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.
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| Shoveler |
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| Red-necked Grebe |
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| Red-necked Grebe with a fish or frog |
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| Barn Owl,with mouse or vole |
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| Shelduck |
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| Pheasant |
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| One of many Lakes at Tophill Low |
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| Tophill Low |
A good Saturdays birding with some good birds and cracking photos, well done
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