Friday 13 May 2016

North Cave Wetlands....Monday 02.05.2016.

Half a day to myself today,saw me heading over the bridge into the home county to visit that excellent gem of a reserve that is North Cave Wetlands.
 On arrival and after getting all the kit together i began proceedings by looking on Dryham Ings first.It was a hive of activity as on my last visit,with many pairs of the ubiquitous Black-headed Gulls,2 displaying Little-ringed Plovers and wildfowl included Shoveler,Gadwall,Mallard and a few Teal.
 Overhead a couple of Common Buzzard caused a brief panic amongst the residents,but they all soon settled back to their breeding duties and nest building.
 As i walked along the track past village lake,my first Sedge Warbler of the year tried it's best to sing over the continuous din of the squawking Black-headed Gulls.Later,2 more Sedge Warbler showed much better,including one particularly showy individual near the Dragonfly ponds,one of my favourite Warbler species!.
 A quick look from the hide overlooking village lake,saw a single adult Med Gull in amongst the nesting Black-headed Gulls and it looked quite settled sat in amongst them.Perhaps they will breed as there was also another adult reported later with this bird,so presumably they are a pair.
 As i made my way down the side of the Carp Lake,the distinctive rattling song of a Male Lesser Whitethroat saw me enjoying some lovely views of this cracking little bird and another 'new' species for the year.It's amazing to think that this little Sylvia warbler has just flown all the way from Africa to breed here,the wonders of bird migration!.
 More 'Firsts' came next and included my first Swifts(6) and Common Tern(1) over Island lake and prolonged watching from here added a lovely Red Kite and a couple more Common Buzzard over the adjacent hillside.
 Other species encountered included a single Black-tailed Godwit on Island Lake.
 So all in all not a bad visit again to this super reserve.
Newly hatched Coot chick on the Dragonfly Pond.

Avocet over Island Lake.

Adult Black-headed Gull over Island Lake.

Gadwall And Shoveler over Island Lake.

 

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