Newsletter
Tophill Low
Any
visit to Tophill Low is a worthwhile event. So it was for this evening
trip in May, when fifteen members attended. With only a few hours of
evening light it is always better, in summer, to concentrate on the
southern half of the site. We therefore started at the North Lagoon and
worked our way to the Borrow Pits via 'O' Reservoir, and the South Marsh.
As usual at this time of year the North and South Lagoons can prove a
little quiet; their resident coot, moorhen and mallard awaiting the
returning waders, which make this part of Tophill Low so exciting. We did
however gain glimpses of the reed warblers, which annually nest in the
reedbed between the two lagoons.
'O' Reservoir was also fairly quiet, again few of the diving ducks which
feed here in winter, are in evidence at this time of year. Although we
also paused at South Marsh for a while the most interesting birds were to
be seen at the Borrow Pits. Yet again the little ringed plovers have bred
here and we were not to be disappointed with three adults being joined by
three young birds. This part of Tophill Low is proving attractive to
waders with a number of lapwing pairs present with young and at least one
pair of redshank feeding a family of three chicks.
Sedge
warblers and willow warblers were widespread as were most of our resident
small birds such as wren, robin and blackbird, although not necessarily in
as large numbers as the warblers. We also enjoyed some very good views of
a barn owl returning to its nest box after a successful hunt somewhere to
the south of South Marsh. It was clearly carrying a small mammal which we
assume was gratefully received by an ever hungry chick.
The
wildfowl list, which is at its best in mid winter, included a few mute
swan, shelduck, gadwall, tufted duck, shoveler and pochard as well as a
family of greylag geese. Surprisingly the cormorants which are a fixture
at the Borrow Pits were not to be seen.
A good evening's bird watching provided a list of 39 species.