Rare white-throated needletail spotted in England for first time in 34 years

A white-throated needletail has been spotted at Tophill Low Nature Reserve in East Yorkshire – a first for England since 1991.

This is the second time it has been spotted in Yorkshire, the last being in 1985 near Ferrybridge, west Yorkshire.

The species is native to eastern Asia and Australia and is a relative of the UK’s native swift species – thousands of which feed on insects over the reservoirs at Tophill Low every year.

Richard Hampshire, lead nature reserve advisor, said: “The bird was first spotted by reserve visitors Mandy Gregory and Ray Maddison yesterday afternoon (8 October), who at first were unsure of what it was, with its long saber-shaped wings and bullet-shaped body.

“They brought the images to me in the warden base and we quickly realised it was a very special and rare visitor for the UK. We got the news out on social media and became inundated with messages and calls. We had about 50 people turn up to the reserve within the hour.

“It's probably the 2nd rarest bird to appear in 60 years at Tophilll Low after 2008's Amur falcon which at the time was considered a first for Britain. Last year we also saw a pair of rare blue-winged teal, which are native to North America.”

The bird was also spotted at RSPB Bempton Cliffs yesterday evening (8 October) where hundreds have gathered to catch a glimpse of the rare bird.

Tophill Low, near Driffield has been a nature reserve for 30 years and is home to otters, barn owls, kingfishers and grass snakes. Thousands of hours of volunteer input supported by Yorkshire Water have delivered numerous conservation successes including breeding otters, nesting cetti’s warblers, a thriving heronry, booming bitterns and perhaps the strongest population of greater water parsnip in the UK.