Tophill Kingfishers Again

I've been all over Yorkshire this week but the place I have kept returning to is the North Marsh hide at Tophill Low for the kingfishers.

yesterday they didn't disappoint , this was the first time this year that I have seen 2 at the same time.

They were really feeding well and must have caught at least 6 fish between them in the time I was there.

There was also the welcome distraction of a marsh harrier, cuckoo, water vole, roe deer and fawn and the resident reed warblers.

The sharp flight shot remains elusive but not for the want of trying.

Tophill Kingfishers

I heard that the viewing area at Tophill had been improved so had a look last night.I waited about half an hour before the first action-a roe deer on the far bank, then a heron came in but disappeared in the reeds straight away.

Eventually one of the kingfishers arrived, albeit by that time the sun had gone below the tree line.

It stayed for a good half hour and eventually caught a rather smart male stickleback.As the light began to fade the reed warblers became more visible as did the water voles.A small mouse was foraging directly below the hide.

On the way back the last of the suns rays lit up the woodland creating a magical effect.

To cap the night a hedgehog was feeding along the path on the way back to the car.

Can see me spending a few more evenings at Tophill this summer.

The Duke

Yesterday I fulfilled a long standing ambition to see the diminutive duke of burgundy butterfly in one of its strongholds on the North Yorkshire Moors.

Initially they took a bit of finding, but once I did find them they gave a wonderful display, sitting out in the hot sunshine almost oblivious to my presence and occasionally fighting with the dingy skippers.

I also managed to see one green hairstreak but unfortunately missed out on my other target species, the pearl bordered fritillary.

However I was very happy with the experience yesterday, the moors are alive with wildlife at this time of year and the other highlights included a red grouse complete with chick, singing male redstarts and a very confiding curlew.