The weather was fine and surprisingly warm, perfect conditions as we commenced our bird watching at this beautiful wetland reserve. It’s filled with lakes, reedbeds, grassy banks and meadows. The proportions are constantly increasing, stretching over the landscape as the aggregate quarry company turn excavated areas successfully over to nature.
North Cave Village Lake Photo K Goodings
5 Members of the group met at 10.30am in the car park of the reserve. First stop the covered platform hide close to the entrance of the reserve and served by the Butty Bus, offering tea, coffee and cooked breakfast sandwiches which were very popular with lots of people, many just stopping off to eat and not birdwatchers. The platform is furnished with good picnic tables and lovely to enjoy morning coffee while watching out over the Village Lake.
Sightings from this platform included, Mute Swan, Mallard, Lapwing, Cormorant, Pheasant, Pochard, Little Grebe, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Greylag geese, Robin and Great Tit.
Moving along the good pathway to the East Hide we spotted Moorhen, Magpie, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Carrion Crow, Pied Wagtail and Kestrel.
Onward to the Turret Hide overlooking the Island Lake. Walking along the path we spotted the Kestrel again, hovering and dipping. More sightings included Curlew and an exciting view of a Greenshank. Returning on the path, we clearly heard a Woodpecker, but not seen.
North Cave view from East Hide. Photo K Goodings
Continuing along Dryham Lane reserve pathway, past South Hide overlooking the Main Lake then on towards Crosslands Lake, where there is additional parking and good views over this end of the lake. Here we viewed the Jack Snipe, one of a few stars we encountered today. The lane has plenty of shrubs and trees as we approached the Main Lake, sighting Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinch and Woodpigeon. Turning right by the edge of Crosslands Lake we made our way to The Dennis Wood Hide, good viewing with water on both sides. Sightings here include Black-headed Gulls, Little Grebes in abundance, Lapwings also in abundance, Coot, Greylag geese again, Black-backed Gull, Starling and Shelduck. On leaving this hide, we ventured towards a small group of birdwatchers very intently viewing another of our stars of the day, Pectoral Sandpiper. Followed by further sighting of the Jack Snipe.
North Cave Main Lake Photo K Goodings
Our last stop was to the Crossland Hide, sighting Teal, Grey Heron, Redshank and another star, Green Sandpiper.
A very good day out with 35 sightings including a few rarely seen.
Judith Goodings
