My health was much improved on 2024, but I didn’t feel up to long car journeys, so apart from a disastrous trip to Scarborough and a couple to North Lincolnshire, I never left East Yorkshire. As I only blogged a few times in 2025, a good few pictures are new here.
January is Corn Bunting at High Eske NR on the 14th. Actually, the only picture from this month, but as a seriously declining species, the first I’ve seen here for a good few years well justified.
Corn Bunting north of High Eske NR-14/1/25
February is Purple Sandpiper. I planned to try to see a few species don’t see regularly so on a mild late February day, I went to Barmston with this species in mind. For the full trip, check here.
Purple Sandpiper-Barmston outfall-22/2/25
March is Blue-winged Teal at Brough Airfield Marsh. Near dusk on the 20th, having seen little of note earlier, I was checking the channel between the marsh bank and the footpath across the airfield, when I saw what I was sure was a drake Blue-winged Teal. I quickly got closer from the footpath where I also located a female accompanying it. The first for the site and almost certainly the pair seen intermittently at Tophill Low NR 2023/4 [and the female later this year.]
Drake Blue-winged Teal-Brough Airfield-20/3/25
April again is Blue-winged Teal, this time the female, which arrived at Tophill Low NR sometime before the 23rd and quickly paired up with a Shoveler. They were seen to mate, and she then became elusive, maybe sitting, but wasn’t seen after 20th May. Unlike the previous two years, neither Blue-winged Teal appeared in late summer.
♀︎.Blue-winged Teal with ♂︎.Shoveler-Tophill Low NR-30/4/25
May is Temminck’s Stint at Tophill Low NR on the 12th. The one I found at High Eske NR on the 18th may be a better record, but I didn’t get a decent picture.
Temminck’s Stint-Tophill Low NR-12/5/25
June finally brings a true rarity, the Song Sparrow at Thornwick Bay on the 10th. Not a great picture as I wasn’t feeling too good, so I made do with a record shot, but it was my first of only two Yorkshire ticks this year. My previous was at Seaforth, Liverpool, in October 1994.
Song Sparrow-Thornwick Bay, Flamborough-10/6/25
July is Hummingbird Hawk-moth at Tophill Low NR at the 12th simply because it is the best picture I have ever taken of one.
Hummingbird Hawk-Moth-Tophill Low NR-12/7/25
August, I would have liked to have posted the Night Heron at North Cave Wetlands YWT, but it never showed well to me, but the Palpita vitrealis or Olive-tree Pearl [a moth] I trapped on the 29th was a first for me, so a good 2nd choice. Once a rare migrant from southern Europe it is becoming more regular.
Palpita vitrealis or Olive-tree Pearl-Cottingham-30/8/25
September is the Siberian Stonechat at Grimston on the 27th. Check here for more details and other sightings in late September.
Siberian Stonechat-Grimston, E.Yorks-27/9/25
October is Black-faced Bunting at Spurn Point on the 21st. A Yorkshire tick, but I did see the first at Pennington Flash in March 1994 [also an earlier bird at Spurn, with a deformed bill and damaged eye, which I haven’t yet found a date for]. More details and the rest of October here.
Black-faced Bunting-Spurn Point-21/10/25
November is Bearded Tit at Welton Waters on the 7th. I spend a lot of time looking for the species, becoming more abundant through autumn and finally becoming photogenic this month.
Bearded Tit-Welton Waters, East Yorkshire-7/11/25
And finally, for December, one that usually features in my annual review, Smew on Watton NR, Tophill Low NR on the 10th. It disappeared later in the month, but likely the bird seen at the end of the month nearby at High Eske NR [still present in the New Year].
2/10/25 Went to Brough Haven on Thursday morning. Had a Great White Egret in flight to the west, likely my first from the Haven. Again, a good number of Avocet but no Spoonbill. Also, a couple of Black-tailed Godwits on the mudflats were accompanied by 50+ Dunlin. Gave them a good scan, but nothing better.
At the airfield, they were excavating the channel west of the marsh where I had found two Blue-winged Teal in March.
♂︎Blue-winged Teal-Brough Airfield-20/3/25
Hopefully, this will keep the area wet longer in the Spring.
Excavator on Brough Airfield
A good number of ducks, mainly Gadwall with a few Shoveler and Teal, on the marsh, but only seen when flushed by a Marsh Harrier.
Also, a good number of ducks on the Watersports Pit, but distant near the east bank.
