What a beauty!

Another winter season gull roosting nearly over at Tophill Low NR, East Yorkshire. However, as numbers dwindle, still birds to be seen in the roost for those willing to stay out until dusk.

After the transitional adult Mediterranean Gull present last Saturday, either the same, or another adult which was further into summer plumage, almost full-summer, was present on Wednesday evening in the gull roost. The run of Meds continuing with a 1st winter in the roost on Saturday evening.
Other than that, the birding was predictable, the Whooper Swans remained until Wednesday evening at least, while 1-2 Goosanders roosted on the D res on both Wednesday and Saturday night, albeit numbers down from earlier in the week. As ever, for the latest Tophill news, click here for the latest from reserve warden Richard Hampshire.

With Sunday a working day, I opted for a trip to the Humber/Ouse/Trent confluence at Faxfleet once released from the office. Either I missed out, or the Harrier numbers have dwindled as I managed only 6 Marsh Harriers before I left at 6pm.

Moth trapping continues at Tophill Low. A mild Friday night ensured there was a good number of moths caught for the time of year and plenty of years ticks, including Pine Beauty, and both Powdered and Small Quaker. Not in the traps, but attracted to light and found roosting on a nearby wall by Doug Fairweather was this Oak Beauty. From notes I have, I believe this to be another addition to the Tophill Lepidoptera list.

Despite not having a camera on my late arrival, Odonata expert Paul Ashton was on hand to take a photograph. As the season progresses and the start of the Odonata season is, weather permitting, just over a month away, why not check out the Yorkshire Dragonfly site... the 2012 Odonata season is almost about to start!