Walking Around North Cave Wetlands
An evolving nature reserve on the site of a sand and gravel quarry in East Yorkshire, England
A number of years ago Matt and I were driving back to York from the Humber Estuary when Matt noticed a new sign to a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve.
At the time I was waiting for one of a series of procedures on my foot, as well as having severe pain from a strained tendon in my knee. We were both coming to the realization that the fell walking and mountain jaunts, which had been such an important part of our lives, were becoming too much for me.
A few days later Matt suggested we visit the reserve, which turned out to be the relatively young North Cave Wetlands. It was wonderful. Gentle paths, lots of bird hides and benches to rest, beautiful lakes and an abundance of wildlife. That day we discovered, or in my case rediscovered, the joy of visiting nature reserves.
We joined the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust later that afternoon, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds a few days later, and spent the next few years discovering a multitude of wonderful nature reserves within easy reach of York, which we previously didn’t know existed.
North Cave Wetlands is located on the site of an ancient fen which was drained for agriculture. In 1990 the land became a quarry for the extraction of sand and gravel.
When quarrying operations ended there were proposals to create a landfill site. Fortunately local objections were successful, and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust acquired the site to develop into a wetland nature reserve, with substantial help from the aggregates company who then operated the quarry.
When we first visited the reserve it consisted of just under 40 hectares, with plans to extend westwards and southwards as shown in the map below.
Over the years we have watched the reserve expand and develop, with new ponds, paths and hides being added.
Today North Cave Wetlands is substantially larger than when we first visited, the current extent being shown in the map below:
It has been an absolute joy watching the changes take place, and seeing how quickly the new ponds became colonized by wildfowl and other wildlife. Even with the heavy quarrying equipment still operating close by.
Nature is resilient - it just needs space and suitable habitat.
When we visit we like to walk in an anti-clockwise direction from the parking area on Dryham Lane. After passing the popular ‘Little Butty Bus’ we head first to East Hide. This gives great views over Village Lake and Island Lake.
Here you can usually spot various species of ducks, geese and grebes, sometimes present in large numbers (depending on the season). Tufted duck, teal, wigeon, gadwall, shellduck and shoveler are common on the lakes, together with greylag and Canada geese and mute swans. Great crested grebes and little grebes are usually seen, as are coots, moorhens and cormorants.
Waders patrol the fringes of the lakes and islands, while herons and little egrets hunt along the shallow edges of the lakes. Lapwings, oystercatchers and redshank are commonly seen, while black-tailed godwits, curlew, snipe, green sandpipers and many more are also regular visitors.
Avocets breed at North Cave Wetlands in significant numbers, although they seem to now prefer the newer part of the reserve. In summer there is a large (and noisy) colony of black headed gulls, and common terns also regularly breed here.
There is always something to watch, and you just never know what might turn up!
After leaving East Hide, Turret Hide is our next port of call. This raised hide gives great views over the aptly named Island Lake and dense reed beds.
Bitterns are regularly spotted from here along the edges of the reeds, and exciting news this year was that a pair had bred. I have never been lucky enough to see one here, although I have heard one booming.
Reed and sedge warblers can be heard among the reeds in summer, and the loud call of Cetti’s warbler has become common. Reed buntings are often seen, and bearded tits are sometimes present. Otters have also been recorded here.
The path to Turret Hide is lined with teasels, shrubs and wild flowers. On our last visit we watched a whitethroat singing proudly in one of the bushes. Of course as soon as I lifted the camera he promptly disappeared.
Robins are much less shy and happy to pose for a photo, like this little one on an alarmingly spiny branch.
Soon after leaving Turret Hide there is a bird feeding station which is kept well stocked in winter. Regular visitors here are robins, chaffinches, goldfinches, greenfinches, great tits, blue tits, coal tits and long tailed tits. I have also seen bullfinches, bramblings and siskins using the feeders.
Following the Perimeter Path from the bird feeding station we pass a meadow area with winding paths as we head for the small Dragonfly Ponds.
Like all nature reserves North Cave Wetlands is about far more than birds. The photos below were all taken around the meadow and Dragonfly Ponds.
After passing the small Dragonfly Ponds, the Perimeter Path continues along the northern boundary of the reserve. This is a lovely section. We pass Reedbed Lake and Far Lake on the left, with several benches and a shelter, and a hedgerow and fields on the right.
The hedgerow provides shelter, blossom in spring, and lots of berries in autumn and winter for hungry birds.
The view over the fields here is particularly nice, with a beautiful copse of trees including poplar and white poplar. The fields, which sometimes flood in winter, are favourite feeding grounds of greylag geese and a group of curlews.
Where the Perimeter Path turns left, at the Corner of Crosslands Lake, there is a sandy bank. This is used by a large nesting colony of sand martins. In spring it is a pleasure watching these agile little birds flying in and out of the entrance holes.
The Perimeter Path passes more bird feeders, much appreciated in winter.
Just before the Perimeter Path arrives back at Dryham Lane, there is a side path leading to a bench. This has a lovely view over Carp Lake, and is our favourite spot for our picnic lunch.
One day we watched a hobby repeatedly flying low around the lake catching dragonflies on the wing. This agile bird was far too fast for my limited photography skills, but watching it feeding, completely unbothered by our presence, was a magical experience.
We often see robins, goldfinches, long tailed tits and occasionally bullfinches here. And one day we were visited by this couple who were out for a stroll.
When the Perimeter Path arrives back at Dryham Lane, we turn right to visit the newer part of the reserve.
The impressive new Dennis Wood Hide opened last year, and this gives excellent views of Crosslands Lake and East Holm Lake.
This is the area now preferred by avocets in spring. It is also popular with all manner of wildfowl and waders - there is always something to watch.
The path to the new hide is lined with hawthorn and fruit trees, providing a bounty for countless creatures in the autumn and winter months.
Further along there is a viewing screen which looks over West Holm and East Holm lakes. Close to this, near the farm buildings, are some beautiful oak trees where little owls are frequently spotted.
Returning along Dryham Lane we head back towards the parking area, and call in at the excellent Crosslands Hide, which looks south over Dryham Ings. As well as the usual wildfowl and waders I have seen a stoat, foxes and roe deer from here.
Continuing back along Dryham Lane towards the car park there is a final hide known as South Hide, which looks over Main Lake. Kingfishers sometimes use the perches here, and good numbers of ducks and grebes are often present.
From South Hide it is a short stroll along Dryham Lane back to the car, with another feeding area, a viewing screen and several hedge gaps to look out over Dryham Ings along the way. We have often seen marsh harriers hunting here.
Grazing cattle assist with land management at Dryham Ings, and sometimes we see my absolute favourites - three lovely belted Galloways - as a final treat before reaching the car.
Matt and I have visited North Cave Wetlands countless times since we first discovered it. Some visits have more sightings than others, but a day spent here is never wasted - there is always something interesting to see whatever the season.
Walking around North Cave Wetlands today, it is inconceivable that this wonderful nature reserve almost became a landfill site. Under the care of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust it will continue to develop and flourish, providing a home to so many creatures and a peaceful sanctuary for nature-loving people to enjoy. It is vital that we support our local and national conservation organizations if we want places like this to continue to exist.
For more information about the reserve, including location and facilities, see Yorkshire Wildlife Trust North Cave Wetlands.
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A bit of a stretch for us but your wonderful description and photographs has got me thinking about a visit sometime. Brilliant work as usual Angie, thanks for sharing.
What an amazing spot! You've done well describing it! Can't wait to visit when I come back to England next.