Walking back, I saw a Stonechat opposite BAE Systems, as well as a few Small White butterflies and a Common Darter.
3/10/25 On Friday morning, I walked to Haltemprice Farm, where I again had 2 Stonechat.
Stonechat-Haltemprice Farm-Willerby
Shaggy Inkcap-Wood Lane-Cottingham
6/10/25 Golden Plover had been seen Swine Moor area recently, so I went to Hull Bridge on Monday afternoon. However, Swine Moor was still largely dry and the only waders were Lapwing and at least one Snipe, but I did see a Grey Wagtail. Continued up the river to High Eske NR. Heard an unseen Little Owl in Eske Manor field. Not much of note at High Eske NR, and no Cattle Egret roosted, although the water level was too high anyway. I had a flock of Pink-footed Geese south of Leven Canal, then thousands flying south as I walked back.
Pink-footed Geese-High Eske Farm
7/10/25 Went to Tophill Low NR on Tuesday afternoon. Finally got a photo of the Black-necked Grebe on D res but the light was poor.
Black-necked Grebe-D res-Tophill Low NR
A single Pink-footed Goose was seen on South Marsh East.
Pink-footed Goose-South Marsh East-Tophill Low NR
Still one Green Sandpiper and a few Snipe. Heard a Water Rail on South Marsh West. Stayed until the light was fading and had the recent Bar-tailed Godwit coming in with Curlew.
Bar-tailed Godwit-South Marsh East-Tophill Low NR
White-throated Needletail in Yorkshire
8/10/25 A White-throated Needletail was seen at Tophill Low NR on Wednesday afternoon, but wasn’t initially identified and was gone by the time the news got out. It was seen again at Bempton Cliffs RSPB, but too late for me to get there. One was reported at Loch on Thursday morning, but amazingly the original bird turned up at Filey Brigg, but again too late for me. [See here for more details.] Then on Friday morning, it was seen at Scarborough Castle. Unfortunately, I got there too late [see here for details].
From the castle mount, I was able to photograph both Filey Brigg and Flamborough Head in near-perfect alignment.
I took a photograph of the harbour in strong light that came out like a dusk image. Not enough to keep me occupied on the castle mount, so I went to Bempton Cliffs RSPB to be still within range. However, little to see and only added Gannet over the sea for the month. Also saw a Stonechat, but trying for Tree Sparrow at the feeders, the Needletail was seen flying south at Long Nab, so I headed back to Scarborough. The traffic was solid most of the way, and getting back to the castle, no one else was there, and I ended up walking Marine Drive. Bottle-nosed Dolphins had been seen offshore, but didn’t get an identifiable sighting. A Snow Bunting was at the Harbour, but even this eluded me, and I had to make do with a Red-throated Diver in South Bay.
Red-throated Diver-South Bay-Scarborough
I had had my first Acleris sparsana for the year on the 9th, and on the 15th, Blair’s Shoulder-knot, Barred Sallow and Feathered Thorn.
16/10/25 Went to Welton Waters on Thursday afternoon. Over a thousand Wigeon on Watersports Pit, but otherwise only a few Mallard and Pochard. However, walking along the east side, I picked out 3 distant ducks near the west shore, which turned out to be female Common Scoter. By the time I got close enough for a picture, the light was poor.
Common Scoter-Watersports Pit-Welton Waters
Walked west to view the airfield where I saw 1000’s of Starling coming in to roost. A Marsh Harrier regularly put up the duck but only saw Gadwall, Wigeon and Shoveler. Heard a Water Rail in the ditch.
17/10/25 Went to Tophill Low NR on Friday morning. The Black-necked Grebe and at least nine Red-crested Pochard were still on D res. I had a Common Sandpiper in flight over O res. Not many waders on South Marsh East, a Redshank being the best.
Common Redshank-South Marsh East-Tophill Low NR
Walking towards The Henge, I noticed the hide from the west side of Watton NR, long out of use, was now by South Marsh West near the Sand Martin wall, intended as a photography hide.
The old Watton NR hide, now by South Marsh West
Several Pintail were on Watton NR.
Pintail-Watton NR-Tophill Low NR
Walking back to South Marsh East saw a flock of Golden Plover circling which eventually dropped onto the marsh. These were my first for the year. Rushed to Back2back hide and got some photos.
Golden Plover-South Marsh East-Tophill Low NR
Some Curlew had come in with them bringing with them the regular Bar-tailed Godwit.
