Three Cemetery Wanders

 Three walks around the cemetery and woodland burial ground. It always amazes me that neary as soon as I turn down the approach drive towards the cemetery gates the traffic noise from Scartho Road diminshes and once in the cemetery is gone completely. A few weeks ago I chatted to two people carrying out a tree survey and looking for and marking diseased trees. These are now being removed and on week days it is busy with the sound of chainsaws rather than traffic. It is a quiet time in the cemetery for birds and most other wildlife. There are a few fungi about, however, and next year's hazel catkins and flowers are already formed and growing.

Shaggy Scalycap

Shaggy Scalycap

Shaggy Scalycap

Shaggy Scalycap

Hazel catkins

The PreChristmas Trip. 3rd - 6th December

 Tuesday 3rd

Up early today and Mia delivered to the cattery while I loaded the car. We were away on time at 10.00am, the journey went well and we met up with Peter and Linda at Boggle Hole at 12.30. It felt cold at 5C but it was pleasant and sunny. We were down on the beach by 1.00 but even so the tide was well in necessitating a paddle (and a wet foot as my wellies appear to have perished!!! :(  ) It was pleasant to sit on the beach for lunch of tomato soup with fu;l oil slick and Christmas cake. (We have found yet another piece of last years!!). We managed to get to Bay Town just ahead of the tide enjoying a festive hot chocolate in the old chapel. We had enjoyed lovely views of foraging turnstones on the beach and on the way back along the cliff top were lucky enough to have superb close views of a pair of barn owls hunting in the gathering dusk.

It was a quick drive to Whitby and our appartment on the Crescent up on West Cliff. Peter and I have very happy memories of our first stay here with mum and day 65 years ago. It was, of course beer o'clock while we relived some of the memories.

Wednesday 4th

We woke to a cold and clear morning after overnight rain. Breakfast over, we drove to Sandsend where we parked t our usual spot at Wits End. While Heather and Linda walk along the beach to the village, Peter and I tried yet again to get along the beach and around the headland to a prime folssiling location, normally reached by a very steep path and precipitous steps from the old railway line. We were optimistic today as it was at the bottom of a very low tide. Yet again, however, we were thwarted. Later we were told that it isn't possible. We were pleased to see some rock pipits and a fulmar, however.

Returning to the car park we started out along the old railway, part of the Cleveland Way, to mee H&L. On the way we chatted to some fossil hunters who had been down the steps. Once regrouped and back at the cars we continued to Staithes. Both here and at Sandsend there were a lot of expert looking surfers who said that conditions were perfect. I was certailny impressed watching them. Back in Whitby we wandered down into the town and reconvened at the excellent Black Horse in the old town. An fine hostelry and a fitting end to an excellent day.

                                       

Thursday 5th December

A lazy start for H and myself today and we wandered down into the town at 11.00 all meeting up at Hammonds Jewellers at the bottom of the Abbey Steps for lunch. Sadly there were no crab sandwiches.

During the drive over the moors to Danby Lodge Moors centre we were impressed by the sight of large flocks of lapwings wheeling over the fields. The Moors Centre, as awlays was interesting and on the way back we were delighted to have incredibly close views of a hunting barn owl that didn't seem pahsed by the car at all. Where is the big lens when it's needed.

Tea this evening was fish and chips at the Magpie. A smashing end to a great few days.

Cold and Damp around the Burial Ground.

After overnight snow and rain it was good to get out into the cemetery and woodland burial ground. Despite being overcast and cold there was still plenty of colour with a few fungi. Again quiet on the bird front with only 12 species, the best being a goldcrest and a sparrowhawk which exploded out of the hedge next to me and sped down the woodland burial ground ride, panicing all the small birds as it went with a blackbird being very vociferous in its disapproval.

 

Freshney Birding

 Although still testing positive for Covid (faintly) but feeling much better I took the opportunity of a beautiful day to go for a self-isolating walk along the Freshney. Although lovely and very sunny weather it was definitely colder than of late and frost and snow are forecast for later in the week. I would doubt that we shall get snow, though. Things were very quiet on the bird front despite seeing 21 species and I was surprised to find a common darter still on the wing, obviously surviving due to the mild autumn. We met up with a photography friend, Alan Greensmith  and he agreed that things were very quiet here and also at Far Ings where he is a volunteer warden. It was good to catch up. The fallen tree that has completely blocked the path for the last few years has finally been cleared away, so it was pleasant to be able to complete a proper round walk.

Common darter

Common darter

Cormorant

Cormorant

Dunnock

Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Family Meet Up at Frampton RSPB Reserve

 A meet up with Malcolm and Maureen today as Frampton is about half way between us. The usual ritual of coffee was indulged in and then we went for a wander around the reserve, walking as far as the sea wall and then back to the 360 Hide and the Reedbed Hide. Although we didn't see quite as many species as normal, it was a good day with 31. Flocks of golden plover and lapwings numbering into 4 figures cointinually took to the air, whirling in graceful and complicated patterns. Similar flocks of brent geese came and went like V bomber squadrons, grumbling gruffly amongst themselves. Later a flight of whooper swans flew across towards the Witham. The usual stonechats did their normal thing of sitiing up on fence posts and then flitting just ahead of us. It was good to see marsh harrier hunting at the beginning and end of the day. I was also pleased to see both red kite and buzzard at West Ashby, near Horncastle, on the way.

Dunlin

Golden plover

Snipe

Stonechat

Whooper Swan

Wigeon

Wigeon

Autumn in the cemetery

 Having been to see the Illegal Eagles on Saturday and been moved by thier last song Last Resort, I looked up the lyrics and read what Don Henley and Glenn Fry were trying to portray when they wrote it as long ago as 1976: the self destruction of a nation where industry and commerce destroy beautiful places. I find it especially poignant with the election of the new president.

In order to soothe my soul somewhat, I went for an autumn walk around the cemetery and woodland burial ground. Although the usual overcast prevailed, it was flat calm and still and autumn leaves fell from the trees like sporadic rain. Just beautiful. Autumn keeps on giving this year. I was struck by just how much the colours of the leaves I brought home match that of the autumn weaving I am engaged in.