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Early September 2025-Tophill Low NR Henge hide

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 was very 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.

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.

Tags: Angle Shades, Barnacle Goose, Belted Galloway, cm, Comma butterfly, Common Blue Butterfly, Common Darter, Common Snipe, Common Wainscot, Curlew Sandpiper, Dark Sword-grass moth, Eristalis pertinax, Field vole, Great White Egret, Green carpet, Green Sandpiper, High Eske NR, High Eske/Pulfin NR, Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Kingfisher, Little Stint, Migrant Hawker, Mole, Pintail, Red Admiral, Red-crested Pochard, Ringed Plover, Ruddy Darter, Ruff, Small Copper, South Marsh West, The Henge, Tophill Low NR, Whinchat

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Categories Birding in Yorkshire, Birds in East Yorkshire, Butterflies, Cottingham, Dragonflies, High Eske NR, Hoverflies, Hull, Insects, Mammals, Moths, Tophill Low NR, Watton NR, Willerby

August 2025-East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire

1 Sep

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged due to some degree to lack of enthusiasm as well as maybe the good weather limiting time but today’s dull weather has given me the prompt to give it a go again.

Went to Brough Haven and Welton Waters on the 5th. On arrival, a Spoonbill was showing well in the haven. Not my first in the area, having seen one on 27 July off BAE Systems, but much more distant.

Spoonbill-Brough Haven

The tide was low and there were four more on the mudflats with another to the east off BAE Systems.

The haven used to be great for waders, but in recent years it has become overgrown.

Brough Haven

Again, there were over 1,000 Avocets on the mudflats, but no sign of the large flocks of Golden Plover that were once seen in the early 2000s, which produced both Pacific and American Golden Plover.

I walked east but the reeds obscured the view of the river so I walked on the floodwall. A Marsh Harrier over airfield Marsh but otherwise little else. Reaching Welton Waters there was little on either Brough Angling Complex but I wouldn’t expect much in summer, not helped by the dye in both waters.

Speckled Wood-Welton Waters

Cottingham

Gatekeeper-Middledyke Fields

Straw Underwing was new for the year in the trap on the 7th.

Also, an Orange Ladybird.

Went to Tophill Low NR on Friday morning, the 8th. As usual, started by viewing D res, but nothing of note. Headed to North Marsh, where I had my 1st photogenic Kingfisher of the year.

Also, a Hobby over which seemed to follow me around.

A Little Grebe was showing well on North Lagoon.

A few waders on South Marsh East.

***Ruff-Tophill Low NR on South Marsh East***

“The last living Common Tern on South Marsh East”

A juvenile Marsh Harrier appeared to catch a young Water Rail at the back of the marsh.

Juvenile Marsh Harrier-South Marsh East, Tophill Low NR

Had a few butterflies on the way back to the carpark.

Peacock, Painted Lady and Red Admiral-Butterfly Garden, Tophill Low NR

Also a Southern Hawker

Copper Underwing and Single-dotted Wave were new for the year in the trap on the 10th.

Also, a Cream-spot Ladybird.

Went to Alkborough Flats in the afternoon. No sign of any Spotted Redshank from Prospect Hide, but a few Greenshank, Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit and a single Little Ringed Plover, as well as many distant Water Rail, but although I heard a few, I didn’t see a Bearded Tit. Walked to the Trent Fall hide, but the view was restricted. Back at Prospect hide a Spotted Redshank had appeared.

Went to the Tower Hide, but it was dry and fairly overgrown.

Common Blue-Alkborough Flats

14th

Volucella zonaria-a hornet mimic hoverfly-Priory Road, Cottingham

Back to Alkborough Flats on the 15th for Pectoral Sandpiper. Otherwise, much the same waders as last time, but did see seventeen Spoonbill dropping into the reedbed.

Pectoral Sandpiper-Alkborough Flats from Prospect Hide.

Dropped in at Far Ings on the way back, where I had two fly over views of Bittern, my 1st this year.

