From snow to go

A lot's changed in 6 weeks; Not so long ago it looked like a trip to find the northwest passage:

The volunteers at Tophill bravely voyaging to hand weed breeding islands ready for the return of breeding birds back in February.  Perhaps the snowiest snow of winter was briefly captured on the paths around the new reception hide:

And this made it all worthwhile for the reserve's ermine stoats who got a good half hour of camouflage this winter - Steve Hines:

Now largely reverted to standard colour scheme - Brian Colley:

There is a strong suggestion that they may have a den under one of the root piles near the new pond - time will tell...

Their bigger cousins have been glimpsed regularly - Richard Willison:

And Josh Harrison:

But its the very showy kingfishers that have been the show stealers of late - spoilt for choice with cracking pictures - Brian Colley:

Johnny Pang:

Roy Lyon:

Richard Willison:

Tony Simpson:

And Colin Powell:

Likewise amorous barn owls cavorting in the undergrowth - Darren Smith:

Keep an eye out too for the short-eared owls - still on the go this morning on the approach road.

A sneak peak of the new barn owl nest camera - currently under trial operation:

Some visitors have had chance to have a peek in the new reception hide at the reserve.  Whilst we're not officially open until the weekend of the 17th and 18th of June we have been putting it through its paces to see how it works and what tweaks we need to make.  This will continue during this commissioning period - but please don't bank on it being open until this point whilst we are fitting out and prepping - some great night shots by Rob Worsfold (remember you do need to be a member to visit the reserve between 6pm and 9am):

We've also trialled the first educational visit to the reserve:

Aimed at key stage 2 junior school groups it gives children the chance for environmental education on Wednesdays in term time, including looking at birdlife and its adaptations, invertebrates, pond dwellers and plant-life all in dedicated new facilities:

It's already proved very popular and for enquiries and bookings please see the full details here.

A great seal of approval for many hours spent constructing the new pond dipping platform:

Part of this commissioning work also included greening the earthen banks for the disability access ramps.  As such 900 trees have been planted with great thanks to the William Jackson food group whom donated and planted them:

We've put an eclectic mix of species in to attract nesting and feeding birds and insects - it'll take around five years or so until they start to look something like but a great start.  A variation in species is very timely, as just yesterday we seemingly discovered the first ash dieback on the reserve.  Not unexpected - and in many ways long overdue given its been logged within eyeshot of the reserve for the last two years.  Unfortunately the first showing of distinctive diamond shaped lesions around branch unions on young ash saplings, untimely death and brittle deceased twigs:

Given these were in an unwanted position below the L hide we were intending to clear anyway, they all ended up on the bonfire:

A futile gesture given it'll already be embedded on site.  We shall just have to see how it unfolds and changes what is a very ash dominated site in coming years.  Hopefully though it at least brings the sand martin colony into operating condition and gives it a fighting chance for the newly returned birds. 

The first sand martins arrived on March the 17th with up to 70 present by yesterday. 

Preceding the summer specialists though were the winter birds - and chief of which was the huge influx of white winged gulls - iceland and glaucous - such as this captured by Karen Williams:

It represents the finest throughput of these birds since 1981 at least and more than likely ever.  Chiefly observed by Martin Hodges there is a great write up on his blog here.  This has apparently subsided now but a few nice Mediterranean gulls appearing - how long before we see them nesting alongside the black headed gulls? - Martin Hodges:

Whilst it may be hotting up a timely reminder it's still grim up north - Goldeneye still active displaying on the reservoir rather than risking an early departure - Brian Colley:

A trait shared by curlew still present - Mal Jones:

Goosander - Erich Hediger:

And the long staying long-tail - Pat Hogarth:

Joined recently by a more summery companion - drake red crested pochard seemingly back to breed on South Marsh East:

Just dropping by are pintail - Brian Colley:

And Michael Flowers

Back on south marsh now too are the little ringed plovers, joined in the tree tops by chiffchaffs a plenty, and as of yesterday multiple willow warblers.  Not breeding this year will be this black headed gull:

Nobbled no doubt by one of the wintering peregrine around site as captured by Frank Moffatt:

Likewise also not fairing well this season Mr Toad - pics from Tony McLean:

The rarest bird of the last six weeks?  Likely this rock pipit courtesy of Martin Hodges - an uncommon passage bird at Tophill Low:

So spring all the way now and all the excitement begins!  As such the perfect time for a new membership - prices remain the same at £25 for adults and £17 for concessions..  All old cards expire on the 31st of March so if you still have one with the stoat on you need a new one this month!

