Welcome to the LDV NNR ringing blog, this blog is designed to share the experiences, findings and tales from a group of dedicated ringers. We specialise in conservation orientated research projects, largely focusing on wildfowl, waders, owls and birds of conservation concern, in and around the Vale of York NNR's.

NB - Whilst the purpose of this blog was initially designed to cover our nationally important wildfowl ringing activities, it now also features wildlife and work posts, explaining how we manage the NNR for both wildlife and people.

For daily sightings please visit our Twitter account: https://twitter.com/ldv_nnr (@LDV_NNR)

For details of events, volunteer tasks and wildlife images please visit our Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/Lower-Derwent-Valley-Skipwith-Common-NNR

Apr' 20

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - April Sightings

One of the most stand out occurrences of the month (rather than the lack of coverage resulting from Covid-19 restrictions), was the exceptional nocturnal movements of Common Scoters reported over the area on the nights of the 31st March and 1st April. Birds were heard passing over in flocks from the Ouse/Derwent confluence, with a total of 19 moving over Wheldrake and others over Elvington and Thorganby. At least 23 flocks were involved after dark on the 1st (2200hrs-0000hrs), which may have involved hundreds of birds on the move across county. This mirrors the records of birds traditionally seen in the Lower Derwent Valley at this time of year – however whether this year represents an unusually large movement, or just that it has been more noticeable due to different coverage in line with government restrictions (and less background noise) remains to be seen. A similar sized movement took place on the 2nd between 2200hrs and 2300hrs, with smaller numbers thereafter. With an average flock size of 7.6 reported from the Ouse/Derwent confluence, extrapolation of the 23 flocks recorded on the 1st and 12 on 2nd gives an estimated 266 individuals involved, but presumably others went undetected.

There was a continual build-up of Swallows, Blackcap and Chiffchaffs early in the month, whilst the first dates for returning migrants included House Martin and Willow Warbler (4th), Cuckoo (6th), Sedge Warbler (8th) and Yellow Wagtail and Wheatear (9th), followed by a record of a male Ring Ouzel at Seaton Ross on the 10th with a further two near Crockey Hill. Common Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat were noted on the 11th, followed by Reed Warbler on the 17th, Common Sandpiper (18th) and Swift (19th). Wintering waterfowl continued to decline although seven pairs of Garganey at month end represented an encouraging start to the season after a notable year in 2019. Hobbies put on a good show following the first on the 19th with two Ospreys also recorded during the month. Wader passage was very disappointing, although the annual spring passage Whimbrel roost peaked at 76 on the 29th, with a handful of passage Arctic Terns providing some compensation.

Although NNR staff and visitors travelling to the reserve were unable to visit once the lockdown commenced, local birdwatchers continued to supply records from around the reserve during their daily exercise, whilst staff obtained additional records during two days of water level management works. We are grateful to all those who responsibly supplied records during this time, although coverage was undoubtedly much reduced and incomplete.



BIRDS: 

Whooper Swan 11 remained across the site on the 1st followed by 14 on the 3rd. A flock of 38 flew over Thorganby on the 4th followed by 19 over Bank Island on the same day. On the 5th a flock of 25 were seen over Wheldrake whilst a herd of 18 lingered there throughout the day. Two individuals were still present at North Duffield Carrs on the 7th-10th, while another passage flock of 15 paused at Wheldrake Ings on the latter date. 33 paused at North Duffield Carrs on the 11th whilst 12 were still present and lingering there on the 14th. Three individuals remained there from the 22nd to month end.

A total of 151 passage birds moved through the site during the month, bringing the total for spring passage (February-April) to 1761 – a new record.

Mute Swan – 114 were present throughout the site on the 3rd with the largest concentrations being 61 at North Duffield Carrs and 16 at Wheldrake Ings. 47 were present on North Duffield Carrs on the 14th, with another 38 in fields nearby at Derwent Farm – a total of 85 non-breeders in that area. 114 non-breeders were present on the 22nd (when 12 nesting pairs were also located – total of 138 birds) with 99 non-breeders recorded on the 29th.  

Mute Swan nest - North Duffield Carrs

Pink-footed Goose – 66 remained on Aughton/Ellerton Ings on the 1st with 47 at Wheldrake on the 3rd and 70 from the 4th-7th. A flock of 70 were reported as they flew low over Haxby, York on the 8th – possibly relating to the flock seen in the valley (not reported from the valley thereafter). A late flock of 56 were present at Wheldrake on the 22nd-26th with two at North Duffield Carrs on the 29th.  