Back home in the afternoon I found a Willow Emerald Damselfly in Millbeck Wildlife Area.

On the 16th, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Setaceous Hebrew Character and Rusty Dot Pearl were new for the year in the trap, the latter only my 3rd, previously two at Atwick in October 2014.

Went to Tophill Low NR on the afternoon of the 17th. Again, waders on South Marsh East were the highlight but I had my first two Goldeneye of the autumn on D res.

Snipe, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit with Ruff-Tophill Low NR on South Marsh East

A sign of autumn was a Red underwing in the trap on the 19th. A moth more often seen roosting or attracted to sugar.

The North Cave Wetlands YWT Night Heron

I was planning to go to Brough Haven again in the afternoon, but as I was leaving, news of Night Heron at North Cave Wetlands YWT broke. Likely the bird from last year, which I missed due to bad health. Unfortunately, having been flushed from Far Lake, it had gone missing. Hung around until mid-evening when I’d had enough, but did manage to visit all of the reserve.

Black-tailed Godwit-North Cave Wetlands YWT on Island Lake

The following morning, the Night Heron was seen again early morning, but decided to go to Raywell to be closer, but not spend hours in a likely hopeless search.

Common Buzzard-Raywell

The next morning, the 21st, having not been able to manage an early start, I failed again to see the heron, but at least did see two Little Owls.

Little Owls-Dryham Farm

As well as waders on Island Lake.

Greenshank-North Cave Wetlands YWT on Island Lake

Yellow Wagtails at North Cave Wetlands YWT on East Holm

Finally, on the morning of the 22nd, the Night Heron was reported roosting in sight. Getting there it was visible from the path by Far Lake but obscured.

Adult Night Heron-North Cave Wetlands YWT by Far Lake

Again, a few waders on Island Lake.

Juvenile Spotted Redshank-North Cave Wetlands YWT on Island Lake

Again walked the whole reserve as well as repeatedly returning for a hoped-for better view of the heron, but called it a day at lunchtime.

Common Darter near Dryham Farm

A better morning for moths on the 25th with Flame Carpet, Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix, Six-striped Rustic, and Old Lady, new for the year.

Flame Carpet with Mother of Pearl, Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix, Six-striped Rustic, Old Lady.

Went to Tophill Low NR on the afternoon of the 26th. A good number of waders on South Marsh East, including ten Ruff, but nothing new. The highlight was my 1st Cuckoo for a few weeks near East Pond.

Juvenile Cuckoo-Tophill Low NR near East Pond

Ruddy Darter-Tophill Low NR

Worth mentioning that the road from Watton is currently closed for repair. The road has deteriorated seriously recently, so repairs are welcome, but it does mean a longer route via Cranswick. Hopefully close to completion [still closed 2nd September]. The replacement for L-shaped hide will be officially opened on Friday 3rd September and open to public on Saturday.

On the 30th, I had Palpita vitrealis in the trap. A migrant, but increasing and new for me.

Palpita vitrealis

Also, Flounced Rustic was new for the year.

And Blood-vein, although seen earlier this year in Cottingham, was the 1st this year in the trap.

Tags: birding., birds, Black-tailed Godwit, Blood-vein, Brough Haven, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix, Common Blue Butterfly, Common Buzzard, Common Darter, Common Snipe, Common Tern, Copper Underwing, Cream-spot Ladybird, Cuckoo, Curlew, Flame Carpet, Flounced Rustic, Gatekeeper, Greenshank, Kingfisher, Little Grebe, Little Owl, Marsh Harrier, Mother of Pearl, nature, Night Heron, Old Lady, Orange Ladybird, Painted Lady, Palpita vitrealis, Peacock, Pectoral Sandpiper, photography, Red Admiral, Red underwing, Ruddy Darter, Ruff, Rusty Dot Pearl, Setaceous Hebrew Character, Single-dotted Wave, Six-striped Rustic, Southern Hawker, Speckled Wood, Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, Volucella zonaria, wildlife, Willow Emerald Damselfly, Yellow Wagtail

