RSPB Saltholme

Spent the weekend in the Hartlepool area and whilst there visited the new RSPB site. I was suitably impressed even though it was very cold and windy. A nice visitor centre with friendly staff, some good walks around the site and an adventure playpark for the kids. Lots of birds to see, highlights for me were the Yellow Wagtail, Curlew Sandpiper & Little Stint, all new for the year taking the total to 105

One down

Eldest son got married, that's Joe in the middle. Any offers for the other 2?

More bird news

This is Harry sat in an Osprey's nest, took us ages to get him up there! Whilst on our travels I have also seen Barnacle Geese and Whinchat taking the yearly total to 102.

Bird list update

I know, I know, I'm really sorry, but anyway, the bird list, at the last count was 95. Since then I have visited Bempton Cliffs again and seen a Puffin, a Guillemot and a Kittiwake which takes me to 98. At the beginning of August we all went to Wales for a week where I saw a Jay (99) and I am pleased to announce that bird number 100 was an Osprey. The caterpillar in the picture was taken at Conway RSPB site, Harry particularly liked it as it is in Hull City colours.

Old pier

The old pier isn't used anymore, except by the Cormorants

Intriuging

If you walk along the banks of the Humber from the city centre towards the ferry terminals you will come across this wreck. It has been there as long as I remember (which is a very long time!) I am always intrigued as to the history of the boat, what it was used for, who owned it, how old is it etc.

Surprise!

I took this photo of what I thought was a Razorbill, and didn't realise until I downloaded it that there was a Puffin there as well (2 if you look very carefully)

Into the caves

We arrived at low tide giving us plenty of time to explore the caves.

Flamborough

Anybody want to go and explore those caves?

Lime Hawk-Moth

It's not every day you see one of these, so 2 is a treat. Apologies for the absence, many reasons, one of which was having my internet account suspended for being a naughty boy!

Head Gear

Nice headgear, but you couldn't wear a hat with it.

Hide & Seek

Katie & Harry found this tree at Forbidden Corner

Pond Life

I had a new visitor from blogland called moosh, who has recently posted a photo of a Tree Frog. Sadly we don't get Tree Frogs round these parts so you'll have to make do with this chap who was hanging around our garden pond.

Whilst away at the weekend I saw a Lesser Black Backed Gull, a Red Breasted Merganser, a Little Owl and a Wheatear, taking the years total to 95. The bird above is a Snipe conveniently posing on a dry stone wall near Muker.

Wierd Weddings

This is me outside the Tan Hill Pub, Britain's highest pub. Whilst in the pub, enjoying a pint, we witnessed a couple getting married, they had 2 lambs as bridesmaids, this was one of them. It takes all sorts.

91

I took a photo of a Shelduck, which I have already seen this year, but unbeknown to me at the time, a Housemartin sneaked into the picture (top right) and became bird number 91 for the year.

GLASVEGAS--LONESOME SWAN

It's been a while since I shared music with you, so here goes.

Lonesome Swan

Actually, not lonesome at all, but I couldn't resist the Glasvegas link. Spotted this fella at Filey Dams on Saturday.

Foxy Foxy

You might have to look closely to see it, but it's definitely a fox, spotted yesterday at Filey Dams. Click on the photo for a better view.

Mixed Feelings

We had a fox in the garden this morning, which was great to see, however it was trying to get into the tortoises house, which is not so good. The tortoise, in case you were wondering, was none the worse for his ordeal, I guess he just went into his house within his house. Apologies to those of you who would've rather seen a photo of a fox.

Bird update

Great news on the bird front, we had a Greater Spotted Woodpecker on our home made fat feeders in the garden this morning. Let's hope he comes back for more. Alos saw my first Swift of the year yesterday taking the years total to 90.

Asymmetry

Harry and wifey mess with the asymmetry of the photo!

Waterfalls

2 waterfalls from our recent trip to the Dales. The 1st one is in the beuatiful village of Clapham and the second one was just up the road from where we were staying.

