Possibly a male Pimpla rufipes (although males are difficult to distinguish from a photograph), but certainly a striking insect to see within the brambles, as it warmed itself up, before searching for a female of the species
Despite the stiff breeze, the 2nd year Hobby was still on the dead trees at the western end of the Reed-bed, providing good views as it made feeding forays over the Reed-bed for Dragonflies
Saturday, Another Osprey flew over the reserve in the morning, The 2nd year Hobby present in the western trees of the Reed-bed, The 3 juvenile Spotted redshanks were on the Island lake, with 2 Greenshanks (Island lake & West Holm), 2 Ruffs (Crossland's lake & Redshank & Common sandpiper (West Holm)
52x species at @northcavewet.bsky.social this morning. With fantastic views of this Hobby hunting over the pools. @northcavebirds.bsky.social #wildlife #photography #naturephotography #birdsseenin2026 #phonescoping #digiscoping #ukbirding 🪶
Different views of a Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus) by the Carp lake. Very much giving the 'Armoured pre-historic' look.Interesting that it was out & not under cover (given the shower just before, as shown by the small rain drops on it's 2 antennae
Some flight views of the island lake juvenile Spotted redshanks as they traversed the Island lake, due to either a predator, or just changing feeding locations
Still about & showing well was the 2nd year Hobby in the Western trees by the Reed-bed lake. Due to the stiff at times breeze, not as mobile as previous days & sometimes had difficulty staying on it's perch
Saturday, An Osprey flew south over the reserve in the late morning, In the New workings, there was a Wheatear in a ploughed field, Along the 'Oak' avenue both a juvenile Cuckoo & Jay were seen, The 3 juvenile Spotted redshanks were on the Island lake, with a Greenshank & 2 Green sandpipers,
This Hobby is being very obliging at North Cave Wetlands (NCW) East Yorkshire. It has been using the same tree as a base for its hunting sorties for a few days now. @northcavewet.bsky.social
The Goldfinches that breed by the Reed-bed & North hedge have had good season this year with the 4 pairs rearing over 20 juveniles, which now form the majority of the charm along the North path. Interesting to see the juveniles start to acquire adult plumage, starting with the red of the nape
Thursday, The juvenile Hobby was again in the Dead' trees on the western side of the Reed-bed, 30 Curlews roosted on East Holm, with another & 2 Ruffs on Crossland's lake, plus Green sandpiper & the 3 juvenile Spotted redshanks on the Island lake & Greenshank on East Holm 2 Swifts over West Holm
Robin singing at North Cave Wetlands. #birds #birding #wildlife #nature #photography #PhotographersOfBluesky @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social @northcavebirds.bsky.social
Surprise moth this morning & it was quite small as well. Common roller (Ancylis badina). Supposed to be common, but the first time I have seen it on the reserve!
Some pictures of the juvenile Hobby that was in the dead trees to the west of the Reed-bed. Some good views obtained whilst it rested in between forays over the Reed-bed for dragonflies (it had a quite high success rate as well) Makes a change from just being a dot in the sky!
Wednesday, A juvenile Hobby in trees to the west of the Reed-bed catching dragonflies from them, An eclipse Pintal on East Holm The 3 juvenile Spotted redshanks were either on Crossland's or Island lake, with 2 Green sandpipers on the latter, Greenshank, 2 Ruffs & a Dunlin were on Crossland's lake,
Hobby: This juvenile showed very well this morning, often perched in trees on the west side of Reedbed Lake from which it went on hunting forays for Dragonflies. @northcavewet.bsky.social
Good morning 🌞 Mute Swans; majestic and peaceful on the surface, paddling like billy-o below. #ItsAllWhite #BirdOfTheDay #ECK #BirdsOfBluesky #WildlifePhotography @northcavewet.bsky.social 📷🪶
Hawthorn berries @northcavewet.bsky.social were looking stunning in the sunlight yesterday. A beautiful reminder that every season passes and the natural world cycles on.
Tuesday, The 3 juvenile Spotted redshanks were mobile between Crossland's & Island lake, 2 Ruffs & a Cattle egret were on Crossland's lake, The 2 Ruddy shelducks were seen on either Crossland's lake or West Holm, A Whinchat was on the fence lines between Cells 'A' & 'B' and 'B' & 'C',
Migrant hawker over the Dragonfly ponds. Despite the hot weather encouraging a strong growth of water weed, there still remain a few clear areas of open water, where all the dragonflies all oviposit
After missing a few birds, it was good to connect up with this Whinchat on the fence line in the Snipe field. Interesting to see it catch & devour a Grasshopper during this period, Would hope that it will stay a while & maybe devour more Grasshoppers
The Spotted redshanks had a bit of an explore today, with either all 3 or just2 being seen on Crossland's lake, as well as the Island lake, We shall see as to whether this indicated their imminent departure or not
Monday, A male Whinchat on the Snipe field fence line, The 3 juvenile Spotted redshanks & a Ruff were seen on both the Island & Crossland's lake, 4 Green sandpipers (3 Island lake & single Silt pond), 3 Common sandpipers (Crossland's lake), Golden plovers (flew north over Crossland's lake)
The Yearlist to the end of August 2026 stands at 163 species at North Cave Wetlands. With new species seen during the month shown in Red. @northcavewet.bsky.social
A fair number of Willow Emerald damselflies (Chalcolestes viridis) now about @northcavewet.bsky.social. Elsewhere: Brown Hawker, Common and Ruddy darters, Common and Blue-tailed damselflies.
10:45am @northcavewet.bsky.social and this male Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) was still warming up …. 10:46am and they were off for a day’s flight 😀 Elsewhere: Whinchats
Having only properly ‘re-engaged’ with natural history in the last five years, it’s great to be having completely new encounters in my 60s 😀 - my first Clouded Yellow 🦋 @northcavewet.bsky.social today ✅
Highlight of the day was the male KIngfisher seen perched outside the South, allowing close views as he caught & devoured two Minnows in quick succession, With a little bit of quietness, he allowed several visitors the chance to admire him