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Categories Alkborough Flats, Birding in Yorkshire, Birding Lincolnshire, Birds in East Yorkshire, Brough Airfield Marsh, Brough Haven, Butterflies, Cottingham, Dragonflies, Insects, Lincolnshire, Moths, North Cave Wetlands, Nut Wood and Wauldby Scrogs, Tophill Low NR, Twitching, Welton Waters

21/8/24 Butterflies at Broomfleet Washlands

24 Aug

In the past I have visit the site in spring for Odonata, in the early days for Hairy Dragonfly before it spread elsewhere and more recently for Variable Damselfly which may be also now more widely spread [although yet to encounter them elsewhere]. {See here] Today’s visit was almost accidental as we went out to check out a mystery nature reserve near Broomfleet. We walked down Pond Lane towards the railway line with no sign of any “ponds” then on reaching the track turned west through a gate and before long I realised I was on familiar ground. The only Odonata were Common Darter along the track in.

Common Darter-Brooomfleet

However when the sun came out we had a good number of butterflies at the the Washlands Including my 1st Brown Argus for 2 years. Noticed because of their small but didn’t see the upper side.

Brown Argus-Broomfleet Washlands

Also seen.

Common Blue-tatty male and female-Broomfleet Wastelands

Peacock-Broomfleet Washlands

Meadow Brown-Broomfleet Washlands

Green-veined White-Broomfleet Washlands

Gatekeeper-Broomfleet Washlands

Broomfleet Washlands from Market Weighton Canal bank

Water Mint-Broomfleet Washlands

The usual way to Broomfleet Washlands is to drive through the village, park near the entrance to the tile works then walk along the canal and under the railway bridge.

Tags: Broomfleet Washlands, Brown Argus, Common Blue Butterfly, Common Darter, Gatekeeper, Green-veined White, Meadow Brown, Peacock Butterfly, Water Mint

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Categories Broomfleet Washlands, Butterflies, Dragonflies, Flowers, Insects

12/8/22 Blacktoft Sands RSPB

12 Aug

Went to Blacktoft Sands RSPB with Ricky on Friday morning with the hope of seeing Common Crane [although not officially announced very likely a family that bred across the Trent at Alkborough Flats] however they hadn’t been seen since Wednesday but we headed to Singleton Hide anyway. Had my first “hung up” Migrant Hawker this year, on the way, despite seeing large numbers recently including in KGV Rec, Cottingham when walking the dog. Also several Ruddy Darters.

***Migrant Hawker-Blacktoft Sands RSPB***

Also a few butterflies.

***♂︎.Common Blue Butterfly-Blacktoft Sands RSPB***

Not surprisingly with the current drought water levels were low but did mean good edges from Singleton Hide where we has several distant Bearded Tit.

***Bearded Tit from Singleton Hide, Blacktoft Sands RSPB***

Also saw two Water Rail. The only waders present were a few Greenshank.

***Greenshank from Singleton Hide, Blacktoft Sands RSPB***

Moving to the next hide we had a few Little Egret as well as Snipe.

***Little Egret and Snipe, Blacktoft Sands RSPB***

The next few hides were even drier but Marshland was wetter with plenty of waders.

***The Marshland Scrape-Blacktoft Sands RSPB***

Seemed mainly Black-tailed Godwits but a closer look identified several Spotted Redshank.

All pale types except but one black adult.

Also a few Common Redshank.

A small number of Ruff.

And a few Green Sandpiper, Snipe and Dunlin.

A Marsh Harrier flew over scattering the waders but bringing some closer to the hide.

***Marsh Harrier from marshland Hide-Blacktoft Sands RSPB***

After lunch we returned to Singleton Hide where we able to show others the Bearded Tits. Also added Yellow Wagtail. A single Spotted Redshank and Green Sandpiper had moved onto the scrape. Otherwise spent the time catching up with Stav who I hadn’t seen for a good while.

