@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)
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,
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)
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)
Probably over 80,000 Starling lifted off this morning in 2 waves north from the Reed-bed, what a sight even when viewed from a distance.
Look forward to being closer tomorrow morning
Look forward to being closer tomorrow morning
November 27, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Probably over 80,000 Starling lifted off this morning in 2 waves north from the Reed-bed, what a sight even when viewed from a distance.
Look forward to being closer tomorrow morning
Look forward to being closer tomorrow morning
Very much a rare bird now at the reserve, so a welcome sight to see these 3 Goosanders briefly alight on Crossland's lake.
A drake interestingly plumaged 1st year drake & female, all giving memorable views during their brief residence on the lake
A drake interestingly plumaged 1st year drake & female, all giving memorable views during their brief residence on the lake
November 27, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Very much a rare bird now at the reserve, so a welcome sight to see these 3 Goosanders briefly alight on Crossland's lake.
A drake interestingly plumaged 1st year drake & female, all giving memorable views during their brief residence on the lake
A drake interestingly plumaged 1st year drake & female, all giving memorable views during their brief residence on the lake
Thursday,
3 Goosanders (a drake, 1st year & female) briefly on Crossland's lake in the morning then flying off north,
Also here 15 Eygptian geese & the female Red-crested pochard,
A Dunlin on East Holm, & Green sandpiper (New workings/'Bungalow pond'),
About 80,000 Starlings roosted on Reed-bed,
3 Goosanders (a drake, 1st year & female) briefly on Crossland's lake in the morning then flying off north,
Also here 15 Eygptian geese & the female Red-crested pochard,
A Dunlin on East Holm, & Green sandpiper (New workings/'Bungalow pond'),
About 80,000 Starlings roosted on Reed-bed,
November 27, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Thursday,
3 Goosanders (a drake, 1st year & female) briefly on Crossland's lake in the morning then flying off north,
Also here 15 Eygptian geese & the female Red-crested pochard,
A Dunlin on East Holm, & Green sandpiper (New workings/'Bungalow pond'),
About 80,000 Starlings roosted on Reed-bed,
3 Goosanders (a drake, 1st year & female) briefly on Crossland's lake in the morning then flying off north,
Also here 15 Eygptian geese & the female Red-crested pochard,
A Dunlin on East Holm, & Green sandpiper (New workings/'Bungalow pond'),
About 80,000 Starlings roosted on Reed-bed,
Little egret about Black dyke by the North hedge. This spot is always the last resort of any Little egrets should there be a deep frost as the dyke does not freeze over.
For some reason the number of roosting birds has been only 2 or 3, so they are no longer a guaranteed sighting on a morning's walk
For some reason the number of roosting birds has been only 2 or 3, so they are no longer a guaranteed sighting on a morning's walk
November 26, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Little egret about Black dyke by the North hedge. This spot is always the last resort of any Little egrets should there be a deep frost as the dyke does not freeze over.
For some reason the number of roosting birds has been only 2 or 3, so they are no longer a guaranteed sighting on a morning's walk
For some reason the number of roosting birds has been only 2 or 3, so they are no longer a guaranteed sighting on a morning's walk
Wednesday,
The female Red-crested pochard was on Crossland's lake, along with 20 Eygptian geese,
On East Holm/Crossland's lake there was a Ruff & Dunlin,
2 males & a female Stonechats along the North hedge,
Red kite, 4 Marsh harriers (West Holm), plus 5 Redpolls & Blackcap (Carp lake) also seen
The female Red-crested pochard was on Crossland's lake, along with 20 Eygptian geese,
On East Holm/Crossland's lake there was a Ruff & Dunlin,
2 males & a female Stonechats along the North hedge,
Red kite, 4 Marsh harriers (West Holm), plus 5 Redpolls & Blackcap (Carp lake) also seen
November 26, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Wednesday,
The female Red-crested pochard was on Crossland's lake, along with 20 Eygptian geese,
On East Holm/Crossland's lake there was a Ruff & Dunlin,
2 males & a female Stonechats along the North hedge,
Red kite, 4 Marsh harriers (West Holm), plus 5 Redpolls & Blackcap (Carp lake) also seen
The female Red-crested pochard was on Crossland's lake, along with 20 Eygptian geese,
