East Yorkshire nature reserve celebrates its 30th anniversary.
- Published
![A kingfisher in flight](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/1837A/production/_130049199_kingfisher-wings-out-mike-day-03_09_11.jpg)
Kingfisher, heron, bittern and Cetti's warbler have all nested at Tophill Low
An East Yorkshire nature reserve is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Tophill Low near Driffield is home to more than 160 bird species including barn owls and kingfishers as well as otters and grass snakes.
The site owned by Yorkshire Water has two reservoirs which provide drinking water to Hull and the 300 acre site was turned into a wildlife centre in 1993.
Warden Richard Hampshire said the anniversary event was a celebration of "native British wildlife".
"In my opinion the reserve is at its very best at this time of year with our meadows full of yellow rattle, orchids and butterflies," he said.
"The nesting bird colonies of the marshes have common terns from Africa, marsh harriers bringing food back to their chicks and tawny owl and heron fledglings on the go."
Events over the weekend include a chance to meet bats, hedgehogs and goats as well as advice on buying bird-spotting binoculars and talks on the history of the area.
The site near the River Hull has also seen rare bird sightings over the years, including the UK's first ever amur falcon spotted in 2008.
It has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest by Natural England.
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