Juv Bar-tailed Godwit with Lapwing, Golden Plover & a Curlew-South Marsh East-Tophill Low NR
Black-faced Bunting at Spurn Point
20/10/25 A Black-faced Bunting was found on Monday morning near Middle Camp, Spurn Point. I didn’t go immediately as rain was forecast, but fortunately, it was still present on Tuesday. The traffic was heavy on Greenwood Avenue, but there were no further holdups; however, the route between Hedon and Easington now has so many speed restrictions that it adds around 20 minutes to the trip. Of course, there is also now the added delay of having to walk beyond the Warren, but it didn’t seem too arduous. A few birders were on the road on either side of where the bunting was, but it hadn’t been seen for a while. There were a few calls, but it seemed to be too close to vegetation for me to see. The YWT truck came through, and I saw it in flight at least, and fortunately, it shortly settled again on the road in full view. However, it was only on view for a short while before two bait diggers on e-bikes decided to force their way past the birders, flushing it again. I only managed two shots, but the second was ok, so I decided I’d had enough and walked off, but got another view on the foreshore just to the north before it flew south again.
♀︎/1st winter♂︎ Black-faced Bunting-Middle Camp-Spurn Point
Dark-bellied Brent Geese-Spurn Point near the breach- a year tick
22/10/25
Black Rustic; November Moth agg.; Red-lined Quaker-new for the year on Wednesday
28/10/25 Went to Tophill Low NR on Tuesday morning. Finally the road in was open. Initially not impressed as the road through Watton was still potholed but leaving the village found a smooth blacktop all the way to the Tophill Low approach road which still had lethal potholes. Even a few passing places and posts on some corners to stop running onto the verge. However there was already places where vehicles had gone onto the soft verge. Certainly the safest I’ve felt for many years although the new risk that some will maybe now drive faster with less care.
A Long-tailed Duck had been seen on D res recently, but couldn’t find it or the Black-necked Grebe; several Red-crested Pochard were close in from the Visitors Centre.
Red-crested Pochard-D res-Tophill Low NR
It was warmer than of late and I wasn’t surprised to see a Red Admiral in the carpark and a Migrant Hawker near North Lagoon.
29/10/25 Went to Skipsea on Tuesday morning, where a Shorelark was showing well on the cliff top just north of Cliff Road.
Shorelark-Cliff Road-Skipsea
Went to High Eske on the way back. Wildfowl numbers were up on the pit, but a Goosander was the only unexpected bird.
Goosander-High Eske NR
A few Fieldfare were in the bushes at the north end.
Fieldfare-High Eske NR
Walked down the canal, but nothing of note. Walking back, I had a flock of Siskin flying towards High Eske NR. Didn’t relocate them, but did have a Stonechat.
2/9/25 Went to Tophill Low NR on Tuesday morning. Started in the D Res Centre hide, looking for the Black-necked Grebe I’d failed to see last time. There was no sign, so I moved to Middle Hide. Eventually, I picked it up, although it was very distant to the north. Also saw a juvenile Goosander fly in, but also remained distant. Again, Kingfisher was showing regularly on North Marsh, and a Hobby flew along the river.
Kingfisher-North Marsh-Tophill Low NR
Nothing at Hempholme Meadows, which was dry, nor any migrants walking back along “straight road”. A hummingbird Hawk-moth was again at the butterfly garden.
Hummingbird Hawk-moth; Red Admiral; Migrant Hawker-Butterfly Garden-Tophill Low NR
A pair of Common Blue butterflies was lingering over a “snake pile” near South Marsh East.
Male Common Blue butterfly-Tophill Low NR
A few Ruff and Curlew on South Marsh East, but couldn’t find anything else. Nothing of note at Watton NR.
3/9/25 On Wednesday, I took a walk around Willerby Carrs early afternoon during a break in the weather. Again, the hope was for Whinchat at Haltemprice Farm, but it wasvery quiet, not helped by the wind; however, I had a few Swift around the flood lagoon. They seem to be hanging on later this year. Walking back along Wood Lane, I had a mixed flock of tits, including a Goldcrest at Carr Farm, but very little at the Cottingham end of Wood Lane, but I did find a Green Carpet moth, surprisingly my 1st this year, as in the past they’ve been common both in the trap and field. Checking my records, this is my 1st since May 2022.
Green Carpet moth-Wood Lane-Cottingham
4/9/25 Got out on Willerby Carrs on Friday morning to beat the rain. This time the wind was light and I found a Whinchat at Haltemprice Farm. As usual, it was very mobile and I lost track of it, but did manage a few photos.