On East Holm/Crossland's lake there was a Ruff & Dunlin,
2 males & a female Stonechats along the North hedge,
Red kite, 4 Marsh harriers (West Holm), plus 5 Redpolls & Blackcap (Carp lake) also seen
Monday,
A female Red-crested pochard was by Crossland's lake causeway,
On Crossland's oak trees a Peregrine was perched,
About 3,000 Pink-footed geese flew north in the early morning,
One of the Bitterns showed well on the Main lake in the morning
A female Red-crested pochard was by Crossland's lake causeway,
On Crossland's oak trees a Peregrine was perched,
About 3,000 Pink-footed geese flew north in the early morning,
One of the Bitterns showed well on the Main lake in the morning
November 24, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Monday,
A female Red-crested pochard was by Crossland's lake causeway,
On Crossland's oak trees a Peregrine was perched,
About 3,000 Pink-footed geese flew north in the early morning,
One of the Bitterns showed well on the Main lake in the morning
A female Red-crested pochard was by Crossland's lake causeway,
On Crossland's oak trees a Peregrine was perched,
About 3,000 Pink-footed geese flew north in the early morning,
One of the Bitterns showed well on the Main lake in the morning
Sunday,
10 Eygptian geese were on East Holm, with a female Goldeneye on Crossland's lake,
2 Whooper swans flew south east over Dryham lane in the morning, with 7 including 5 juveniles south later,
The Bittern seen from the Turret hide, with Bearded tits being heard in Cell 'C',
Also Corn bunting
10 Eygptian geese were on East Holm, with a female Goldeneye on Crossland's lake,
2 Whooper swans flew south east over Dryham lane in the morning, with 7 including 5 juveniles south later,
The Bittern seen from the Turret hide, with Bearded tits being heard in Cell 'C',
Also Corn bunting
November 23, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Sunday,
10 Eygptian geese were on East Holm, with a female Goldeneye on Crossland's lake,
2 Whooper swans flew south east over Dryham lane in the morning, with 7 including 5 juveniles south later,
The Bittern seen from the Turret hide, with Bearded tits being heard in Cell 'C',
Also Corn bunting
10 Eygptian geese were on East Holm, with a female Goldeneye on Crossland's lake,
2 Whooper swans flew south east over Dryham lane in the morning, with 7 including 5 juveniles south later,
The Bittern seen from the Turret hide, with Bearded tits being heard in Cell 'C',
Also Corn bunting
It has been a good year for Redpolls, with up to 60 seen. Although there are only small numbers now, they occasionally forsake the tops of trees to come lower to give better views
November 22, 2025 at 6:06 PM
It has been a good year for Redpolls, with up to 60 seen. Although there are only small numbers now, they occasionally forsake the tops of trees to come lower to give better views
Saturday,
A female Merlin circled the Village lake & also hunted finches along the East path in the early morning,
4 Whooper swans roosted on Crossland's lake (leaving early), with 10 Eygptian geese on East Holm at the same time,
A Woodcock was flushed from a hedge below Crossland's hide,
A female Merlin circled the Village lake & also hunted finches along the East path in the early morning,
4 Whooper swans roosted on Crossland's lake (leaving early), with 10 Eygptian geese on East Holm at the same time,
A Woodcock was flushed from a hedge below Crossland's hide,
November 22, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Saturday,
A female Merlin circled the Village lake & also hunted finches along the East path in the early morning,
4 Whooper swans roosted on Crossland's lake (leaving early), with 10 Eygptian geese on East Holm at the same time,
A Woodcock was flushed from a hedge below Crossland's hide,
A female Merlin circled the Village lake & also hunted finches along the East path in the early morning,
4 Whooper swans roosted on Crossland's lake (leaving early), with 10 Eygptian geese on East Holm at the same time,
A Woodcock was flushed from a hedge below Crossland's hide,
The numbers of Redwings & Fieldfares this year seem to be lower, with the big flocks moving thro' fairly quickly.
This is confirmed by the number of berries still on the hawthorns (usually by now they would have been stripped).
The upside is an increased number of Blackbirds taking advantage of this
This is confirmed by the number of berries still on the hawthorns (usually by now they would have been stripped).
The upside is an increased number of Blackbirds taking advantage of this
November 21, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The numbers of Redwings & Fieldfares this year seem to be lower, with the big flocks moving thro' fairly quickly.
