2023 in 12 pictures

After finally getting back on the road in autumn of 2022 I got out regularly this year until the end of September but although I had “more material” it meant I had less time to actually blog not helped by family issues in summer. Also due to a difficulty with long car journeys, apart from a few butterfly trips to Lincolnshire, I only left Yorkshire once for the Northumberland Grey-headed Lapwing. Because of this I haven’t taken many rare bird pictures. However because of the above many pictures are new to the blog.

January After not seeing Brambling in Cottingham for many years for the second year I managed to see one twice in late January in KGV Rec by the BMX track.

Brambling-Cottingham KGV Rec-20/1/23

February This month’s bird is a Whooper Swan at High Eske NR the 5th.

Whooper Swan-High Eske NR-5/2/23

March 2023 was a great year for me locally for Bittern. One was seen at Tophill Low NR throughout the year, on 3rd May I hear one calling by Leven Canal, my first for the High Eske/Pulfin/Leven Carr super patch, I had one several times over Brough Airfield Marsh spring/summer suggesting nesting then on 11th September I had one at North Cave Wetlands.

Bittern-Tophill Low NR on South Marsh West-22/3/23

April This month again Tophill Low NR this my only Whimbrel of the year on South Marsh East on the 26th.

Whimbrel-Tophill Low NR on South Marsh East-26/4/23

May As mentioned above the Grey-headed Lapwing, which I saw on the 2nd, was my only rarity outside Yorkshire. However the pictures is rubbish and I aren’t yet convinced of it’s credentials. Therefore my picture is my first Slow Worm in Pickering Woods on the 18th. I also ticked two butterfly species that day. The full story here.

Slow Worm-Pickering Woods-18/5/23

June This month I go for a butterfly. Again in North Yorkshire at Farnham near Harrogate where the only [disclosed?] colony of Small Blue Butterfly in the county is. Being just on the outskirts of the village, a strange place to see such a rare insect. Full details here.

Small Blue butterfly-Farnham-16/6/23

July This month my second butterfly, a surprise find in Cottingham near Badger’s Wood, a White-letter Hairstreak on the 25th. Also seen the other known site in the village, on Snuff Mill Lane [see here] but I never got to see see them this year.

White-letter Hairstreak-Cottingham near Badger’s Wood-25/7/23

August On the 23rd I found the 2nd Blue-winged Teal for Tophill Low NR joined by the 3rd on following morning, but as I saw the first, this months picture is Willow Emerald Damselfly at the visitors centre pond, a site tick for me. Thanks to Pat Hoggarth for pointing at out for me. Considering the effort put in recording Odonata Tophill Low NR was late to the game.

Willow Emerald Damselfly-Tophill Low NR-21/7/23

September The month of the Yorkshire Brown Booby twitch but my photos were poor and it was only a county tick having seen one in Cornwall in September 2019. Even then it would take something very special to top my Clifden Nonpareil on the 14th. I had actually finished emptying the trap when I noticed a very large grey moth on the summer house railings. There was a good influx of this otherwise very rare moth but still something magic, the holy grail for moth enthusiasts.

Clifden Nonpareil-Cottingham-14/9/23

October What in the past would often be my best month was quiet with my bike laid up and not being up to long car journeys but a small flock of Egyptian Geese on my “green patch” at Carr Farm, Willerby on the 29th were a “Carrs” tick for my friends who saw them. I had seen the species at Tophill Low NR on the 16th February and there seems to be a feral population in East Yorkshire but whether from local non-self sustaining escapes or expansion from the population originating in East Anglia I can’t say. I personally witnessed the first wild breeding of Egyptian Geese at High Eske NR in the summer of 2004.

Egyptian Geese-Carr Farm, Willerby-29/10/23

November was very quiet for me and the best I can do is a Lesser Redpoll in Cottingham on the 29th at Millbeck Wildlife area where I had seen them in January.

Lesser Redpoll-Millbeck Wildlife Area, Cottingham-29/11/23

At least December brought a true rarity with a Black-throated Thrush being found at Tophill Low NR on the 10th which I saw the next day [full story here]. Not surprisingly new for the site list and although it could be elusive, not helped by poor weather, it remained into the start of 2024 by which time all who wanted will have added it.