Whinchat-Haltemprice Farm-Willerby
Also a Whitethroat. A Grey Wagtail was in the ditch by the flood lagoon, likely the bird I saw in flight yesterday. A good number of Chiffchaff by Carr Farm. Also had a dead Mole.
Mole-Carr Farm-Willerby
6/9/25 Went to Tophill Low NR on Saturday morning. Had two drake Red-crested Pochards on D res, my first of the autumn.
Red-crested Pochard-D Res-Tophill Low NR
Two Ringed Plover were on South Marsh East as well as few Curlew, Ruff, Green Sandpiper and Snipe.
Ringed Plover-South Marsh East-Tophill Low NR
The highlight of the day was finally getting to use the new Henge Hide overlooking South Marsh West and O res.
The Henge-Tophill Low NR
Inside The Henge-Tophill Low NR-showing the central girder camouflaged by “bog oak”.
Good to see unfixed seating as the fitted benches in the older hides makes it uncomfortable using a ‘scope with a hide clamp. Higher than the old L-shaped hide it replaces, and even more from the open under level, which allows unrestricted viewing of the reservoir. Also gives a good view of the River Hull and the fields to the south and east. Unfortunately, nothing much to see.
South Marsh West; O res; River Hull-from The Henge-Tophill Low NR
There is a series of notices on the way up the hide that give information on its construction and the origin of its name.
Eristalis pertinax-a hoverfly-Tophill Low NR
The Belted Galloway were blocking the gate to South Scrub. Fortunately they are very placid.
Belted Galloway-South Scrub gate-Tophill Low NR
On Watton NR, I caught up with the Great White Egret I had seen earlier in flight, as well as a single Barnacle Goose with the Greylag.
Great White Egret; Barnacle Goose-Watton NR-Tophill Low NR
Common Darter-Tophill Low NR
A second visit to South Marsh East yielded my first Little Stint of the year, marking my first sighting in two years.
Little Stint; Green Sandpiper-South Marsh East-Tophill Low NR
7/9/25 Common Wainscot and Angle Shades were new for the year in the trap on Sunday morning, the latter in previous years more numerous.
Common Wainscot; Angle Shades
8/9/25 Went back to Tophill Low NR on Monday morning. Had my first returning Pintail on D res, where Red-crested Pochard had increased to seven.
Pintail-D res-Tophill Low NR
Sat by the Centre pond checking for Spotted Flycatcher, which I had missed on my previous two visits. Had at least one in distant trees, but they didn’t hang around.
Field Vole-East Pond-Tophill Low NR
Headed to South Marsh East where the Little Stint was still present along with much the same waders as Saturday.
Ruff-South Marsh East-Tophill Low NR
On Watton NR I had my first three Wigeon of the autumn.
9/9/25 With three Curlew Sandpiper turning up after I left yesterday, I had to go back to Tophill Low NR. Fortunately, they were still on South Marsh East. They were, however, distant and not long after I went round to the back-to-back hide, they flew off high south and weren’t relocated.
Curlew Sandpiper-South Marsh East-Tophill Low NR
Wader numbers were lower, with no sign of the Little Stint. I did, though, get Green Sandpiper and Dunlin on my Henge hide list. With the current massive influx of Gloss Ibises, I was on the lookout. Seems currently concentrated to the south, but one was seen flying over after I left.
Comma-Tophill Low NR
10/9/25 Dark Sword-grass was new for the year in the trap on Wednesday. Only my 3rd, the previous in October 2013 and August 2022.
Dark Sword-grass moth
11/9/25 On Thursday morning, I visited High Eske NR for my first time in nearly two months. I preferred to avoid the site during the summer holidays, particularly as the weather was fine. Had hope for waders but the water level was high and only managed a Green Sandpiper and two Snipe, with six Curlew later.
Snipe and Green Sandpiper-High Eske NR on the permanent island.
High Eske NR with the summer islands just visible below the water
Also, nothing of interest among the small number of ducks, but my first Swift for a week [a few claims of Pallid Swift recently, but gave them a good grilling] as well as Sand Martin, House Martin and Swallow, which had been scarce in recent days.
Small Copper [they seem to have increased in the Hull Valley this year]; Ruddy Darter-High Eske NR
12/9/25 Walked to Haltemprice Farm late Friday morning. At least one Whinchat since present, but very mobile and distant in increasing wind. Didn’t go any further because of the wind.
