@northcavewet.bsky.social
Nature news from North Cave Wetlands
Monday,
2 Bittern seen from the Turret hide on the Village lake, with a Water rail & 4 Bearded tits there also,
2 Corn buntings on the poplar tree at the junction between the East & Turret hide paths,
An Otter on the Island lake,
About 80,000 Starlings roosted between Crossland's lake & the Reed-bed
2 Bittern seen from the Turret hide on the Village lake, with a Water rail & 4 Bearded tits there also,
2 Corn buntings on the poplar tree at the junction between the East & Turret hide paths,
An Otter on the Island lake,
About 80,000 Starlings roosted between Crossland's lake & the Reed-bed
December 15, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Monday,
2 Bittern seen from the Turret hide on the Village lake, with a Water rail & 4 Bearded tits there also,
2 Corn buntings on the poplar tree at the junction between the East & Turret hide paths,
An Otter on the Island lake,
About 80,000 Starlings roosted between Crossland's lake & the Reed-bed
2 Bittern seen from the Turret hide on the Village lake, with a Water rail & 4 Bearded tits there also,
2 Corn buntings on the poplar tree at the junction between the East & Turret hide paths,
An Otter on the Island lake,
About 80,000 Starlings roosted between Crossland's lake & the Reed-bed
Reposted
A mild wet winter @northcavewet.bsky.social allowing a Devil’s Coach-horse (Ocypus olens) to still be on the road in December.
December 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM
A mild wet winter @northcavewet.bsky.social allowing a Devil’s Coach-horse (Ocypus olens) to still be on the road in December.
Reposted
Hazel in flower on an overcast day @northcavewet.bsky.social. Elsewhere: Bearded Tits
December 15, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Hazel in flower on an overcast day @northcavewet.bsky.social. Elsewhere: Bearded Tits
Sunday,
A Bittern was seen on the Village lake,
3 Marsh harriers were about West Holm & the North fields, where there were also 5 Eygptian geese,
At the Maize field feeders there was a Coal tit & pair of Bullfinches,
Again about 80,000 Starlings roosted in the south east corner of Crossland's lake
A Bittern was seen on the Village lake,
3 Marsh harriers were about West Holm & the North fields, where there were also 5 Eygptian geese,
At the Maize field feeders there was a Coal tit & pair of Bullfinches,
Again about 80,000 Starlings roosted in the south east corner of Crossland's lake
December 14, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Sunday,
A Bittern was seen on the Village lake,
3 Marsh harriers were about West Holm & the North fields, where there were also 5 Eygptian geese,
At the Maize field feeders there was a Coal tit & pair of Bullfinches,
Again about 80,000 Starlings roosted in the south east corner of Crossland's lake
A Bittern was seen on the Village lake,
3 Marsh harriers were about West Holm & the North fields, where there were also 5 Eygptian geese,
At the Maize field feeders there was a Coal tit & pair of Bullfinches,
Again about 80,000 Starlings roosted in the south east corner of Crossland's lake
Saturday,
3 Whooper swans flew south in the morning, with 6 Eygptian geese on Crossland's lake,
The Bittern was again seen from the Turret hide,
20 Dunlin over the Silt pond & about 30 Snipe over Crossland's lake,
About 80,000 Starlings roosted in the south east reed-bed of Crossland's lake,
3 Whooper swans flew south in the morning, with 6 Eygptian geese on Crossland's lake,
The Bittern was again seen from the Turret hide,
20 Dunlin over the Silt pond & about 30 Snipe over Crossland's lake,
About 80,000 Starlings roosted in the south east reed-bed of Crossland's lake,
December 13, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Saturday,
3 Whooper swans flew south in the morning, with 6 Eygptian geese on Crossland's lake,
The Bittern was again seen from the Turret hide,
