Apr' 25

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - April Sightings

As usual April was rather busy with late winter visitors, spring passage migrants and returning breeding birds, in a month dominated by ongoing drought conditions (in sharp contrast to spring 2024).

Notable highlights included a Wyrneck on Skipwith Common NNR on the morning of the 10^th, which was seen by several local birders before disappearing late in the afternoon. On the same date a White-tailed Eagle was reported circling over Elvington Airfield. Perhaps more unusual was a Nightingale picked up over Elvington on the night of the 29^th/30^th on noc-mig.

A drake Garganey lingered at Wheldrake Ings from the 16^th whilst the last of the spring passage Common Scoter passed through the area. Herons and egrets faired well with three Cattle Egrets, four Great White Egrets, a Spoonbill (briefly on 18^th), up to six Common Cranes (including a lingering individual) and a White Stork (reported near Pocklington on 29^th). Up to 24 calling Water Rails, two Spotted Crakes and a Quail added more nocturnal interest. Wader passage picked up with Grey Plover (3^rd) Knot (6^th) and a small total of 17 Whimbrel recorded at the spring staging roost. Approximately 1,000 passage Snipe were scattered throughout the site with several Jack Snipe also recorded moving through on return passage. The first Common Terns returned, and a single Arctic was reported on the 23^rd.

First returning dates for other migrants included: Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler (2^nd), House Martin (3^rd), Yellow Wagtail (7^th), Whitethroat (11^th), Tree Pipit (12^th), Reed Warbler (15^th) and the first of seven Grasshopper Warblers (16^th). Garden Warbler followed (17^th), Ring Ouzel (18^th), Hobby and Lesser Whitethroat (19^th), Swift (21^st) and Whinchat (30^th).

Other notable records included three Crossbill over Skipwith Common NNR and 50 Corn Bunting during the second half of the month at the New Meadow wild bird crop at North Duffield. 

Many thanks to everyone who contributed records and counts throughout the month, in particular to members of York Birding and regular patch birder Duncan Bye. Thanks also to Duncan Bye, Adam Firth, Chris Gomersall and Dominique Vassie for the use of their photographs below.

BIRDS:

Mute Swan – 40 non-breeding birds remained on the 7^th in addition to the resident breeding pairs, with a total of 70 non-breeding birds recorded on the 21^st.

Whooper Swan – Two were present and flew north over Bank Island on the 1^st and were followed by a herd of 47 later in the day. 23 were at Seaton Ross on the 3^rd and a late single flew into Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th. A total of 905 spring passage birds were recorded throughout the month.

Greylag Goose – 132 were present at North Duffield Carrs and 51 were at Wheldrake Ings in addition to those already incubating. The first goslings appeared at Wheldrake and North Duffield on the 19^th with 21 (goslings) recorded at Wheldrake on the 21^st.

Pink-footed Goose – 110 flew north over Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with a flock of 32 lingering until the 7^th. Eight paused at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th.

Egyptian Goose – Five adults were in the East Cottingwith area on the 15^th with regular sightings at Wheldrake Ings throughout the month. A pair were present at Thornton Ellers on the 21^st.

Teal – A total of 911 were still present throughout the site on the 6^th with numbers down to 421 by the 15^th. 384 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd with 287 at North Duffield on the same date – suggesting a small degree of spring passage through the site. Numbers reduced thereafter with 60 remaining at Wheldrake Ings on the 26^th although 255 were recorded there on the 27^th. 130 remained throughout the site at month end.

Wigeon – 988 were still present throughout the site on the 6^th with 102 recorded on the 15^th. 132 were counted on the 23^rd with 47 remaining on the 26^th. 60 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th with just 30 throughout the site at month end.

Mandarin – Two drakes were seen by the canal at Melbourne on the 3^rd before flying towards Hagg Bridge. A single was on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st.

Pintail – 118 remained between North Duffield Carrs and Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th with 21 recorded on the 15^th. Just two drakes and a duck remained at Wheldrake thereafter with four pairs at North Duffield Carrs until the 23^rd.

