Why ducks are appearing in strange places in Hull

Ducks have been seen in the likes of Whitefriargate, Trinity Market and the Avenues

James Campbell

10:54, 25 MAY 2019

It appears more and more ducks are making their homes in rather strange places in Hull.

A pair of ducks are securing celebrity status after becoming a regular feature in bustling Whitefriargate while whole new populations are creating a stir in streets, such as the Avenues in west Hull.

These birds are no strangers to the city’s parks and ponds but it seems some are being forced out to rather unusual new homes.

The majority of these urban ducks are mallards and have been spotted around Trinity Square, Paragon Square, Jameson Street and Whitefriargate, as well as residential streets across the city.

Outer Humber officer for the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Andrew Gibson knows all about the animals and birds which make Hull their home.

“There is probably overpopulation in some of Hull’s parks which is forcing some of the ducks to find other places,” he said.

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The unlikely location a flock of rare waxwings have taken roost in Hull

They've given Spurn Point a miss

Dan Kemp

18:46, 8 JAN 2019

When you think of birdwatching, you would imagine people dressed from head to toe in camouflage, staking out in the middle of woods or on cliff tops.

But birdwatchers from across East Yorkshire have decided against scenic trips to Spurn Point or Bempton Cliffs - instead opting to do their spotting in an altogether less likely place.

Men and women with their long lenses have been spotted focusing on a group of rare waxwings in Hessle , just yards from where hundreds of shoppers go about getting their groceries.

The birds have been spotted near Aldi and Sainsbury's car parks on either side of Priory Way.  A flock of more than a dozen of the rare birds have taken up residence in trees near the supermarkets.

Birdwatcher Michael Flowers says the birds were spotted as early as the end of November but that their numbers are now at a high for winter 2018/19.

He said: "The Waxwings first appeared at Hessle this season on November 28 when nine were seen. Numbers gradually dropped until there were only three on 23 December. Numbers rose again on 5 January when 13 were seen. There must have been another influx from Scandinavia."

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