Egyptian Goose – Three adults were still present in the East Cottingwith area on the 22nd with a pair at Bank Island on the 30th.  

Greylag Goose – 105 were at Wheldrake on the 22nd (+ 37 goslings) with 69 (+ 22 goslings) at North Duffield Carrs, on the same date 33 adults and 17 goslings were recorded at other sites, making a total of 207 adults and 76 goslings. The Wheldrake Ings creche consisted of 45+ by the 29th.

Canada Goose – 24 adults were located around the valley on the 22nd.

Shelduck – Up to 80 off duty males were seen forming a roost on ponds at Thorganby during the second half of the month.

Teal – A large clear out in wintering duck was reported overnight on the 1st, with 1300 remaining across Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs on the 3rd. 412 were still present at North Duffield Carrs on the 7th with 800 remaining in the valley on the 9th. 600 remained at North Duffield on the 14th with numbers down to 420 on the 22nd, when a total of 831 were counted across the whole site. A total of 189 remained on the 30th.

Green-winged Teal – Last month’s drake remained at North Duffield Carrs on the 1st.

Garganey – The drake and two females were still present at Wheldrake Ings on the 4th when a single pair were also seen at North Duffield Carrs. A pair remained at Wheldrake on the 15th. Four pairs were present across the site on the 22nd with two pairs at Wheldrake on the 23rd and regularly thereafter. Four/possibly five pairs (including a showy pair at Bank Island) were present on the 29th/30th. Seven pairs were recorded throughout the site on the 30th, with two at Bank Island and North Duffield Carrs and three at Wheldrake Ings.

Wigeon – A combined total of 1500 were still present at Wheldrake and North Duffield on the 3rd, with numbers continuing to fall thereafter with 800 remaining on the 8th. 400 were still present at North Duffield on the 14th. A full count of Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs produced 792 lingering on the 22nd, whilst at dusk on the same date 200 arrived high from the south before descending onto Wheldrake Ings - a further 600 even higher continued with a direct flight heading north-west – presumably returning spring passage birds. A clear out clearly took place overnight on the 23rd when just 462 remained – a mere 57 were still present at month end. 

Wildfowl - North Duffield Carrs

Pintail – 112 remained at Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs on the 3rd with numbers dropping to 83 on the 9th. 15 were still present at Wheldrake on the 22nd with a pair remaining there at month end, along with a pair at Bank Island on the 30th.  

Gadwall – 142 were present at Wheldrake on the 3rd with 117 pairs recorded throughout the site on the 22nd. A pursuit flight of 35 birds at North Duffield Carrs on the 23rd included 32 drakes, suggesting females are now on eggs – a single female was found incubating a clutch of nine at Wheldrake on the same date. 49 drakes were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 29th.

Mallard – The first brood was present at Bank Island on the 16th with three more on the 22nd, when four broods were also present at Wheldrake Ings and a further two at North Duffield Carrs. Several other broods were noted towards the end of the month.

Mandarin – A single drake remained on local ponds in the Thorganby area early in the month.

Shoveler – 158 were present between Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs on the 3rd. Wheldrake held 220 on the 8th when a further 81 were recorded at North Duffield Carrs – a minimum total of 301 present on that date. c90 pairs were present across the site at month end.

Tufted Duck – Counts on the 3rd included 76 at North Duffield Carrs, 39 at Wheldrake Ings and 22 at Bank Island – a minimum of 137 present in the valley. Up to 50 pairs remained at month end.

Pochard – With water levels receding across much of the site numbers fell sharply with just two remaining on the 3rd.

Goldeneye – Six were still present on the pool at Wheldrake on the 3rd with seven there on the 8th. Two red-heads were still present on the 22nd and remained there to month end.

Goosander – One on the river at Ellerton on the 1st was followed by two at Wheldrake on the 3rd and a single there on the 8th. A drake flew south down the River Derwent at Elvington on the 12th with one at North Duffield Carrs on the 13th. Two red-heads were then present at Bank Island on the 20th-24th.  

