On 4th June I cycled from Ilkley to Hull, a total of 95 miles via the back roads. The first 55 miles were fine, but after Pocklington the undulating terrain of the Yorkshire Wolds took its toll on me! I arrived at Janet's house totally exhausted!
It was nice to have a catch up & the very next morning I was off again cycling the 26 miles to Kilnsea, next to Spurn. There was a bit of a head wind, so the going was quite tough. I was staying the next few nights at Ian & Sharon's house. They made me feel very welcome & I had a wonderful stay.
Brown Hare
The excellent hide overlooking the wetlands.
Little Egret
Up to 9 birds present on the wetlands.
Dark bellied Brent Goose, this one is
over summering.
Peregrine over the wetlands.
Mute Swan with cygnet.
European Oystercatcher
Pied Avocet
At least six pairs breeding here.
Chick
Black headed Gull
Ringed Plover
Pied Wagtail
Juvenile
Yellow Wagtail
European Skylark
Male Reed Bunting
Female
European Starling
Mick Turton, who helps warden the breeding
Little Terns.
Little Terns
Around 70 birds present, but only four nests so far.
Humber Estuary, looking from the Crown.
Places to see in Holderness.
And after you leave!
Saltmarsh on the Humber.
Roe Deer feeding on the saltmarsh.
Short eared Owl
Brilliant bird!
The Warren Cottage
Heliogoland Trap at The Warren
Ian & others at Numpties watch point.
Looking south along the point.
Princess Quay in Hull.
Nicci, having a beer
or needing a beer!
Nicci & Janet
Janet, me, Nicci & the kids.
Still delivering in the old way in Tadcaster.
Janet & an exhausted me!
Where I stayed: bit of a problem with
the local YWT!
Me after my cycle in Ian &
Sharon's garden.
Looking towards Beacon Ponds.
Kilnsea Wetlands
over summering.
Kilnesea Wetlands provided a few species throughout my stay:
Dark bellied Brent Goose; Peregrine; Common Buzzard; Marsh Harrier; up to 15 Pied Avocet; 4 Wigeon; 12 Gadwall; 8 Common Teal; 3 Curlew Sandpiper; 1 Little Stint; Little Gull & up to 57 Sandwich Terns.
Little Terns.
Did quite a bit of watching from Numpties, over the few days I was here. No visible migration as mainly northerly winds, enough passing over the sea to keep one interested.
Best were:
Up to 10 Red throated Diver each day; 6 Manx Shearwater; 8 Fulmar; 1 Arctic Skua; 1 Great Skua most days; up to 25 Common Scoter each day; 3 red breasted Merganser; 100+ Gannet each day; 25+ Kittiwake; 100+ mix of Razorbill & Guillemot + a couple of Puffins.
or needing a beer!
I cycled back to Hull on Saturday 9th June & met up with Nicci; Janet & the grand kids for an evening on the town. I left for Ilkley the next afternoon.
