Finding the One Ring [ouzel]

It was very quiet when we started off on a cold hill in Holderness on Friday morning. We left the car park and climbing down the hill saw a Red-legged Partridge on the veranda of a permanent caravan. We walked round the north lake, and only saw a Great Grested Grebe, a Moorhen and heard a Blackcap. The walk up between the 2 lakes produced better views of a Blackcap, and at the top of the hill we found another and a singing Goldfinch.

Female Ring Ouzel

 Lesser Whitethroat

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A few Reed Warblers could be heard singing from the Path of Brian, but the star bird here on the outward trip was a Lesser Whitethroat, which we saw well in the open for a few minutes. Aileen found a Reed Bunting, but this gave even better views on the return journey. We saw a Kestrel catch and carry away a vole, and a few minutes later a pair were soaring on a thermal right above us. From here we climbed where the 1970s landfill had been to look for something a little different. There were many distant Blackbirds in the rough field, and on careful examination one of them proved to be a female Ring Ouzel. I crept a little closer for a better photo, while the group remained by the tractor and found 3 Wheatears. There was also some young Song Thrushes and a Whitethroat in the general area. Unfortunately, there were no Sedge Warblers yet at all.  

Reed Bunting

 Reed Warbler

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 Song Thrush

 Ring Ouzel

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 Willow Warbler

We climbed along the edge of South Lake and saw Linnets and a Willow Warbler (on the way back). We neared the water and were almost deafened by the whistle of a Kingfisher which flew directly just overhead towards South Lake. From a platform we saw a Heron on a nest, and another Great Crested Grebe.  

Whitethroat

When we reached the drain along the old railway line we could hear a Sedge Warbler but the chill wind was very cutting here, so we ventured down the railway line instead. A pair of concealed Bullfinches were virtually the only new additions here. We had the best view of the day of a Common Whitethroat, but otherwise there were many fewer warblers in the hedgerows than we'd usually expect. 

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Although we didn't see the density of wildlife we normally expect at this time of year, those who'd never visited before were impressed with the site, and next year I must make a note to ensure we visit later in May.