The bright sunny skies tempted me out for a walk along the River Hull to the lake at Eske this morning. However, the brisk wind had a cold feel to it and with some trees beginning to change colour there was a real feel of autumn.

Unfortunately, this did not really extend to the birds. Autumn is a time of expectation for birdwatchers but quite frankly I always find it rather disappointing as I am not really into chasing around after rarities. Today was a typical autumn day for me, with few birds of interest.

The most interesting bird turned up on my walk up to the lake with a female Wheatear flushing from the grassy track. Plenty of Swallows and House Martins were flying around over the river catching insects – their last feed before migration? The only other interesting species on the walk to the lake was a Yellowhammer in an advanced state of moult. On the grassy bank I found a dead Woodpigeon that looked like it had been destined to be something’s dinner, but the feast had been cancelled due to the diner being scared off.

At the lake very little out of the ordinary was to be found, just Greylag Geese, 10 Great Crested Grebes, 13 Coot, 15 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 24 Mallard, just 2 Tufted Ducks, 1 male Teal and a female Goldeneye. In willow trees at the north end of the lake a Whitethroat was flitting around, showing off its fresh plumage.

Ploughed fields to the north of the lake held good numbers of Lapwings and Starlings along with Rooks and Black-headed Gulls. Whilst I was soaking up the sunshine in a spot sheltered from the wind 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew overhead, one adult and one second winter.

Heading back I added Kingfisher and Cormorant to the list at the lake and 2 Meadow Pipits flew overhead along with a Pied Wagtail – possibly a small migrating group. Someway back a Snipe flew south along the river and a Kestrel was hunting overhead as the weather became worse, buildling for rain which came later.