26/11/22 North Cave Wetlands YWT

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.

Failing to see Willow Emerald Damselfly at North Cave Wetlands

8/8/22 Monday morning I went to North Cave Wetlands with Ricky to look for Willow Emerald Damselfly. Started at the southern end of the western path where one had been seen intermittently then worked up the path looking at the new workings on the way.

Little Egret-new workings, North Cave Wetlands

Black Swan-new workings, North Cave Wetlands [reported to have died 2 weeks later]

Using my camera as a telescope I managed to identify two shapes on the distant heap.

Red-legged Partridge-North Cave Wetlands

Two Spotted Flycatchers had been seen along the path but failed to see them and back tracked with Matt and Steve to gave the original site a good time. Plenty dragonflies including Common Darter, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Brown, Southern and Migrant Hawkers but no sign of the Willow Emerald Damselfly.

Common Blue Damselfly

Blue-tailed Damselfly

Common Darter

Also a few butterflies.

Gatekeeper

Red Admiral

Speckled Wood

Also an interesting wasp.

Probable Field Digger Wasp

Had lunch in Crossland Hide hoping to see some waders or interesting large gulls but dipped out. Had another look for dragonflies then headed up the path where the Spotted Flycatchers were again showing. Not be known to us at the time Steve saw the Willow Emerald Damselfly in the area near the bench after we moved on.

Spotted Flycatcher along the western path-North Cave Wetlands

Continued round the reserve eventually getting some waders on Island Lake.

Greenshank-Island Lake

Green Sandpiper-Island Lake

Just one Greenshank but counted five Green Sandpipers but could have been more as they were very mobile. Did get closer but by then my camera had died so also missed getting a picture of the leucistic male Red-crested Pochard on Main Lake [what was it like in breeding plumage?] and a “hung up” Southern Hawker.

I haven’t been to North Cave Wetland much in the last two years so can’t remember how things were in the past but I had no message on my pager between leaving home and shortly after leaving the reserve. Is this normal or a temporary transmitter issue?

11/8/22 Went back for another look on Thursday afternoon. Walked up and down Western Path with no sign but did get a few images I missed on Monday. Including a “hung up” Brown Hawker at the far end of Dryham Lane.

Brown Hawker-Dryham Lane, North Cave Wetlands

And a few more Odonata along the path.

Teneral Common Blue Damselfly

♂.Ruddy Darter

Ruddy Darter

Brimstone that I hadn’t managed on Monday.

Brimstone by Carp Lake, North Cave Wetlands

The heat and desperation caught up with us mid afternoon but we checked Crossland Hide before leaving. Again no large gulls [we had walked along the track to the farm but found it impossible to view Silt Lagoon anymore]. Did get a Common Sandpiper on Cell A which we hadn’t seen on Monday.

Common Sandpiper-Cell A, North Cave Wetlands

Blacktoft Sands RSPB and North Cave Wetlands YWT

19/9/21 I was contacted by JH early morning. He was coming out of isolation and wanted to know if I fancied coming with him to Blacktoft Sands RSPB for the White-tailed Lapwing. I hadn’t seen John for nearly a year and there was the bonus of a Bluethroat so said yes. I’ve not seen Bluethroat in the UK since July 2002, a summering White-spotted form also at Blacktoft Sands, although saw Red-spotted form in Finland in 2006. The location and timing made we wonder if the current one had also over summered, if not on site maybe nearby.

Anyway reaching the reserve mid morning went straight to Townshend Hide. The Lapwing wasn’t initially on view but quickly learnt it was only visible from the righthand side of the hide as it was other wise obscured behind an island. Had a quick view and got some pictures but as it was fairly distant and not doing so much got out of the way for anyone who hadn’t seen it.

White-tailed Lapwing-Blacktoft Sand RSPB from Townshend Hide.

Grey Heron

Shoveler

Ruff

Next went to Marshland Hide. The Bluethroat was being pretty elusive and the hide was busy with little concern for Covid 19 but eventually got sat down which made trying to locate it less daunting. It was right at the back of the lagoon usually hidden in the reeds. The presence of Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting didn’t help but eventually got a brief view then shortly after saw it enough to fire off a single shot which although small was identifiable.