A Spotted Crake had been found at North Cave Wetlands YWT late morning on Island Lake. We had considered going for our third time this week but I had previously seen one there so might have a look next week if it stays around when the hide might be less busy. Did have a look at the stubble fields nearby on the way out as Crane had been seen in the area earlier this year.

Tags: Bearded Tit, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Blue Butterfly, Common Redshank, Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Migrant Hawker, Ruff, Snipe, Spotted Redshank

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Categories Birding in Yorkshire, Birds in East Yorkshire, Blacktoft Sands RSPB, Butterflies, Dragonflies, Insects

7/7/22 Kiplingcotes Chalk Pit and Snuff Mill Lane, Cottingham-updated version

10 Jul

Finally after several days of cool, cloudy and often windy weather Thursday was warm so Ricky and I decided to go Kiplingcotes to get pictures of Marbled White.

Plenty on the wing as well as several other butterfly species.

Also plenty of skippers including at least one Essex, my first in many years. Unfortunately couldn’t get a sharp picture. Six-spot Burnet were also abundant, my first this year.

We had been too early on our last visit but there were now a large number of Pyramidal Orchid and a past its best Common Spotted Orchid.

Moved on to Rifle Butts to check the nearby stream for dragonflies. None seen so decided to return to Cottingham and have a look at the private pond on Snuff Mill Lane. A Emperor Dragonfly was patrolling the pond but never settled in sight but a Black-tailed Skimmer was more obliging.

Also plenty of damselflies.

Also several “red-eyed” damselflies on the lilly-pads. Later at home found the majority were Small Red-eye Damselflies, my first [and maybe the first] record in the village.

Also had a few butterflies.

We then went across the tracks to check the Wych Elm for the recent White-letter Hairstreaks.

11/7/22 After a message from Mac on Twitter, too late for me to respond, on Sunday I cycled up Snuff Mill Lane late afternoon Monday and almost immediately got a Purple Hairstreak in the large oak just south of the crossing. Came low a few times but only ever settled high up but slightly easier to photograph than the other hairstreak.

***Purple Hairstreak-Snuff Mill Lane, Cottingham***

Went back across the tracks but couldn’t locate any White-letter Hairstreak but the even light make the area I’ve previously seen them difficult to view.

Tags: Azure Damselfly, Black-tailed Skimmer, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Carline Thistle, Common Blue Butterfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Common Spotted Orchid, Gatekeeper, Kiplingcotes Chalk Pit, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Purple Hairstreak, Pyramidal Orchid, Red Admiral, Red-eyed Damselfly, Ringlet, Six-spot Burnet, Small Heath, Small Red-eye Damselfly, Small Skipper, Speckled Wood, White-letter Hairstreak

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Categories Birding in Yorkshire, Birds in East Yorkshire, Butterflies, Cottingham, Dragonflies, Flowers, Insects, Kiplingcotes Chalk Pit, Moths, Orchids

22/6/22 Ellerburn Bank and Fen Bog

24 Jun

Although plenty of butterflies at Ellerburn Bank YWT there was nothing unusual.

Also large numbers of Common Spotted Orchid and a few fenced off Bee Orchids.

At Fen Bog YWT it was nice see on the breeding ground birds I usually only see as migrants or winter visitors including Stonechat, Whinchat and displaying Siskin.

We headed for the bog to look for Large Heath but although different from those we see further south all that I photographed were identified as Small Heath.

***Small Heath-Fen Bog YWT-different from those I usually see including earlier at Ellerburn Bank.***

***Juvenile Meadow Pipit on the track of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway***

Had a single Keeled Skimmer in the exactly the same spot we had seen them last year but the water level was very low.

Walking back to the carpark I saw a strange “stick” on the path between me and Ricky. Looking closer I saw it was an Adder, a first for me. Initially I thought it was dead but showed no sign of injury and hadn’t been there earlier. Shortly though after presumably playing dead it slivered off into cover.

