Saturday 6 April 2013

Tophill Low Nature Reserve

Saturday April 6th
 We set off this morning heading for the Tophill Low Nature Reserve North of Beverley
in the East Riding of Yorkshire.On arrival we paid for our day permit; the sun was out with
a temperature of 5°C, there are two reservoirs here D & O named due to their shapes.Also
here are several smaller ponds with various types of habitat, which meant we did a fair bit of
walking to get to all the hides & viewing points. We started in one of the hides looking over the
D reservoir seeing,Goldeneye,Goosander,Tufted Duck,Wigeon,Pochard & Mute Swan, we were
told later that there was a Black-necked Grebe here which we sadly missed.Walking round we
detoured into some woodland to a pond hearing & seeing our first Chiffchaff of the year also in this
area Chaffinch,Robin,Wren,Siskin,Pheasant,Goldfinch & Woodpigeon.Walking back at the side of
the River Hull we saw a bird emerge from the side of a tree carrying some prey,a Barn Owl a great
first for us and by itself making the visit well worthwhile,also here Lapwing & Reed Bunting.
 We passed the closed visitor center & looking at some more smaller ponds added Little Grebe &
Greylag to our list.Then to the O reservoir viewing point seeing many of the birds already mentioned,
then a distant view of a Red-necked Grebe another first! We walked quite some distance round here
stopping at several hides looking over out lying lakes & ponds adding,Cormorant,Teal,Gadwall,
Redshank,Shelduck,Shoveler,Moorhen,Coot,Jackdaw,Canada & Mallard.All in all a good mornings
birding with two lifers & many birds seen,not the best spot for my little camera but we did our best.We
then moved across to Hornsea Mere hoping to add to our list.
Shoveler


Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe with a fish or frog


Barn Owl,with mouse or vole

Shelduck

Pheasant

One of many Lakes at Tophill Low

Tophill Low

  

1 comment:

  1. A good Saturdays birding with some good birds and cracking photos, well done

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