Overview
Paull Holme Strays was built as part of the Thorngumbald Flood defence scheme and is situated beside the River Humber to the East of Hull. The reserve was created when the Humber was allowed to breach coastal defences and flood an area of farmland. The large intertidal mudflats created as a consequence have become an important refuge for birds particularly waders.
Birds
Notable Species
In winter, vast flocks of plovers gather to feed and roost on the reserve- with birds such as Bar-tailed Godwit,Curlew, Dunlin and Redshank feeding along side them. Often large numbers of shelduck are present.
Rarities
Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Eurasian Spoonbill, Snow Bunting.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Grey Heron, Little Egret, Mute Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Common Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Common Moorhen, Pied Avocet, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Eurasian Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Northern Lapwing, Red Knot, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank, Ruddy Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Feral Rock Dove, Stock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl, Common Swift, Barn Swallow, Northern House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Common Wren, Dunnock, Eurasian Robin, European Stonechat, Common Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Common Starling, Eurasian Linnet, Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting
Other Wildlife
Site Information
Areas of Interest
The site itself consists of a large area of intertidal mud, surrounded by scrubby grassland. The site can be view from a public footpath running all around the site. A viewing screen is available to the Western end of the reserve and a hide at the eastern end.
Access and Facilities
The reserve has little in the way of facilities. Car parking is available in the reserves North East corner, off Thorngumbald Road.
Directions from Hull: Follow the A1033 (Hull Road) as far as the Saltend roundabout, and then take the third exit (signposted Paull). Turn right at the end of the road and drive through the village of Paull. This will lead onto Thorngumbald Road; the car park is on the right about half a mile after the Church.
