Hidden Mandarin and Sneaky Fox

A lovely sunny day encouraged me to head towards the coast and I decided to have a quick visit to Filey Dams. Driving through the Wolds I was enjoying the combination of blue sky and bright yellow oilseed rape fields. It was not to stay like this though. As I neared the coast I could see that a sea fret was covering the coastline. I had a few things to do first and by the time I arrived at Filey Dams the fog was beginning to lift.

A birder who was just leaving told me a Mandarin duck could be seen in the reeds and directed me towards the right hand hide. On route I saw this Wood pigeon

and this Cuckoo flower

Following the instructions I had been given I did manage to catch a glimpse of the Mandarin but it was well hidden and it was only afterwards looking at my photos that I saw part of it between the reeds. If I had not been told it was there or what it was I would have been non the wiser. It was on the far side well away from the hide and as I had forgotten my binoculars I had to rely on my camera lens.
This area did though have a Little grebe who was a little more willing to appear in the open even though it was nearly as far away as the Mandarin which can just be seen to the left and slightly above the grebe (it is only given away by the tiny part of it you can see being darker brown than the foliage).





Moving to the other side of the hide there was not much about close up other than this Mute swan





I decided to move to the other hide



The sun was continuing to break through the fog.





I watched some Tufted ducks who came close to the hide







Taking my eye from the camera viewfinder for a moment I was surprised to see a Fox out in the open moving along thin strip of land directly in front of the hide. It seemed to be totally ignored by all the other wildlife until it ran close to some pigeons.

With the sighting of a tiny part of a Mandarin duck and a good view of a Fox in the open it had turned out to be an exciting visit.

A Reason to Return

The recent launch of the Yorkshire Nature Triangle website made me decide it was time I visited Tophill Low Nature reserve . It has been on my list of places to visit and with the membership starting on April 1st I thought it a good idea to have a quick walk around to see if I wanted to join this year.

Having a bit of work to do over on the coast it seemed a good plan to call in on my way. With the sat nav guiding me it was not long before I was approaching the reserve. Things looked good as I drove along with fields at the side. Heading to the car park there was a sign warning of crossing toads but I did not see any. There was a hose over the road with a metal ramp - my car is very low and I think the underside of it made slight contact - a gentler ramp would be better.

Amazingly the sun had decided to join me but there were few cars in the car park. I bought my ticket and picked up the useful leaflet. I got the impression the place was well run.

With limited time I headed to what they call D reservoir and was slightly disappointed that it had a wall running around it but then I saw the good sized hides.

Entering one of the hides I saw what a good view of the reservoir it offered. There were plenty of Tufted duck about and some Goldeneye (a first for me  - it is one of those species that seems to have evaded me).

Coots seem to be everywhere and I was not surprised to see plenty here.

There was only a gentle breeze and it was very peaceful. The only sound was the regular noise of a pump. It seemed like the heart of the place beating with a regular and quite relaxing beat.

There were also a few Pochard about. This one needed a run for takeoff.

Leaving the hide I walked along the woodland path listening to the Chiffchaffs and a Comma butterfly fluttered past - it seemed a repeat of the other day.

At a feeding station there were Goldfinches and Greenfinches together with a pheasant that was mopping up the food on the ground.

I stopped at another hide but as time was short I headed back on the long straight section of the reservoir.

This Small tortoiseshell was basking in the sun.

An Oystercatcher was snoozing on the wall.

A few Pied wagtails flew over and I saw more Goldfinches in some of the bushes.

Reaching the car park I saw a few more people had arrived but I had hardly seen anybody.

I was told that a Bittern had been seen on the other side of the reserve so I think word had got around and everybody had gone to the nearest hide.

Time sadly did not allow me to go and see the Bittern but I always think that you should leave nice places with a reason to go back. The Bittern will be one of the reasons I return and I will be paying the annual membership come April 1st.

Driving out of the car park I had to stop for a Toad (and passenger) that was crossing the road. It decided to stop in front of me but a helpful birder encouraged it to continue.