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Reposted by @northcavewet.bsky.social

North Cave Birds @northcavebirds.bsky.social · 4h

Yearlist to end of September 2026 at North Cave Wetlands stands at 164 species with new species seen during the month shown in Red. @northcavewet.bsky.social

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 6h

The Island lake must be one of the best spots in the locality for Water rails at the moment, has up to 5 juveniles have been out in the open (look towards the north east corner). I wonder if the dry weather has forced them out into the open?

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 6h

The autumn passage for Green sandpipers has finished, so that we just left with what will probably be 2 wintering birds, that will stay providing we do not get a prolonged freeze. They have territories during the winter, so one bird seems to have the eastern half, whilst the other the western

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 6h

Sunday, 2o Ruffs, single Greenshank & Green sandpiper on East Holm, Other waders, 2 Dunlins (Crossland's lake), Redshank & Green sandpiper (Silt pond), 2 adults & juvenile Ruff (Reed-bed), Green sandpiper (Island lake), 25+ Curlew (North field/Village lake), Also, eclipse Mandarin (Village lake),

Wigeon & Moorhen interaction on West Holm

Lesser black-backed gull leaving Crossland's lake

male Stonechat by the Maize field (no female seen, unusual)

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Close up view of an Estralis tenax (the Common drone fly). Whatt is interesting is the the small beetle on it's face. Is it an accident that it is there or intentional?

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Today's 2 Ruffs & a Dunlin in flight with the accompanying Lapwings during on of the many 'dreads', that this species is capable of. As expected the Dunlin followed all the moves of the flock

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Close views of 3 Snipes this morning, from a sunny Island lake. Feeding on the grass near to the hide, in the open, but near enough to the reeds to retreat to. Normally during a drought they become harder to see, but we seem to have had enough rain to keep the ground soft enough for probing

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Saturday, Crossland's lake, 2 Ruffs, Redshank & a Dunlin, plus a single Pink-footed goose, A Greenshank on East Holm, with 2 Ruddy shelducks & 18 Eygptian geese on West Holm, 34 Curlews, either in the North field, or on the Village lake, Also seen, 2 Stonechats (Cells 'B' & 'C', Crossland's lake)

My views of the Far lake Mandarin are improving!

Marsh harrier up to no good over the Reed-bed

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Eclipse Wigeons on the Main lake. Last week, the feeling was where have the Wigeon gone, but this week there has been an influx meaning that numbers are above 70 now, I always think that the plumage of this duck is more interesting during eclipse, with all the shades of brown possible on the birds

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Friday, Today on Crossland's lake, a Black-tailed godwit, 3 Ruffs, Greenshank & 7 Dunlins, The Ruddy shelduck & 3 Eygptian geese on West Holm, A Green sandpiper on the Island lake, with 4+ Bearded tits in Cell 'C', 3 Stonechats on the Cell 'B/C' fence line, 16+ Swallows south over Crossland's lake,

Lesser black-backed gull on Crossland's lake

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Reposted by @northcavewet.bsky.social

richthomhull.bsky.social @richthomhull.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Quick walk around a warm sunny @northcavewet.bsky.social this morning. 2 Ruddy shelduck, with at least 20 Egyptian geese! Common & green sandpiper, greenshank & Mandarin. Plus dunlin, snipe, marsh harrier, Bearded reedlings, pied wagtail, meadow pipit & pinkfeet. @rarebirder.bsky.social

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Dunlins fro Crossland's lake this morning, showing their ability to not be uniform & at times resemble other small waders

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Thursday, Waders, a Black-tailed godwit, Green sandpiper, 3 Ruffs & 6 Dunlins on Crossland's lake, 3 Greenshanks on West Holm & a Green sandpiper on Village lake, Stonechat on the south shore of Crossland's lake, Bearded tits in Cell 'C' & the Reed-bed, Marsh harrier & Swallow (over Main lake),

Pink-footed geese over on their way to the feeding fields

Calling Meadow pipit on the West Holm viewing screen

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Not so many insects about now. One of which was either Thelaira soliivago or nigrina, not to sure which, so it will unfortunately go down as Thelaira sp.

