@northcavewet.bsky.social
Nature news from North Cave Wetlands
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
Bittern time this morning from the Turret hide (but, missed the 2nd bird that came out later),
It did exactly what Bitterns do, which is just to stay put in the reeds & only move it's head.
By the Village lake 'Bittern Cut' looks to be a favoured spot, so expect some more encounters in the future
It did exactly what Bitterns do, which is just to stay put in the reeds & only move it's head.
By the Village lake 'Bittern Cut' looks to be a favoured spot, so expect some more encounters in the future
December 3, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Bittern time this morning from the Turret hide (but, missed the 2nd bird that came out later),
It did exactly what Bitterns do, which is just to stay put in the reeds & only move it's head.
By the Village lake 'Bittern Cut' looks to be a favoured spot, so expect some more encounters in the future
It did exactly what Bitterns do, which is just to stay put in the reeds & only move it's head.
By the Village lake 'Bittern Cut' looks to be a favoured spot, so expect some more encounters in the future
Wednesday,
On the Village lake, by the 'Bittern Cut', there were 2 Bitterns, a Water rail & 3 Bearded tits seen,
2 Ravens on the South ridge flew west over the reserve in the morning,
About 80,000 Starlings left the Reed-bed roost at about 07:30,
Also seen was female Goldeneye (Crossland's lake)
On the Village lake, by the 'Bittern Cut', there were 2 Bitterns, a Water rail & 3 Bearded tits seen,
2 Ravens on the South ridge flew west over the reserve in the morning,
About 80,000 Starlings left the Reed-bed roost at about 07:30,
Also seen was female Goldeneye (Crossland's lake)
December 3, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Wednesday,
On the Village lake, by the 'Bittern Cut', there were 2 Bitterns, a Water rail & 3 Bearded tits seen,
2 Ravens on the South ridge flew west over the reserve in the morning,
About 80,000 Starlings left the Reed-bed roost at about 07:30,
Also seen was female Goldeneye (Crossland's lake)
On the Village lake, by the 'Bittern Cut', there were 2 Bitterns, a Water rail & 3 Bearded tits seen,
2 Ravens on the South ridge flew west over the reserve in the morning,
About 80,000 Starlings left the Reed-bed roost at about 07:30,
Also seen was female Goldeneye (Crossland's lake)
Reposted
Bonus day off work today and rather than Christmas shopping decided I'd rather spend the day birding! Fantastic to watch the starling murmuration and the reflections on the water @northcavewet.bsky.social #ukbirding #Yorkshirebirding
December 2, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Bonus day off work today and rather than Christmas shopping decided I'd rather spend the day birding! Fantastic to watch the starling murmuration and the reflections on the water @northcavewet.bsky.social #ukbirding #Yorkshirebirding
Tuesday,
On Crossland's lake today, a pair of Pintails, the female Red-crested pochard, plus female Goldeneye Far lake & a Whooper swan on West Holm,
A Jack snipe was flushed in Cell 'B', with the Bittern seen from the Turret hide, by the Bittern Cut',
Up to 80,000 Starlings roosted in the Reed-bed
On Crossland's lake today, a pair of Pintails, the female Red-crested pochard, plus female Goldeneye Far lake & a Whooper swan on West Holm,
A Jack snipe was flushed in Cell 'B', with the Bittern seen from the Turret hide, by the Bittern Cut',
Up to 80,000 Starlings roosted in the Reed-bed
December 2, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Tuesday,
On Crossland's lake today, a pair of Pintails, the female Red-crested pochard, plus female Goldeneye Far lake & a Whooper swan on West Holm,
A Jack snipe was flushed in Cell 'B', with the Bittern seen from the Turret hide, by the Bittern Cut',
Up to 80,000 Starlings roosted in the Reed-bed
On Crossland's lake today, a pair of Pintails, the female Red-crested pochard, plus female Goldeneye Far lake & a Whooper swan on West Holm,
A Jack snipe was flushed in Cell 'B', with the Bittern seen from the Turret hide, by the Bittern Cut',
Up to 80,000 Starlings roosted in the Reed-bed
Monday,
3 Barnacle geese circled the reserve several times, before flying south, with female Red-crested pochard & Goldeneyes on Crossland's lake,