Monday morning went to Tophill Low NR with the hope of Goosander. Started in the members hide to check D res. No sign of the Scaup or Smew nor Red-crested Pochard although Geoff had seen the pair earlier. Headed to Watton NR where the Goosanders had been yesterday. Present earlier but had flown but did have the four Smew [1 drake and 3 redhead] as well as the regular Great White Egret.
redhead Smew at Watton NR.
Moved to South Marsh East. No sign of the Curlew I saw on Thursday but had a male Marsh Harrier over. A Dunlin had been seen earlier.
Went to D res Middle Hide where the Scaup was close in but asleep.
female Scaup on D res
Had a quick look on North Marsh but no sign of Kingfisher or Water Rail at the time so went back to Middle Hide to show Andrea the Scaup Which was now awake.
Female Scaup on D res
In exchange, Andrea showed me The Tawny Owl in the trees behind the warden centre where I had failed to find it earlier. Not surprising as it was well hidden high up in a conifer. Had a bit of a twitch with Pat, Chris and others getting pictures.
This year was probably my worst year since I started serious birding. I didn’t get on the road until April then was limited by health issues much of the rest of the year and I only got back to better health in early November when the weather had a limiting effect. I only left Yorkshire once for a Moth and an Orchid I missed all the big national and autumn rarities in Yorkshire. I still saw some interesting stuff locally though. Hopefully my health will continue and I’ll at least not miss any Yorkshire ticks but not sure yet about long haul journeys in the near future anyway.
January was a quiet month so I’ll go with Ruddy Shelduck. A pair have been seen intermittently in the Cottingham area all year. This one was taken on Northmoor Lane/Orchard Park Flood Prevention Scheme.
Ruddy Shelduck- Northmoor Lane/Orchard Park Flood Prevention Scheme-22/1/24
February is Stonechat at Haltemprice Priory, Willerby.
Stonechat-Haltemprice Priory, Willerby-10/2/24
March was my first chance to get further afield was a trip to North Yorkshire and Bempton Cliffs RSPB with Ricky [see here]. At the time I didn’t consider this a particularly important picture but Tree Sparrow has become a difficult species to see again.
Tree Sparrow-Bempton Cliffs RSPB-4/3/24
April I was mobile again and on my 1st visit to Tophill Low NR I dropped on an immaculate drake Blue-winged Teal. It was accompanied by a female but was hidden in the reeds for me. Presumably the birds from last year and that appeared again in eclipse in summer [see here for more info].
May I had my only trip out of Yorkshire to southern Lincolnshire for Grizzle Skipper and Green-winged Orchid [see here]. I go for the latter as plants rarely feature in my blog.
Green-winged Orchid-Muston-12/5/24
June’s picture is Little Owl at North Cave Wetlands YWT.
Little Owl-North Cave Wetlands YWT-20/6/24
July is the first of my only two Yorkshire ticks in 2024, Black-winged Pratincole. Neither me or Roy felt up to seeing it on the Yorkshire/Notts border but got it on it’s brief visit to Kilnsea Wetlands on the 18th.
Black-winged Pratincole-Kilnsea Wetlands-18/7/24
August has got to be the Caspian Tern at Tophill Low NR [see here], a site tick for all but a very few.
September is Vapourer Moth caterpillar. This was my lowest point of the year and was seen on a difficult walk on Willerby Carrs when I was pushing myself back to health.
Vapourer Moth-Wood Lane-Cottingham-16/9/24
October with improving health I got back to moth trapping. The mild weather led to me moth-ing later than in previous years bringing some good moths [see here] including my 1st Mottled Umber on the last day.
Mottled Umber-Cottingham-31/10/24
The best bird in November has to be my 2nd Yorkshire tick, Snow Goose on Swine Moor but pictures were poor [see here] so I go for Green-winged Teal at Tophill Low NR [see here].
December has to be the two Snow Geese at Tophill Low NR on Watton NR on Christmas Eve [see here]. I had seen them in early November on Swine Moor [see here] but wanted a better picture and was glad to add them to my Tophill Low NR list.