Bluethroat

Water Rail

Moved on to Xerox Hide. Unlike my earlier visit [see here] we had so far seen very few waders but did have a good few Ruff here. The weather forecast was for heavy rain and as we walked back to the car it finally arrived.

However at our next site, North Cave Wetlands YWT, the rain held off. Started at Crosslands Hide. The water level was fairly high, the islands were grassed over and no waders were present just mainly Teal, Shoveler and Little Grebe.

Little Grebe

Black-headed Gull

On Main Lake there was more wildfowl including several Wigeon.

Tufted Duck

Wigeon

Pochard

Mute Swan

Finally went to Turret Hide via East Hide were there were several Ruff, three Black-tailed Godwit and a few Snipe. Also picked up a Hobby over Far Lake then flying over Island Lake.

Snipe on Island Lake

Black-tailed Godwit on Island Lake

Teal on Island Lake

Lapwing on Island Lake

Ruff on Island Lake

Green Sandpiper on Island Lake

Getting home took the dog out but quickly the heavy rain caught us up but had a Grey Heron flying over Coop car park as we rushed home. However although both soaked we were out again shortly and it stay dry for the rest of the evening.

Postscript

The White-tailed Lapwing was still present on the 16th December but not on the 19th, however it turned up in Lincolnshire at East Halton Skitter on the 31st and present until 7th March then was relocated at Frampton RSPB on the 9th. After going missing all week the White-winged Lapwing made itself available to Norfolk listers turning up at Ken Hill, Snettisham on the 9th April. Interesting that it seems to be migrating south east so interesting to see where it ends up. I have seen some discussion about its origin but not aware of any in captivity in Europe.. The Bluethroat was last reported on the 20th September.

After the Beast from the East

5/3/18 Filling the feeders on Monday morning it felt more springlike, helped by my resident Blackcap starting to sing. No sign of the dog so headed to Welton Waters. My first visit of 2018 and with reports of Smew, Scaup and Slavonian Grebe on the opposite side of the Humber at Barton Pits I hoped for something interesting. As usual parked on Myrtle Way and took the path to the across the airfield. A few Curlew there and Skylark singing. Reaching the flood bank set up to scan the airfield and adjacent marsh. A few Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Coot on the marsh and on the recently created ‘scrape’ a few Redshank and Dunlin, the latter a year tick. Walking east had a few Goldeneye on Brough Angling Complex. Next was watersports Pit but this apart from a small number of Mute Swan and Mallrd was empty not helped by a few sailing boats. There were a few Black-headed Gull at the far end and looking closer picked out an adult Little Gull, another species that had been seen in small numbers last week. With little to be gained from continuing east I walked Common Lane. Had a good number of small birds including Bullfinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Since taking over, the now, Brough Angling Complex, Hull and District anglers have shown if anything hostility to birders so was pleasantly surprised to see a feeding station set up near the entrance gate, attracting a good number of birds including Reed Bunting and Greenfinch. Had a Cetti’s Warbler singing by the small pond. Walked east along the road to view the area of watersports pit not visible from Common Lane. No new birds but was fortunate that the now two Little Gulls were feeding close in.

Adult Little Gull-watersports pit, Welton Waters

Walking back to my bike had two Stonechat on the fence enclosing the building site of the new school. Unfortunately while I had my camera out they didn’t return to the fence so had to make do with shooting them through the mesh, perched on vegetation. I had seen one nearby late last year.

Stonechat-Brough

6/3/18 Tuesday morning headed to High Eske NR hopefully for a more complete coverage that my last visit. Still several Russian White-fronted Geese, although exactly how many I wasn’t sure as despite eight birds flying off, including a bird that may have been a Bean Goose, I again counted the regular seventeen birds on the water.

Russian White-fronted Geese with Greylag Geese-High Eske NR

An Otter was feeding at the north end but I decided to walk to the south end then around the back. A Cetti’s Warbler was singing in the bushes but didn’t flush the Woodcock that had been seen for a few weeks on Pulfin NR. This time made it to Leven Canal. The two Whooper Swan were still to the west on Arram Carr and found a Stonechat on Leven Carr. Back at High Eske NR the Otter was showing well and also had a drake Pintail with the Wigeon.