Male Black-throated Thrush-Tophill Low NR-11/12/23-hopefully get the chance for a better image.

Ten most viewed posts of 2023

My highlights of 2022

2022 in 12 pictures

The Black-throated Thrush at Tophill Low NR

Black-throated Thrush at Tophill Low NR

Early 2023

Getting 2023 going

Two days in April at High Eske NR

A better day at High Eske NR

A trip to North Lincolnshire

10/7/23 Risby Warren and Alkborough Flats

A rare butterfly in Lincolnshire

16/6/23 Black Hairstreak at Chambers Farm Wood

A rare butterfly in North Yorkshire.

12/6/23 Small Blue butterfly in North Yorkshire

An updated version of my views on wildfowl being considered for addition to the British List.

Ross’s Goose added to Cat A [8/10/23 update]

A trip to North Yorkshire for rare butterflies

18/5/23 Appleton Le Moors and Pickering Woods

My first visit to Tophill Low NR after the shut down in 2022.

12/9/22 Back to Tophill Low NR

10/7/23 Risby Warren and Alkborough Flats

Monday morning I went with Ricky, across the Humber Bridge, for our annual visit to Risby Warren. This had been forecast as an unsettled week but this morning it was dry if rather windy. There were plenty of butterflies on site.

Gatekeeper-I had seen a few already in Cottingham

Green-veined White which was my 1st for a few weeks

Small White-currently fairly numerous

Small Skipper-again seen a few in the last week or so

Small Copper-this site has always been good for this species but I’ve seen a few in Cottingham earlier this year.

Small Tortoiseshell-generally numerous

Not a particularly good site for birds but nice to see breeding Stonechat in the same area as last year.

My 1st Small Heath this year but common on site.

Our target was Grayling so we walked towards the “dunes” where we had seen them previously seeing goods of Silver Y moths on the way. The only other moths seen were two Yellow Shell. We could hear what we believe was a rabbit shoot in the area so approached with caution but it was in fact “blanks” used to train Spaniels to retrieve.

Found several Grayling, the 1st made easy as it was showing the bright forewing but the 2nd less obvious as it showed only the hindwing and was typically very settled.

Like everywhere Meadow Brown was very common, the one below only showing the hindwing, a potential confusion for anyone unfamiliar with Grayling.

The site is also known for interesting plants but I’m not a botanist so made do with just Viper’s-bugloss.

Next to Alkborough Flats.

My 1st Ruddy Darter this year on the path to Prospect Hide

I hadn’t been here for 2 years and noticed the reedbed in front of Prospect Hide was much thicker restricting viewing somewhat and although we heard and glimpsed several Bearded Tit they were now harder to see well. Fortunately I had seen them well recently on my side of the Humber at Welton Waters.

Bearded Tit at Welton Waters-22/6/23

Eleven Spoonbill were viewable from the hide later joined by number twelve.

Spoonbills with a few Lapwing-Alkborough Flats

Apart from Lapwing the only other waders were a single Ruff and Curlew. A fairly poor showing for a reserve often good for waders. Also had at least one Marsh Harrier and few Little Egret.

16/6/23 Black Hairstreak at Chambers Farm Wood

Black Hairstreak has only a short flight period so with them reported at Chambers Farm Wood, Lincolnshire, and with thunder storms forecast from Sunday Ricky and I arranged to go on Friday. A good hot clear morning and on arrival the first person we saw told us they were currently showing well so we had a brisk walk to the the ‘crossroads”. The first time I have hurried for a butterfly, instead of a bird, and on arrival had the feel of a proper twitch with numerous cameras pointing into the vegetation although admittedly in nothing like the number at a rare bird. Also a little more amenable? Hairstreaks in my experience are usually high up, mobile and hard to photograph but these were often low and static although often tricky to get a clear view. Counted at least half a dozen.

Black Hairstreak on Blackthorn

Went to the butterfly garden for lunch. A few Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth were on Red Valerian by the car park.

Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth on Red Valerian

By the drying up pond we had a Large Red Damselfly, one of a very few dragonflies we saw.

Large Large Red Damselfly

Also Mullein caterpillar on the food plant.

Mullein caterpillar

Swallow on wire above the Butterfly Garden

Went to the meadow to look for Marsh Fritillary. Late for them with only a few worn individuals but lucky found one not too bad.

