northcavewet
Nature news from North Cave Wetlands
- Thursday, The roosting Great white egret flew south east over Dryham lane, In the early morning, 5 Whooper swans flew west, as did 2 Eygptian geese at Crossland's lake, also here the pair of Goldeneyes, About 30 Pink-footed geese flew south, Also seen was Barn owl (Viewing platform & Maize field)
- Wednesday, On Crossland's lake the Goldeneye pair were joined by 2 drakes & 2 redhead Smew in the late afternoon, A Green sandpiper & Golden plover were in the New workings, The Bittern was sen in the Village lake reeds from the Turret hide, The Otter was seen in the Village lake
- Reposted by northcavewetSmew, these 4 birds, 2 drakes, and 2 red-heads, constitutes the largest flock ever recorded at North Cave Wetlands. It is almost 30 years since the last and only previous male was recorded on the reserve when it was present with 2 red-heads from 18/2/1996 to 25/2/1996 @northcavewet.bsky.social
- Tuesday, In the early morning, there were 5 brief Whooper swans on the Silt pond, along with the Great crested grebe, A Barn owl was hunting the North & West paths in the early morning, The pair of Goldeneyes were on Crossland's lake & 17 Curlews on East Holm, An Otter was seen on the Village lake
- Interesting today was the flock of 35 Golden plovers that lifted up from East Holm & circled the spot several times, almost lading once, before flying off south east. Getting to be a rare bird on the reserve recently usually as a fly over bird in the distance. Nice to see them closer for once
- Monday, There were 2 Ringed plovers & a flock of 35 Golden plovers (they later flew south east) on East Holm, 2 drake Pintails & 40 Redshanks were in Cell 'A', The Goldeneye pair were still on Crossland's lake, 2 Bitterns were seen in the Village lake reeds from the Turret hide
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- They have been back for a week, our noisy summer visitors the Oystercatchers, never a quiet moment with them (and they haven't started piping yet)
- Sunday, The Goldeneye pair were still on Crossland's lake, 4 Golden plovers south over West Holm, with 10 later settling down on East Holm, 3 Oystercatchers present, with the Cell 'A' Black-tailed godwit in amongst the sleeping Redshanks, The year's 1st Great crested grebe was on the Silt pond,
- Reposted by northcavewetNorth Cave Wetlands this afternoon - one of the Bitterns playing 'now you see me now you don't' @northcavewet.bsky.social #ukbirding #yorkshirebirding
- Reposted by northcavewetAnother great Starling murmuration today @northcavewet.bsky.social @ukstarlings.bsky.social #ukbirding
- Reposted by northcavewetThe North Cave Wetlands Starlings going into roost through the thermal @northcavewet.bsky.social
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- Not many Fieldfares around the reserve now (since all the berries have been eaten), so it was a pleasure to see 8, in one of the bare 'Sheep' fields, with a few Starlings acting as thrushes should do.
- Saturday, 3 Cranes flew south east over the reserve in the mid-afternoon, Early morning about 200 Pink-footed geese flew north, A pair of Goldeneyes were on Crossland's lake, On East Holm, there was a Black-tailed godwit with the Lapwings, plus 3 Oystercatchers & a Green sandpiper (New workings),
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- Friday, A Pink-footed goose flew east, with the Goldeneye pair being seen on Crossland's lake & East Holm, 3 Oystercatchers & a Golden plover were on & a Green sandpiper over East Holm, with the Black-tailed godwit on Cell 'A', Marsh harrier was seen, as well as 70+ Siskins along Dryham lane
- With the rising water levels in Cell 'A', has come the return of the wintering Black-tailed godwits, with a single on Sunday & 2 from yesterday. Not always the easiest of birds to spot here, I expect numbers to rise a little more & look to see them as they start their moult in 2 months or so
- Thursday, A Common crane roosted on East Holm, leaving north at 07:35, Also here drake Goldeneye, One of the Bitterns was in the 'Bittern' Cut, 2 Black-tailed godwits flew south over Cell 'A', with one in Cell 'A', Also 3 Tree sparrows (Dryham farm), 5 Whooper swans (flying west, early morning)
- As expected, yesterday's storm had dislodged many seeds to the ground, providing feeding opportunities for the 60+ Siskins along the West path & low down in the bushes
- This morning Crossland's lake was graced by a brief pair of Whooper swans. Normally we don't see them until March when the return migration to Iceland begins, After exploring the lake, they flew off south east probably to the fens
- Wednesday, This morning, a brief pair of Whooper swans (flew off south east) & Eygptian goose on Crossland's lake, The Black-tailed godwit was again on Cell 'A', with Oystercatchers on West Holm & the Silt pond & a Green sandpiper in the New workings, The Stonechat pair were about the North path,
- Siskins showing well. About 80 on the reserve at present, that have split into 2 flocks, one in the East & the other the West path, with both groups roosting near the Carp lake. With the strong winds expected tomorrow, expect a lot of Siskins on the ground feeding on the downed seeds on Wednesday
- Monday, A Bittern was again in the 'Bittern' Cut seen from the Turret hide, 2 Green sandpipers were seen in the New workings, Black-tailed godwit in Cell 'A', Goldeneye pair & 32 Curlews on East Holm & Stonechat pair in the Maize field, About 60,000 Starlings roosted, mainly on Cell 'A' & 'B'.