20 Dunlin over the Silt pond & about 30 Snipe over Crossland's lake,
About 80,000 Starlings roosted in the south east reed-bed of Crossland's lake,
3 Whooper swans flew south in the morning, with 6 Eygptian geese on Crossland's lake,
The Bittern was again seen from the Turret hide,
20 Dunlin over the Silt pond & about 30 Snipe over Crossland's lake,
About 80,000 Starlings roosted in the south east reed-bed of Crossland's lake,
Friday,
The Bittern was by the 'Bittern Cut' seen from the Turret hide,
About 40 Pink-footed geese flew south, with a Dunlin over the Silt pond,
About 20 Fieldfares flew west, along with a similar number of Redwings,
The Starlings roosted in the south east corner of Crossland's lake this evening
The Bittern was by the 'Bittern Cut' seen from the Turret hide,
About 40 Pink-footed geese flew south, with a Dunlin over the Silt pond,
About 20 Fieldfares flew west, along with a similar number of Redwings,
The Starlings roosted in the south east corner of Crossland's lake this evening
December 13, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Friday,
The Bittern was by the 'Bittern Cut' seen from the Turret hide,
About 40 Pink-footed geese flew south, with a Dunlin over the Silt pond,
About 20 Fieldfares flew west, along with a similar number of Redwings,
The Starlings roosted in the south east corner of Crossland's lake this evening
The Bittern was by the 'Bittern Cut' seen from the Turret hide,
About 40 Pink-footed geese flew south, with a Dunlin over the Silt pond,
About 20 Fieldfares flew west, along with a similar number of Redwings,
The Starlings roosted in the south east corner of Crossland's lake this evening
Some bird's from a little overcast morning's walk - Redwing over Crossland's lane, the regular morning 'Bittern Cut' heron back where it belongs, Goldfinch along Dryham lane & a Morrhen from the North hide (hopefully Water rail to come next!)
December 11, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Some bird's from a little overcast morning's walk - Redwing over Crossland's lane, the regular morning 'Bittern Cut' heron back where it belongs, Goldfinch along Dryham lane & a Morrhen from the North hide (hopefully Water rail to come next!)
Thursday,
A skein of Pink-footed geese passed over the reserve in the early morning,
42 Redshanks were on Crossland's lake, with a Grey wagtail on the approach path to the hide,
In the North path there was 7 Fieldfares, Curlew south, with Marsh harrier seen nearby
A skein of Pink-footed geese passed over the reserve in the early morning,
42 Redshanks were on Crossland's lake, with a Grey wagtail on the approach path to the hide,
In the North path there was 7 Fieldfares, Curlew south, with Marsh harrier seen nearby
December 11, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Thursday,
A skein of Pink-footed geese passed over the reserve in the early morning,
42 Redshanks were on Crossland's lake, with a Grey wagtail on the approach path to the hide,
In the North path there was 7 Fieldfares, Curlew south, with Marsh harrier seen nearby
A skein of Pink-footed geese passed over the reserve in the early morning,
42 Redshanks were on Crossland's lake, with a Grey wagtail on the approach path to the hide,
In the North path there was 7 Fieldfares, Curlew south, with Marsh harrier seen nearby
Always over-looked & not always fully admired is the Redshank, with currently 42 on the reserve.
Very wary staying roosting on the Silt pond & feeding on Crossland's causeway, in the sunlight they give a good picture as they depart from the Silt pond to Crossland's lake
Very wary staying roosting on the Silt pond & feeding on Crossland's causeway, in the sunlight they give a good picture as they depart from the Silt pond to Crossland's lake
December 10, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Always over-looked & not always fully admired is the Redshank, with currently 42 on the reserve.