Marsh Fritillary

We had seen a large number of small moths flying around tall oaks opposite the carpark and the smaller Oaks by the meadow allowed me to identify them as Green Oak Tortrix.

Green Oak Tortrix-a potential pest in large number

Like everywhere butterfly numbers were low with the only other species seen being Speckled Wood, a Brimstone, Meadow Brown and Large Skipper.

Meadow Brown [left] and Large Skipper [right]

Fortunately we left early as Humber Bridge was closed meaning a long diversion via the M180/M18/M62.

12/6/23 Small Blue butterfly in North Yorkshire

The cool spring has continue at least in coastal Yorkshire with an insect equivalent of the silent spring and lucky to see one butterfly a day usually Holly Blue in my garden. Things started to warm up on Friday afternoon and although still only a few butterflies it did include my first Large Skipper while walking the dog in Cottingham.

Large Skipper-Cottingham-9/6/23

With this in mind Ricky arranged to take me to Farnham for the sole tiny colony of Small Blue in Yorkshire on Monday. Working from a photograph Ricky copied from a fellow butterfly and orchid lister at Yatts Farm last year we managed to match the image to the verge at the entrance to the village on the Knaresborough road. The sort of verge many will envy with Pyramidal Orchid and Common Rose-rose as well as Small Blue food-plant, Kidney-vetch.

Pyramidal Orchid [left] and Common Rock-rose [right].

However although covered with damselflies we found no butterflies.

I walked further out of the village until it matched the photo and soon found a Large Skipper and a few Mint Moth.

Mint Moth

I then had a small dark butterfly that in flight was similar to Brown Argus but once settled was a Small Blue.

Two different Small Blue on Kidney-vetch

I urgently hailed Ricky but fortunately the butterfly, although often deep in cover, remained in the same small area all the time we were on site. Found a second one nearby but only briefly. Their sedentary nature and likely small number made us realise how lucky we had been to even see one. Also had a few Meadow Brown, my first this year, but in general very few butterflies for this time of year.

Meadow Brown

No birds in this blog but many listers will recognise this view from the first Pacific Diver twitch in January 2007.

Farnham sailing club, opposite the Small Blue site

18/5/23 Appleton Le Moors and Pickering Woods

Up to the middle of May it has been generally cool and overcast and not good for butterflies however last Thursday was forecast to be brighter and warm so I arranged to go up to Pickering with Ricky to check a new site for Duke of Burgundy Fritillary. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t too good early and on reaching Appleton Le Moors it was mild but dull. Quickly got Small Tortoiseshell and Orange-tip as well as Brown Silver-line moth but no sign of Pearl Bordered Fritillary for which this site is the best known in Yorkshire.

Brown Silver-line-a moth and male Orange-tip butterfly

Had my first orchid of the year.

Early Purple Orchid-likely my first.

Wasn’t looking to brighten anytime soon so headed for the Pickering. Took some time, with some help, to find the site and had some rain as we parked up but soldiered on up the track but again only had a few commoner butterflies. However it did brighten for a while which brought out the Common Lizards. These were to skittish but Slow Worm lived up their name only slowly burrowing into the vegetation.

Slow Worm-a first for both of us.

It clouded over as we walked back but kept looking for the Cowslip on which the “duke” was supposed to feed but they seemed to have gone over. Eventually I found one and while Ricky was checking out a Bee-fly he saw a Duke of Burgundy Fritillary on a nearby flower. Eventually had four and few good shots.

Duke of Burgundy Fritillary

We headed back to Appleton Le Moors and met a couple of blokes who had just seen a few fritillaries.

The dell at Appleton Le Moors where the fritillaries are best looked for.

After a while we connected although saw only one or two.

Pearl Bordered Fritillaries-a new one for me

Yellowhammer-have to one bird but nothing unusual seen today.

2022 in 12 pictures

With Covid fears receding I got back to long distance twitching for the first time since early 2020. However continuing improvements at my favourite site Tophill Low NR both to the works and reserve meant restrictions varying from total closure to the current situation with some areas at the north of the reserve still not fully open and some hides yet to be replaced. However I spent most of the year either on foot or relying on others for transport this only ending in October. Fingers crossed nothing beyond my control will prevent me enjoying 2023 to the the full.

