Tophill Low 23rd September 2021

 

Incoming Mute Swan

I needed a change from Bempton, so I decided on an early morning visit to Tophill Low, my first visit in four months. I arrived in darkness, glad I had a torch to assist with the various combination locks! It looked quite overcast when I arrived so I decided to head to the hides on the south side. 

First Light

My plan backfired though, as when I arrived at the Izzard Hide, the sun had broken through and the light was dazzling! Unfortunately, most of my images were taken looking into this brightness! I was also amazed that no one else was on the reserve at first, and I only saw two people on the south side as I was returning.

I managed three year ticks in the form of Pectoral Sandpiper, Water Rail and a duck that I can't name or show an image of as they have been severely culled over the years.

Record Images of the Pectoral Sandpiper

Little Egret

"Blimey, Stan, look at the a**e on that"! 😇

I began to wonder if I would see a Kingfisher today! All of the hides I visited showed a nil return. Until, that is, I headed to north lagoon. I had only been here a few minutes when two arrived, male then female.

Mute Swan

Wigeon & Teal

Snipe

And finally, some fungi that caught my eye

All bird images taken handheld with Canon 7D Mk2 and 400mm 5.6 prime lens.

Others, handheld with Sony RX10 Mk4.