Events

 
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

Eggs & Nests, what do you know?
Wednesday 17th April – Family event - 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

Dawn chorus walk 4.30am
Sunday 12th May  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.


Wildlife photography exhibition by Tony
 McLean
 Thursday 16th May Join one of Tophill Low’s earliest risers Tony McLean to see the best of 10 years of wildlife photography exclusively taken around Tophill Low.  A not to be missed opportunity and his swansong in wildlife photography.   18:30 – 20:30 at the reception hide.  Admission by advance ticket sale available from reserve office £5 (£3.50 concessions).  No admission ticket to reserve necessary for this event.


Wild art & craft
Wednesday 29th May – Family event.  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

Otter watch 1 fully booked
Friday 31st May - 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

Open day
Sunday 9th June – 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









Grass snakes

Tuesday 25th June - 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.




Otter watch 2 fully booked
Friday 28th June - 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. 


 
July

Otter watch 3 fully booked
Friday 12th July - 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. 
Sorry - all otter watches for 2019 now full. 


Pond Dipping at the reception pond
Wednesday 24th July – Family event.  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.
 
Nature detectives
Wednesday 31st July – Family event.  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
Flower power & butterfly bonanza
Wednesday 7th August – Family event. 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
Wednesday 14th August - 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
Bat walk
Friday 13th September – Family event - 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.  
Bat walk & Moth night
Saturday 28th September – Family event.  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



Practical conservation taster day

Saturday 19th October – 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.

 

Spooky roost walk

Wednesday 30th October – Family event.  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

Mammal Safari

Saturday 14th December – Family event.  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.

Wildlife Photography exhibition

Sunday 22nd December - Sunday 12th January 2020.  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. 



January


 Year Listing Day

Wednesday 1st January - 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. 


















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