Bitterly Cold on the Sea Wall

Keen to see wether access was back along the sea wall at Novartis Ings, after dropping Heather off at the station, I went to have a look. I had hoped to access the sea wall from near the dock but the beginning of the footpath was not in evidence, perhaps blocked off. Instead I drove to the old Novartis plant but the security personel who normally open the barrier appeared not to be there. Twice thwarted I parked the car and walked along the track past The Ings and onto the sea wall. It was only 4C, overcast and drizzling and in the brisk easterly wind, bitterly cold. When I arrived at the sea wall it was blocked between there and the dock; presumably why I couldn't find the start of the path. There were large numbers of shelduck, redshank and dunli and in the distance a large flock of lapwing and beyond them, on the tideline black-tailed godwit were present. The ings were quiet apart from gulls, wigeon, a lone little egret and plenty of gulls. Despite the miserable conditions I saw 24 species.

Photos are from the archive and taken in much more pleasant weather.

 

Humber Bank

Humber Bank

Golden Plover

Novartis Ings

Novartis Ings from the hide

Colour Ringed Black-tailed Godwit on the Humber Bank

 A rare dry day today and high tide (although a neap one) tempted me to a couple of hours at Novartis Ings and on the Humber Bank. 27 species were seen including a very loud cetti's warlbler and again a very large flock of golden plover; this time up by the dock wall. There were large numbers of waders about, mainly redshank, dunlin and black-tailed godwit. On examining the only (poor photograph) I took, I was surprised to see a colour ringed godwit in the top right of the image. Posting the photograph on X has provided the response that it is a bird first ringed on the Wash in 2010.

Novartis Ings and the Humber Bank

 Making the most of a trip to the tip, I decided to visit Novartis Ings and the Humber Bank. Although overcast and cold (7C) the sky cleared during the afternoon to give wonderful light. I was pleased to find the hide open (apparently from 8.30 - 2.30) and if it is closed viewing stations have been created in the fence - excellent.) as the tide was out there was not a lot to see on the Ings but there was plenty of wader activity on the Humber mud. I saw 28 bird species the highlight being a huge flock of golden plover which at one point wheeled into the air before settling to roost again, a magnificent sight.

Novartis Ings

Novartis Ings

A large flock of golden plover on the Humber mud.

Looking towards Immingham

Grimsby dock tower in the distance.

Novartis Ings

 A late afternoon walk today both to take Jet out and explore the new Novartis Ings wader roost site.  We were luck with the weather: mild at 14C with sunny intervals and fairly still.  Lucky with the tide too as it was approaching high tide and birds were being washed off the mud flats and and settling on the new roost site.  This is located where I expected but has now had scrapes excavated separated by banks, some of which will be chalk gravel while some will be grass, this providing birds with a variety of terrain for roosting and breeding.  We had an joyable walk with 21 species observed.  The site is fenced off but can be viewed from the boundary, especially the sea wall, although if it is an evening tide and a clear day one is looking straight into the sun.  A morning itde or cloud would be preferable.