Common Scoter – A large movement continued across northern England on the night of the 1st/2nd with several flocks moving NNE over Barmby on the Marsh (and nearby Hemingbrough) after 2200hrs, with 11 flocks also recorded over Wheldrake village and individuals over Elvington. Hundreds of birds were possibly involved, with a similar sized movement recorded on the 2nd between 2200hrs and 2300hrs, with a minimum of nine flocks over Wheldrake, North Duffield, Elvington and Thorganby. Fewer, and higher flocks, were reported after dark on the 3rd with a single flock over Thorganby after dark on the 4th. Further up the River Derwent at Stamford Bridge a flock was reported on the 6th.  

These are thought to perhaps involve birds that had wintered off the North Wales coast, moving inland over the Mersey and Wirral area, before cutting across the Peak District to the Humber and Vale of York and then out over the North Sea off the Yorkshire Coast.

Little Egret – Birds were widespread early in the month with nine present at Melbourne Ings on the 3rd and five at Thorganby on the 4th – regular sightings of three or four individuals also came from the wetland at Barmby Marsh. Other counts received included six at Wheldrake and seven at North Duffield Carrs on the 7th, with twelve at North Duffield on the 8th and smaller numbers of 1-4 across the rest of the area. A total of 23 were present throughout the whole site on the 22nd with numbers increasing to 31 by the 23rd.  

Spoonbill Two flew west along the River Ouse at Barmby Marsh on the 4th presumably birds commuting from RSPB Blacktoft Sands to the Aire Valley.

Great White Egret – A single was seen flying south of Wheldrake Ings on the 7th – presumably the same lingering individual present in March.

Grey Heron – Good numbers were reported throughout the valley with 32 counted across the site on the 22nd.  

Osprey – One was reported over Ellerton and Thorganby on the 12th, possibly the same bird seen 30 mins later heading over Naburn (PC). A single at Pool Bridge farm fishing lakes remained throughout the day on the 21st (MF).

Marsh Harrier – Up to four cream-crowns remained early in the month with a single seen carrying prey at Wheldrake Ings on the 5th. Birds were also recorded along the Pocklington Canal at Melbourne and elsewhere during the month, with a single adult female on the Low Grounds on the 14th and 21st, and over Skipwith Common on the 19th. Four cream-crowns were present on the 22nd throughout the site. An immature male was present at Wheldrake on the 24th with three cream-crowns regularly seen in the Wheldrake Ings/Bank Island area to month end. 

Marsh Harrier - Ellerton

Peregrine – Up to three were still present across the site on the 1st with one still at Wheldrake on the 7th and singles at Bank Island on the 21st, Thorganby on the 22nd and Wheldrake on the 24th. An adult male was present at Ellerton on the 28th with two juveniles at Wheldrake on the 29th – one of which was wearing an orange darvic ring ‘TBA’, revealing that it was reared on York Minster in 2019. A single juvenile was present there on the 30th.

Hobby – The first returning bird at Bank Island on the 19th was followed by three over the pool at Wheldrake on the 23rd. Three were present again the next day when two were also seen at Bank Island. Four were recorded at Wheldrake and two at Bank Island on the 27th with two or three daily in that area to month end.

Red Kite – Birds remained regular in the Wheldrake, Bank Island, Melbourne and Thorganby areas during the month, with occasional sightings from Riccall and Skipwith. A single was seen over North Duffield village on the 1st with three over Barmby on the Marsh on the 2nd and 3rd. Five were present near Skipwith Common on the 2nd with daily sightings thereafter from Skipwith and North Duffield. Two were still present at Wheldrake on the 7th when singles were also seen over Newton upon Derwent and Seaton Ross. Three were seen together over Thorganby village on the 8th when two were also present at Escrick. One or two were also reported from the Menthorpe during the month. 

Red Kite - Wheldrake Ings

Coot – Good numbers were widespread throughout the site with many pairs incubating by mid-month.

Common Crane – Three were present at Wheldrake at dawn on the 19th before departing north east, possibly having roosted overnight. A pair were present in the Menthorpe area on the 24th.

Great Crested Grebe – A pair were seen on the pool at Wheldrake on the 23rd and 30th.  

Cormorant – Up to 27 birds remained at the Wheldrake roost throughout the month.

Little Ringed Plover – A single at North Duffield Carrs on the 9th.

Oystercatcher – Two pairs were present in the Barmby on Marsh area throughout the month.

Grey Plover – A single was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 5th - 10th, possibly the same individual present at the end of March.

Golden Plover – Spring passage continued throughout the month. 150 were present on arable in the North Duffield/Menthorpe area on the 1st and 2nd with 12 at Melbourne Ings and 28 over Elvington on the 3rd. 55 flew south east at Thorganby on the 9th.