Garganey – A single drake was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th and again on the 18^th when another pair was at Thornton Ellers. The drake was seen again at Wheldrake on the 19^th and was reported from there regularly thereafter to month end. A drake was calling after dark at North Duffield Carrs on the 23^rd with another at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th where it was joined by a female on the 30^th.

Garganey - Wheldrake Ings - 20/04 - DB

Shoveler – 190 were recorded throughout the site on the 7^th.

Gadwall – 169 were recorded throughout the site on the 7^th.

Tufted Duck – Up to five pairs were present during the month.

Common Scoter – A single female was present on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th following small numbers of calls/flocks recorded on noc-mig during the first few nights of the month. A drake was at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th.

Common Scoter - Wheldrake Ings - 20/04 - DB

Goldeneye – A drake was at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st.

Little Egret – Ten were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with six at Bank Island on the 3^rd. A total of 34 apparently occupied nests were counted in the heronry on the 27^th.

Cattle Egret – Three were seen at North Duffield Carrs at midday on the 10^th before flying off towards Bubwith and North Duffield Ings. Two were at Wheldrake Ings on the 11^th with three there on the 21^st.

Grey Heron – A total of 44 nests were recorded in the heronry on the 27^th.

Grey Heron - Wheldrake Ings - 21/04 - DB

Great White Egret – Four were present across the site on the 1^st including a breeding plumaged adult at Bank Island. Two roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd and a single was at Melbourne on the 3^rd and 8^th. Two were still present on the reserve on the 11^th and were seen regularly thereafter until month end.

Spoonbill – A single flew east over Wheldrake Ings on the morning of the 18^th, before arriving at North Cave Wetlands 30 minutes later.

White Stork – A single was reported near Pocklington on the 29^th.

Little Grebe – Several pairs remained at Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs during the month.

Little Grebe - Wheldrake Ings - 15/04 - DB

Water Rail – Up to seven calling birds were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with another singing in the reedbed at Tom’s Ponds at Bank Island on the same date. One was singing at Sutton Ings on the 5^th followed by two at Bank Island on the 10^th and one at Aughton Ings on the 23^rd. Fifteen were at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th with one at Bubwith Ings on the 30^th. Three were also present at North Duffield Carrs throughout the month with additional reports coming from the Melbourne/Church Bridge area. An estimated minimum of 24 singing males were present during the month.

Spotted Crake – The first singing male was recorded at Wheldrake Ings on the evening of the 13^th with another at North Duffield Carrs on the 23^rd.

Quail – One was heard calling from Bank Island overnight on the 30^th.

Common Crane – A single was seen over Wheldrake on the 7^th and was followed by one over Melbourne on the 17^th and 20^th. Four flew over North Duffield Carrs and Skipwith Common NNR on the morning of the 23^rd when a rather vocal bird was found on the Low Grounds and the Sutton Farm area during the day – a total of six were then present there mid-afternoon. A single was heard in the same area during the morning of the 24^th.

Osprey – Single over Bank Island on the 10^th with another over Hagg Bridge on the 16^th.

White-tailed Eagle – One was reported circling over Elvington Airfield on the 10^th.

Red Kite – Widespread throughout the area with several breeding pairs located.

Marsh Harrier – Two cream-crowns were seen at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with another at East Cottingwith Ings on the 18^th. A pair lingered at Wheldrake Ings until month end with another pair observed prospecting a site at Melbourne during the month.

Peregrine – A large immature female was at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st and Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd, 3^rd, 15^th and 23^rd. Six local pairs were on territory during the month.

Hobby – The first returning bird was at Wheldrake Ings on the 19^th with another there on the 20^th followed by two on the 21^st and three on the 23^rd. Birds were then regular until month end with four seen at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th and numbers up to five by the 30^th.

Little Ringed Plover – One was at Bank Island on the 1^st and 2^nd with a pair seen at Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th. A single passed through North Duffield Carrs on the 21^st with three birds seen on flooded arable to the east of the valley during the second half of the month. Two were at Bank Island on the 29^th and 30^th.