This brings us on to the subject of the card designs for 17/18.  As ever I scoured the blog, facebook and flickr groups for an array of images that would work well when cropped for a card design.  As such the following shortlist was devised:
Cuckoo Tony McLean:

 Four spotted chaser Adam Carter:

Grey Heron Roy Vincent:

Kingfisher Chris Bell:

Little egret Roy Vincent:

Sparrowhawk Darren Smith:

Spoonbill Maurice Dowson:

Tawny Owl Alan Walkington:

Wrens Pat Hogarth:

As always the compilation was sent across anonymously to head office at Bradford for the popular vote - and this years winner was... Speckled Wood by Jeff Barker

So get yours now!  All details on the membership tab above by return of post or drop by the reserve office or reception hide most days:

 

A note too that day admission will be increasing to £3.50 for adults and £1.80 for concessions for this season.  As ever all admissions info on the 'visiting' tab above.

Mr Grey

It may have been 50 shades of white on the reservoir in the last week but it was grey that caused excitement today - Maurice Dowson:

Maurice and Roy Vincent picked up this site rarity great grey shrike today in hawthorns at the top of the D reservoir and managed a few great record shots when it took a brief flight north before heading south over the res and out of sight - Roy:

A fine site tick for many of our latter-day listers.  The last was in 2003 - again on Barmston Drain and the last truly visible one in 1993 down at Watton again on the drain.  This bird is the 6th since about 1970 so perhaps decreasing in sighting frequency.  If the current trend continues there'll be another in about 40 years!.  Despite a whole site search it couldn't be found today - here's hoping it'll turn up again in the next few days. Maurice:

So this fine bird had just about won out on the mono colour stakes putting the legions of glaucous gulls into the shade.  Glaucous gulls have continued with yet another bird present last night making around 10 birds - nearly as many as have been seen all time.  But a long overdue Iceland gull in the fading light was a welcome addition to the year list.  As ever for a fuller write up of all the gull action visit Martin's blog.  Long-tailed duck showing well by him here:

Goldeneyes have been getting amorous in the frozen weather - Brian Colley:

And in addition to a female goosander and three pintail on Watton has been a second smew - redhead of course!- Francis Bell:

And Roy Lyon:

Regardless of the winter wonders shelduck are building up rapidly.  Freshly returned from Germany they peaked at 14 on Wednesday on South Marsh East.  We're still sorting a few of the islands in coming days ready for the breeding season so please excuse a little disturbance on these in the next couple of weeks - Brian Colley:

30 blackbirds at Hempholme on Sunday - Brian:

And elsewhere brambling, siskin, redpoll and willow tit all on the feeders. 

 

Finally a note on timescales for the new hide - currently we're looking at mid March for opening the paths as there is still considerable tree work we're waiting on contractors to complete before we can do so.  In the meantime we'll be rounding up those whom have expressed an interest in helping out with the new viewing gallery.  We're looking for enthusiastic and friendly volunteers to show people wildlife on the reservoirs, feeders and remote cameras.  Tea included!  If you're interested let me know as we'll be talking volunteers through this new opportunity soon.   Thanks to those whom have already contacted me - I'll be in touch soon...

 

Otherwise spring beckons - 4 weeks til the first little-ringed plover and chiffchaff!

The beige brigade

Things seem to be going from strength to strength on the reserve into February.  Perhaps most notable has been the ramp up in gull numbers in the last month, and particularly glaucous gulls in the strongest ever presence in the roost with 6 possibly 7 so far - the highest figure we can find reference to.  Martin Hodges:

Caspian gulls have also put in a performance, but mediterranean gulls have finally materialised in good numbers.  A strange year as there were practically no records prior to the new year, and now they all seem to be arriving in a glut - up to six present on some nights.  For more info and pictures such as below check out Martin's page:

Geese also have come good latterly with the highlight being 6 tundra bean geese on the 4th - Martin:

Present amongst a wider flock of 32 Russian white fronted geese amongst the greylags - still present today:



It's been great to have the smew back again regularly on Watton NR - Brian Colley:

And Mal Jones:

Goosander has been present on a few occasions at Watton, and the, or a long tailed duck was back on D reservoir on the 5th after an absence.  Moving up the scale of piscivores was this great crested grebe consuming a pike by Darren Smith:

But topped by this cormorant achieving the impossible - Brian Colley:

And at the top of the tree the otter still showing well on North Marsh - Brian:

Roe deer developing new antlers ready for their spring rut - Tony Robinson:

Some great footage of both these and other Tophill wildlife on the trail cameras - compiled by Hull Uni student Nadine Grey:

Kingfisher by Mal Jones:

Many thanks to Roy and Maurice who volunteered for more volunteering on North Marsh this week - prepping the otter holt channel and replacing perches for the 2017 season...

 

Work still continuing on the new hide and associated paths - volunteers working busily on the new platform:

With this character observing proceedings:

Likely a horse leech from a quick inspection.

 

However the northern end of the site is a good place to be:

Not just the barn owls - but perhaps up to three short eared owls have been seen in recent days - great to have them back:

And Roy Vincent:

Otherwise a few bits of passerine interest - brambling around the new building feeders, lesser redpoll in the woods and siskins in the car park.