Snipe – Birds were widespread early in the month with breeding birds returning to territory and presumed spring passage. Sample counts included 12 at Bank Island on the 2nd, and 11 at Melbourne and 21 at North Duffield Carrs on the 3rd. Many were reported from around the valley (heard from local villages) with a decrease in back ground noise. Five were noted at North Duffield Carrs on the 8th whilst nine ‘chipping’ birds were present at Wheldrake on the 22nd followed by 31 birds recorded there on the 29th.

Jack Snipe – One at North Duffield Carrs on the 5th with three returning spring passage birds at Wheldrake on the 22nd.

Black-tailed Godwit 198 remained at Wheldrake on the 2nd with 200+ there on the 3rd. 120 were observed at Wheldrake on the 7th when 83 were present at North Duffield Carrs – presumably the same lingering flock, whilst numbers had increased to 121+ at North Duffield Carrs on the 9th. 60 present at NDC on the 13th were followed by 44 on the 14th and 25 at Wheldrake on the 15th. 31 were present at Bank Island on the 16th. Three were present at Wheldrake (including a displaying pair) on the 22nd with a pair also at North Duffield Carrs. 

Black-tailed Godwit - Wheldrake Ings

Curlew – A flock of 27 at Wheldrake Ings on the 3rd were considered likely to be a spring passage flock. Good numbers (45-50 pairs) were located despite reduced coverage, with the first incubating birds on clutches by the 17th

Whimbrel – A single was present on Storwood Ings on the 21st with 15 at the Wheldrake roost on the 22nd. The roost increased to 20 by the 23rd and had built up to 76 by the 29th and 73 on the 30th.

Ruff – Six were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 3rd with 13 at Wheldrake on the 4th.

Redshank Up to 20 pairs were present throughout the valley.

Greenshank A single at Wheldrake on the 22nd.

Green Sandpiper Three were present on the pool at Wheldrake on the evening of the 15th before flying off – a good spring passage record, followed by a single there on the 30th.

Common Sandpiper The first of the year was at Bank Island on the 18th.

Common Gull – As usual the passage of immatures and sub-adults was noted during the month with seven at Wheldrake on the 22nd, nine on the 23rd and 33 on the 29th.

Great Black-backed Gull – 66 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 3rd.

Yellow-legged Gull – A second winter bird was at North Duffield Carrs on the 9th (TJ) with an adult at the same site on the 12th (DS).

Arctic Tern – Three flew over Barmby on the Marsh on the 20th - part of a larger movement in the northern half of England, while three flew north at Wheldrake on the 29th (CSR) between heavy rain showers. A single flew north east through Bank Island on the 30th (CSR, NCa).

Common Tern – The first returning birds, a pair, arrived at Wheldrake on the 24th and immediately settled onto the tern raft on the pool. Five (inc two pairs), were present there with four at North Duffield Carrs on the 27th, whilst a total of nine were still present on the 29th.

Little Owl – Pairs were seen during the month at Menthorpe, Elvington and Thorganby (three pairs).

Cuckoo – The first returning calling male was present at Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 6th, with the next singing bird heard between Ellerton and Aughton on the 13th (DS) and Bank Island on the 15th (IM). Two were near Allerthorpe on the 16th with two at Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 20th. Storwood, Hagg Bridge and Skipwith Common held calling birds on the 23rd with birds also heard at Riccall and Bank Island on the 24th. Further arrivals were noted at Escrick and Bubwith on the 26th, Thorganby on the 28th and Elvington and Wheldrake on the 29th.

Green Woodpecker – A single at Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 7th and 10th.

Swift – One at Wheldrake on the 19th was the first of the year, and was followed by birds at Skipwith and Riccall on the 20th and Bank Island on the 22nd. A further arrival brought several individuals throughout the valley over the 25th/26th with regular sightings thereafter. 30 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 28th with 100+ present the next day on the 29th, along with 40 at North Duffield Carrs following the heavy showers. 

Swift - Wheldrake Ings

Kingfisher – Sightings of individuals or pairs came from Barmby on the Marsh, North Duffield Ings, Bank Island, Melbourne and Wheldrake during the month.

Woodlark – Eight singing birds were present early in the month. 

Woodlark - Skipwith Common NNR 

White Wagtail – A single present (and singing) at Seavy Carr on the 12th was followed by four on farmland near Skipwith Common on the 15th and three on the 16th.