Very wary staying roosting on the Silt pond & feeding on Crossland's causeway, in the sunlight they give a good picture as they depart from the Silt pond to Crossland's lake
Very wary staying roosting on the Silt pond & feeding on Crossland's causeway, in the sunlight they give a good picture as they depart from the Silt pond to Crossland's lake
Wednesday,
25 Golden plover flew south over the reserve entrance,
A Tawny owl was calling along the East path in the early morning,
There were 42 Redshanks on the Silt pond, plus 22 Shelducks on East Holm,
Also seen was at least 3 Marsh harriers,
A Peacock butterfly was out in the mild weather
25 Golden plover flew south over the reserve entrance,
A Tawny owl was calling along the East path in the early morning,
There were 42 Redshanks on the Silt pond, plus 22 Shelducks on East Holm,
Also seen was at least 3 Marsh harriers,
A Peacock butterfly was out in the mild weather
December 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Wednesday,
25 Golden plover flew south over the reserve entrance,
A Tawny owl was calling along the East path in the early morning,
There were 42 Redshanks on the Silt pond, plus 22 Shelducks on East Holm,
Also seen was at least 3 Marsh harriers,
A Peacock butterfly was out in the mild weather
25 Golden plover flew south over the reserve entrance,
A Tawny owl was calling along the East path in the early morning,
There were 42 Redshanks on the Silt pond, plus 22 Shelducks on East Holm,
Also seen was at least 3 Marsh harriers,
A Peacock butterfly was out in the mild weather
Monday,
On the Village in the early morning there was 2 Bitterns, 4 Bearded tits & a Kingfisher,
12 Pink-footed geese flew north over the East ridge,
A pair of Grey partridge were flushed from the side of Dryham lane, by West Holm,
Also seen was Marsh harrier & 5 Redpolls (by Viewing platform)
On the Village in the early morning there was 2 Bitterns, 4 Bearded tits & a Kingfisher,
12 Pink-footed geese flew north over the East ridge,
A pair of Grey partridge were flushed from the side of Dryham lane, by West Holm,
Also seen was Marsh harrier & 5 Redpolls (by Viewing platform)
December 8, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Monday,
On the Village in the early morning there was 2 Bitterns, 4 Bearded tits & a Kingfisher,
12 Pink-footed geese flew north over the East ridge,
A pair of Grey partridge were flushed from the side of Dryham lane, by West Holm,
Also seen was Marsh harrier & 5 Redpolls (by Viewing platform)
On the Village in the early morning there was 2 Bitterns, 4 Bearded tits & a Kingfisher,
12 Pink-footed geese flew north over the East ridge,
A pair of Grey partridge were flushed from the side of Dryham lane, by West Holm,
Also seen was Marsh harrier & 5 Redpolls (by Viewing platform)
Reposted
Apparently this lichen @northcavewet.bsky.social was wearing 'sunscreen' today. Xanthoria parietina, produces a chemical (parietin) that along with giving it a yellow colouration provides it with UV protection (perhaps a bit optimistic in Yorkshire ... in December 😆) Elsewhere: goldcrests.
December 8, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Apparently this lichen @northcavewet.bsky.social was wearing 'sunscreen' today. Xanthoria parietina, produces a chemical (parietin) that along with giving it a yellow colouration provides it with UV protection (perhaps a bit optimistic in Yorkshire ... in December 😆) Elsewhere: goldcrests.
Sunday,
A about 150 Pink-footed geese flew north west, with another of about 60 geese flying south, all in the morning,
3 Bitterns were seen (2 Village lake & 1 on Main lake),
A Raven flew from the East ridge to perch in the Crossland's oaks,
Over 100,000 Starlings roosted mainly on the Reed-bed,
A about 150 Pink-footed geese flew north west, with another of about 60 geese flying south, all in the morning,
3 Bitterns were seen (2 Village lake & 1 on Main lake),
A Raven flew from the East ridge to perch in the Crossland's oaks,
Over 100,000 Starlings roosted mainly on the Reed-bed,
December 7, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Sunday,
A about 150 Pink-footed geese flew north west, with another of about 60 geese flying south, all in the morning,
3 Bitterns were seen (2 Village lake & 1 on Main lake),
A Raven flew from the East ridge to perch in the Crossland's oaks,
Over 100,000 Starlings roosted mainly on the Reed-bed,
A about 150 Pink-footed geese flew north west, with another of about 60 geese flying south, all in the morning,
3 Bitterns were seen (2 Village lake & 1 on Main lake),
A Raven flew from the East ridge to perch in the Crossland's oaks,
Over 100,000 Starlings roosted mainly on the Reed-bed,
Reposted
Starlings leaving their roost at NCW 7/12/25 - great spectacle
December 7, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Starlings leaving their roost at NCW 7/12/25 - great spectacle
Reposted
Sightings:7th December 2025.
Including WeBS Count Totals.
North Cave Wetlands.
@northcavewet.bsky.social
Including WeBS Count Totals.
North Cave Wetlands.