Christmas Eve was mild so I had to get out. Since my “twitch” of the Snow Geese on Swine Moor early November [see here] I had intended another look but on the few occasions I got out Tophill Low NR was a bigger pull. This morning it was Tophill Low NR again to avoid the traffic in Beverley with the intension of a quick look at Swine Moor on Christmas Day. The Snow Geese hadn’t been seen anyway. I had a quick look at D res and had a few Pintail but no sign of the Black-throated Diver or Smew. Had hoped to better pictures than last time. Headed to Hempholme Meadows for the Cattle Egret having not gone up on my last trip. Four birds present but distant with the sheep on the river bank. I had seen a Great White Egret in flight on the way up and hoped for a three egret day but Little let me down!
Cattle Egret on River Hull bank from Hempholme Meadows Hide
Had a quick look on North Marsh on the way back south but no Kingfisher but a rather moribund caterpillar.
Caterpillar-possibly Angle Shades- in North Marsh Hide
Headed for South Marsh until a message of the two Snow Geese on Watton NR diverted me. Initially suspected they would be farmyard geese as they were accompanying Greylags but my pessimism was proved wrong. They were a bit distant and did disappear for a while to the south of the other now unused hide.
Snow Geese on Watton NR
The drake Smew was still present but also very distant.
Drake Smew on Watton NR
Had a quick look on South Marsh West where Jack Snipe was seen again last week, then South Marsh West where four Bearded Tit had been seen again earlier. Finally had a look on O res where a drake Smew had been earlier, by which time the light was fading.
No news of the Snow Geese at Tophill Low NR on Christmas Day but two at Bubwith Ings must be the same birds? Since then a small number of reports south of Tophill Low NR up the 4th of January and at Swine Moor for the 1st time in nearly two weeks on the 6th.
As forecast Sunday morning was mild but the wind not as strong as predicted. Missed Laura Kuenssberg and took the dog out early. The flash near Waterworks Cottages was empty so of less interest but still worth walking for Jack Snipe. Anyway was on the road to Tophill Low NR by late morning. In focus were in the members D res hide and I had a look at a pair of Swarovski SL10x42. I was very impressed at c£800 less than the top of the range NL’s. I could do with a new pair but will give it few months and look through the competition. My main target was Black-throated Diver which been present since Monday and a site tick for a few long time visitors. Likely the 7th record. The last [I’m aware of] was 2001 but have no record of seeing it. I had seen the 1996 bird on D’ reservoir on 10th June. From the 1996 Hull Valley report:- “Interestingly, it carried a metal ring on its right leg and is almost certainly the bird which was present at Bestwood, Notts from early March until 4th June, when it was taken into care, ringed, and moved to Daneshill NR from where it departed on 9th June.”
The diver had been seen very recently, close in, but no sign for me, but a drake Smew, assumed to be the one from Watton NR, was seen distantly. I Went round to Middle Hide where the Smew was very close in.
Drake Smew-D res-Tophill Low NR-15/12/24
However still couldn’t see the diver. With the light being limited I decided not to waste anymore time and head for Watton NR hide. Found the adult Russian White-fronted Goose although it was initially hidden among the other geese.
Russian White-fronted Goose with Greylags-Watton NR-Tophill Low NR-15/12/24
I had met John coming back having seen Smew there at about the same time as one was on D res and found it distantly behind the old Sand Martin colony.
Drake Smew-Watton NR-Tophill Low NR-15/12/24
I had a quick look on South Marsh West, but not from the new viewing mound as the wind was getting up, where a Jack Snipe had been intermittently in recent weeks then South Marsh East. c54 Curlew and a few Redshank roosting on the latter as well as 2 Green Sandpiper which I hadn’t seen recently.
Green Sandpiper-South Marsh East-Tophill Low NR-15/12/24
Ended the day back in the Members D res hide where I finally located the Black-throated Diver although distant in poor light. Hopefully it’ll hang around until I can get back for a better shot.
Since my last post {see here} I have remained active but limited by the weather and have been to Tophill Low NR on the few days I can get out. It has been fairly quiet but have had a few nice birds starting with Green-winged Teal on 16/11.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get the Snow Geese there in November, but they have been seen again in early December, so I still have a chance. On my last visit, a Red-necked Grebe was found to the south at High EskeNR. I considered rushing there, but I decided to head to Hempholme Meadows for a better picture of Cattle Egret.
I have seen Red-necked Grebe there before and my last one was less than a year ago at Tophill Low NR.
Sunday started wet but brightened mid afternoon but the added complication of Cottingham Christmas Fair road closures not helping I ended up looking round the fair with the dog.
