Saturday morning I went to North Cave Wetlands. I had some hope of Bittern which I hadn’t seen since summer 2021 and started at South Hide. No sign on Main Lake, it had flown towards Reedbed earlier. Next was Crosslands Hide where it was good to see a few waders on Cell A.
Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Ruff on Cell A.
A Shelduck on Silt Lagoon was unusual in late autumn.
Shelduck on Silt Lagoon
Shaggy Inkcap along Western Path
Failed to see any Redpoll or Siskin along the western path but had at least two Treecreeper at the corner.
Treecreeper
Walking back along Dryham Lane had a close Stonechat over the gate where the feeders used to be [like Tophill Low NR presumably feeding is suspended due to Bird Flu.]
Stonechat off Dryham Lane
Plenty of Fieldfare and Redwing along the lane but only a lone Redwing was settled enough to photograph.
Redwing off Dryham Lane
A Marsh Harrier flying over Dryham Lane was the only raptor of the trip.
I failed to see the Bittern but found my own at Tophill Low NR the following day.
27/11/22 To understand my title best check the Tophill Low NR blog. Anyway Sunday morning I went to Tophill Low NR.
With the attitudes to the human pandemic relaxing we are now facing precautions against Bird Flu. The disease has been confirmed on site
Started in the D res members hide. Good numbers of wildfowl but couldn’t locate the Smew [last report I’m aware of was the previous Sunday but only yesterday’s records in the log book]. However I located a distance drake Goosander. My first since a pair over Cottingham on New Years Day and saving me a trip to East Park sometime.
Pied Wagtail on D res wall
Headed to North Marsh for my first visit since early this year.
The path through D Wood recently resurfaced.
I got to see the the new Middle hide mound and the ramp to it. Also had a Grey Wagtail. The hide erection is planned for March and the replacement for L-shaped hide [South Marsh West in the summer.]
Grey Wagtail feeding on the new Middle hide mound
The path still only goes as far as the North Marsh junction but at least the marsh is now viewable.
North Marsh
A Kingfisher had been seen intermittently and Water Rails were calling but didn’t stay long heading for the South Marshes instead. Checked O res on the way but nothing unusual.
Coot, Tufted Duck and Pochard on O res
Goats now grazing East Pond area
Little Egret, Teal and Redshank on South Marsh East
The newly cut channel in the South Marsh West reedbed looked great for Bittern and wasn’t long before I saw one at the far end. Largely obscured and soon walked back into the reeds.
Bittern on South Marsh West
A Bittern had been booming during the closure in spring joined by a second bird which over-summered so probably the sites first breeding attempt. However mine was the first sighting since the reserve reopened. Water Rails were very vocal so it was no surprise when one emerged on a pile of dead reed near the front of the channel.
Water Rail on South Marsh West
Also had a Marsh Harrier hunting the river bank.
Moorhens on South Marsh West
Agonopterix alstromeriana-a micro moth-South Marsh West Hide
Decided not to walk Barmston Drain to view Watton NR.
28/11/22 Went to Tophill Low NR with Roy on Monday afternoon. Added Chiffchaff and Siskins in D Wood and a Jay calling near East Pond. No sign of the Goosander on D res.
Siskin in D Wood
The south end of the reserve will fully open from Saturday [3/12] including Watton NR hide but we’ll have to wait a while longer for the L-shaped hide replacement.
I have visited Raywell for likely fifty years and birded there since the mid eighties. Since The Woodland Trust took it over the woods there, in 1991, they are now known as Nut Wood and Wauldby Scrogs. Too be honest birding there is hard work and I mostly visit in winter when time is limited and it’s too cold to bother going any further. This was the case Tuesday afternoon and after the recent cold wet period I needed an excuse to get the bike out.
First checked the path to the north by Trinity Farm hoping for farmland birds but it was very quiet. Walking back towards the woods kept seeing a brown shape moving it the grass nearby. First thoughts were a foraging Robin, Wren or Dunnock but getting closer could see it was a small blunt faced rodent. From the location it had to be a Short-tailed Vole. It was very approachable and was regularly dashing from under a hedge to feed in the grass but was usually just an obscured brown shape but eventually got a clear enough view to get one decent picture.
Short-tailed Vole-Microtus agrestis-Raywell
Had seen a lot of winter thrushes on my last visit in January but today only had one Fieldfare, near the vole. There were a lot of Blackbird though and at least one Song Thrush. Also plenty of Great and Blue Tit but although I heard a Marsh Tit couldn’t locate it. A brief male Bullfinch added some colour. Walking back through the woods had a striking fungus, Scarlet Elf Cap, fortunately one of the few I can identify with confidence.
5/1/16 Back to work on Tuesday and no chance of getting out. Did add Sparrowhawk to the year list on Cedar Drive though. This year I intend birding at work during the winter months at least and submitting interesting things like Starling numbers to Birdtrack.
Year list 66.
9/1/16 Saturday was the only easy day of the week and manged a ride up to Wauldby Sprogs but saw very few birds except a possible Marsh Tit that kept it’s distance.
10/1/16 Went to Hornsea Mere with RL on Sunday morning to meet JH at Kirkholme Point. The Slavonian Grebe was again showing well but still a bit distant for a good picture.
Slavonian Grebe-Hornsea Mere
Had a look from the tip but no sign of anything interesting and the colder weather wasn’t making it fun so moved to the shelter of the old hide. Haven’t spent much time there recently but in the past has proved a good place to view from. Proved so today with the drake Long-tailed Duck been found, followed by a first winter Little Gull then the Red-necked Grebe. All proved difficult to see and even more to photograph, with the duck and gull always staying distant but the grebe did manage to drift to just off Swan Island. Also had a male Marsh Harrier flying west in front the hide. Later had the same bird from Wassand Hide.
Had some interesting fungi leaving the hide.
{Mention of the “old hide” is not intended as a invitation to use it!!! but see here}
Velvet Shank-Hornsea Mere
Moved round to Wassand Hall carpark early afternoon. Walking towards the hide noticed a tit flock in a large tree near the first gate. One larger bird was sat in a branch junction tapping at a nut. I immediately called “Nuthatch” to JH who was able to see it before it flew off. RL had unfortunately gone to get air in a soft tyre. Texted him but although seen again he couldn’t get on it. Nuthatch has been seen in recent years usually on private feeders at the hall, but this was my first sighting. As it seems to like this area maybe putting some nuts near the gate might make it more visible.
Nothing new from Wassand Hide but did have an adult Little Gull flying west.
Male Marsh Harrier from Wassand Hide
View to the west of Wassand Hide.
Year list 75
For more recent news from Hornsea Mere check the blog.
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