North Cave Entrance Photo K Goodings
This being our first bird watching outing of the new 2025/2026 season, 7 members gathered at 10.30am at the Reserve car park, the weather was fine and warm.
North Cave Wetlands has developed in the footprint of a large sand and gravel quarry. There are several shallow and deep-water lakes, interspersed with islands. Varied habitats include reedbeds, grassy banks and meadows, hedgerows and wooded fringes. Bird life, wildlife, insects and flowers are abundant in this excellent reserve. There is a good circular path around the perimeter of the reserve, 6 hides and many benches located along the route as we made our way through the reserve.
North Cave Dryham Lane. Photo K Goodings
We began our bird watching from the first covered platform hide, near the Reserve entrance and the welcome Butty Van, serving Tea, Coffee and tempting bacon or sausage sandwiches. Great views over the lake presented so many bird sightings, Lapwings, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Greylag geese, Mallard, Coot, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted duck, Heron and Moorhen. Other birds in the trees and shrubs close by, Robin, Great tit, Feral Pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw.
Bar Headed Goose Photo Sajeev Bhaskaran
Continuing along the path towards the South Hide, we clearly heard Curlew but were unable to see it here. Also, sighted Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit and Dunnock. Once inside South Hide the Curlew could be spotted along with Mute Swan and a Greater Spotted Woodpecker could be heard.
Onto the next lake where we encountered Little Egret, Gadwall and Wigeon. The Dennis Wood Hide revealed the sighting of the day, a Bar Headed Goose in the company of many Greylag geese, it looked strikingly different from its Greylag cousins. Very unusual to see one here. Other sightings, Redshank, juvenile Shelduck, Black-headed Gull and Green Sandpiper.
The Crossland Hide gave us sightings of many of the Waterfowl already seen, plus a Carrion Crow. Onto the East Hide then further to the Turret Hide, this has an elevated position with good views over reeds, shrubs and grassy areas with lots of teasels, looking towards the lake. Lovely view of a Kestrel hovering. A Snipe spotted, Pheasant and close to the hide sighting of Goldfinches feeding on the Teasel heads.
A successful and enjoyable outing with 38 sightings.
Judith Goodings