5/12/24 Thursday as forecast started mild and bright so I got away before the dog woke up. This was my 1st visit to High Eske NR for nearly 4 months. Started well with plenty of Fieldfare and Redwing along the track from the farm as well as a few Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer. The work at High Eske NR seemed to have finished but the bank was left very muddy. Presumably to source material a potential new wetlands had been created.
The eastern bank of High Eske NR showing a potential new wader scrape on the right
The wildfowl numbers, although not as high as those of past winters, were well up on those present early this spring, with tens of Mallard, Coot, and Tufted Duck, and smaller numbers of Great Crested Grebe, Goldeneye, and Wigeon, as well as a Pochard. Found the Red-necked Grebe, and although it was distant, the light was okay.
Red-necked Grebe-High Eske NR-5/12/24
Also although no longer too noteworthy there was a Great White Egret.
Great White Egret-High Eske NR-5/12/24
The gate at the south end had been replaced and the bank reinforced.
The southern gate and bank at High Eske NR
The lack of cover means disturbance will have increased but hopefully the vegetation will grow up again in spring. The western side was untouched.
The northern inlet at High Eske NR, as with the southern end, now seems blocked.However I am informed this in only temporary.
The “Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 2023” in British Birds was waiting for me when I got in confirms my 1st Ross’s Goose. See my updated blog on the subject. The post also mentions Ruddy Shelduck.
Pair of Ruddy Shelduck-Priory Fields-Cottingham-6/12/24
A Lesser Yellowlegs was found on Swine Moor, Beverley by Garry Taylor on the afternoon of 10/11/23. I was already out with Roy at Tophill Low NR looking for a Barred Warbler along Barmston Drain. Not surprisingly this turned out to a single observer birds with only a Stonechat as compensation. By the time we got down Weel Road the light was poor with little chance of locating the yellowlegs amongst a distance large number of Redshank. This wasn’t a site tick so not too disappointed. Roy and I found an earlier bird in 2008 on 22nd April which stayed until the 26th, during which time it was very popular. The early 2000’s were a good time for the species with two records at Tophill Low NR and one at Paull Holme Strays. At the time I was “out of action” but had a vague promise I would get to see it. However by April this hadn’t happened but on the 3rd I was in Beverley for an MOT. Not expecting a poorly maintained 22 year old bike to pass I only had my bins but with an hour to waste I had a fast walk from Flemingate to Grovehill Road. Walking along Barmston Drain towards the moor I had a large shape dive near a large tangle of vegetation which could only be an Otter but couldn’t relocate. It was very muddy especially the bit from the drain to the river bank but my current dryware Doc Martin’s are the first pair in over 40 years to be truly water proof. Unfortunately I haven’t seen any more on the Doc Martin website since. The weather wasn’t good, murky with regular heavy drizzle and there wasn’t much hope anyway just with bins. The best I managed was a good flock of Golden Plover and a few Dunlin at the northern end. Walking back I got the call from RM Motorcycles and somehow it had got through with only a warning about the rear brake. However the weather was too poor to stay out.
Went to Tophill Low NR on Thursday [4th] morning where I had a pair of Scaup and found a female Common Scoter on D res then had a male Smew on Watton NR but everything too distant to photograph. Initially “suppressed” due to possibility of breeding I was lucky to see drake Blue-winged Teal on North Lagoon but the female was in the reeds. Presumably the birds from last year.
Drake Blue-winged Teal-North Lagoon-Tophill Low NR
The next few days I didn’t get out due to commitments or the weather. On Monday [8th] morning I had an unusually early dog walk when I had my first Willow Warbler this year in Millbeck Wildlife Area. In line with national trends, in Cottingham Willow Warbler is now rare and the above and Middledyke Fields are the only reliable sites. The weather was better than excepted so I got off to Hull Bridge mid morning.
Swine Moor looking very wet from the river bank
No sign of the Golden Plover as I got onto Swine Moor but a good number of mobile Redshank [I later counted over 50] due to a female Sparrowhawk regular flying over. Despite the water level seeming higher there seemed fewer wildfowl [Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall and Shoveler with a small number of Mallard] and didn’t find the hoped for Garganey. Also no sign of Little Ringed Plover yet. Further south where the Lesser Yellowlegs has been usually reported there were even more Redshank and eventually I located it although distant feeding amongst sedge clumps. Tried to photograph it but nothing worth keeping. More photogenic were two Avocet swimming in a nearby pool.
Avocet on Swine Moor
I can’t remember if I’ve even seen one here before but certainly a good find. Walking back the yellowlegs appeared a bit closer and less obscured.