Otter-High Eske NR

A quick look at Swine Moor added Redshank and Golden Plover to the site year list.

7/3/18 On Wednesday the dog went back to his usual routine so had a morning walk. Nothing different from our normal birds but had a very relaxed Brown Rat in Oppy Wood that somehow was missed by the dog, probably too obsessed by Rabbits.

Brown Rat-Oppy Wood, Cottingham

Was genuinely warm. Headed to North Cave Wetlands in the afternoon. My previous visit had been little more than a twitch of the Green-winged Teal so today I headed up Dryham Lane so to avoid wasting time on it. Found an adult Mediterranean Gull on Main Lake then spent a while waiting with out luck for Siskin by Far Lake.

Near summer adult Mediterranean Gull-Main Lake, North Cave Wetlands

While checking reedbed was called by SG, from Turret Hide, he had the Green-winged Teal as well an adult Mediterranean Gull [later proved to be a second bird on comparing photos]. I had a good number of Teal which were pushed into the open by a low flying Marsh Harrier so now knew I didn’t need to look at them too well. Joined SG in Turret Hide and were lucky to see the recently regular Barn Owl.

Drake Green-winged Teal-Island Lake, North Cave Wetlands

On the way out we checked the fields near the entrance and added Red-legged Partridge then a distant Stonechat on Dryham Ings. Had noticed a good number of birds on Church Pond on the way in so stopped to have a look on the way home. Plenty of Tufted Duck, Gadwall and Wigeon and a few Little Grebe. Had a couple of Kingfisher on the far bank, one of which flew closer and was last seen sat high in a large tree, higher than remember seeing one before. Just before SG arrived I found the drake Mandarin that had been resident at the Wetlands all of last year among the tree roots.

9/3/18 After a wet Thursday, Friday morning was again warm and although again like Wednesday turned cooler in the afternoon I headed to Tophill Low NR. Started in the visitor centre and had the Glaucous Gull on the same section of D reservoir straight wall as on my first encounter. Got a record shot and would have tried to get closer walking up the road but it decided to join the other gulls on the reservoir so after a quick look at the feeder without seeing Brambling or Lesser Redpoll by the centre pond I headed south.

Juvenile Glaucous Gull-D reservoir, Tophill Low NR

Work on South Marsh East had finished and had a few birds, unlike on previous visits this year, including returning Oystercatcher. On Watton NR had three Pintail [two drake and a female] as well as a fly over Marsh Harrier which I saw again on my second visit to South Marsh East. Did the D reservoir gull roost and added Lesser Black-backed Gull but failed with Mediterranean Gull but as the gulls were at the north end of the reservoir so weren’t easy from the centre hide. Also no sign of the Glaucous Gull but it doesn’t always appear in the roost. Had a distant Peregrine over D woods.

 

Green-winged Teal [eventually] at North Cave Wetlands

28/1/18 I had just started out with the dog on Sunday morning when the Green-winged Teal was reported at North Cave Wetlands. I have seen a few there and they have become almost annual at North Cave, although missed the last one in January 2017. Unfortunately I was on a tight schedule as I was going out for lunch so didn’t even have time for our usual walk. I could have turned back and headed straight there but as Green-winged Teal can be tricky to see I decided to continue with the walk.

29/1/18 Monday morning was wet and didn’t stop raining until lunchtime. With no news from North Cave and the dog needing to go out anyway we headed for the park. Walking the bushes at the edge of Millbeck Wildlife area heard a familiar finch call. Initially could only see Greenfinch in the tree tops but then located the expected Siskin. At least seven birds including a few nice males. Unfortunately they were tricky to see and only got one shot of a drab female.

♀ Siskin in Millbeck Wildlife area, Cottingham

Had seen a flock near Cottingham GC entrance ten days back, near enough to be the same flock, but the area isn’t in my Patchwork Challenge Cottingham area so today’s sighting was an patch year tick. Continued our regular walk as far as Lawns Farm. Nothing we hadn’t seen recently but getting back to Millbeck Wildlife area, near dusk, had a Green Woodpecker then the resident Barn Owl showing, my first sight of it there this year.