@northcavewet.bsky.social
December 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Sightings:7th December 2025.
Including WeBS Count Totals.
North Cave Wetlands.
@northcavewet.bsky.social
Including WeBS Count Totals.
North Cave Wetlands.
@northcavewet.bsky.social
Reposted
A couple of hrs @northcavewet.bsky.social
With thanks and help from the local birders we managed to see a very camouflaged Bittern and Water Rail, also C30 Siskins with Goldfinches, 2 Egyptian geese, 2 possibly 3 Marsh Harriers, L+GC Greebs, Shelduck, Wigeon, teal, Shoveler, Malard and Gadwall
With thanks and help from the local birders we managed to see a very camouflaged Bittern and Water Rail, also C30 Siskins with Goldfinches, 2 Egyptian geese, 2 possibly 3 Marsh Harriers, L+GC Greebs, Shelduck, Wigeon, teal, Shoveler, Malard and Gadwall
December 6, 2025 at 10:27 PM
A couple of hrs @northcavewet.bsky.social
With thanks and help from the local birders we managed to see a very camouflaged Bittern and Water Rail, also C30 Siskins with Goldfinches, 2 Egyptian geese, 2 possibly 3 Marsh Harriers, L+GC Greebs, Shelduck, Wigeon, teal, Shoveler, Malard and Gadwall
With thanks and help from the local birders we managed to see a very camouflaged Bittern and Water Rail, also C30 Siskins with Goldfinches, 2 Egyptian geese, 2 possibly 3 Marsh Harriers, L+GC Greebs, Shelduck, Wigeon, teal, Shoveler, Malard and Gadwall
Reposted
Quick visit to @northcavewet.bsky.social for a breath of air before Christmas shopping. Very atmospheric with the Teal and Lapwings calling and occasional glimpses of sun through the misty drizzle. Delighted to see 2 Bitterns from the Turret Hide! @nybirdnews.bsky.social
December 6, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Quick visit to @northcavewet.bsky.social for a breath of air before Christmas shopping. Very atmospheric with the Teal and Lapwings calling and occasional glimpses of sun through the misty drizzle. Delighted to see 2 Bitterns from the Turret Hide! @nybirdnews.bsky.social
Not the easiest bird to see or photograph is the Goldcrest. Despite a good number of wintering birds, a week or so can go between each sighting. When found they are always on the move & so difficult to photograph
December 6, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Not the easiest bird to see or photograph is the Goldcrest. Despite a good number of wintering birds, a week or so can go between each sighting. When found they are always on the move & so difficult to photograph
Saturday,
There were 3 Bitterns seen in close proximity in the 'Bittern Cut' from the Turret hide,
At least 80,000 Starlings roosted, with most in the Reed-bed, also Cell 'C',
Single Whooper swan on East Holm & drake Pintail on Crossland's lake,
Also seen Kingfisher, 2 Water rails (Viewing platform)
There were 3 Bitterns seen in close proximity in the 'Bittern Cut' from the Turret hide,
At least 80,000 Starlings roosted, with most in the Reed-bed, also Cell 'C',
Single Whooper swan on East Holm & drake Pintail on Crossland's lake,
Also seen Kingfisher, 2 Water rails (Viewing platform)
December 6, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Saturday,
There were 3 Bitterns seen in close proximity in the 'Bittern Cut' from the Turret hide,
At least 80,000 Starlings roosted, with most in the Reed-bed, also Cell 'C',
Single Whooper swan on East Holm & drake Pintail on Crossland's lake,
Also seen Kingfisher, 2 Water rails (Viewing platform)
There were 3 Bitterns seen in close proximity in the 'Bittern Cut' from the Turret hide,
At least 80,000 Starlings roosted, with most in the Reed-bed, also Cell 'C',
Single Whooper swan on East Holm & drake Pintail on Crossland's lake,
Also seen Kingfisher, 2 Water rails (Viewing platform)
Reposted
North Cave Wetlands starlings performing this evening @northcavewet.bsky.social @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @bbcspringwatch.bsky.social #birdmurmurations
December 5, 2025 at 7:28 PM
North Cave Wetlands starlings performing this evening @northcavewet.bsky.social @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @bbcspringwatch.bsky.social #birdmurmurations
A pair of Whooper swans departing from East Holm, including a 'kinky-necked' bird.