Yellow Wagtail – The first returning birds were present on arable in the North Duffield area and on the Carrs on the 9th. Numbers increased thereafter throughout the area with 20+ on farmland near Skipwith Common on the 15th. 12 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 22nd with others scattered throughout the area. Up to 40 were recorded throughout the site on the 23rd with large numbers of birds present throughout on the 29th.

A single Blue-headed Wagtail was near Skipwith Common on the 15th and on North Duffield Carrs on the 30th.  

Wheatear – A single at North Duffield Carrs on the 9th was the first reported bird and was shortly followed by one near Skipwith Common on the 16th. Five were present along the favoured location of Hagg Lane, East Cottingwith on the 22nd with one at North Duffield Carrs the following day on the 23rd. Singles were present at Wheldrake and Hagg Bridge on the 24th and near Skipwith Common on the 27th.  

Sand Martin – Three were at Bank Island on the 4th with two at North Duffield Carrs on the 5th. Two were also further up the River Derwent at Stamford Bridge on the same date. Four were at North Duffield Carrs on the 6th when five returned to the nesting bank at Bank Island and started excavating holes immediately - minimum of 38 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the same date (NCa). Widespread and increasing numbers were noted by the 14th. 12 were present around Bubwith bridge with four around the railway bridge at North Duffield Ings on the 15th – with birds seen inspecting holes in the bridge. 100+ were observed at Wheldrake Ings on the 20th. A large arrival of hirundines brought a mixed flock of 800 Sand Martins and Swallows to Wheldrake Ings on the 27th with 1400 throughout the site by the 29th. Several pairs were present at the Bank Island nesting bank by month end.

Swallow – Following an early front runner in late March, the next individual appeared at Bank Island on the 5th with small numbers at Bank Island, Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs on the 6th - increasing numbers thereafter. A noticeable influx brought 100+ to Wheldrake Ings on the 20th with 400+ there on the 23rd. A large arrival of hirundines brought a mixed flock of 800 Sand Martins and Swallows to Wheldrake Ings on the 27th with 1500 present throughout the site on the 29th.

House Martin – The first returning bird was seen over Wheldrake village on the 4th with three at Barmby on the Marsh on the 5th. Birds were more widespread in the valley on the 7th with records from Wheldrake, Sutton on Derwent and Seaton Ross, with birds returning to nesting sites in North Duffield village on the 9th. As with other hirundines, 100+ at Wheldrake represented the first major influx on the 20th with 500+ at Wheldrake and 80 at North Duffield Carrs on the 29th.

Carrion Crow – A large flock of 69 were present on North Duffield Carrs during the month, spending much of their time feeding on the ground, presumably after frogs and toads, but undoubtedly having an adverse impact on the breeding waders.

Starling – Following the record showing and murmuration at Aughton that was enjoyed by so many visitors, 200 there on the 1st was the last of the roost.

Fieldfare – 100+ were at Melbourne and 27 at Bank Island on the 1st. Small numbers trickled through daily thereafter with two at Thorganby Ings on the 9th. A late single at Bank Island on the 24th with 13 over there on the 26th.

Ring Ouzel – A single male was at Seaton Ross on the 10th with another reported there on the 12th. A pair were found near Crockey Hill, at Langwith Stray on the 17th – 20th (DB), with a female at Breighton on the 20th.

Mistle Thrush – A single pair were feeding young in Thorganby on the 11th whilst a single that flew across Wheldrake Ings from Thicket Priory to Storwood on the 22nd was an unusual spring record.

Redwing – 40 were at Bank Island on the 2nd. Small numbers were present thereafter with one at Elvington on the 22nd the last to be recorded.

Nuthatch – Two singing birds were present in the Wheldrake Ings area early in the month, with singles at Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 6th, the North Duffield and Skipwith area on the 7th and at Hagg Bridge on the 8th – a species which continues its range expansion.

Pied Flycatcher – A single female was present in the car park area at Wheldrake Ings on the 24th.

Chiffchaff – Five were present in the Bank Island area on the 2nd with 10 along the Pocklington Canal at Melbourne on the 3rd and 13 on the 8th. The first pair were seen nest building at Melbourne on the 10th.

Willow Warbler – The first singing bird was at Thorganby on the 4th (SW), with one at Melbourne and six at Wheldrake on 6th and North Duffield Carrs on the 7th. A larger arrival brought seven along the Pocklington Canal near Melbourne, four at Hagg Bridge and more scattered singles elsewhere through the area on the 8th. 25+ at Wheldrake Ings on the 22nd.

