A mixture of shallow and deep water lakes and reedbeds provide outstanding habitat for passage, breeding and wintering wildfowl, waders, terns and gulls. A 2km perimeter path gives access around the established nature reserve and four large hides are positioned to give excellent viewing over key areas for birdwatchers and photographers alike.
Shallow gravel islands have been created in three lakes to provide breeding grounds for little ringed and ringed plovers, avocet, oystercatcher, lapwing and common tern. There is a resident population of tufted duck, gadwall, great crested and little grebe and sometimes shoveler. In spring and autumn small numbers and migrant wading birds pass through. Reed and sedge warblers and reed buntings are common in and around the reedbed and north side of the nature reserve.
Butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies thrive on the grassy banks beside the perimeter path; watch out for the emperor dragonfly and sometimes water vole. There is a small colony of brown argus butterflies in the meadow between Main and Carp Lakes, access to which is opened in summer months.
Directions
Come off at Junction 38 of the M62/A63 and take the B1230 east to North Cave. At the first crossroad in the village, turn left onto Townend Lane and follow the brown reserve signs. If approaching north on the A1079 Market Weighton bypass take the minor road south through North Cliffe to North Cave then follow signs. The nature reserve is 15 miles west of Hull, of Cliffe Road on Dryham lane.