This condition seems to be a lot more common than I originally thought as this is our 2nd bird of the year with this condition
This condition seems to be a lot more common than I originally thought as this is our 2nd bird of the year with this condition
December 5, 2025 at 4:39 PM
A pair of Whooper swans departing from East Holm, including a 'kinky-necked' bird.
This condition seems to be a lot more common than I originally thought as this is our 2nd bird of the year with this condition
This condition seems to be a lot more common than I originally thought as this is our 2nd bird of the year with this condition
Friday,
East Holm, 6 Whooper swans, 3 left south east & a single west,
The 2 Ravens again on the East ridge, before flying west,
Again 2 Bitterns on the Village lake, from the Turret hide, plus calling Bearded tits,
Also 5 Marsh harriers, Green sandpiper (Island lake) & male Stonechat (North hedge)
East Holm, 6 Whooper swans, 3 left south east & a single west,
The 2 Ravens again on the East ridge, before flying west,
Again 2 Bitterns on the Village lake, from the Turret hide, plus calling Bearded tits,
Also 5 Marsh harriers, Green sandpiper (Island lake) & male Stonechat (North hedge)
December 5, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Friday,
East Holm, 6 Whooper swans, 3 left south east & a single west,
The 2 Ravens again on the East ridge, before flying west,
Again 2 Bitterns on the Village lake, from the Turret hide, plus calling Bearded tits,
Also 5 Marsh harriers, Green sandpiper (Island lake) & male Stonechat (North hedge)
East Holm, 6 Whooper swans, 3 left south east & a single west,
The 2 Ravens again on the East ridge, before flying west,
Again 2 Bitterns on the Village lake, from the Turret hide, plus calling Bearded tits,
Also 5 Marsh harriers, Green sandpiper (Island lake) & male Stonechat (North hedge)
This morning, we were fortunate to see 2 Bitterns, one more 'outgoing' than the other (stayed well within the reeds).
To see a Bittern swim across the 'cut' & then successfully catch a fish surely constitutes the highlight of the day 😀
To see a Bittern swim across the 'cut' & then successfully catch a fish surely constitutes the highlight of the day 😀
December 4, 2025 at 6:37 PM
This morning, we were fortunate to see 2 Bitterns, one more 'outgoing' than the other (stayed well within the reeds).
To see a Bittern swim across the 'cut' & then successfully catch a fish surely constitutes the highlight of the day 😀
To see a Bittern swim across the 'cut' & then successfully catch a fish surely constitutes the highlight of the day 😀
Thursday,
Again, there were 2 Bitterns in the Village lake 'Bittern Cut' this morning,
On East Holm, there were 4 Whooper swans, 2 of whom left early in the morning,
A Chiffchaff was by the reserve entrance,
2 Ravens were again on the East ridge,
80,000 Starlings again roosted in the Reed-bed,
Again, there were 2 Bitterns in the Village lake 'Bittern Cut' this morning,
On East Holm, there were 4 Whooper swans, 2 of whom left early in the morning,
A Chiffchaff was by the reserve entrance,
2 Ravens were again on the East ridge,
80,000 Starlings again roosted in the Reed-bed,
December 4, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Thursday,
Again, there were 2 Bitterns in the Village lake 'Bittern Cut' this morning,
On East Holm, there were 4 Whooper swans, 2 of whom left early in the morning,
A Chiffchaff was by the reserve entrance,
2 Ravens were again on the East ridge,
80,000 Starlings again roosted in the Reed-bed,
Again, there were 2 Bitterns in the Village lake 'Bittern Cut' this morning,
On East Holm, there were 4 Whooper swans, 2 of whom left early in the morning,
A Chiffchaff was by the reserve entrance,
2 Ravens were again on the East ridge,
80,000 Starlings again roosted in the Reed-bed,
About 80,000 Starlings leaving their Reed-bed roost early this morning
December 3, 2025 at 6:35 PM
About 80,000 Starlings leaving their Reed-bed roost early this morning