30/1/18 Again nothing from North Cave early Tuesday and although I tried to sneak out but ended up going out with the dog. This time across the fields south to Haltemprice Farm, the centre of my Willerby Carrs patch. The pair of Stonechat were still around the farm ruin.

♂ Stonechat at Haltemprice Farm, Willerby

A Shelduck was the only unusual bird on the flood scheme, but had seen two there recently. Next walked the drain by Abbey Lane. Had seen a Grey Wagtail regularly late last year but hadn’t so far this year, although it had been photographed by a friend recently.

Grey Wagtail along Abbey Lane, Willerby-9/12/17

No sign of the wagtail but a few Reed Bunting were in the area.

Reed Bunting along Abbey Lane, Willerby

Walking back the Green-winged Teal was reported back at North Cave. Didn’t exactly rush but didn’t dawdle the rest of the way back. Not exactly warm in the winter sun this morning but it was now clouding up and getting colder. Still judged it wouldn’t be too cold on the bike but wouldn’t do the full reserve so I could get away before sunset. On arrival met AA leaving and learned the Teal was still showing on Island Lake. Getting there saw JH leaving. Joked him about not picking me up. Went back in the hide with me and I was soon viewing the Teal, although pretty distant in the south west corner. Got a few shots anyway.

♂ Green-winged Teal on Island Lake, North Cave Wetlands.

 

With nothing else of interest on the lake moved to the other side of the hide to look for the Ruff on Village Lake. No sign so rejoined JH in East Hide. Eventually located the Ruff among some Redshank I’d not seen earlier. Also had a female Marsh Harrier low over the lake, but it wasn’t a year tick although, reflecting my lack of ‘real’ birding so far this year, the Little Grebe it flushed was.

Great White Egret at North Cave Wetlands

Last year at this time there were enough birds. particularly waders, locally to keep life interesting. So far this month it’s been hard going at my sites. Choose High Eske/Pulfin NR as my Patchwork Challenge site but so far it’s not pay off with many previously tied on birds not yet recorded. Added nothing this week despite visiting every other day. Nearby at Swine Moor it’s been slightly better finding a Garganey on the 21st.

Garganey-Hornsea Mere

 

However the waders have been disappointing with just Ruff, peaking at 13, and the occasional Dunlin or Redshank.

Did Hornsea Mere on the 21st where a few Little Gulls were still around the jetties and my first returning Pintail off Swan Island.

Little Gull at Kirkholme Point-Hornsea Mere

Also had two Bearded Tit briefly under Wassand Hide and a late Hobby nearby.

At Tophill Low NR on the 22nd only managed 2-3 Green Sandpiper with a Barnacle Goose [of unknown origin] on Watton NR.

On walk to Creykebeck substation with Wilbur on the 23rd was bit of a raptor-fest, the highlights being a Hobby hitting finches at Lawns Farm and Peregrine near Millhouse Woods Lane pumping station, although the latter may have had jesses.

Sunday morning I had planned to do Welton Waters in hope of seeing a few Bearded Tit. However got a text from SG about a Great White Egret at North Cave Wetlands. Not even a year tick but although there are a few previous records it would be a site tick for me. Didn’t panic though waiting for The Andrew Marr Show to end. Getting there the Egret had gone over the bank to the back of Main Lake. As distant as it was possible to be but did my best with the camera.

Great White Egret on Main Lake-North Cave Wetlands

Some debate about whether it was the bird recently seen at Tophill Low NR [see here] but I remember the one I’d seen having pale legs when the current birds are almost black. There have been several records recently anyway including one at Hornsea Mere the same day I was last there. Moved on to Crosslands Hide, usually the best chance for waders, but was very quiet. In fact apart from Lapwing the only waders on site were the large number of Snipe on Island Lake and a brief Dunlin.

Snipe on Island Lake-North Cave Wetlands

Had earlier seen a falcon, more likely Peregrine than Hobby, spooking everything off the north fields.

