Tophill Low Events programme 2019
MONTHLY WILDLIFE WALKS – Join the Warden at 10am on the first Saturday of every month for an informal 2hr guided walk to see the best the reserve has to offer through the year. No booking necessary, all ages and experiences welcome – just boots and binoculars.All other events are strictly book in advance only unless otherwise stated. Ring the reserve on 01377 270690 to book. All events are free with standard admission unless stated otherwise. Children should be accompanied by an adult.
April
Wednesday 17th
April – Family event -Eggs & Nests, what do you know? Birds and their eggs are protected
by law but we can still find out fascinating facts about how birds build nests,
their eggs and lots more. Team challenge, can you build like a bird? 10am
-12noon, free with standard admission. Booking necessary on 01377 270690.
May
Sunday 12th May – Dawn chorus walk 4.30am
An early
start as sunrise is at 5.04am. Join our guides to hear the height of the years
bird son, with highlights hopefully cuckoo and several of our ten breeding
warbler species. Free with standard admission, no booking necessary.
Wednesday 29th May –
Family event- Wild
art & craft. Using all the fabulous natural materials here at
Tophill Low create your very own piece of natural art. Get inspiration from the
colours and textures that are part of our woodland to produce a master piece
and display it in your very own natural frame. 10am -12noon, free with standard
admission. Booking necessary on 01377 270690
Friday 31st May - Otter watch
Learn about
the elusive river Hull otter. An illustrated talk before a stake out for the
animal itself until the light goes. Otter sightings are never guaranteed but we
are sure to spot something. 6.30pm till late. Please book in advance by calling
01377 270690.
June
Sunday 9th June – Open day 10am -4pm
Join us to
see the best of the reserve with an array of wildlife themed exhibits. Plenty
of interest for all the family. No booking necessary.
Tuesday 25th June -
Grass snakes
Take a walk
with our guide in the warming sun to catch these spectacular reptiles
sunbathing on the refugias around the reserve before heading out into the
marshes to hunt. 9 – 11am. Free with standard admission. Booking necessary on 01377 270690.
July
Wednesday 24th July –
Family event - Pond
Dipping at the reception pond
Find out
what hides in the depths of the new reception pond. Use nets and trays
alongside identification charts to name all the fauna that you find and add
your results to our important records, great event for budding scientists. 10am
– 12noon, free with standard admission. Booking necessary on 01377 270690.
Wednesday 31st July –
Family event - Nature
detectives.
Tophill Low
is a great nature reserve and is home to hundreds of animals, big and small.
But they are not always seen. Join us to track them down and pick up some key
tracking skills along the way. 10am -12noon, free with standard admission. Booking necessary on 01377 270690.
August
Wednesday 7th August –
Family event - Flower
power & butterfly bonanza.
With the wild flower meadow now in all its
glory increase your knowledge of wildflowers on the reserve. Not only are the
flowers stunning themselves but they provide essential food for the
butterflies. On a hot sunny day what could be better than soaking up the sun in
such a beautiful setting with flowers and butterflies all around. 10 – 12noon,
free with standard admission. Booking necessary on 01377 270690.
Scavenger hunt.
Follow the
scavenger trail to learn about and find a range of bugs and beasties. Use
pooters to catch and observe the life on the woodland floor. Peer into the bug
hotel, lift a log, dig for worms! 10am -12noon, free with standard admission. Booking necessary on 01377 270690.
September
Friday 13th September – Family
event - Bat walk
Listen to
the experts as Claire from East Yorkshire Bat Group gives a presentation about
bats before tracking them down on the reserve using bat detection equipment.
6.30 – 8.30pm. Booking is essential as numbers are limited on this event. Phone
01377 270690 to secure your place.
Saturday 28th September – Family
event - Bat walk & Moth night
Listen to
the experts as Claire from East Yorkshire Bat Group gives a presentation about
bats before tracking them down on the reserve using bat detection equipment.
6.30 – 8.30pm. It is also National Moth night so with the help of our
knowledgeable volunteers a moth trap
will also be set and the catch observed. Booking is essential as numbers are
limited on this event. Phone 01377 270690 to secure your place.
October
Saturday 19th October – Practical conservation taster day
If you feel
like you want a bit of physical exercise but want it to be useful too then come
along and take part in some practical tasks on the reserve. There’s always
plenty of conservation projects going on in different parts of the reserve and
help is always needed. It may be just the kind of volunteering that you are
looking for. 10am -12noon. No need to book.
Wednesday 30th October – Family
event - Spooky roost walk
As the dark
nights draw in the reserve takes on another element under the cover of
darkness. Join our guide on a walk through the reserve to watch the starlings
come in to roost and hope for a glimpse of the marsh harrier. Then its back
along the paths in the dark listening to the sounds of the night.Starting from the
reception hide at 5pm. No need to book.
December
Saturday 14th December – Family
event - Mammal Safari
The shorter
days mean that the mammals on the reserve are often feeding during daylight
hours and there is more chance of them being seen. On this walk we would hope
to spot roe deer and red fox but if not then we can learn about how to track
them down from their tracks and other noticeable signs that they leave behind.
10am -12noon, no need to book.
Sunday 22nd December - Sunday 12th January 2020 - Wildlife Photography exhibition
Sunday 22nd December - Sunday 12th January 2020 - Wildlife Photography exhibition
A celebration of wildlife at Tophill Low over 2019 View some of the best images loaned by Tophill Low's community of wildlife photographers taken at the Reserve over the last 12 months. Class winners for various birds, animals and plants - a chance to see the incredible wildlife of East Yorkshire that anyone can experience with a bit of patience.
The exhibition is free with standard admission to the reserve no booking necessary. Open 10am to 4pm daily.
The exhibition is free with standard admission to the reserve no booking necessary. Open 10am to 4pm daily.
January
Wednesday 1st January - Year Listing Day
Two guided walks starting 10am and 13:30pm - to try and score as many bird species on the first of the first as possible; Whether you're a serious year lister or just fancy some fresh air after the holidays. Last year we recorded a record 81 species, and in 2018 80, so we have our work cut out.
