Lime Hawk Moth
On Tuesday we were on the edge of Beverley walking south along the River Hull doing a circular walk along common land. Cattle and horses are still put out to pasture on the flood meadows, but the areas of water also attract migrant waders who refuel there at this time of year on their way to breed in the Arctic circle. We started out with Rooks and Starlings on rooftops, then when walking on the riverbank there were Sedge Warblers in the reeds and then dozens of Swifts screaming over our heads. Oystercatchers also flew over us, usually in pairs. On the return journey we could see an immature Heron and more distant waders including Greenshank and Wood Sandpipers, which were new to most ‘students.’ It was a tiring walk, but quite rewarding.
Rook
On Wednesday we headed in the Scunthorpe direction once again. It was a little warmer than our last visit. It was actually warm when the sun came out but mostly it was overcast in a cool northerly wind. 5 years ago prolonged views of Cuckoos were de rigeur at this location. From the car park I heard a distant Cuckoo above all the chatter in the car park, and then a few minutes later one flew East just skirting the wires of the pylon. There were no further signs during the day, although we possibly heard a short bust of a female bubbling later. In the afternoon the unseen Cuckoo was replaced by a Green Woodpecker, which was seen by everyone, but I didn’t manage to photograph it. The Common Terns were on their raft and there was a Great Crested Grebe at the back of the water.
Drake Pochard
We made our usual walk, which seemed quieter than normal. When we reached the main lake there were quite a few Sand Martins skimming the surface with just 2 House Martins and a single Swallow. On the water itself there was a Pochard, Tufted Ducks, Shoveler, Shelduck and a few Great Crested Grebes. One of these flew over the water, a sight you don’t see every day.
Pochard
On Thursday we made a circular walk around a Pocklington Wood. There was most activity around the car park including a Garden Warbler, a Treecreeper and a Whitethroat. We walked along the woodland path and heard another Garden Warbler, and then 2 Blackcaps duetting against each other.
On Friday we walked along a local and neglected canal. Immediately it was apparent that there were many more Sedge Warblers, although they wouldn't let themselves be photographed, unlike an atypical confiding Reed Warbler. There was a Yellowhammer, Reed Buntings, a smattering of different warblers and flyovers provided by Herons, Little Egrets and Swallows. However, there was no doubt that the star of the show was the much-delayed male Cuckoo.
Reed Bunting
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