I've spent pretty much all week surveying on the Humber - at various sites, and on both sides - and while the wind has been unrelenting, there have been various spring-themed reasons to be cheerful.
The changeover of shorebirds through the season is always a joy, and fascinating - for example, a few weeks ago, Lapwings were by far the most numerous species at Killingholme (see here), and now they're almost absent; ditto Golden Plovers over on the north bank at Saltend. But as some species ebb away, others hit their peak, and this week,
Avocets (above and below) have taken centre stage.
While a couple of hundred on the south side a few days ago was a good but expected count for the time of year, a mammoth 378 at Saltend on the north side yesterday was exceptional, and could be one of the highest counts ever for Yorkshire.
Other encouraging signs of the season have included the first few butterflies (including Small Tortoiseshell, pictured), and this
Marsh Harrier, which I picked up from Paull as it battled over the river northbound, eventually coming in straight over my head and gunning north.
Work is full-on these days (in all the right ways), and so doorstep activities continue to be very limited, but surveying across various sites continues at full pace - more to follow.
Dunlins and dogwalker
Teal (above) and Wigeon (below) feeding on the tideline
Curlews on the move in front of the Humber Bridge
Small Tort in the sunshine