Little Ringed Plover - Seaton Ross - 27/04 - DB

Golden Plover – Four summer plumaged birds were at Melbourne Ings on the 8^th.

Grey Plover – A single was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd and 4^th with a bird also heard calling over Wheldrake village on the 4^th.

Lapwing – Breeding pairs were present throughout the site.

Lapwing - Bank Island - 19/04 - DB

Dunlin – Three were at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st and 2^nd with one thereafter until the 6^th. Three paused briefly at North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th.

Knot – A single winter-plumaged bird was at Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th.

Curlew – 26 roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with several small passage flocks noted until mid-month. Breeding birds were present in good numbers throughout the site with the first completed clutch found on the 25^th.

Whimbrel – Four at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th were the first of the spring passage roost to arrive. Singles were then present at Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th with one seen over Wheldrake village on the 18^th. Two passed through North Duffield Carrs on the 20^th with ten recorded at the Wheldrake roost on the 21^st. Eight roosted there on the 23^rd with several heard calling after dark at North Duffield Carrs on the same date. Six were at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th and one was at North Duffield Carrs on the 26^th. 17 roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th with 15+ recorded there on the 30^th.

Whimbrel - Bank Island - 29/04 - DV

Black-tailed Godwit – 140 were still present at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with 130 recorded there on the 3^rd followed by 135 on the 4^th and 131 on the 6^th. 30 remained on the 10^th with just a single present on the 15^th. A passage flock of nine dropped into Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th with five remaining on the 20^th followed by four on the 21^st, three on the 22^nd and a single on the 23^rd. Six went north at North Duffield Carrs on the 27^th when a single was at Wheldrake which then remained to month end.

Snipe – Large numbers remained early in the month with counts of 110 at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th, 40 at Sutton Ings on the 6^th, 180 at Melbourne and Thornton Ings on the 9^th and 80 at North Duffield Carrs on the 10^th. 40+ were recorded at East Cottingwith Ings on the 18^th. It is likely over 1,000 may well have been scattered throughout the wider site during this period – probably reflecting a spring passage movement. Four chipping birds were at Thornton Ellers on the 20^th with ten drummers at Wheldrake on the 21^st and another ten at North Duffield on the 21^st and 22^nd.

Jack Snipe – One was still present at Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th. A single with 22 Snipe was recorded at East Cottingwith Ings on the 16^th. Two were flushed by a hunting Marsh Harrier at Wheldrake on the 21^st with another there on the 23^rd and 27^th.

Woodcock – One was roding around Bank Island on the 30^th.

Ruff – Twelve remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st, 3^rd and 4^th. Nine were then showing some limited lekking activity at North Duffield Carrs on the 6^th. Three flew over Bank Island on the 14^th with seven remaining at North Duffield Carrs between the 18^th and 23^rd. Four remained at North Duffield on the 26^th with a summer plumaged male at Wheldrake on the same date. Up to 12 remained across the site to month end.

Redshank – Up to 20 pairs were scattered throughout the site.

Redshank - East Cottingwith - 18/04 - DB

Greenshank – A single was at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th followed by two there on the 27^th.

Green Sandpiper – Three were present at Bank Island on the 11^th with three near Seaton Ross on the 21^st and one over Bank Island on the 25^th.

Common Sandpiper – A single was seen on the riverbank at Thorganby Ings on the 18^th with two appearing on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 30^th.

Common Tern – A single was reported at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd with three then seen over fishing lakes in Wheldrake village on the 24^th. Three were present at Bank Island on the 27^th with four there from the 30^th.

Arctic Tern – A single passed through Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd.

Cuckoo – The first returning birds were heard from Bank Island and Skipwith Common on 15^th with two at Melbourne on the 17^th. Birds were then reported regularly from both Skipwith, Wheldrake and Melbourne thereafter with a female at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st and two calling males at Bank Island on the 23^rd. One was at Foggathorpe on the 27^th and Bubwith and Thornton Ellers on the 30^th.

