Fox in the frost

There was a hard frost overnight so the moors and fields were white this morning. As I looked out of the back window at about 09:30 I saw a fox walking through the field. They normally run through but this one was struggling and limping very badly. It also had a dark mark or scar on its muzzle.

Sanderling at Hornsea

The usual morning walk brought an unexpected sight - 4 Sanderling on the beach!!

This is the first time I've seen Sanderling at Hornsea, but then again this is the first time I've been there in winter :-)

Walk to Gaddings Dam

Took the opportunity to walk to Gaddings Dam as it wasn't raining, hailing or snowing for a change! It was windy but as the sun was shining the weather was too good to miss.

At Lee Dam there were 7 Goosander, 5 Teal and a female Goldeneye. Lots of Long-tailed Tits, Great Tits and Blue Tits were in the hawthorns along with a few Goldfinches.

The moors were very wet underfoot and although I looked forward to seeing what birds may be at Gaddings (none as it turned out) the view over towards Stoodley Pike and a large mass of lenticular clouds proved to be the day's highlight:

Stoodley Pike

Stoodley Pike gets a dusting of snow -

and is shrouded in mystery (well, in mist anyway)

Squirrel and Lumbutts Water Tower

A walk through Lumbutts on a sunny morning and a nice view of Stoodley Pike behind the Lumbutts Water Tower. This local feature is a bit different because the tower held 3 water wheels, each mounted vertically one above the other and water was fed onto them from above. I'm still researching how the water got above them as the three mill dams are at ground level.

 In the garden, a squirrel managed to get into the pigeon-proof bird feeder. Good job we don't get many squirrels in the garden or the food wouldn't last long.

Recent pics

Last Wednesday I managed to see a Desert Wheatear for the first time. A visit to Bempton Cliffs RSPB in blustery but sunny conditions was rewarded with great views of this smashing bird:

 

 The following morning I went over to Hornsea Mere to try and catch up with the Smew that had been reported recently on BirdGuides, but no luck. However, 2 Snow Buntings flew in and one of them stayed on the shore by the boat launching jetties for about 5 minutes, feeding in the gravel. 

 

CD Rock Carving

As I was walking over the hills to the North of Stoodley Pike I came across this carving in the rock in a small quarry. It has been done quite recently because the stone hasn't had time to discolour. I wonder who CD is? Quite nice though.

A walk to Gaddings Dam

It's been a while since I visited Gaddings so I walked up there this morning to see what was about. Although it was raining when I set off, it soon stopped and the calm day made for pleasant walking conditions. I made my way through Mankinholes and Lumbutts, past Longfield Dam and up the Pennine Bridleway to Gaddings. The highlight of the walk was undoubtedly the Golden Plovers at Gaddings. They were on the South East side on the shore line and I'd taken out my camera to get a photo but then the battery died on me! By the time I'd changed it they had taken off.

Mankinholes

Long Tailed Tit – 7

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Treecreeper

Little Owl in usual place

Kestrel

Lumbutts

Goldcrest – 5 in the church yard

Longfield Dam

Black-headed Gull – 34

Common Gull – 2 (1^st winter)

Lapwing – 10

Canada Goose - 19

Gaddings Dam

Goldeneye – 4 (1 x ♂ 3 x ♀)

Tufted Duck ♂

Golden Plover – 20 on South East shore

Red Grouse – 2

Raven -2 flying over

Above are the 20 Golden Plover after they had taken off!!!