There was a Black-tailed godwit & 22 Dunlins on East Holm, with 35 Redshanks on Crossland's lake,
80,000+ Starlings were in the Reed-bed this evening,
3 Barnacle geese circled the reserve several times, before flying south, with female Red-crested pochard & Goldeneyes on Crossland's lake,
There was a Black-tailed godwit & 22 Dunlins on East Holm, with 35 Redshanks on Crossland's lake,
80,000+ Starlings were in the Reed-bed this evening,
December 1, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Monday,
3 Barnacle geese circled the reserve several times, before flying south, with female Red-crested pochard & Goldeneyes on Crossland's lake,
There was a Black-tailed godwit & 22 Dunlins on East Holm, with 35 Redshanks on Crossland's lake,
80,000+ Starlings were in the Reed-bed this evening,
3 Barnacle geese circled the reserve several times, before flying south, with female Red-crested pochard & Goldeneyes on Crossland's lake,
There was a Black-tailed godwit & 22 Dunlins on East Holm, with 35 Redshanks on Crossland's lake,
80,000+ Starlings were in the Reed-bed this evening,
Reposted
A glimpse into dragonfly lifecycle today @northcavewet.bsky.social 🐉Scars on willow bark, sites where Willow Emerald Damselfly eggs were laid and overwintered. Larvae then hatched and dropped into the water below. Elsewhere: Bittern & Bullfinches @yorkswildlife.bsky.social
December 1, 2025 at 5:17 PM
A glimpse into dragonfly lifecycle today @northcavewet.bsky.social 🐉Scars on willow bark, sites where Willow Emerald Damselfly eggs were laid and overwintered. Larvae then hatched and dropped into the water below. Elsewhere: Bittern & Bullfinches @yorkswildlife.bsky.social
Reposted
Very few invertebrates to see today in the 🌧️ @northcavewet.bsky.social. So this Common Wasp was a welcome splash of colour. Elsewhere: murmurating starlings.
December 1, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Very few invertebrates to see today in the 🌧️ @northcavewet.bsky.social. So this Common Wasp was a welcome splash of colour. Elsewhere: murmurating starlings.
Reposted
Starlings leaving their overnight roost on Reedbed Lake, North Cave Wetlands, at 7:30am. this morning. An equally impressive sight as the afternoon murmurations if a lot shorter in duration, all over in 36 seconds.
@northcavewet.bsky.social
@northcavewet.bsky.social
November 30, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Starlings leaving their overnight roost on Reedbed Lake, North Cave Wetlands, at 7:30am. this morning. An equally impressive sight as the afternoon murmurations if a lot shorter in duration, all over in 36 seconds.
@northcavewet.bsky.social
@northcavewet.bsky.social
Sunday,
A female Goldeneye on Crossland's lake, along with female Red-crested pochard & 5 Whooper swans south east,,
There were 4 to 5 Stonechats on the North hedge/Field & a Chiffchaff in Dryham Lane hedge by the Carp lake,
Again 100,000+ Starlings roosted on the Reed-bed, departing to the north
A female Goldeneye on Crossland's lake, along with female Red-crested pochard & 5 Whooper swans south east,,
There were 4 to 5 Stonechats on the North hedge/Field & a Chiffchaff in Dryham Lane hedge by the Carp lake,
Again 100,000+ Starlings roosted on the Reed-bed, departing to the north
November 30, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Sunday,
A female Goldeneye on Crossland's lake, along with female Red-crested pochard & 5 Whooper swans south east,,
There were 4 to 5 Stonechats on the North hedge/Field & a Chiffchaff in Dryham Lane hedge by the Carp lake,
Again 100,000+ Starlings roosted on the Reed-bed, departing to the north
A female Goldeneye on Crossland's lake, along with female Red-crested pochard & 5 Whooper swans south east,,
There were 4 to 5 Stonechats on the North hedge/Field & a Chiffchaff in Dryham Lane hedge by the Carp lake,
Again 100,000+ Starlings roosted on the Reed-bed, departing to the north
Reposted
This Bittern, one of two birds currently on the reserve, gave excellent views as it fished in the cut channel on Village Lake below the Turret Hide at North Cave Wetlands this morning.
@northcavewet.bsky.social
@northcavewet.bsky.social
November 29, 2025 at 9:53 PM
This Bittern, one of two birds currently on the reserve, gave excellent views as it fished in the cut channel on Village Lake below the Turret Hide at North Cave Wetlands this morning.
@northcavewet.bsky.social
@northcavewet.bsky.social