Nearby we had a Common Lizard in deep cover.

Plenty of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries near the carpark but very mobile and hard to get a good photograph.

***Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary-Fen Bog YWT***

Went across the road to check the stream for Golden-ringed Dragonflies but none were present. While looking though I located a Spotted Flycatcher on a fence over the stream before flying to trees further away. Another bird that I now usually only see on migration.

***Spotted Flycatcher near Fylingdales RAF***

Also a very smart singing Whinchat.

Found a Brown Silver-line moth, a species I’ve previously seen 3 times in Cottingham.

***Brown Silver-line near Fylingdales RAF***

Managed to see both Large and Small Skipper in the area for the first time this year.

Tags: Adder, Bee Orchid, Brown Silver-line, Common Blue Butterfly, Common Spotted Orchid, Ellerburn Bank YWT, Fen Bog YWT, Greater Knapweed, Keeled Skimmer, Large Skipper, Meadow Pipit, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Small Heath, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell, Spotted Flycatcher, Stonechat, Whinchat

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Categories Birding in North Yorkshire, Birding in Yorkshire, Butterflies, Dragonflies, Ellerburn Bank YWT, Fen Bog, Flowers, Insects, Moths, Orchids, Reptiles, Snakes

Orchids, Butterflies and Moths in Yorkshire

12 Jun

It all started early afternoon Tuesday 7th June 2022 when Ricky rang to say he had found some Common Spotted Orchids in Cottingham.

Moved on to another site in the village where I had seen a single spike of Southern Marsh Orchid.

Nearby were several Fox-and-cubs, an naturalised garden plant

At a third site, where I’d seen orchids last year, we failed to find any.

On Wednesday afternoon see went to Kiplingcotes Chalk Pit YWT where we failed to find Early Purple Orchid but plenty of butterflies and moths. See the account here.

On Friday we went further afield starting at Fordon Chalk Banks, a top Yorkshire Butterfly site. A very steep valley and hard going. Had two Marbled Whites, early and the first record on site this year, but too active to photograph but got several other species including my first Brown Argus and Painted Lady this years.

Also a few moths including my first Silver-ground Carpet this year and Mother Shipton which I’d seen earlier this year at Chambers Wood Farm.

Nothing unusual bird-wise but there were a good number of Lesser Whitethroat and Yellowhammer.

***Lesser Whitethroat-Fordon Chalk Bank***

We had hoped to see Frog Orchid but despite getting directions from two people including one doing a survey of butterflies we failed to find the site.

***Common Rock-rose. Found plant of Brown Argus.***

Moved to Yatts Farm hoping for better luck. This time fortunately there were people already looking at the Greater Butterfly-orchids. Good thing as small, inconspicuous and well off the track.

***Greater Butterfly-orchid-Yatts Farm***

Also Common Twayblade nearby which I managed to locate independently! Previously seen this orchid at Tophill Low NR.

Initially failed to self find our main quarry-Fly Orchid-eventually locating them at the beginning of the valley we’d walked well down. Again small and inconspicuous.

Also had a few butterflies including Brimstone and Dingy Skipper.

Back in Cottingham I took the dog out and check the site of my Southern Marsh Orchid where I had my first Meadow Brown for the year as well as Large Skipper and a likely Brown Argus. I had seen several on this site last two years although the land-owner had moored the area shortly after finding them last year.

Tags: Brimstone butterfly, Brown Argus, Common Blue Butterfly, Common Spotted Orchid, Common Twayblade, Dingy Skipper, Fly Orchid, Fox-and-cubs, Greater Butterfly-orchid, Large Skipper, Lesser Whitethroat, Meadow Brown, Mother Shipton, Painted Lady, Red-tailed Bumblebee, Silver-ground Carpet, Small Heath, Southern Marsh Orchid, Speckled Wood, Yellowhammer

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Categories Birding in North Yorkshire, Birding in Yorkshire, Birds in East Yorkshire, Butterflies, Cottingham, Flowers, Insects, Moths, Orchids, Yatts Farm

8/6/22 An afternoon looking for butterflies and moths in East Yorkshire

8 Jun

Wednesday 8th June 2022 started wet but became dry later morning. At a loose end and the dog hadn’t asked for a walk yet so when Ricky rang suggesting a drive up to Kiplingcotes Chalk Pit YWT I jumped at it, although with some worry that the weather might still spoil things. Getting there although the ground was wet it was warming up with breaking cloud and soon had several moths.