Pacific Golden Plover at North Cave Wetlands

21/7/17 Spent Friday morning at High Eske NR. Again nothing new but at it was peaceful, without the teenagers who tend to invade on warm summer days. Took in Swine Moor on the way back. Despite some good rain yesterday it was drier than on Tuesday and won’t be worth looking at again before some prolonged rain. May be some hidden pools nearer Barmston Drain which I may check next week.

Getting in saw a probable Pacific Golden Plover was at North Cave Wetlands. My last Pacific Golden Plover was found by RL and spent much of July 2000 at nearby Brough Haven. My first was on the opposite side of the Humber at South Ferriby in 1993, yet again in July. Checked the reserve Facebook page to confirm it was at least a Lesser Golden Plover and therefore worth ignoring Wilbur’s demands for a walk. Getting there mid afternoon had reasonable views over the gate on Dryham Lane.

Pacific Golden Plover on Cell A-North Cave Wetlands.

It moved close to Crossland’s Hide but before entering I was distracted by a group viewing an adult Yellow-legged Gull on the silt lagoon. Had a look at it among Lesser Black-backed before they all got up and on re-alighting the Yellow-legged wasn’t to be seen. A Caspian Gull had been found so I went into the hide where luckily most were still looking the other way at the plover. The Caspian was easily found, being the only large pale gull among the Lesser Black-backs with no Herring Gulls present. Was shortly joined by JH who’d also viewed the plover from Dryham Lane. After taking a few pictures of the Caspian, and the Yellow-legged Gull not reappearing, I decided to get back to take Wilbur out instead of visiting the rest of the reserve.

Caspian Gull with Lesser Black-backed Gulls on silt pond-North Cave Wetlands

Managed to find a Smoky Wainscot on a thistle in fields off Dunswell Road but typical of this time of year the birds were hard work.

Smoky Wainscot-fields off Dunswell Road-Cottingham

The plover flew high south after I left and didn’t return by dusk.

2016 in 12 picture

Intro

Most of this year, due to having more free time, I’ve managed to blog when I’ve had the inspiration and a few photographs. I’ve rarely left Yorkshire though so most of the highlights will inevitably be local. I’ve kept going with Cottingham Moths but still wonder whether it’s worth the effort. However viewing figures have doubled since last year. See how I feel when I start trapping again in 2017.

January

My first picture for 2016 is the returning Barmston Kumlien’s Gull, seen on the 31st. It proved tricky this year [more here].

Kumlien’s Gull on Barmston Beach

February

An Early Moth found in Cottingham on Travis Road on the 6th was a new one for me [see here].

Early Moth

March

March was poor for photographs so I’ll settle for my first picture of a Small Tortoiseshell of the year taken at Far Grange.

Small Tortoiseshell at Far Grange, Skipsea

April

My best photograph of the month was a very showy Cetti’s Warbler at Tophill Low NR that performed close to North Marsh Hide for several days.

Cetti’s Warbler at North Marsh-Tophill Low NR

May

This month’s photograph is the two Glossy Ibises at North Cave Wetlands NR, taken on the 29th. A site tick for most regulars.

Glossy Ibises on Dryham Ings-North Cave Wetlands NR

June

This month it’s a Dingy Skipper taken at Kiplingcotes Chalk Pit near Market Weighton on the 5th. A difficult species to see locally and even more to photograph [Full account here].

Dingy Skipper at Kiplingcotes Chalk Pit

July

Perversely my picture for July is an escaped/released Corn Snake found at High Eske NR on the 25th but it survived to provide material for a light hearted posting in August [see here].

Corn Snake-High Eske NR

August

August was a good month for waders at Tophill Low NR, had a site tick in the form of Spotted Crake at North Cave Wetlands and some good insects. All these are covered in the blog but the choice goes to the Western Swamp-hen at Minsmere RSPB on the 1st [see here].

Western Swamp-hen-Minsmere RSPB

September

This month I go for a moth. My first Brick on the 17th.

Brick-Cottingham

October

October was a mad month, said to be the best rarity wise ever. Oddly I never left Yorkshire but the best bird, for me at least, was the Siberian Accentor at Easington seen the same afternoon as my first Yorkshire Paddyfield Warbler [full account here].

Siberian Accentor-Vicar’s Lane, Easington

November

November was a waterbird month and represented by this Black-necked Grebe I found at Tophill Low NR on the 22nd [See here].

