Sightings:10th November 2025. Including WeBS Count Totals. North Cave Wetlands. @northcavewet.bsky.social

Starlings, the highlight of the day It started early in the morning, with the departure of the Dryham reservoir roosting birds (up to 60,000 present), but they can be difficult to photograph in the early morning light. Then some birds in an Ash tree, provide the chance to see their gleamin plumage

Monday, The solitary Whooper swan was back on Crossland's lake in the morning, with the female Goldeneye still on the Far lake, 11 Curlews on the Island lake & a Ruff on East Holm, Also a pair of Stonechats (North hedge), Marsh harrier (over Cell 'A'), male Blackcap (Dryham lane by Cell 'A'),

It’s the season to blend our single (-celled) bodies into the communal slime while we reproduce. If that’s not weird enough, let’s look like Dog Sick too! 🤣 Didymium spongiosum (Dog Sick Slime Mould) doing its amazing stuff @northcavewet.bsky.social. Elsewhere: Bittern @yorkswildlife.bsky.social

Male migrant hawker, amongst the last of the class of 2025 @northcavewet.bsky.social today. Elsewhere: redwings, stonechat. @yorkswildlife.bsky.social

Continuing this weeks Whooper swan theme, a pair roosted on the Reed-bed this morning, flew to Crossland's causeway & waited for the morning mist to go before flying off south west.

Sunday, 2 Whooper swans roosted on the Reed-bed & then spent part of the morning on Crossland's hide, before flying off south west, Jst a single Ruff on East Holm, with 13 Golden plovers briefly on the Silt pond before flying off south & a Green sandpiper seen on the Silt pond & Village lake,

A few from @northcavewet.bsky.social this afternoon. Highlights 3 Redshank Ruff Whooper swan Pochard Teal Wigeon Gadwall Shoveler Little greeb Kestrel Heron LBB, BH, C, H gulls

A bit of good news this morning was the sighting of 'Kinky-neck', a Whooper swan that has passed thro' the reserve for the last 4 years. Part of a group of 10 on Crossland's lake that departed south in the early morning

Saturday, In the early morning, there were 10 Whooper swans (including 'kinky-neck') on Crossland's lake departing south, The single Whooper swan was again on Crossland's lake, 2 Ruffs were on East Holm, with 4 brief Dunlins on Crossland's causeway, About 40,000 Starlings roosted in Dryham Ings

Despite some cold mornings, 6 Common darters were still sunning & chasing each other by the entrance to the Butterfly walk. Looking at the weather forecast, they may be around for a few more days yet

This morning's early morning surprise was the 11 Whooper swans (including 4 juveniles) that roosted on the Village lake. This season nearly all the Whooper swans have been on Crossland's lake, They flew off north & so will hopefully avoid the Avian flu that is about in the Fens

Friday, A herd of 11 Whooper swans (including 4 juveniles) roosted on the Village lake departing north west, 3 Ruff were on East Holm, 3 Dunlin on Crossland's causeway, a Green sandpiper on the 'Bungalow' pond, 2 flocks of Golden plover north Again up to 10,000 Starlings roosted in Dryham Ings

Usually we have a few Ruffs, Black-tailed godwits & the odd Dunlin spending the winter months on the reserve, Currently there are between 2 & 4 Ruffs, plus a Dunlin, with East Holm & Crossland's lake being favourite spots (despite being still suitable, the Island lake has been shunned)

Thursday, On East Holm today, there were 3 Ruffs & a Dunlin, A Ringed plover flew south over Crossland's lake, where yesterday's single Whooper swan was also intermittently present, At least 10,000 Starlings roosted in Dryham Ings, leaving to the north west, A female Goldeneye was on the Far lake,

There was single Whooper swan on Crossland's lake this morning. It seem that it enjoys it's own company as it has been seen on & off over 2 weeks & even when other herds are on the lake, it never departs with them & just does it's own thing

Wednesday, A Whooper swan was on Crossland's lake in the morning, with 2 female Goldeneyes on the Main lake & 5 Shelducks on the Silt pond, 2 Ruffs were on East Holm, with a brief Dunlin on Crossland's causeway & 7 Curlews on the reserve, About 10,000 Starling roosted on Dryham Ings,

Had a lovely walk through @northcavewet.bsky.social North Cave Wetlands today, not many little birds about, must have been all that wind. Nice to see 33 curlews, whooper swan, lots of ducks and highland cows #NorthCaveWetlands #YorkshireWildlifeTrust #ukbirding #curlew #heron #teal #HighlandCow

Tuesday, In the early morning, a single Whooper swan & 2 Eygptian geese on Crossland's lake, The 2 female Goldeneyes on the Main lake today, A flock of about 40 Golden plovers flew south, with Bittern seen in the 'Bittern cut' from the Turret hide, About 10,000 Starlings roosted in Dryham Ings,

A surprise sighting, whilst doing maintenance on the East Hide. A Common plume moth flew from the grass onto the hide wall. What an usual but memorable sight 😊

Maybe the lone male Stonechat by the Dragonfly ponds has found a mate, but there was a pair there this morning, with the female looking in good condition

Monday, 9 Whooper swans briefly on Crossland's lake, including a bird ringed in Iceland in August 2025, A female Red-crested pochard on the same lake & at least 3 female Goldeneyes seen (Far, Main & Crossland's lakes), 3 Ruffs on East Holm,with a Grey wagtail, Also a pair of Stonechats (North hedge)

One of the eight Whooper Swans that came into Crosslands Lake, NCW today was ringed in Iceland in August. Fantastic to be able to get instant feedback like this.

