Hello and greetings to all at the Hull Valley Wildlife Group.  My name is Richard Hampshire and I started in January as the new Reserve Warden at Tophill Low Nature Reserve.  Most of you will no doubt be familiar with Peter Izzard and his impending retirement at the end of March, and we will be working together closely to ensure the site continues to run smoothly over the coming season.

   I am familiar with the reserve and area having attended Bishop Burton College from 2000 to 2003 where I undertook a BSc hons in Countryside Management, incorporating various Ornithology major units.  My dissertation study was on otter habitat use in the river Hull chiefly around Pulfin and High Eske.  I have worked for the last 10 years at Normanby Hall Country Park in North Lincolnshire, starting as a casual and continuing as a Ranger since 2003, where besides my visitor attraction duties I undertook a host of varied practical conservation projects.  I have an active interest in birding and wildlife photography (have a look at my ancient online gallery at http://members.lycos.co.uk/rhbirdphoto/ - taken in the days before digital!), and more recently I have been building my knowledge in all areas of UK natural history, particularly in flora and moths.

   Hopefully I can indulge in these interests further at Tophill Low, and bring in my practical conservation and site promotion skills to really help the site go forward.  As I develop my understanding of the finer details of the site with Peter, I hope to involve the Group as much as possible, and indeed build up the volunteer base for practical work projects and species monitoring programmes.  It is heartening that Yorkshire Water intend to invest in the site over the coming years and build on Peter and his predecessors’ achievements over the years.

   I will be glad to discuss or clarify any projects or issues, and I can be found at the wildlife centre most days or contacted on 07790 617585 or richard.hampshire@yorkshirewater.co.uk .  Once again thanks to everyone for a warm welcome and I look forward to meeting you all over the coming months.