Also a good numbers of Common Blue butterflies.

As well as my first Small Heath of the year.

Nearby along the old railway track {Hudson Way] we had a few more moths.

Next we moved a short distance to Rifle Butts Quarry YWT. Although I’ve spent a lot of time in the area over the decades I’ve never visited this reserve before but it is more of geological interest than wildlife. I’ll let the sign explain.

***The geological succession at Rifle Butts Quarry YWT***

We did add Large Skipper to the year list though.

Our final destination was Northcliffe Wood YWT where we added two moths as well as finally getting a Speckled Wood to settle.

At one time Kiplingcotes area was my go to area for Turtle Dove but like most other areas where I once expected to see them and inline with the national trend they can be seen no more. However as Turtle Dove declined Red Kite has become expected over the Yorkshire Wolds and we saw one on the way in over Etton then later over Goodmanham.

Our next trip out, weather permitting, is North Yorkshire on Friday for butterflies and orchids.

Tags: Clouded Silver, Common Blue Butterfly, Common Carpet, Cream Wave, Nettle-tap, Pammene aurana, Rifle Butts Quarry YWT, Silver Y, Small Heath, Small Skipper, Snout, Speckled Wood, Straw Dot

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Categories Butterflies, Insects, Kiplingcotes Chalk Pit, Moths

Nature around Cottingham in May

6 Jun

2/5/22

5/5/22

***Male*** ***Orange-tip butterfly-Wood Lane, Cottingham***

Had my first Yellow Wagtail of the year in the Cottingham area singing at Haltemprice Farm, Willerby.

***Yellow Wagtail singing Haltemprice Farm, Willerby***

***I hadn’t looked at Springhead GC for a while and this was the first time I had seen the new fence to keep walkers off the course***

Also added House Martin to the Willerby Carr Patch list over Priory Road.

6/5/22

***Holly Blue and Small White butterflies-Middledyke Fields, Cottingham***

***Robin-Middledyke Fields, Cottingham***

Had my first Swifts of the year on the 10th whilst emptying the moth trapped. New moths were Waved Umber, Yellow-barred Brindle and White-shoulder House Moth.

Also a few Hawthorn Shield Bug and Cockchafer.

***Female Orange-tip butterfly-Poplar Farm, Cottingham***

12/5/22

***Song Thrush-Middledyke Fields, Cottingham***

Early evening I walked to Willerby Low Road Community Wood and coming back along Haggs Lane had my first Barn Owl of the year. Just outside my Willerby Carr Patch but gives me hope of seeing one there this year after losing the pair at Haltemprice Priory.

On the 13th new moths in the trap were Flame Carpet, Common Pug, Garden Carpet, Scalloped Hazel, Poplar Hawk Moth, and Vine’s Rustic.

***Merodon equestris-a Bumblebee mimic hoverfly-Kingtree Avenue, Cottingham***

14/5/22

17/5/22

For my trip to the Lincolnshire butterfly paradise-Chambers Farm Wood on the 17th click here.

***Tree Sparrow-Waterworks Cottage, Cottingham. The first I’ve managed to get a good picture of. They seem scarce this year.***

New in the moth trap on the 18th were Muslim Moth, Flame Shoulder, Bee Moth, Heart and Dart, Common Marbled Carpet and a dark Minor not assignable to species although likely Marbled on date.