January The first picture is the Baikal Teal at Tophill Low NR. I was the second person to see the bird on the reserve on the 12th [see here], Roy was checking the righthand side of D reservoir and me the left. The actual picture was taken on the 26th when I relocated the bird for John Hirschfield [see here].

Baikal Teal with Wigeon-D reservoir, Tophill Low NR-26/1/22

February One of the two Red Kites in Cottingham on the 9th [see here].

Red Kite over Millbeck Wildlife Area, Cottingham- 9/2/22

March Back to Tophill Low NR for drake Smew on Watton NR on the 8th [see here]

Drake Smew with Goldeneye-Watton NR at Tophill Low NR-8/3/22

April Maybe not the best picture but my first Brambling in Cottingham for many years on the 10th is a “green birding” mega [see here]

Brambling-Park Lane, Cottingham-10/4/22

May Another Tophill Low NR bird this time Great Reed Warbler, both a site first and my Yorkshire bogey bird, on the 20th. A bit controversial and I have already said something here but now more in the past I will say this bird was viewable from a public footpath and in my opinion even with the reserve itself closed the news of bird could have gone out. It was present 18 May until 12 June. It wasn’t my bird and I didn’t want to cause issues with the reserve management so I kept it to myself. I still get grief from a lapsed Tophill regular over this issue.

Great Reed Warbler-Watton NR at Tophill Low NR-20/5/22

June For a change a reptile. My first Adder which I stumbled across at Fen Bog YWT on the 22nd [see here].

Adder at Fen Bog YWT-22/6/22

July This time a damselfly. Small Red-eyed Damselfly breeding at a private site on Snuff Mill Lane, Cottingham [see here].

Small Red-eye Damselfly-Snuff Mill Crossing Cottages, Cottingham

August One of my few trips beyond Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The Cape Gull at Grafton Water, Cambridgeshire on the 7th [see here]. Now on the British List as Kelp Gull.

Cape Gull-Grafham Water. Cambridge-7/8/22

September I saw my first Willow Emerald Damselfly at North Cave Wetland YWT on 28/8/22 [see here]. I then found one in Cottingham, Millbeck Wildlife Area on the 30th [see here] followed by a few along Swine Bank, Hull/Willerby then more at Northcliffe Wood YWT on the 2nd of this month [see here] including the one below.

Willow Emerald Damselfly-Northcliffe Wood YWT-2/9/22

October My first Scilly twitch since dipping Great Blue Heron in April 2015 for Blackburnian Warbler on Bryher on 17th [see here].

Blackburnian Warbler on Bryher, Isles of Scilly-17/10/22

November This month it is a self found Bittern at Tophill Low NR on South Marsh West on the 27th [see here].

Bittern-Tophill Low NR on South Marsh West-27/11/22

December This month brought two new “green birding’ wader ticks with Black-tailed Godwit in Cottingham on the 6th [see here] and Greenshank in Willerby on the 20th [see here]. The former being the least likely so the last picture for the year. Worth noting that both birds were on flood prevention lagoons created after the 2007 flooding.

Black-tailed Godwit-Cottingham-6/12/22

Ten most viewed posts of 2022

The Baikal Teal on Swine Moor and the Cottingham area.

Baikal Teal on Swine Moor and the aftermath of Storm Eunice

Cottingham, Willerby and the finding of the Baikal Teal at Tophill Low NR

Willerby Carrs, Cottingham and Baikal Teal at Tophill Low NR

Twitching Cape Gull

Cape Gull at Grafham Water

First time back at Tophill Low NR after the summer closure.

12/9/22 Back to Tophill Low NR

Willerby, Cottingham and the Baikal Teal at Tophill Low NR

23-26/1/22 Willerby Carr, Cottingham and the Baikal Teal again

Twitching the Blackburnian Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler on Bryher

My first month back on the road including Tophill Low and High Eske NR’s

22/9-19/10/22 “On the road again” [High Eske NR and Tophill Low NR]

Cottingham, Willerby and the Smew on Watton NR in February

Cottingham, Willerby Carr and Smew at Watton NR

First week of 2022 including Tophill Low NR and Cottingham

First Week of 2022-Cottingham and Tophill Low NR

Twitching the Eleonora’s Falcon

Eleonora’s Falcon in Kent

Tophill Low NR-a little bit more

27/11/22 To understand my title best check the Tophill Low NR blog. Anyway Sunday morning I went to Tophill Low NR.

