brough Airfield

A morning walk at Hessle to bird the stretch from the bridge to the inlet before the lorry park. The wooded path was very lively with a large finch flock made up of predominantly Greenfinch with a few Goldfinch and Chaffinch thrown in for good measure. A few Redwing were also in amongst the leaf litter allowing very close views. Working their way through the trees, a Tit flock containing all the usual candidates brought along a Goldcrest and a Song Thrush kept itself to the trees nearest the playing field.

On the river the usual Gulls were present joined at the inlet by a trio of Turnstones.

Walking along to North Ferriby along the river, a pair of Buzzards were in the field by the train line and showed impressively at close quarters. Bird of the day was a Green Woodpecker however. Although not seen, it’s distinctive cackle from the field to the right of the gate as you entered the walkway was unmistakable and a reminder of home where that sound is commonplace. Bullfinch were in evidence again and seem to be common here.

Later in the afternoon, a walk from the car park in Brough along the river proved productive. Highlight was a flock of 9 Twite on the patch of open ground just on the other side of the fence on Brough Airfield. The mud around the natural harbour held a large number of Teal and Goldeneye were out on the river, with ten just off the metal tower.

12/01/2015 – Ferriby Station

Waiting for the train this morning I added another 4 species to the patchlist. A Kestrel hovered high above gardens looking for a meal whilst both Treecreeper and Greater Spotted Woodpecker were heard but both unseen. The former was part of a group of Long-Tailed Tits foraging along the trees by the rail line opposite the station whilst the latter was heard in the large trees at the back of our garden.

Finally just before boarding a male Sparrowhawk flew low and with sinister intention over the station building.

10th January 2015 - North Ferriby

A quiet day as a continuing strong wind kept most birds in cover. As the tide went out, 15 Dunlin fed along the shore along with a couple of Redshank which appear to favour the area of the pipe outlet.

Many Gulls were flying west up river but nothing unusual, whilst a Mistle Thrush on the patch was welcome in the paddock fields.

9th January 2015 – Hessle to North Ferriby

So I’ve moved house. New job and new home in North Ferriby in East Riding of Yorkshire. 9th January was the first day and after staying at my sisters in Hessle I walked along the river to North Ferriby in a blustery westerly gale.

On Hessle foreshore, 6 Ringed Plover and 2 Dunlin were sheltering by the bridge as high tide pushed them onto the shingle. All were still and hunkered down as the wind whipped across their feathers. Most small birds had the common sense to be hiding from the wind, only the gulls continued to brave the elements with all 5 of the common species on show. A flock of 45 Curlew flew from the fields on the other side of the train line and flew along the river in a what would have been a stunning photo had I had my camera.

A Turnstone worked its way along the rocky flood barrier, showing its black and white stripes as it flew on ahead.

Arriving at North Ferriby, the walkway has some excellent habitat. The highlight of the walk was a Peregrine which dashed by low overhead, it’s stiff wing beats and chunky body not appearing to reflect its evident agility. A Bullfinch called from within the bushes but stayed hidden, unlike the showy Goldfinches which gave themselves away both visibly and vocally.