A slow week

30/4 Went to High Eske NR on Tuesday afternoon. Still 2 White Wagtails and few a Yellow Wagtails as well as a Common Sandpiper and Pink-footed Goose.

White Wagtail-High Eske NR

All the regular breeding warblers were now in.

Good number of Peacock butterflies at High Eske NR

Had 3 Little Ringed Plovers on Swinemoor.

1/5 Only managed a walk in Cottingham on Wednesday evening. Did KGV rec and fields behind as far as Creyke Beck substation. Very few migrants with one Blackcap and a silent Chiffchaff but had a Green Woodpecker calling behind Millhouse Woods Lane pumping station.

2/5 Went to Tophill Low NR on Thursday afternoon. The Ring-necked Duck was still on D reservoir but distant. Walked north along the road. Good number of Yellow Wagtails in Decoy Fields but distant and hidden in the emerging crop. Little Egret again on Hempholme Meadows.

Little Egret-Tophill Low NR

Cetti’s Warbler still by South Marsh West but had moved from close to back to back hide.

3/5 Went to Welton Waters on Friday afternoon. Very quiet with few warblers but had my first Garden Warbler by the WAC building, not a regular bird here.

Bar-tailed Godwit-Welton Waters

For the last month at Hornsea Mere check here.

4/5 Back to High Eske NR on Saturday afternoon. The resident female Goldeneye was still hanging onto a male. Walked to Leven Canal. Female Marsh Harrier again hunting the carrs and a Black-tailed Godwit on the scrape.

Black-tailed Godwit-Leven Carrs

Hopefully the first of many waders and a first for the site.

Leven Carrs scrape

Returning to the borrow pit I had a Little Ringed Plover.

At Swinemoor I had 3 Greenshank and 3 Little Ringed Plover.

5/5 Streamer moth in the trapped on Sunday morning was a first for the garden. Check here for my new moth blog.

Streamer

Went to Tophill Low NR with John. The Ring-necked Duck was still on D reservoir and I found a female Scaup. Also at least 2 female Marsh Harriers seen. Did the north end this morning but nothing of note but did have my first Green-veined White butterfly and heard a Cuckoo. Walked the south end this afternoon. A pair of Little Ringed Plover still showing interest in South Marsh East, although whether they can withstand the disturbance of the management work over the next few weeks we’ll have to see. Cetti’s Warbler still singing by South Marsh West but again mid way between the hides.

For more from the reserve, including a tour of the new centre, check here.

Kumlien’s Gull still Barmston beach this morning.

Geoff Dobbs had 4 Greenshank, 5 Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sand and lots of LRPs at Swinemoor this evening.

April 7 at Tophill Low NR

7/4 Went to Tophill Low NR with Roy on Sunday morning. Started in D reservoir car park hide. No sign of the Black-necked or any Goosander.

The Red-necked Grebe was still on O reservoir.

Red-necked Grebe-Tophill Low NR

The Pink-footed Goose and a pair of Little Ringed Plover were still on Watton NR.

Pink-footed Goose-Watton NR

A few Chiffchaffs now singing.

There were a few Redwing in the works compound possibly part of the big movement on the coast.

Had a Peacock butterfly from South Marsh East no.2 hide.

Checked the D wood feeders this afternoon. At least 2 Willow Tits and a Marsh Tit but no sign of the Nuthatch reported earlier. Also a Blackcap sang briefly.

2 Otters had been seen on North Marsh late morning. Gave it a few minutes but no repeat performance.

For more from Tophill Low NR check here.

Did Swinemoor from Weel Road early evening. Much as yesterday but the pair of Pintail were back and finally caught up with a pair of Little Ringed Plover.

Kumlien’s Gull still at Barmston.

For more sightings in the Hull Valley check here.

Despite the cold Africa Gomez had some insect sightings today.

Weather like, a bit of a false promises day. Started out wearing coat but no hat, by lunchtime had got rid of the coat, however by early evening at Swinemoor it was coat and hat. Forecast is currently colder again first half then possibly milder but with more chance of rain second half. We’ll see.

Spring!

3/4 Went to Welton Waters with Roy on Wednesday morning. Distinctly more spring like today, at least out of the wind. The drake Smew was still on Brough Angling Complex. Initially distant but swam towards us on the river bank and eventually came pretty close though the trees.

Smew-Welton Waters

Wildfowl was generally down with only 50 Gadwall, 50 Tufted Duck and 40 Wigeon.

Went to Tophill Low NR with Martin this afternoon. Roy almost immediately picked up the Black-necked Grebe on D reservoir despite no reports yesterday. The Red-necked Grebe was still on O reservoir but for us distant from both the screen and L-shaped hide. Finally caught up with a pair of Little Ringed Plover on Watton NR as well as a Pink-footed Goose.

Little Ringed Plover-Watton NR

Pink-footed Goose-Watton NR 

Chiffchaff singing and seen by South Marsh West.

Spring at last?

Kumlien’s Gull still at Barmston.

For recent news from Figham Common check here.

For new from Hornsea Mere check here.

Tophill Low NR and Hornsea Mere

16/2 Another mild day so intent on getting out on the bike again, this time High Eske NR. However plans changed on getting home with a message from Martin H that Graham Slack had found a first winter Great Northern Diver at Tophill Low NR. Fighting back sleep with strong coffee I was there mid afternoon. Passed Steve Routledge viewing Lesser Redpolls by the lagoons. Viewed the diver from O reservoir viewing screen. Was distant and looking into the sun but got a few record shots before heading for L-shaped hide, although due to the low water level there was no guarantee it would be on view. However about half way there I saw the diver lift off then flew strongly north.

First winter Great Northern Diver-Tophill Low NR

Texted Martin to watch out for it but I didn’t see it again, although it might have dropped into D reservoir near dark. Continue round the south end. Smew, Pink-footed Goose and Eurasian White-fronted had been seen on Watton NR earlier and Otter yesterday but not for me. However had an early sign of spring with a returning pair of Osytercatcher.

Barn Owl-Watton NR

More from Tophill Low NR on the blog.

Dave Tucker had the Kumlien’s Gull at Barmston today.

17/2 Had a call from Stuart Griffiths, just before setting off this morning, that the Great North Diver was again at Tophill Low NR, now on D reservoir. As John had dipped yesterday we made it our priority. Unfortunately distant at the north end of the reservoir. Headed for Hornsea Mere late morning for another go at the Bittern. Arriving on Kirkholme Point it wasn’t showing so I went with Mandy James to look for Water Rails by the gate. Probably due to the amount of traffic they were being elusive and we only had on and off views of one bird. Going back the Bittern had been seen but was in cover and never had the sort of views other had had recently.

Greater Bittern-Hornsea Mere

The Black-necked Grebe had been seen earlier off 2nd field.

Back at Tophill Low NR the diver was now close from the car park hide so improved on my pictures from yesterday.

First winter Great Northern Diver-Tophill Low NR

Also picked out the drake Scaup and the “Lesser Scaup” hybrid. Headed south and had the redhead Smew and Pink-footed Goose on Watton NR.

Pink-footed Goose-Watton NR

Had a look for Woodcock from the wildlife centre late afternoon but no sign. More from Martin here. Also check Wild at Hull.

Kumlien’s Gull still at Barmston.

David Bowes had the 8 Bewick’s and 11 Whooper Swans on Arram Carrs this afternoon. The site is drying out quickly.

A Great Northern Diver was seen by Eric Clubley, just outside the HVWG area, at Broomfleet Tile Works on 11-13 February at least.This is a private site.  Seems likely the same bird.