With the attitudes to the human pandemic relaxing we are now facing precautions against Bird Flu. The disease has been confirmed on site

Started in the D res members hide. Good numbers of wildfowl but couldn’t locate the Smew [last report I’m aware of was the previous Sunday but only yesterday’s records in the log book]. However I located a distance drake Goosander. My first since a pair over Cottingham on New Years Day and saving me a trip to East Park sometime.

Pied Wagtail on D res wall

Headed to North Marsh for my first visit since early this year.

The path through D Wood recently resurfaced.

I got to see the the new Middle hide mound and the ramp to it. Also had a Grey Wagtail. The hide erection is planned for March and the replacement for L-shaped hide [South Marsh West in the summer.]

Grey Wagtail feeding on the new Middle hide mound

The path still only goes as far as the North Marsh junction but at least the marsh is now viewable.

North Marsh

A Kingfisher had been seen intermittently and Water Rails were calling but didn’t stay long heading for the South Marshes instead. Checked O res on the way but nothing unusual.

Coot, Tufted Duck and Pochard on O res

Goats now grazing East Pond area

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Little Egret, Teal and Redshank on South Marsh East

The newly cut channel in the South Marsh West reedbed looked great for Bittern and wasn’t long before I saw one at the far end. Largely obscured and soon walked back into the reeds.

Bittern on South Marsh West

A Bittern had been booming during the closure in spring joined by a second bird which over-summered so probably the sites first breeding attempt. However mine was the first sighting since the reserve reopened. Water Rails were very vocal so it was no surprise when one emerged on a pile of dead reed near the front of the channel.

Water Rail on South Marsh West

Also had a Marsh Harrier hunting the river bank.

Moorhens on South Marsh West

Agonopterix alstromeriana-a micro moth-South Marsh West Hide

Decided not to walk Barmston Drain to view Watton NR.

28/11/22 Went to Tophill Low NR with Roy on Monday afternoon. Added Chiffchaff and Siskins in D Wood and a Jay calling near East Pond. No sign of the Goosander on D res.

Siskin in D Wood

The south end of the reserve will fully open from Saturday [3/12] including Watton NR hide but we’ll have to wait a while longer for the L-shaped hide replacement.

22/9-19/10/22 “On the road again” [High Eske NR and Tophill Low NR]

Finally on the 22/9/22 after over two years I got the spark to get the ER5 out of the garage to do the last bit of tidying up and adjust the chain, the latter in retrospect a waste of time. After a quick test ride I booked it for an MOT the following morning at RM Motorcycle. I already knew that I needed a front tyre and the front brake calliper was sticking but was annoyed to be told that my rear tyre had been put back the wrong way round after a puncture repair. An unnecessary extra expense.

The following Friday got the called that the bike was ready but had already arranged to go to Tophill Low NR with Roy. Although this meant waiting until Monday with raining starting not long after we arrived, early afternoon, it was probably for the best. Started in the “members’ hide” the only way to do D res at the moment. Again I failed to locate my first Goldeneye of the autumn. As well as wildfowl, a Ruff, Green Sandpiper and Redshank flew south and a flock of c80 Swallow with at least one House Martin was feeding over the reservoir. A Marsh Tit was at the centre feeders. Walked south and after missing him on my previous visit located Tiddy Mun now hidden in the reeds.

Tiddy Mun [see my earlier blog for more information]

Despite the waders over D res the only wader on South Marsh East was a Green Sandpiper with about a dozen Curlew flying over. By then the rain was heavy and we headed back and had another look from the “members’ hide” where we had 49 Golden Plover circling the reservoir.

3/10/22 Avoided taking the dog out on Monday morning and took the train to Beverley mid morning. At RM Motorcycles I remembered how expensive having a motor was only lessened slightly when after a long wait for the card reader to work I checked my wallet and found, although not the full amount, enough money to cover the bill. I could have sworn David Grohl had done my MOT [only bikers local to Beverley will understand this!] Headed to Hull Bridge to walk up to High Eske NR. My first time at the reserve since late May 2020. Nothing much along the river but getting there a Green Sandpiper flew over. Interesting to see, likely due to this years drought, the “summer islands” were not only visible but had willows growing on the them.