Common darters still hanging out on the fences @northcavewet.bsky.social today. Elsewhere: Bittern and Whooper Swans.

One of the last butterflies to be seen this year. A Comma soaking up the sunshine on the Butterfly path notice board. It has been about for the last week, but the first time that I have been privileged to see it

Sunday, 8 Whooper swans (including 5 juveniles) on Crossland's lake, 1 or 2 Bitterns seen on either the Main or Village lakes, A Black-tailed godwit briefly on the Island lake, with 3 Ruffs on East Holm & 11 Curlews on the Village lake, Again about 6,000 Starlings roosted by Dryham Ings reservoir,

Some of the 36 Curlews resting & washing on the Island lake this sunny morning

One of the 2 Marsh harriers over East Holm this morning, creating chaos & from the last photo not the most popular birds on the block

A brief visitor to the reserve was the 2 Whooper swans that briefly visited Crossland's lake, before flying off to the west. Obviously there are no suitable feeding fields nearby, hence why all our swans visits have been brief. But always a beautiful sight to see😊

Saturday, In the early morning, 2 brief Whooper swans on Crossland's lake (flying to the west) & the 2 female Goldeneyes on the Far lake, 5 Ruffs on East Holm, with 5 Dunlins circling Crossland's lake, 36 Curlews washing & resting on the Island lake, Also seen was 2 Marsh harriers (over East Holm)

Yearlist to end of October 2025 at North Cave Wetlands stands at 164 species with new birds for the month shown in Red.. The most unexpected bird of the month and also a new species for the reserve was a Hoopoe that flew over the Viewing Platform on the 3rd. @northcavewet.bsky.social

Next below the South hide was this female Shoveler quietly feeding below the hide. Obviously the orange legs & 'huge' bill stand out from this short distance

Friday, About 70 Golden plovers in 2 separate flocks flew north over Crossland's lake, 2 Ruffs on East Holm & 2 Dunlins on Crossland's causeway, Flocks of 31 (Island lake) & 12 (Crossland's causeway) Curlews were present in the morning, The Far lake female Goldeneye was joined by a second female,

Despite the cold early morning temperatures (just above freezing), there are still a few Common darters taking advantage of the morning sunshine

Wednesday, 39 Curlews flew over the reserve in the morning, with 2 Ruffs seen on the Silt pond, The female Goldeneye was still on the Far lake, 3 Marsh harriers were hunting by the West End,

Close encounters with the drake of a pair of Teal that feed under the South hide. A quiet entry & careful lifting of the viewing window will often allow some very close views as they feed or rest close to, or on the shore

Nearly arrived was this female Goldeneye on the Far lake. There has been a female wintering here for the last 3 seasons, so there must be the chance that it is the same bird

Wednesday, 8 Crossbills flew west over the 'Oak Avenue', with another 2 over the Dennis Wood's hide in the morning, A female Merlin flew north over the West End, Early morning, 4 Whooper swans flew south east, with another pair flying north from the Main lake. A female Goldeneye was on Far lake

Tuesday, There were 4 Ruffs (2 adults & 2 juveniles) on Crossland's causeway, 18 Cormorants were counted on the Village lake, with 30 Shovelers about the reserve,

Despite yesterday's thoughts, the Common darters are still lingering on, with 8 counted today, including the Butterfly walk gate post regular. Today he was joined by a late (for here) Willow emerald damselfly

Male Stonechat by the Dragonfly ponds. Adding a touch of colour to the area, it is hoped that it might winter in this area. Unusually there is no female present (although there are other wintering pairs on the reserve). So it could be an attraction until March!

A male Long Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta) @northcavewet.bsky.social today. Elsewhere: treecreeper, bullfinch, curlew, whooper swans

Autumn light + reeds @northcavewet.bsky.social today 🙂

Monday, In the mid morning, there were 31 Curlews on the Village lake, with 2 Ruff on East Holm & a Green sandpiper over the Silt pond, At the same time, the Bar-headed goose & a few Pink-footed geese flew onto Crossland's lake, with 11 Whooper swans flying south over the New workings,

Possibly the last 2 Common darters of the season (as we are forecast frosts), taking in today's sun on the Butterfly path gate. Then we have to wait until mid June to see them back again

Sunday, There was a single Whooper swan on Crossland's lake, A male Stonechat was by the Dragonfly ponds, Also seen was 6 Fieldfares (North hedge), 4 Redpolls (Viewing platform), Bar-headed goose (Crossland's lake) & Bearded tit (heard on the Island lake)

Saturday, 5 Whooper swans (including a juvenile) were on Crossland's lake briefly in the early morning, with 2 Canada geese also there& about 1,000 Pink-footed geese flying north, 2 Ruffs & 3 Redshanks on East Holm, with 30 Curlews in the North field, There were 100 Redwings & 300 Fieldfares west,

Expected stormy weather today on a visit to @northcavewet.bsky.social but missed the rain and wind. Fairly quiet but still manged 40 species Highlights 8 Curlew Wigeon Gadwall Teal Tufted GSWoody 2 Stonechats Marsh harrier Peregrine Snipe Redshank Shelduck Bullfinch And a very confiding Pheasant

Fieldfares on the North hedge. Always very wary, with this wave mostly passing thro'. The next wave will stay until all the Hawthorn berries are consumed & then we will not see most of them until the return migration in March

Friday, A Pintail on the Reed-bed, plus 3 Marsh harriers (a 4th was over West Holm), 17 Golden plovers over the New workings, 2 Ruffs (East Holm & a Green sandpiper (back of Silt pond & Main lake), Also seen was Red kite, 6 Redpoll (Carp lake), about 24 Pink-footed geese north & Bar-headed goose