19/1/14 Hornsea Mere and Tophill Low NR

Sunday found me in what is becoming my second home, with RL and JH, in Hornsea Mere HVWG hide. Again it was raining heavily so there wasn’t much alternative. For a change all the female Greater Scaup were fairly close, in front the hide, although the two drakes remained distant, to the east of the hide. This gave us the chance of getting better photos although the light wasn’t good.

Female Greater Scaup

Managed nine birds in total, equalling the maximum seen so far this winter. Also had a Great White Egret flying from Kirkholme Point towards Decoy Bay. Only one has been seen recently and even it has often been elusive [see here]. The missing bird may have gone on tour {see here}. No sign of the regular Velvet Scoter or more elusive Long-tailed Duck although both were reported yesterday. Went round to Kirkholme Point but only added the resident and very pushy Black Swan.

Black Swan

Went to Tophill Low NR this afternoon. Checked Fosse Hill Pond on the way but no gulls due to a jet-ski.

At Tophill Low NR headed to D Wood feeders for brown tits but only had Marsh for definite but had the bonus of a Lesser Redpoll feeding for several minutes on seed-heads by the pond.

Lesser Redpoll

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Moved on to Hempholme Meadows for the Eurasian White-fronted Goose.

Eurasian White-fronted Goose

Ended the day in D reservoir middle hide but, probably due the settled weather, the gulls were disappointing with no white-winger, not even Mediterranean Gull [see 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.

More Waxwings and a few more things.

12/12 64 Waxwings still on Anlaby Road, Hull this morning.

Ringtail Hen Harrier over Swinemoor this afternoon.

Red-throated Diver and female Common Scoter still at Welton Waters late afternoon on watersports pit as well as 2 Scaup and a Waxwing flew over.

For more recent Tophill Low NR Otter pictures including today’s click here

Lesser Redpoll-Tophill Low NR-R.Lyon.

13/12 80+ Waxwings still on Anlaby Road, Hull this morning feeding in the central reservation opposite Eastfield School.

Waxwings-Anlaby Road,Hull-M.Lonsdale.

14/12 Went out with Roy and Martin L late Friday morning. Headed to Hornsea Mere but the wind was too bad to sit in the hide so went to Tophill Low NR and spent the rest of the afternoon in the hides over looking D reservoir. Roy checked O reservoir at dusk. Total gulls counts were 13000 Black-headed Gull, 26000 Common Gull, 560 Herring Gull and 1140 Great Black-backed Gull.

For more recent Hull Valley sightings click here.

Back where I belong.

20/10 Saturday late morning finally managed to drag myself to High Eske. First thing I notice at Eske Manor was a Migrant Hawker still on the wing having not seen any Odonata in Cornwall last week. Managed another 3 in the area. The redhead Smew I’d previously seen at dusk on Wednesday 10/10 [found by E.Clubley] was still on the pit and Wigeon had increased to >80.

Redhead Smew with Little Grebe.

The Highland Cattle were still grazing Pulfin NR.

Conservation graving herd of Highland Cattle on Pulfin NR.

Must have had a lot of rain last week as the flash on Leven Carrs was too deep to bother looking for waders, however had a Jay flying south. There appears to have been a national influx of Jays but they do breed locally so whether this and those seen at Tophill Low NR are immigrants or resident is hard to say.

Jay at Tophill Low NR 9/10/12.

Back at the NR had a Lesser Redpoll in the willows and first winter Mediterranean Gull briefly.

Lesser Redpolls N.of High Eske NR 2/10/12

21/10 Went to Tophill Low NR with John on Sunday morning. Thick fog so decide to walk north through D woods hoping for migrants {Yellow-browed Warbler claimed last week}. Fairly quiet but Willow Tit[s] showing well on the feeders but as usual didn’t pose for it’s portrait. The fog was so bad even the Belted Galloways on Hempholme Meadows were elusive.

Belted Galloways on Hempholme Meadows.

Had a lone Migrant Hawker near East Pond.

The mist lifted briefly to allow John to find an adult Mediterranean Gull on D res late afternoon but then rolled in again so gave up early.

22/10 Raining! Chance to catch up with a few things but will try to get to North Cave Wetlands, if it stops briefly, to look for Jack Snipe.

Nearing the end of the moth trapping season. Had 2 new moths early this moth with Green-brindled Crescent on 2/10 and Blair’s Shoulder-knot on 9/10.

Green-brindled Crescent

Blair’s Shoulder-knot

Although I had a few frustrating views in Cornwall, likely Vapourer and Silver-y, didn’t see anything well enough to ID and none were attracted to the lights of the caravan park. Fellow Cottingham moth-trapper Andy Nun had a few last week but I had a blank night on Saturday. My last trapping last year was 29/10 s0 with colder weather  forecast later this week I may not bother again until spring.