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- Sunday, The first Oystercatcher on Crossland's causeway, a Black-tailed godwit in Cell 'A', 4 Green sandpipers (New workings) & 5 Curlews (Village lake), Eygptian goose on West Holm, pair of Goldeneyes & a fly over female Goosander on East Holm, About 80,000 Starlings roosted in Cells 'B' & 'C'.
- Only a small flock of Curlews about the reserve at the moment, with their favourite resting place being the Village lake. Always a pleasure to see & watch these fascinating birds
- Saturday, On West Holm this morning, were single Eygptian goose, Dunlin & Marsh harrier feeding on carrion, 3 Eygptian geese on the Silt pond, with a Pink-footed goose flying over to the east, The Bittern was seen in the 'Bittern' Cut, Also seen was a Golden plover south, 21 Curlews (Village lake),
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- A 'murky' cold morning, brightened up by this drake Wigeon on Crossland's lake, bathing near to the Viewpoint & then giving a display of wing stretching on the water
- Friday, An Eygptian goose was on East Holm, 21 Curlews were on the Village lake, Redpolls were nearby the Maize field feeders, where 9 Greenfinches were present, Marsh harrier was seen About 60,000 Starlings roosted in Cell 'C'
- Thursday, On an overcast & wet day, On Crossland's lake, there was a single Eygptian goose, plus the female Goldeneye, 20 Curlews overflew the reserve, The Stonechat pair were seen by the Maize field
- Yesterday's Pink-footed goose was again with the Greylags on the Village lake. This winter the Greylag goose skeins have been small & so very few visiting geese have actually landed on the reserve so far this winter
- Wednesday, Yesterday's Pink-footed goose was with the Greylags on the Village lake, On Crossland's lake, 5 Eygptian geese, plus a female Goldeneye, Also 130 Shelducks were counted, with 30+ Redshanks on Cell 'A' & a Bullfinch by the Maize field feeders, At least 80,000 Starlings roosted in Cell 'C'
- Reposted by northcavewetOne of two bittern seen at @northcavewet.bsky.social by @mjthom.bsky.social Also great spotted woodpecker amongst many others @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
- Tuesday, 2 Bitterns on the Village lake, below the Turret hide (Water rail there also), with one seen on Crossland's alake, 16 Curlew were on the Village lake, with a single Pink-footed goose with the Greylag flock, Skylark was singing above the North field, male Stonechat on the Maize field fence,
- For the 3rd day in succession (for me), one of the Bitterns has been viewable in the 'Bittern' Cut form the Turret hide. Attracting a small watching crowd, it could be seen stalking, catching & then eating some of the Minnows in the lake
- The 1st sign of spring for me are these Snowdrops starting to come flower on the West path. The next sign of joy to look forward to, will be that of Coltsfoot appearing on some bank or bare earth
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- Sunday, 2 Bitterns were seen in the 'Bittern' Cut in the morning, with another bird elsewhere, 4 Bearded tits were seen on the Island lake, About 20 Pink-footed geese flew north over the East ridge, Also seen was 4 Water rails & a Woodcock (East path), 80,000 Starlings roosted in Cell 'C'
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- Another encounter this morning, with the Far Corner Song thrush. With a little bit of quietness & patience, he/she will allow a very close approach, such that you can see that the spots on it's breast are interesting chevrons
- Some pictures of one of the 2 Bitterns seen in the morning in the 'Bittern' Cut from the Turret hide. Over the last few days, these birds have made several regular appearances here, coming very close to the hides at times. They seem to only vacate this area when the Starling roost there
- Spot the Bittern, seen from the Turret hide this morning
- Saturday, There were 2 Otters in the 'Bittern' Cut in the morning, In the same place, there was a Bittern & water rail, A male Merlin flew west over West Holm, Also seen was 2 Mistle thrushes (New workings), 14 Eygptian geese (early morning on West Holm) & Treecreeper (West path)
- Friday, A pair of Grey partridges were feeding in the Central field of the reserve, 2 Bitterns were in the Village lake 'Bittern' cut, Also 75 Siskins were along the Wets path, with about 200 Fieldfares thro', About 80,000 Starlings were hunted by a Peregrine in the afternoon, roosting in Cell 'C
- 2 Bitterns & 2 Otters were seen in the 'Bittern' cut on the Village lake in the morning, About 30 Pink-footed geese flew north in the mid morning, Also seen was Marsh harrier & a pair of Stonechats by the Dragonfly ponds About 30,000 Starlings roosted in Cell 'C' & 'B'.