High Eske NR showing the “summer islands” and the main island behind.

Not too much wildlife with a few Mute Swan, Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Little and Great Crested Grebe but no Teal or Goldeneye. Did have c75 Pink-footed Geese flying south. Did a full circuit. A new “structure” in the north inlet might stop kayakers using it.

The north inlet at High Eske NR

I had a Kingfisher flying over the bank at the north end.

Walking back south it seemed that much of the east bank had been burnt, whether one big fire or several smaller ones I couldn’t tell but fortunately although the bushes were scorched most looked likely to recover. However this shows the serious risk of wildfires from dead wood fires, often made by overnight anglers or “deposable” BBQs. It would be great if EA could police the area more often but not likely with likely imminent limitations on public expenditure.

Fire damage along the east side of High Eske NR.

High Eske NR from east shore.

Getting to Hull Bridge I walked south. As expected Swine Moor was dry but did have a good number of Migrant Hawker, mainly along Barmston Drain.

6/10/22 Thursday morning I headed to Tophill Low NR. At Skidby roundabout the traffic was backing up and was solid as far as Jocks Lodge junction due to temporary lights just to the south. Although this held me up at least on a bike I rode past much of the queue. I parked at the entrance to Tophill Low NR and had my first look at Watton Borrow Pit since the Great Reed Warbler in spring [the Watton NR hide although in place isn’t accessible with no access to South Scrub yet). Looking at it from the outside it may give a good view but now but at a lower level to make it more accessible the price is increased risk of disturbance from walkers [and horse riders] along the drain as well as a greater need to keep the drain trees low.

The Watton NR Hide.

Watton NR from the drain bank

I had four Ruff as well as c120 Wigeon on the borrow pit.

Ruff on Watton NR

Wigeon on Watton NR

On the reserve proper I started in the members’ hide checking D res. I again failed to locate any Goldeneye and checking the log book in the hide found Smew and Black-necked Grebe had been seen yesterday but as my time was limited I continued on to South Marsh East [both birds were located later].

Grey Wagtail on D res wall

On South Marsh East I had 31 Curlew and a Snipe as well as singing Cetti’s Warbler and a juvenile Marsh Harrier flying over.

Snipe on South Marsh East

Curlew on South Marsh East

The mound for the new accessible South Marsh West Hide

9/10/22 Tophill Low NR

Started off at Watton NR where I again had one Ruff. Looking back when walking back towards the road I saw a distant Great White Egret so walked back south and eventually it emerged again from the reeds.

Great White Egret-Watton NR, Tophill Low NR

Next I went to the members’ hide by the centre to look for the Black-necked Grebe and Smew I had missed last time. Eventually saw the former but it was distant. With a juvenile Ring-necked Duck seen at Hornsea Mere on Saturday I started looking through the Tufted Duck and fairly quickly found a likely candidate. Unfortunately it was asleep and only occasionally showed its bill but I was confident enough to report it as the Ring-necked Duck to RBA. The features that stood out were the head shape including no hint of a tuft, a white eye-ring and although not apparent in my picture a pale stripe [a bit like ancient Egyptian eye make up] behind the eye [see the Hornsea Mere Blog for more pictures].

Juvenile Ring-necked Duck-D res, Tophill Low NR

I managed to show it to four visitors. It didn’t wake but the Black-necked Grebe at least was now showing just below the hide.

Black-necked Grebe-D res, Tophill Low NR

I left to check South Marsh East where I had a juvenile Dunlin and a fly over Green Sandpiper. Also a moribund Pink-footed Goose [bird flu or a wild-fowler’s victim?]

Juvenile Dunlin

Pink-footed Goose

Back at D res I found Chris Straw looking for the Ring-necked Duck. I re-found it but more distant in poor light but at least awake.

Juvenile Ring-necked Duck with Tufted Duck

11/10/2022 High Eske/Pulfin NR

Tuesday morning I went to High Eske Farm to renew my permit to avoid the walk up the river from Hull Bridge. Plenty of wildfowl on the pit including Teal which I hadn’t recorded last visit. Looking through the swans at the south end I located three Whoopers. Also had a Marsh Harrier over.