More Birds

2 birds seen on our recemt trip to the Dales. Top is a Bullfinch and below is a Little Crested Grebe.

Alternative view

An alternative view from Castle Bolton

Castle Bolton

If you look at the right hand window at the top of the left hand tower you will see the window that I took the other photo from. Got that?

Having Fun

Dippers

Dippers as promised, apologies for the delay.

Been away

This is the view from the door of our cottage. We've been away in the Yorkshire Dales, just near a place called Keld. New birds for the year were: Bullfinch, Snipe, Skylark, Little Egret, Swallow, Sand Martin, Ring Ouzel, Dipper & Red Grouse, taking the years total to 89. Pictures of the Dipper will follow.

Bazza hits 80

A Stock Dove, not very exciting I know, but number 80 came along in my mothers back garden. Tomorrow I go to a place where I hope to add to this years list, more in a few days.

Something in the air

Every one of the Peacocks at East Park was displaying today, except for one, maybe he bats for the other side, or perhaps he just needs a bit of Viagra!

It's a Grey Wagtail and it's number 79 for the year.

Easter Bonnet Parade

The kids school gave us 24 hours notice that there was to be an easter bonnet parade, Tina has insisted that I tell you she worked wonders, all you have to do is let me know who the winner is.

Hornsea

A lovely sunny day at Hornsea today, venue chosen by Harry because he wanted to dig holes in the sand. Also found a pink footed goose at Hornsea Mere taking the years total to 78.

Hard man

The following story appeared in today's Hull Daily Mail:

Man assaulted and hit by car
Friday, March 27, 2009, 18:20
A Hull man was allegedly assaulted and hit by a 4x4 in Holderness Road, east Hull.
The 36-year-old Hull man was near the Boyes store yesterday at 3.16pm when a Mitsubishi 4x4 pulled up beside him and a man got out of the car and assaulted him.
The victim tried to run off but the car was driven into him.
He suffered a broken ankle and cuts to the head, but did not need medical treatment.

The last line intrigued me, a broken ankle, but did not need medical treatment, that's impressive.

Wheeldale Moor

Popped up to Wheeldale Moor at the weekend, very cold, but the journey yielded 2 new birds. A Red Kite (magnificent) and a Curlew taking the yearly total to 78. Cancel that I've already had a Curlew, make that 77.

Future Star?

Harry has started football training, he enjoys it and I hope he continues to do so. I am not particularly competitive, so will never be one of the Dad's on the sidelines screaming at their kids. What surprised me at Harry's first training session was 5 year olds feigning injury as well as the over elaborate goal celebrations!

2 more

A much better view of a Barn Owl than last week and an orangey hued Greater Spotted Woodpecker (maybe we should call it a Ginger Woodpecker!), I also saw a couple of Common Buzzards taking the yearly total to 76.

Not just any old Sparrow

End of the rainbow?

Spotted in the local park today.

Tophill Low

Visited Tophill Low today with Katie & Harry and were treated to several good views of a Barn Owl (actually saw at least 2 different ones). New birds for the year included Gadwall, Red Legged Partridge and Great Black Backed Gull taking the total to 74. Could've been more, but unfortunately Katie and Harry get restless after 10 minutes or so in a hide (bless 'em).

Turnstones

A pair of fighting Turnstones or are they just getting frisky? I saw bird number 71 today, a Common Sandpiper on the mud banks of the River Hull

Bridlington

Whilst at Brid on Sunday we spotted this Herring Gull and Turnstones helping themselves to a free meal of Red Sea Bream. If you look closely you will see that all the fish have been filletted, hence no angry fisherman chasing them off!

Bempton

Today we went to Bempton were we saw Gannets (Pictured) Razorbills (pictured) and Fulmars taking our total for the year to 70.

I've probably mentioned this before, but if you click on the pictures they go big!, I recommend it for the Gannets.

York

We went to York today, I'm always drawn to the Minster, it's one of those buildings you never tire of looking at.