More than birds in North Cave Wetlands

Today really feel like spring at the Wetlands. I decided to do the perimeter walk clockwise. There was a splash of colour with Colt's Foot joining Lesser Celandine flowering and several non-avian species for a change. Although windy, it was a warm wind that is bringing the migrants in. It was lovely to watch the little bunch of Yellow Wagtails feeding with Pied and White Wagtails in the new area of the reserve by Crosslands Hide. A couple of Pipits joined them, I'd go for Meadow pipits, but hard to tell. A Little Ringed Plover joined them. Some sand Sand Martins, the first of the year few overhead. I thought I saw three Swallows on the ridge by a farm in my way to the reserve, but I couldn't have a good look, so my first swallow of the year will have to wait.
 Despite the new birds for the year, for me the stars of the day were the toads. Several dozens, at least, appeared to be gathering in the ditch at the north side of the reserve. I think, judging by their small size, most of them must have been males. There was a single pair in amplexus, and I didn't see any spawn. I laid down trying to get better shots and got my hand full on some growing nettles. Ouch, it still hurts! but well worth some toad photos.
 There were many Avocets, and I witnessed a pair mating in the water, with only the female's head visible over the surface. Black-headed gulls were mating, and nest building.

Yellow Wagtail

A sluggish queen Buff-Tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris

The Mute Swans in Reed Lake sitting on the nest. The other one was resting just to the right of the photo.

Toads. Some of them were calling intermittently.

Pair of Common Toads in amplexus

Male Andrena sp. probably A. bicolor in Colt's Foot (thanks to Ian Beavis for ID).

A particularly spotty toad

Record shot of the handsome Black-Tailed Godwit in Reed Lake.

There was a large group of Shelducks by the rabbit warrens. I wonder if they are planning a take-over. Shelducks like to breed in old rabbit burrows.

Three jumping spiders were sunbathing on the fence by Turret Hide. Looking lovely and curious, as always.

Another Yellow Wagtail

A White Wagtail

Male Reed Bunting feeding at the bottom of a hedge

Avocets resting

Black-headed gulls. Hard to keep balance with the wind. 

Pair of Rooks

Bird List

1. Avocet        
2.  Black-headed Gull        
3.  Black-tailed Godwit        
4.  Buzzard        
5.  Carrion Crow        
6.  Chaffinch        
7.  Coot       
8.  Dunnock        
9.  Feral Pigeon        
10.  Gadwall        
11.  Goldfinch        
12.  Great Tit        
13.  Greylag Goose        
14.  House Sparrow        
15.  Jackdaw        
16.  Lapwing        
17.  Little Grebe        
18.  Little Ringed Plover        
19.  Magpie        
20.  Mallard        
21.  Meadow/Rock Pipit?        
22.  Moorhen        
23.  Mute Swan       
24.  Oystercatcher        
25.  Pied Wagtail (yarrellii)        
26.  Pochard        
27.  Redshank        
28.  Reed Bunting        
29.  Robin        
30.  Rook        
31.  Sand Martin        
32.  Shelduck        
33.  Shoveler        
34.  Skylark        
35.  Starling        
36.  Stock Dove        
37.  Teal        
38.  Tree Sparrow        
39.  Tufted Duck        
40.  Wigeon        
41.  Woodpigeon        
42.  Wren        
43.  Yellow Wagtail