Lesser Yellowlegs on Swine Moor
Continued north towards High Eske NR. The river was very high [Blacktoft Sands RSPB is closed all week due to tidal flooding so not just the recent rain] and I can’t remember having to go via Crown & Anchor carpark before.
River Hull by Crown & Anchor, Tickton showing the submerged walkway.
The pub is closed but not aware whether due to flooding or economics. Reaching High Eske I wasn’t surprised it was fairly quiet as in the past there is usually little wildfowl when water levels are high.
High Eske NR showing the main island
Only single figures of Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Gadwall and Cormorant. There was a Marsh Harrier holding territory over Pulfin NR. Plenty of Willow Warbler, a few Cetti’s and only one Chiffchaff singing although I choice not to circle the pond incase the path was too flooded. Also a few House Martin which I already seen last week at Tophill Low NR. The water level means I have little hope of the yellowlegs roosting here currently as other wader have in the past. A nice surprise was a Red Kite bothering the nesting Rooks at High Eske Farm. Still not a common bird in the Hull valley.
Red Kite over High Eske Farm rookery
I had said with such an old bike I needed to get breakdown cover as soon as I got back on the road but had put it off until next month. Therefore I had serious concern when it died and initially refused to fire up at Swine Moor round about. Fortunately it did restart but no idea what the cause was. In the end though I would have only had had a fairly easy push to RM Motorcycles. My readers who live locally will know about the updating of the main road south of Beverley which could cause major hold ups until late 2026 so I am trying to avoid times of heavy traffic. However despite setting off before the schools emptied I found the traffic static at Morrison’s roundabout. Fortunately on a bike you can get past some of the traffic and it was clear beyond Jock’s Lodge.
A Red-breasted Merganser was on the watersports pit at Welton Waters which I hoped to look for on Tuesday but the weather was too poor.
10/12/23 Late Sunday morning an adult male Black-throated Thrush was seen brielfy at Tophill Low NR by O res near the Watton NR path by Russell Boland. Texted Roy and were on our way early afternoon. Lee Johnson was already on site scanning from the South Marsh West/O res viewing area. We went to Watton NR hide. There had been flooding on the road and Barmston Drain was the highest I could remember from the bridge at the reserve entrance so it was no surprise to see the borrow pit was very high. Not much wildfowl present but the drake Smew did drop in before flying off again with a drake Goldeneye.
♂.Smew at Tophill Low NR on Watton NR
With the rain easing we went to join the small number of birders who had turned out. Thousand of thrushes, mainly Fieldfare flying over so we weren’t too confident. A couple separate from the rest managed to see the thrush briefly in trees too distant for the rest to easily pick it out but no further sign by dusk.
11/12/23 While I was heading home from walking Wilbur, Roy rang to say Stuart Griffiths had relocated the thrush near where it was seen yesterday and managed to get John Leason on it. Getting there early afternoon we made haste to South Scrub but although it had been seen on and off since Stuart had seen it it was absent when we arrived. Pete Dove was already there soon joined by Chris Straw so the hardcore of the Tophill Low NR listers were on site at least. After a while I decided to check the bushes between O res and Barmston Drain where I could see several Blackbird.
Fieldfare and Blackbird at Tophill Low NR in South Scrub
Unfortunately they were flushed by Steve Webb coming the other way so I went back to the other birders. Not long after Roy went to check the bushes and shortly after he returned I had another look. Initially only Blackbirds but walking slowly back I saw the thrush briefly twice in the nearest bushes before dropping behind. Only the tail, back and head but I was sure of my ID and was close enough to beckon the rest. Shortly Stuart had it distantly in a bush but too far for my bins and it dropped before I could zoom in with the camera. However not long after It landed in full views and remained long enough for everyone to “fill their boots” as well as fire off a few shots.
Adult male Black-throated Thrush at Tophill Low NR- yesterday described to me as a reverse Ring Ouzel which the 2nd picture confirms 😁
Job done and with the light fading we headed back. I stopped to scan O res for the Red-necked Grebe.
Juvenile Red-necked Grebe at Tophill Low NR on O res. Taken when I found it on 23/10/23 as today’s images were even worse.
Had a quick look at the Whooper Swans and Pink-footed Geese on the way back opposite Watton Chicken Farm.
Update The Black-throated Thrush was still present on Saturday 3/2 but now elusive only seen occasionally from Watton NR hide.
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