- Starlings this morning, bathing in West Holm & then communicating in a tree nearby. Again a little bit of sunshine, allows the glistening plumage to show itself off in it's full brilliance
- Wednesday, 16 Curlews were on the Village lake, plus 2 Eygptian geese in the North field, A Bittern was on the Village lake Also seen was a male Stonechat, pair of Tree sparrows (Dryham farm), Coal tit (reserve entrance) & 2 Marsh harriers Only 5,000 Starlings roosted in Cell 'C'
- Tuesday, Early morning, 3 juvenile Whooper swans on Crosslands lake, flew south west, with female Goldeneye also here, A Dunlin on Crossland's lake flew off towards East Holm, a Green sandpiper heard in the New workings & 10 Redshanks on Cell 'A', Only 30,000 Starlings roosted in the Reed-bed today
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- Monday, The Bittern showed well in the 'Bittern Cut' from the Turret hide, A drake Goldeneye on Crossland's lake, 43 Pink-footed geese flew south over the East ridge, Also seen was 3 Marsh harriers (roosting in Cell C'), Grey wagtail (New workings), Redpoll & Coal tit (Maize field feeders)
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- After a very good autumn, numbers of Siskins are down to a regular 30 or so. They roost by the Carp lake & then spend most of the day going up & down the West path as they feed in the alders & birches there, However a regular spot is in the North hedge opposite the Far lake, where this male was
- Saturday, A Great white egret again roosted on the reserve, a Bittern was on the Village lake ice, Several skeins of Pink-footed geese flew north overhead, with 2 Eygptian geese east & the female Goldeneye on Crossland's lake, A Woodcock flew over Dryham lane from Cell 'A',
- Delighted to see that this Wren along the West path has survived the last weeks freezing temperatures & hopefully will soon start thinking about establishing a territory
- Friday, The female Goldeneye was in the only ice-free water on Crossland's lake, 75 Shelducks were counted on West Holm, 2 Redpolls were with Goldfinches by the Carp lake, with 30+ Siskins in the Far Corner, Also seen was 2+ Marsh harriers
- Close views of the Far lake Song thrush, as it searched for food, along the West path, The subtle blending of the golden tinge into the breast feathers is memorable,as well as the patterns of the 'Vees' on the breast
- Thursday - Part 2 Below the East path, there was a Woodcock, 2 Snipe & Water rail, with a Bittern seen below the Turret hide, A Kingfisher was seen in Black dyke, along the North path, with 3 Bearded tits in the Reed-bed by the same path, plus a Brambling on the West path & 2 Ravens flying south,
- Thursday (Part 1), Several skeins of Pink-footed geese over the New workings, 9 Eygptian geese & a female Goldeneye on Crossland's lake in the early morning & 68 Shelducks scounted today, A Great white egret roosted on the reserve, In the early morning, a male Merlin flew north over the Village lake
- With the cold weather, has become the return of the Little egret, feeding in the unfrozen Black Dyke along the North path. Distinctive in that it spends most on the it's time perched in the tops of the hedge, moving from hedge to hedge if disturbed
- A four thrush morning for me, with 20's of Blackbirds, Redwings & Fieldfares in the North hedge, along with a solitary Song thrush
- Wednesday, 2 Eygptian geese & 12 Curlews were in the North field, A pair of Stonechat were about the Maize field, with Coal tit by the reserve entrance & 2 Marsh harriers seen, About 60,000 Starlings roosted in Cell 'C'.
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- From the Car park this morning, a Starling in the hedge. Obviously a bird left over from the mass exit a few minutes earlier. It takes such closeness to appreciate the beauty of it's winter plumage & the fine speckling of the breast & wings, contrasting with base black plumage
