Trusted Ad Partner
Rarities & Conservation: Rare White-Throated Needletail Spotted in Yorkshire - First in England Since 1991
10 October 2025
By James Hamilton
By James Hamilton
White-throated needletail by Mandy Gregory
Birdwatchers at Tophill Low Nature Reserve in East Yorkshire were stunned this week by the appearance of a white-throated needletail - the first confirmed sighting of the species in England in 34 years.
Mandy Gregory and Ray Maddison spotted the bird on Wednesday 8 October, noting its distinctive sabre-shaped wings and bullet-like body. Unsure of what they’d seen, they reported the sighting to reserve staff.
“We quickly realised it was something special,” said Richard Hampshire, lead nature adviser. “It’s probably the second-rarest bird we’ve ever recorded at Tophill Low.”
Native to East Asia and Australia, the white-throated needletail is a close relative of the UK’s swifts and is known for being one of the fastest birds in the world. The species has only been recorded in Yorkshire once before, near Ferrybridge in 1985.
After the identification was confirmed, news spread quickly on social media. Around 50 people arrived at the reserve within the hour to try and catch a glimpse. That same evening, the bird was also seen at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where hundreds gathered.
Yorkshire Water confirmed it was the first sighting of the species in England since 1991.
OTHER POPULAR STORIES TO READ:
- Review: Kowa BDII-XD 8x42 Wide Angle Binoculars
- Review: SWAROVSKI OPTIK ATC 17-40x56 Spotting Scope
- Review: Kowa TSN-66 PROMINAR Spotting Scope
- Review: Páramo Men's Halkon® Jacket
- Review: Viking Optical Swallow ED 20-60x80 Spotting Scope
- Rarities & Conservation: Rapid recovery of Turtle Doves on the Western Flyway brings hope for the UK population
- Rarities & Conservation: Declining British seabirds are on a cliff edge
- Rarities & Conservation: Golden Eagle numbers in southern Scotland reach highest levels for centuries
- Rarities & Conservation: Uncovering the secrets of one of Europe's rarest eagles
- Rarities & Conservation: Lambs are no longer a major food source for breeding White-tailed Eagles in Scotland
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works