Brian and I drove down Marsh Lane towards Winter's Pit and the Humber Bank full of anticipation. There had been reports of 19 russian white-fronted geese on the fields but we were to be disappointed; either they had moved or we missed them. Once parked up, however, we set off down the track at the back of East Halton Marsh. This is mitigation land, set aside for nature to mitigate for land taken up with industry in recent years. There are other mitigation sites at Cress Marsh in Stallingborough and Novartis Ings on the Humber Bank closer to Grimsby. Owing to the wet weather of late much of the marsh was flooded and this was enjoyed by the large numbers of wildfowl and waders present. Personal highlights were the beautiful teal and handsome wigeon. The call of the wigeon as its whistle echoes over the flooded meadows raises the hairs on the back of my neck as does the plaintif call of the curlew. The very large number of lapwings was encouraging as their numbers have fallen over recent years, although many of these birds will be winter visitors. We enjoyed watching a kestrel as it hovered, balancing on the wind as it hunted for food on the flooded marsh below.
On reaching Skitter Beck we continued alon the river bank for half a mile or so and were rewarded with wonderful views of marsh harrier as it patrolled with a low, leisurely flight over the saltmarsh. These raptors have become more common over recent years. I remember having to travel to Minsmere RSPB reserve for the first time to see them. Reed bed specialists, they now breed locally at Far Ings near Barton-on Humber.
Making our way back to the Skitter we stopped for lunch of tinned tomato soup (the ultimate comfort food) and Christmas cake. As we ate we enjoyed excellent views of the very large flock of lapwings along with mixed flocks of dunlin and knot. Redshank were present in good numbers, their high piping call at the approach of possible danger earning them the reputation of sentinel of the marsh. The avocets were present in their usual location, busily sweeping their upcurved bills through the shallow water and mud as they filtered out tiny morsels of food. It always gives me a thrill when large flocks of waders take to the air wheeling and twisting through the air, showing first their dark backs and then pale underparts, appearing dark and silver in turn.
Soon we were back at the car having enjoyed almost 40 bird species as well a brown hair and roe deer. An excellent first day of birding in 2023.
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All images are marsh harrier from April 2010, taken from a public hide.