Whooper Swan at High Eske NR

I walked north to the fields north of the canal. I had eight Pink-footed Geese flying along the river but initially little else but scanning with the “scope I found a distant male Stonechat. I started walking back but heard a Greenshank [a birder I’d earlier spoke to had reported one] and managed to get on it flying over the carr.

13/10/22 Tophill Low NR

Finally managed to see the redhead Smew and Goldeneye on D res as well as the Black-necked Grebe although all quite distant. Walking south I noticed that Tiddy Mun was no longer hiding in the reeds.

Tiddy Mun

Pair of Common Darter near South Marsh

On South Marsh East Black-tailed Godwit was new.

Ruff and Lapwing-South Marsh East

Black-tailed Godwit-South Marsh East

14/10/22 Watton NR to Aike

Parked at Wilfholme Pumping Station and walked north to view Watton NR from the drain bank. Had the Great White Egret again as well as two Ruff. Walked back south then continued along the river. Admittedly only ‘permissive’ but the path was regularly blocked by fortunately low fences or not too difficult to unfasten gates. Reaching Aike I walked back north along Barmston Drain, which is a right of way. No obstructions but there were no finger posts until Wilfholme where the path was block although I was able to walk through the farmyard straight into the pumping station compound.

On 17/10/22 I had a trip down to Bryher for the Blackburnian Warbler [see here].

19/10/22 Tophill Low NR

Started by viewing Watton NR where I had my first Pintail of the autumn.

two of three Pintail on Watton NR

As I was approaching the visitors centre I met Margaret. She had seen an interesting tern so I joined her in the members’ hide and quickly found an adult Arctic Tern. The Black-necked Grebe was again close in but couldn’t locate the Smew. Leaving the members’ hide I had a quick look on the feeders for Marsh Tit but instead had a Brambling in trees behind. Went into the visitors centre and had two Brambling feeding below the feeders.

Brambling below the visitors centre feeders

Headed for South Marsh East where a Avocet had been seen earlier and fortunately it was still there. Also a Redshank which I hadn’t seen yet on site this autumn.

Redshank-South Marsh East

immature Avocet-South Marsh East

Checked from the back-to-back hide where the Avocet was a bit closer then started heading back but saw two waders flying onto the marsh so I went back into the first hide and located two Ruff. Now a dead and, a moribund Pink-footed Goose on the marsh.

Ruff-South Marsh East

Had a quick look on D res at dusk in the hope of Whooper Swan but had none.

If you are planning a trip to Tophill Low NR in November read the blog first.

12/9/22 Back to Tophill Low NR

As anyone who was a regular visitor to Tophill Low NR over the years you’ll be aware that the site has had limited access for nearly three years, first heavy rain in October 2019 causing serious fear of the River Hull bursting its banks then just as work to prevent this had been finished Covid restrictions came in. As the attitude to the “plague” lessened, work on the site started to limit access in 2021 then total closure [apart from a few volunteers] in late winter 2022. For a more detailed narrative check the site blog. My last visit was an escorted tours in April [see here]. Of course during the last closure limited birding was still going on by volunteers working on site [see the last Tophill Low NR Blog]. I failed to see the Spotted Sandpiper but thanks to Roy I got the Great Reed Warbler on the 20th May [I have more things to say but maybe another time?] As well as a Tophill tick this was my Yorkshire bogey bird. It was present 18 May until 12 June.

Great Reed Warbler-Watton NR, Tophill Low NR

Anyway thanks to Ricky I got to visit the reserve on the first day the general public were allowed on 12th September. My first surprise was how few had taken the opportunity but I suppose this was partly due to the deliberate decision to open on a working day as well as a low key announcement of the reopening. Part of the reluctance to not proclaim the reopening from the rooftops though is because access is still limited.

Where you currently can and can’t go

Started in the “members hide” by the visitors centre, currently the only way to view D res [no access further north including North Marsh and Hempholme Meadows.]

D res from the visitors centre.

The ramp for the new Middle Hide

Good to see good numbers of wildfowl including Coot, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Little and Great Crested Grebe. However although a small number of Wigeon, I found no Goldeneye, which in previous years have been present by now in small numbers. There were a few hirundines over Hempholme Meadow including a single Swift, a few days short of the site latest record.

