High Eske/Pulfin Fen consists of an excavated lake, grassy banks, scrubland and a flooded reedbed in a tidal bend of the River Hull. These two small reserves are owned by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Environment Agency and are surrounded by low-lying mixed farmland.

This spot has been one of my local birdwatching patches since 2005 whilst I studied for my degree.

To the northeast of Beverley; take the A 1036 towards Bridlington and Hornsea. Just before Hull Bridge, turn right into a dead end running parallel to the main road and park. Walk north along the public footpath along the eastern bank of the River Hull; access is along the frontage of the Crown and Anchor public house.

The River Hull is tidal at this point and their is access all around the lake at low tide. When the water is high it is not possible to walk around the lake.

Beverley is c. 10 miles north of Kingston-upon-Hull: it is served by train and is on the main bus route from York to Hull.

High Eske/Pulfin Fen has something to offer birdwatchers all year round, although winter and spring are the best for winter wildfowl and passage migrants.

Breeding birds at Eske include good populations of Reed and Sedge Warblers, Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap and single pairs of Oystercatcher and Common Tern usually manage to fledge some chicks. A small colony of Tree Sparrows exists in a nearby mature hedge and Cuckoos are common in May.

High Eske/Pulfin Fen is also a good place for other wildlife and is quite botanically rich. In early spring Coltsfoot and Marsh Marigold provide a splash of colour and later on Bee Orchids and Pyramidal Orchids are numerous on the sunny banks with Common Spotted Orchid present also.

A number of bat species are present (although I don't know which) and Brown Hare is common in the surrounding farmland. Roe Deer, Mink, Stoat, Rabbit are fairly common in the area too and I am told that there are Otters in the river and on one occasion in May 2007 I saw a very confused Grey Seal swimming north along it!