Trip reports

Mansfield Group Field Trip to North Cave and Blacktoft Sands on 4th March 2007

Tuesday, 13 March 2007

We arrived at North Cave at 9.45 a.m. We were met there by Stephen Martin whom with others, was responsible for securing this site for birds and wildlife in general. Had it not been for their foresight and love of birds, these former gravel extraction pits would have been filled in and lost forever. Stephen boarded the coach and enlightened us on all their achievements. Then the birding began, with sightings of both Little and Great Crested Grebe on site and a large flock of Greylag geese. There were plenty of duck species including Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Pochard and Ruddy Duck. Waders present were Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Snipe and Redshank. There were an abundance of Passerines around, i.e. Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Long-Tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, House Sparrows and good to see, Tree Sparrows at the bird feeding stations. Then it was time to leave for Blacktoft Sands, a change of site and unfortunately, a change of weather too. The wind began to blow and the rain was falling quite heavily at times. I thought we would see very little in these conditions, but most of us had wonderful views of a male Hen Harrier as it flew past the hides. Up to four Marsh Harriers were in flight together and one Whooper Swan was seen from the first hide. We made for the coach at 3.45 having had enough, but still enjoyed the trips to the above reserves.