Tiers at Tophill

Thanks for everyone's support and patience during the current lockdown.  There's been some good numbers of both whooper swans and pink footed geese here which highlights the importance of ensuring the SSSI reservoirs are not disturbed.  

The marsh level was brought back up to winter height; 

And is lapping at (and briefly within) the Izzard hide.  

More updates to follow - chiefly on 7 new occupants of Tophill Low that moved in over lockdown... 

Principally this post is to pre-empt the government local tier announcement scheduled for Thursday the 26th; and to pre-empt what social media commentators will decide on our behalf.   For the first time 'Wildlife Reserves' are specifically mentioned which allows us to be more objective and set expectations from the off;  As ever different reserves have different viewing opportunities, facilities, staffing and circumstances so please respect this is a balanced decision based solely upon Tophill Low rather than what other outwardly similar reserves are doing.

Tier 3; Reserve closed
“indoor attractions at mostly outdoor entertainment venues must also close (indoor shops, through-ways and public toilets at such attractions can remain open). This includes indoor attractions within:
zoos, safari parks, and wildlife reserves”

Our interpretation is that this means bird hides.  As per lock down, during winter when wildfowl are most pressured it means increased disturbance on SSSI reservoirs and marshes as people create their own viewing opportunities in the absence of hides.  Wildlife coming before people's curiosity is hopefully is something our regulars agree with.    

"you must not meet socially indoors or in most outdoor places with anybody you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble, this includes in any private garden or at most outdoor venues"

We also need to factor the risk to staff maintaining and cleaning the reserve both in the context of a high local levels of infection with a higher than normal footfall as people look for things to do – and the sites' principle role of Water Production facility and the importance of operational key workers.   

Tier 2; Reserve open
“you must not socialise with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place”
 
We return as we had intended prior to November lock down of one family bubble in one hide at a time.  No lingering or hide hogging – facilities must be shared responsibly by users.  If this does not work we close.
 
Tier 1; Reserve open
“you must not socialise in groups larger than 6 people, indoors or outdoors, other than where a legal exemption applies.  This is called the ‘rule of 6’”
 
We return to pre-October of maximum 6 persons per hide and shutters to physically distance individuals.  

So there you go folks.  Whether the reserve is open or closed on the 2nd of December now depends upon what tier East Yorkshire goes into.