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Three different eclipse drake Shovelers this morning. It is always amazing to see how the drakes transition from the dull brown eclipse plumage to become one of our most gaudiest ducks & brighten the cold winter mornings

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Wednesday, On Crossland's lake, 6 Dunlins, 2 Ruffs & a Greenshank, 20 Golden plovers south over East Holm, a Green sandpiper & the Ruddy shelduck on West Holm, A Swallow & Bittern were on the Main lake, A pair of Stonechats by the Dragonfly pond, with 5 on the fence line between Cells 'B' & 'C',

Late Little grebe juvenile on the Far lake

5 of today's 6 Dunlins on Crossland's lake

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

One of the few insects seen on this overcast afternoon, was this striking ichneumon wasp. I am guessing that it is an example of Stenichneumon culpator, but could be wrong. Never the less it was good to spend a few moments with it, before it flew off

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Some waders from today - Ruff & Dunlin going their separate ways, Dunlin & Ruff having a difference of opinion, Dunlin feeding, Curlew over the Island lake, what a beauty!

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Some waders from today - Ruff & Dunlin going their separate ways, Dunlin & Ruff having a difference of opinion, Dunlin feeding, Curlew over the Island lake, what a beauty!

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Tuesday, On Crossland's lake, 2 Ruffs, Greenshank (also on East & West Holms), 4 Dunlins, The Ruddy shelduck on West Holm, 2 Green sandpipers & 2 Water rails on the Island lake, About 40 Curlews on the North field & then Village lake, Also seen was Marsh harrier & 4 Swallows (over reserve entrance),

ne of the juvenile Shelduck flexing it's wings on West Holm

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Reposted by @northcavewet.bsky.social

steveclippo.bsky.social @steveclippo.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Water Rail & GW Egret @northcavewet.bsky.social Today

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Insect of the day was this Noon fly in the New workings. Although a common fly it is the 1st one I have seen (or more likely recognised) this year. Obviously easily identified by the yellow face, shiny black body & amber wing bases

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Today's waders included, Curlews (at least 50 feeding in the North field), Black-tailed godwit, Greenshank, 3 Ruffs, 3 Green sandpipers & 8 Dunlins. Yet again most were with the Lapwings on Crossland's lake, but there were Ruff, Greenshank & Green sandpiper on East Holm

Greenshank, Ruff & Green sandpiper all together on East holm

Incoming Green sandpiper on Crossland's lake

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Back in view for me today (it has been a few weeks since) one of the 2 Bitterns provided some good views on the Reed-bed near the North path today, before disappearing back into the reeds

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Monday, On Crossland's lake, Ruddy shelduck & Eygptian geese, 2 Ruffs, Black-tailed godwit, 2 Green sandpipers & 8 Dunlins, At East Holm, was a Greenshank, Ruff & Green sandpiper, The Island lake had 4 Water rails, a brief Greenshank & a Great white egret, 2 Bitterns were on the Reed-bed

Water rail (Up to 4 seen) on the Island lake

A little bit easier to see the drake Mandarin this time!

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Reposted by @northcavewet.bsky.social

Steven Oliver @steven-oliver.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Migrant Hawkers (Aeshna mixta) were making the most of the warm weather @northcavewet.bsky.social today. Elsewhere: Bittern

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Reposted by @northcavewet.bsky.social

Steven Oliver @steven-oliver.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

An unimpressive photo of a very impressive insect - a European Hornet @northcavewet.bsky.social today.

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Reposted by @northcavewet.bsky.social

Steven Oliver @steven-oliver.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Willow Emeralds (Chalcolestes viridis) now the last damsels in flight @northcavewet.bsky.social 🐉

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

About 1,000 Pink-footed geese were over this morning, so the bulk of the flock must not have come from Iceland yet. All in small skeins, which did come close to the reserve as they searched for feeding fields

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Sunday, On Crossland's lake, there were 3 Ruffs (1 of these also on East Holm), 6 Dunlins & a Single Black-tailed godwit, East Holm had a Peregrine, with Ruddy shelduck & 16 Eygptian geese on West Holm, Village lake, 2 Black-tailed godwits (one later on Crossland's lake) & eclipse drake Mandarin,

Little grebe with water weed from the South hide

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Reflections of a Water rail this time, as it crosses the Island lake mud

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

There are a few Walls about, including this specimen that has definitely had many eventful moments in it's short life

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Saturday, On Crossland's lake, a Black-tailed godwit, Greenshank, 3 Ruffs, 5 Dunlins, Ruddy shelduck & 4 Pink-footed geese dropped in, 2 Greenshanks on East Holm, with the Peregrine in East Holm oaks, 19 Curlews, a Green sandpiper, Wood sandpiper (afternoon), 2 Water rails on Island lake

The many colours of an eclipse drake Wigeon!