This is confirmed by the number of berries still on the hawthorns (usually by now they would have been stripped).
The upside is an increased number of Blackbirds taking advantage of this
This is confirmed by the number of berries still on the hawthorns (usually by now they would have been stripped).
The upside is an increased number of Blackbirds taking advantage of this
Friday,
A Woodcock was flushed from the path leading to the Dennis Wood's hide,
2 Eygtpian geese were on East Holm & then the North field,
A female Goldeneye was on Crossland's lake, with 36 Shelducks counted on the reserve,
Also seen was a single Whooper swan (west) & Bearded tits (Cell 'C')
A Woodcock was flushed from the path leading to the Dennis Wood's hide,
2 Eygtpian geese were on East Holm & then the North field,
A female Goldeneye was on Crossland's lake, with 36 Shelducks counted on the reserve,
Also seen was a single Whooper swan (west) & Bearded tits (Cell 'C')
November 21, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Friday,
A Woodcock was flushed from the path leading to the Dennis Wood's hide,
2 Eygtpian geese were on East Holm & then the North field,
A female Goldeneye was on Crossland's lake, with 36 Shelducks counted on the reserve,
Also seen was a single Whooper swan (west) & Bearded tits (Cell 'C')
A Woodcock was flushed from the path leading to the Dennis Wood's hide,
2 Eygtpian geese were on East Holm & then the North field,
A female Goldeneye was on Crossland's lake, with 36 Shelducks counted on the reserve,
Also seen was a single Whooper swan (west) & Bearded tits (Cell 'C')
Thursday,
There was a Woodcock by the East path, with a Green sandpiper on the 'Bungalow ' pond,
A Grey plover flew west over the Village lake mid-morning,
26 Curlews roosted on East Holm,
About 60,000 Starlings equally roosted in Dryham Ings & the Reed-bed,
Also 3 Marsh harriers (over West Holm)
There was a Woodcock by the East path, with a Green sandpiper on the 'Bungalow ' pond,
A Grey plover flew west over the Village lake mid-morning,
26 Curlews roosted on East Holm,
About 60,000 Starlings equally roosted in Dryham Ings & the Reed-bed,
Also 3 Marsh harriers (over West Holm)
November 20, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Thursday,
There was a Woodcock by the East path, with a Green sandpiper on the 'Bungalow ' pond,
A Grey plover flew west over the Village lake mid-morning,
26 Curlews roosted on East Holm,
About 60,000 Starlings equally roosted in Dryham Ings & the Reed-bed,
Also 3 Marsh harriers (over West Holm)
There was a Woodcock by the East path, with a Green sandpiper on the 'Bungalow ' pond,
A Grey plover flew west over the Village lake mid-morning,
26 Curlews roosted on East Holm,
About 60,000 Starlings equally roosted in Dryham Ings & the Reed-bed,
Also 3 Marsh harriers (over West Holm)
The north pair of Stonechats graced the Reed-bed in the sunshine this morning.
One of 2 pairs wintering, they can sometimes be difficult to see as they disappear into the North field.
Bute a little bit of sunshine after the recent rains, seemed to make the difference
One of 2 pairs wintering, they can sometimes be difficult to see as they disappear into the North field.
Bute a little bit of sunshine after the recent rains, seemed to make the difference
November 19, 2025 at 5:36 PM
The north pair of Stonechats graced the Reed-bed in the sunshine this morning.
One of 2 pairs wintering, they can sometimes be difficult to see as they disappear into the North field.
Bute a little bit of sunshine after the recent rains, seemed to make the difference
One of 2 pairs wintering, they can sometimes be difficult to see as they disappear into the North field.
Bute a little bit of sunshine after the recent rains, seemed to make the difference
Wednesday,
The pair of Stonechats shown well on the Reed-bed from the North path,
31 Shelducks were counted on Crossland's lake,
A Peregrine flew south over East Holm
The pair of Stonechats shown well on the Reed-bed from the North path,
31 Shelducks were counted on Crossland's lake,
A Peregrine flew south over East Holm
November 19, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Wednesday,
The pair of Stonechats shown well on the Reed-bed from the North path,
31 Shelducks were counted on Crossland's lake,
A Peregrine flew south over East Holm
The pair of Stonechats shown well on the Reed-bed from the North path,
31 Shelducks were counted on Crossland's lake,
A Peregrine flew south over East Holm