We then headed south. Had quick look from North Lagoon Hide but the lagoon was dry and overgrown awaiting dredging later this year. At South Lagoon we had at least two Kingfisher in flight but never settle din full view. Also a few Little Grebe including a juvenile.

Little Grebe on South Lagoon

A few Migrant Hawker were ‘patrolling’ below the hide giving me the chance to try to get a flight shot.

♂.Migrant Hawker over South Lagoon

We had heard Cetti’s Warbler and had a brief sighting then saw two flying across the path as we left.

Finally South Marsh East which promised to be the highlight We chose to view from Izzard Hide where we immediately had a fairly distant but at least openly perched Kingfisher.

Kingfisher-South Marsh East

Also a Little Egret and Green Sandpiper were close up.

Little Egret-South Marsh East

Green Sandpiper-South Marsh East

The bird I most wanted to see was Little Stint and I started to ‘scope the distant edge and found a Ringed Plover later joined by a Little Stint.

A very distant Ringed Plover on South Marsh East. Somehow I didn’t bother to get a better shot.

Had two of each later, both much closer.

Little Stint on South Marsh East

Also a Dunlin.

Dunlin on South Marsh East

We had missed a Water Rail earlier but heard it squeaking and as we were leaving the hide it reappeared. It was preening so had chance to sit down again and get a few images.

Water Rail on South Marsh East

I had provisionally arranged to visit the reserve with Roy on Wednesday but while I was in Izzard hide he had texted to say he was coming this afternoon so I decided to meet up and go round again with him. Like me Roy was most interested in South Marsh East this time from the main hide, which gives a surprisingly different impression of the marsh than the Izzard Hide. The “distant edge” I’d mentioned above is the shore of the main broken island from the main hide. Some birds I’d seen earlier but distance came closer including a Common Sandpiper I’d earlier seen briefly.

Common Sandpiper on South Marsh East. Unfortunately no spots!

Final totals were 3 Little Stint [including a fly over], 2 Ringed Plover, Dunlin, 4 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, c20 Snipe and a increasing flock of Lapwing.

Common Snipe

Grey Heron

Pied Wagtail

Leaving South Marsh East we had our only Common Darter. Interesting to note despite Tophill Low NR being a good place to see Odonata it has yet to record two colonising species, Small Red-eyed and Willow Emerald Damselfly, both of which I have seen to several sites locally this year.

Common Darter near South Marsh East.

South Marsh West could only be seen from back-to-back hide. Possibly because of potential breeding Bittern the reedbed was over grown. You can see the mound for the new hide where L-shaped hide had been. Roy had seen a Hobby driving in and we had likely the same bird over East Scrub walking back to the car park.

No butterflies were seen, likely because although still quite warm it was overcast with occasional rain.

We made our first entries in the records book in the hut near the ticket machine and I added the first entry on the sightings board for the “new era.”

If you have a membership card it should still be valid “All members who have a membership card that is valid for the 2020/21 or 2021/22 season which are cards that have the little egret (2020/21) or the otter (2021/22) photos ARE VALID TILL MARCH 2023 and will be accepted by the ticket machine.” 

2/9/22 Dragonflies at North Cliffe Wood YWT

Went to North Cliffe Wood with Ricky on Friday afternoon. Black Darter had been seen earlier in the week which was our target. It had been fairly dull earlier but seemed to be improving and although we did get some light rain it remained warm with some sunlight so insects were active. Like everywhere else the wood was dry and it took some time to locate the area where the bulk of dragonflies had been seen but even this was reduced to a small area of wet mud. Good numbers of darters around many paired up. On checking my pictures later most of these were Ruddy Darter.

Pair of Ruddy Darter-North Cliffe Wood YWT

We did later find Common Darter nearby.

Common Darter-North Cliffe Wood YWT.

Also Southern Hawker ovipositing with a male ‘hung up’ nearby.

Southern Hawker-North Cliffe Wood YWT

Having only seen my first Willow Emerald Damselfly on Sunday, the highlight for me was to see a few here including a pair.

Willow Emerald Damselfly-North Cliffe Wood YWT

Found a few Migrant Hawker but never managed to see Black Darter.

Migrant Hawker-North Cliffe Wood YWT

Apart a few “whites” Speckled Wood was the only butterflies seen.

Speckled Wood-North Cliffe Wood YWT