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Some more waders from today with 2 Ruffs & 7 Dunlins on Crossland's lake, Also a leg flagged Curlew visited for a quick bath. It looks like it is one of the 'head' started birds from WWT, we shall see if we get a reply to it's origin or not

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Lot's of times, the Bitterns don't show or just provide fleeting glimpses as they fly over.. Today on the Island lake, was one of them looking very like a reed as t took in the early morning sunshine

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Friday, On Crossland's lake today, 2 Ruffs, 7 Dunlins, a colour ringed Curlew, plus the eclipse Pintail, 2 Green sandpipers (Village lake) & Common sandpiper (Island lake), At least 7 Stonechats were on the fence line between Cells 'B' & 'C', 7 Bearded tits flew from Cell 'B' to Cell 'C',

On eof the 4 Pochard breeding families still together on the Island lake

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Some waders from Crossland's lake this morning, with the highlights being the 5 Dunlins still on Crossland's lake. You never know what you may see!

Green sandpiper landing on Crossland's lake

2 Ruffs, Dunlin & Snipe on Crossland's lake

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Thursday, A Marsh tit was heard by the reserve entrance, On Crossland's lake, 2 Ruffs, Greenshank, 2 Green sandpipers (also on the Village lake), 5 Dunlins, the Ruddy shelduck & 10 Eygptian geese, Over 1,000 Pink-footed geese north, early morning, 3 male Stonechats were seen about the reserve,

Long-tailed tit (part of a small party of only 3 birds)

Meadow pipit by West Holm (they are starting to pass thro' now)

Early morning Kingfisher from the South hide

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Some waders from this morning, from Crossland's, Island & Village lakes - Greenshank & one of the 5 Dunlins on Crossland's lake, 2 Green sandpipers on the Island lake & 2 of 4 Curlews on the Village lake

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Small parties of Pink-footed geese have been flying south over the reserve in the last 7 days, but today we have had skeins flying north to feed, with a particular group of about 100 alighting nearby to feed, meaning that there were one or two individuals on the reserve who had got separated

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Wednesday, Crossland's lake, Greenshank (& on West Holm), Redshank, 2 Ruffs, 5 Dunlin, eclipse Pintail & Pink-footed goose, Redshank on the Silt pond & Island lake, 2 Green sandpipers at the latter, 6 Curlews (Village lake) & North field, 3 Great white egrets circled the reserve, flying off north,

Now 3 sleeping Dunlins on Crossland's lake (5 seen in total)

Marsh harrier on the north end of the Reed-bed

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Tuesday, The juvenile Little stint was still on the eastern shore of West Holm, A Greenshank on East Holm, 2 Ruff & 3 Dunlins on Crossland's lake, Green & Common sandpipers (Island/Village lakes),Redshank (Silt pond), In the evening, 28 Curlews on East Holm, 2 on Crossland's & the Village lakes,

Bathing Lapwing, Teal & Redshank on the Silt pond

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

There were 4 seen yesterday & 2 today (including a fresh one), showing that the 2nd Wall hatching is well under way. Good to also seen a fresh Comma nearby, again one of the 2nd hatching of this species

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Reposted by @northcavewet.bsky.social

Steven Oliver @steven-oliver.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Plenty of Willow Emerald damselflies about @northcavewet.bsky.social today. Elsewhere: a fabulous five minutes watching a hobby skim Village Lake!

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Reposted by @northcavewet.bsky.social

Steven Oliver @steven-oliver.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Keep thinking I’ve seen the last of Common Blue damselflies for the year @northcavewet.bsky.social, but still a couple in flight today.

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Reposted by @northcavewet.bsky.social

Steven Oliver @steven-oliver.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Thanks to Paul for pointing out this Bishop’s Mitre shieldbug @northcavewet.bsky.social today. New for me, and I gather pretty new for the reserve.

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Reposted by @northcavewet.bsky.social

Steven Oliver @steven-oliver.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Male Migrant Hawkers (Aeshna mixta) continue to patrol every corner of @northcavewet.bsky.social, but only very occasionally stopping in cameraphone range 😀

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northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Special birds this morning, were the adult & juvenile Water rails on the Island lake. They were closer than normal (usually they can be seen in the extreme north west corner) as they explored the mud edges. Interesting seeing that the juvenile is starting to acquire adult plumage

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