The current weather pattern means that I have one day out birding followed by a day at home. I wanted to make the most of what was predicted to be a good morning, so I arrived at North Cave Wetlands at 0830. Just enough light for me to see 5 curlew from the East Hide before they started to call and flew off.
Not many birds at all from the Turret Hide, I presumed that this was because the water was exposed to the strong wind.
A little grebe
The feeders by the maize field were busy.
The brambling were staying at the back of the area and flew into the bushes on the right at the first sign of any other birds. 14 different species of birds including bramblings at the feeders.
A female reed bunting swinging about on the top of the hedge near the dragonfly ponds.
This is the new hide, which is going to open in spring, whenever that it is.
Just past the path to the hide there is a path to a viewing screen. This will not be open until they have put some screening along the sides of the path. Just to the left of the screen were a large number of waterfowl including shelduck, pintail, goldeneye and pochard.
Not many birds to be seen from Crossland Hide. A few teal on the main area and about 12 redshank on the right hand lagoon.
Plenty of birds in front of South Hide.
A male bullfinch feeding along Dryham Lane.
A pleasant 2.5 hours and 47 birds on my list. It started to rain so I headed for North Duffield Carrs.
2 pictures of the same view, 1 with sunshine 1 with cloud. The strength of the wind had increased and there were frequent rain showers,
A mute swan family in front of the Geoff Smith Hide. I was surprised to see the group together, I thought that the adults would have chased the young away by now. Perhaps they will in the next few weeks. About 200 wigeon also on the flooded scrape area. 1 then 2 birders came into the hide. I chap left to go to Thorganby, hoping to see a smew. The other chap did not speak and as he was leaving all the birds left as well.
The sun started to shine and the birds returned.
The mute swans did not stay long as another swan family flew in from the far end of the reserve.
So the male arched his wings over his back and set off to chase the other family away.
A buzzard soared high overhead
Which I presume caused all the lapwings and dunlin to take to the air.
More rain showers and then I left during the next dry spell. A pleasant 2 hours and a bird list of 26.
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