***Small White Butterfly-KGV Allotments. Cottingham***

19/5/22

A surprise in the moth trap on the 20th were two Cinnabar, a moth common locally usually on Ragwort, but not trapped before. I would add that the only Ragwort I’ve seen so far was on Station Road near Stoneledge yard.

Also new for the year were Buff Ermine and Square-spot Rustic.

Early evening on the 21st I had a walk through KGV Rec, Millbeck Wildlife Area and fields to the north. A warm day and a few insects including my first Common Blue butterflies of the year.

Nice to see a native ladybird as the unintentionally imported Harlequin Ladybird, which will eat ours, is all too common now, including the pair intent on increasing the species on the 22nd. They are very variable mimicking several native species although larger with obvious white facial plates.

On the 23rd new in the moth trap were Green Carpet, Willow Beauty, Mottled Pug, Celypha lacunana and Brimstone. Also Mint Moth which I’d seen at Chambers Farm Wood earlier this month.

All regular moths but Lesser Stag Beetle also in the trap was new for me.

Had a walk along the path north of Platwood Farm in the morning. Had a few interesting insects including only my 2nd Small Copper so far this year. This butterfly is now rare around the village at least.

24/5/22

***Southern Marsh Orchid-Middledyke Fields***

25/5/22

On the 26th new in the moth trap were Flame, Small Magpie, White Ermine and Common Carpet, although I’ve seen the latter in the field with out getting a picture.

On the 26th had another moth in fields off Northmoor Lane-Clouded Silver-only my 4th record.

***Clouded Silver-off Northmoor Lane, Cottingham***

For my trip to Kent on the 28th for Eleonora’s Falcon click here.

The evening of the 29th was a bit of an Owl-fest. Hearing Blackbirds mobbing sometime in the churchyard I manage to locate a roosting Tawny Owl then on Middledyke Fields I had a brief Barn Owl to add to my Cottingham Patch year list.

The last new moth of May was Snout at Middledyke Fields on the 30th.

Tags: 14-spot Ladybird, Bee Moth, Brimstone Moth, Brown-tail moth caterpillar, Buff Ermine, Cardinal Beetle, Celypha lacunana, Cinnabar Moth, Clouded Silver, Common Blue Butterfly, Common Carpet, Common Marbled Carpet, Flame Carpet, Flame Shoulder, Garden Carpet, Green-veined White, Harlequin Ladybird, Hawthorn Shield Bug, Heart and Dart, Holly Blue, House Sparrow, Lesser Stag Beetle, Merodon equestris, Mottled Pug, Muslim Moth, Orange-tip, Peregrine, Poplar Hawk Moth, Robin, Scalloped Hazel, Sloe Bug, Small Copper, Small Magpie, Small White, Snout, Song Thrush, Southern Marsh Orchid, Springhead GC, Square-spot Rustic, Swallow, Tree Sparrow, Vine's Rustic, Waved Umber, White Ermine, Yellow Wagtail, Yellow-barred Brindle

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Categories Beetles, Birding in Yorkshire, Birds in East Yorkshire, Butterflies, Cottingham, Hoverflies, Insects, Moths, Willerby

21/7/21 Risby Warren, Lincolnshire

25 Jul

I knew about this site for many years as it was near where my brother used to live but he told me there was a nasty gamekeeper so never visited. However this was a long time ago! When I got more interested in butterflies I considered going here for Grayling but was told of another site nearby at Conesby Quarry where I saw them in 2015. Not visited since but seems public access has improved although whether this is a positive I don’t know. Consider deep quarries not a good area for safe recreation?!

Fortunately RF had directions to Risby Warren as it was difficult to find the parking area even before the walk to the site. Where I’d seen them before was on largely bare ground but this site is an area of short grass with rabbits holes. Had been a report early in the month but we couldn’t find any Grayling ourselves and in fact is early according to the books although had heard yesterday while at Fen Bog YWT that they were abundant on South Gare near Redcar. However plenty of other butterflies including large numbers of Dark Green Fritillaries and my first Small Copper of the year.