Tophill Low Nature Reserve

27/08/2026

Some classic end of season wading birds in the last two days with the highlight two little stint on south marsh east yesterday and another on watton Nr today. In addition curlew sandpiper and 11 ruff. Nice to record a spotted flycatcher in south scrub too - unfortunately just a passage migrant these days.

Image of curlew sandpiper and ruff courtesy of Chris Barker

24/08/2026

The heat of recent weeks has brought out some stunning butterflies. Most notably an influx of clouded yellows across the reserve.

Another influx of ruff with 17 present today and 27 at the weekend. Green and common sandpiper in good numbers too.

Please note at the end of the week we’ll be undertaking work to start the screening at north marsh now breeding season has largely concluded

10/08/2026

Sightings from today on the reserve courtesy of Jeff and Chris. Some nice images of clouded yellows that have again been present today by Pat Hogarth, and selection of waders by Dave Ruffles

07/08/2026

With a coolish week, comes the 1st signs of Autumn, like a car park full of leaves, or the steady stream of Waders on the marshes like Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank and Wood Sandpiper, also Otter on the prowl within the lagoons and marshes.
So have a go at finding some more elusive species this weekend at Tophill Low.
Other highlights are that the ticket machine is in operation again, and the toilets are open for use.
Goats have been reintroduced into North Scrub, so keep an eye out for them, but keep in mind for your health and the goats, please don't be tempted to stroke them or feed them, they have plenty to eat in the scrub, and you don't know what they've rolled in.
Otherwise have a great weekend and see you at Tophill Low

04/08/2026

Advance warning: there is work due to take place on the reserve on Thursday 6th August which will mean the southern end of the reserve will not be accessible to visitors- (this includes the areas by the poly tunnels, North and South lagoons, O reservoir, members hide, henge hide and Watton nature reserve hide).
This is a temporary measure and the site will be full open on Friday 7th onwards. Apologies for any temporary inconvenience this may cause.

30/07/2026

Before the update on this week's species highlights, the WARDENS WALK this weekend HAS BEEN CANCELLED, apologies for any inconvenience.
The volunteers today have done a great job on cutting and collecting the last of the hay meadows for this year, the earliest we've ever done it!! (with a helping hand from the extended dry weather)
Pockets of Knapweed have been left for the butterflies, so still a chance for good photos of Clouded Yellow.
The local Otters have now started venturing into the marshes, as well as the lagoons, and by all accounts have been putting on a show!
Wader passage is nearing it's peak, so we've lowered the water levels and left plenty of mud showing.
Cattles Egrets were over on Watton Nature Reserve, and a potential Bittern somewhere on site, where? it's up to you to find out 👍
So all in all it's looking like a good weekend.

24/07/2026

With the weekend looking splendid for a nice day out at the reserve, 2 issues at Tophill Low you need to be aware of before visiting.
The ticket machine is out of commission for the foreseeable, which means you'll need to bring cash to pay for entry fee or memberships.
The Gents' toilet is out of order until the new week, hopefully, so please use the disabled toilets.
Apologies for the inconvenience.
On to better news, the wildlife highlights!!
Bird wise its still wader migration going on at the Southern end of site with Green Sandpiper, Dunlin and Black tailed Godwits seen most days, luckily the photography Hide has had the obstructing vegetation removed, so members will get clear views of the bay.
Butterflies are still numerous across the reserve, with Painted Ladies making up the majority. In amongst the Knapweed, some special visitors have arrived in the form of Clouded Yellow butterfly (watch out for the canary yellow wings). And in the budleja, numerous Humming-Bird Hawkmoths are making the most out of the nectar sources.
And of course, it's otterly fantastic to see that North Lagoon is the new hot-spot for Otters on the reserve, so keep a watchful gaze and you may be in luck!
Hope to see you all this weekend.

23/07/2026

23/07/2026

For the past few years the team at Tophill Low nature reserve have celebrated the work we do on site with conservation, in particular with the wetland plant project, by building and manning a display at Driffield show. Placed in the Horticulture section we offer a unique window into some rarer wetland plants, chalk stream and mere habitats in the locality. This year the staff and volunteers outdid themselves with the construction of a mere landscape. Judges awarded the display with a - “Best trade exhibit” Large gold award certificate as well as our first ever bit of silverware! (We need to build our first small trophy cabinet 🙂).
A big team of volunteers were involved in setting up and dismantling the display as well as manning the stand throughout the day. They made a massive impact with the record numbers of visitors (25,048) who were all enthused by their knowledge of the plants, the nature reserve and the wetland plant projects we are involved in supporting. Here a few of the major ones this year!

8,000+ tansy plants donated to the Tansy Beetle Action Group supporting their conservation work in York, castle Howard and Flamingo Land to save this rare endangered beetle.

Swallow butterfly project (5 plus years to complete) to repopulate milk parsley across the East Riding for a possible reintroduction of the swallowtail butterfly to the area. 2500 seedlings grown on this year with the support of Mires Beck nursery. 1,800 plants replanted at Hornsea Mere.

Hundreds of rare wetland plants donated to support local wetland recreation projects at Albonwise and JSR farming groups and habitat enhancement at YWT site at Skerne Wetlands

Donations of phragmites reed plugs to Lower Derwent Vally (11,550) and St Nicks nature reserve (3,850)in York help with reed-bed construction and enhancement. With a further 3,850 to go to York University and another 40,000 plus planned to go to Rodley Nature Reserve in Leeds.

Without the help and support from our fantastic team of volunteers and staff none of this would be possible. So a heartfelt thank you from myself and the rest of the staff team to all of our brilliant volunteers!! We couldn’t do it without you! A fabulous, well earned result for all of your efforts!

12/07/2026

Our swallows have fledged! Having readily tolerated the crowds at open day they are remarkably tolerant of people. 4 were seen leaving as the viewing deck was opened this morning.

Similar species of waders today on the marsh in increasing numbers; 38 black tailed godwit and 9 green sandpipers.