Black-necked Grebe on D res at Tophill Low NR

December

The last photograph should have been Dusky Thrush at Beeley but didn’t see it long enough to get a picture on my 1st attempt and not at all on the 2nd [see here]. Therefore the space is filled by Eastern Black Redstart at Skinningrove, with in the historic borders of Yorkshire [see here].

Eastern Black Redstart-Skinningrove

Top 10 posts of 2016 [viewing figures]

1 The Flamborough/Easington twitch-Paddyfield Warbler and Siberian Accentor

2 Migrants-Kilnsea/Easington including Olive-backed Pipit

3 Putative Stejneger’s Stonechat at Spurn Point–Since confirmed

4 31/1/16 Kumlien’s Gull at Barmston [for the 4th year?]

5 Waxwings at last-Hessle Sainsbury’s

6 Alkborough Flats–pre-Western Swamp-hen

7 The Grey Phalarope at Tophill Low NR

8 Spotted Crake at North Cave Wetlands

9 North Cave Wetlands YWT–Birds and insects

10 2015 in 12 pictures

22/11/16 Late Black-necked Grebe at Tophill Low NR

22/11/16 Went to Tophill Low NR with RL on Tuesday afternoon to do the gull roost. Good number of wildfowl on D reservoir so had a good look through before the gulls started building up. Picked up a small grebe at the top end. Black and white so immediately ruled out Little Grebe. My next thought was Slavonian Grebe as they are the usual inland grebe at this time of year locally but quickly proved to be a Black-necked Grebe. At Tophill Low NR in past they have been regular spring passage birds followed by probable failed breeders through summer then juvenile and post breeders late summer but rare [if ever?] in late autumn. This year though there has only been one earlier record, on the 9th June. Missed this one but had seen a pair at North Cave Wetlands on 7th of June.

Black-necked Grebes on Main Lake at North Cave Wetland 7/6/16.

Walked straight road to North Hide seeing several Fieldfare on the way. It was closer and we managed a few reasonable shots of the grebe in fading light.

Black-necked Grebe at Tophill Low NR on D reservoir

Nothing of note in the roost but the North Hide isn’t the best place to do the it from.

Gulls coming into roost at Tophill Low NR

Nothing in the log but this isn’t always reliable as to what has been seen on the reserve. Knew the Smew was still present on Watton NR via RBA at least.

The new visitor centre at Tophill Low NR nearing completion

Geese at North Cave Wetlands

19/10/16 There has been a good arrival of Geese in the last flew days with large numbers of White-fronted and Pink-footed Geese and smaller numbers of Bean Geese. Caught up with thirteen White-fronts at High Eske NR on Saturday at High Eske NR at dusk then eighty-two at Hornsea Mere on Tuesday.

Russian White-fronted Geese at Hornsea Mere.

The latter included four with neck collars, including at least one radio-tagged in Russia [with the current cold war atmosphere I’m surprised it wasn’t detained at the borders. This may seen a joke but similar things have happen to radio-tagged raptors in the Middle East]. Anyway North Cave Wetlands has done well with all three wild geese species although on Tuesday there were no Beans. Went myself Tuesday morning. Initially could only see Greylags on Village Lake. There was a lot of movement and heard Pinkies but only located a couple on the ground when I went round to East Hide.

Pink-footed Geese with Greylags on Village Lake-North Cave Wetlands

There was talk of Bar-headed Goose but the nearest thing I could see was a Barnacle Goose hybrid. Looked through the Snipe on there and Island Lake and counted an impressive thirty-eight but couldn’t find any Jacks. Several Jack Snipe seem to be inhabiting the inaccessible area in the middle of the reserve. Apart from the Snipe and Lapwing the only other waders were a few Redshank and seven Curlew flying over. A Green Woodpecker flew up from near reedbed and sat on a post for several minutes.

Green Woodpecker near reedbed-North Cave Wetlands

A couple of Common Darter were still on the wing along the western path.

Had three of six Egyptian Geese on the silt lagoon as well as more dubious Black Swan.

Egyptian Goose [above] and Black Swan [below] on Silt Lagoon-North Cave Wetlands