OTHER WILDLIFE
BEING SO CLOSE to the Humber, freshwater is a magnet to draw birds from salt water and the current list is amazing. Black-headed Gulls here can protect other birds from predators like Marsh Harriers, which move through the area and breed elsewhere. Mediterranean Gull is a recent breeding bird and Avocets are doing well here. Gravel pits are famous for Little Ringed Plover and here we have them breeding along with Lapwing and Redshank. Passing waders include Ruff, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Wood, Common and Green Sandpipers, Little and Temminck’s Stints, Whimbrel and even a Red-necked Phalarope. Passing duck have included Common Scoter, Greenwinged Teal, American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck and Smew. About 500 pairs of Sand Martin breed around the quarries which attract Hobby in summer. Other raptors seen in the area include Buzzard (right), Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Hen and Montagu’s Harrier, so keep a look out for them. Brown Argus Butterfly is worth looking for as well as Emperor Dragonfly in summer