Blackcap – A single was singing at the Bank Island base again on the 3rd, with singles at North Duffield Carrs on the 4th and Melbourne on the 5th, followed by four at Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 8th with the first pair nest building there by the 10th.

Garden Warbler – The first of the year was singing at Wheldrake Ings on the 24th with two there on the 27th and a single at Hagg Bridge/Storwood on the 28th.

Common Whitethroat – A single at Bank Island on the 11th was the first reported, with the next at Skipwith Common on the 16th. A further arrival brought birds into the area on the 20th, being widespread from the 23rd.  

Lesser Whitethroat – The first singing bird was present at Bank Island on the 11th with other arrivals at North Duffield Carrs on the 15th and Menthorpe on the 16th - a further arrival brought birds to Wheldrake, Bank Island and Storwood on the 20th.

Sedge Warbler – The first two singing males were at Wheldrake on the 8th and Church Bridge reed bed on the 10th. Three were singing at Wheldrake on the 16th with seven there on the 20th and 16 on the 22nd. Numbers increased at Bank Island from four on the 22nd to ten on the 23rd.

Reed Warbler – The first two singing birds were at the Church Bridge reed bed at Melbourne on the 17th (NC), with seven at Wheldrake on the 20th and nine on the 22nd. Two were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 23rd with two at Hagg Bridge on the 28th.

Grasshopper Warbler – The first reeling bird was present near North Duffield village on the 21st to month end. Reports then followed from Wheldrake on the 24th, Skipwith on the 26th, Breighton on 28th and a single at North Duffield Carrs on the 29th.

Cetti’s Warbler – A single was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 3rd and was singing again there on the 20th and 22nd, when another was singing on the Pocklington Canal at Walbut Bridge, having held a winter territory there. At least three singing birds were present by month end.

Corn Bunting – Good numbers of singing birds were present and reported around the site with a flock of 17 near Melbourne on the 6th.




MAMMALS:

Fallow Deer – Two at Wheldrake Ings on the 4th were unusual, with 30 in the Thorganby area on the 9th more expected. A single was present at Skipwith Common on the 22nd.

Stoat – One at Wheldrake Ings on the 4th.

Otter – Regular tracks and signs were noted along the river bank at Ellerton Landing on the 1st.

Mink – A single nest was found at North Duffield Carrs on the 23rd with another at Wheldrake on the 30th.

Fox – A single was seen stalking the Greylag crèche at Wheldrake Ings on the 29th with one in the refuge area there on the 30th.  

Noctule Bat – The first three of the year were present at Wheldrake Ings at dusk on the 30th.



BUTTERFLIES:

Small Tortoiseshell Numbers increased early in the month with the warm weather, with a minimum of 15 at Wheldrake on the 6th. Eight were at Bank Island on the 9th and six at Bubwith bridge on the 15th.

Peacock Six were present at Bubwith bridge on the 15th.  

Brimstone A single at Barmby Marsh Wetlands on the 5th with several throughout the valley on the 8th. Single at Bubwith bridge on the 15th.

Orange Tip – A single at Barmby Marsh Wetlands on the 5th was the first of the year. A large emergence was noted on the 8th with 13 at Hagg Bridge, 12 at Wheldrake, 4 at Bank Island and five at Thorganby. Two on the Low Grounds on the 14th were followed by several counts on the 15th including three at North Duffield Carrs, four at Bubwith bridge and a single at North Duffield Ings.

Comma Seven at Bank Island on the 9th were the first of the year.

Holly Blue Two at Thorganby on the 11th were the first of the year with a single at Bank Island on the 12th.

Green Veined White The first of the year was at the NNR base garden on the 9th with a single at Skipwith Common a week later on the 15th.  

Large White – The first of the year was at Bubwith bridge on the 15th.

Red Admiral – One at Bank Island on the 9th was the first of the year.

Speckled Wood – One at Skipwith Common on the 15th was the first reported, and was followed by one at the NNR base on the 17th.



MOTHS:

Ruby Tiger A single at North Duffield Carrs on the 15th.

Muslin – The first of the year at Bank Island on the 23rd.



REPTILES:

Adder A single record from Skipwith Common on the 7th.

Common Lizard – Several records from Skipwith Common on the 7th.

No comments:

Post a Comment