Since visiting Bempton Cliffs , and spotting Puffins, Pufflings
and other sea birds in their natural habitat, we have been encouraged to visit
other nature reserves armed with our binoculars.
A trip out to Tophill Low nature reserve promised a host
of unusual birds but, apart from Wood Pigeons, a Robin, Coots and ducks, we
were disappointed on this occasion.
However, it was far from a wasted visit as there are quite a few hides,
ponds and walks through the woods which were especially welcome on one of the
hottest days of the year. We did try
pond dipping, saw apple green marsh frogs and a rare moth when a lepidopterist
leapt out of the bushes. More serious
twitchers spend many hours of the day in the hides, even bringing their own cushions!
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| Opportunities for pond dipping and observing water creatures |
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| Cool, shady walks |
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| Birds which can be spotted here, but alas not on this visit |
Although regular visitors to the seaside town of Filey,
this was our first visit to Filey Dams and it won’t be our last.
This hidden gem, maintained by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
and situated at the end of a residential street, came as quite a surprise. With free parking and entry and plenty of regular
twitchers generously advising us about the wildlife and pointing out where to
look, we enjoyed watching baby Coots being fed by their parents, a Mediterranean
Black-headed Gull and Grebes. There is a large, airy hide from which to observe
what’s happening in the freshwater lagoon or take the boardwalk to the marshes.
Although there are no facilities on site, we were
recommended to try the nearby Pitstop Café, but can’t comment personally as we
didn’t have time to visit it.
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| View from the hide |
I find these spaces tranquil and you never know what
you might spot or who you might meet.
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