Cuckoo - Wheldrake Ings - 26/04 - DB

Green Woodpecker – One yaffling bird was present on Skipwith Common NNR during the month with regular sightings at Thorganby. Singles were reported from Stamford Bridge on the 12^th and Bank Island on the 18^th.

Wryneck – A single was present on Sands Lane at Skipwith Common NNR on the 10^th.

Ring-necked Parakeet – One was reported from an Elvington garden on the 13^th.

Ring-necked Parakeet - Elvington - 13/04 - AF

Swift – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st was the first returning bird, with the next being six at North Duffield Carrs on the 26^th and ten at Bank Island on the 27^th.

Wheatear – A single was at Hagg Lane, East Cottingwith on the 10^th with another there on the 16^th and 18^th, on the same date seven were recorded in fields at Thornton Ellers with another nearby on the 28^th.

Stonechat – A male was at Elvington on the 16^th and a pair was at Thornton on the 28^th, with a pair also present on Skipwith Common NNR during the month.

Whinchat – One at Bank Island on the 30^th was the first of the year.

Nightingale – A single was recorded on noc-mig over Elvington on the night of the 29^th/30^th.

Ring Ouzel – A female at Thornton Ellers on the 18^th arrived with a small fall of Wheatears.

Tree Pipit – The first returning bird was present at Skipwith Common NNR on the 12^th.

Yellow Wagtail – The first returning individual was noted flying over Wheldrake village on the 7^th with another at Seavy Carr on the 8^th – small numbers continued to be recorded thereafter.

White Wagtail – Singles were recorded at Seavy Carr on the 8^th, Bank Island on the 14^th and Thornton on the 28^th.

Sand Martin – Small numbers were recorded daily until c100+ arrived at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th and 15^th.

House Martin – The first returning bird was at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd with four individuals observed inspecting nests in Thorganby on the 10^th. Ten were at Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th.

Swallow – A single was seen in Thorganby on the 2^nd and was followed by six at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd and one at Allerthorpe. Ten were at Wheldrake on the 4^th with the Tower Hide breeding pair returning on the 6^th. Birds were thinly spread in small numbers thereafter with 100+ reported at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th.

Raven – A single was recorded over Stamford Bridge on the 11^th whilst another single flew over Wheldrake village towards Bank Island on the 12^th. Another record followed on the 20^th with one over Wheldrake Ings and a rather tatty individual was then seen over Melbourne on the 21^st.

Jay – Breeding birds were seemingly more obvious than usual during the month with regular sightings coming from Wheldrake, Thorganby, Skipwith and Thornton Ellers .

Willow Warbler – On the 2^nd two were at Elvington Water Treatment Works and three were present at Skipwith Common NNR. Two were reported from Melbourne on the 3^rd and small numbers trickled in thereafter, with a small arrival bringing seven to Wheldrake and nine to Skipwith on the 6^th and 16 to Melbourne and Thornton Ings on the 8^th. Another small arrival occurred overnight on the 9^th/10^th with 26 at Wheldrake Ings and eight at Bank Island on the 15^th.

Blackcap – A small arrival took place overnight on the 7^th/8^th with four at Bank Island on the 8^th and a further arrival the following day.

Blackcap - Wheldrake Ings - 26/04 - DB

Garden Warbler – The first of the year was at Skipwith Common NNR on the 17^th with the next record coming from Melbourne on the 19^th. Three were at Wheldrake Ings on the 26^th.

Sedge Warbler – The first bird was heard singing in the Wheldrake Ings car park lane on the 2^nd with another nearby on the 12^th. Three at North Duffield Carrs and ten at Wheldrake on the 15^th was the first major arrival, with numbers up to 17 at Wheldrake by the 20^th. At least 30 were in the Wheldrake/Bank Island area on the 26^th.

Sedge Warbler - Wheldrake Ings - 27/04 - DB

Reed Warbler – One at North Duffield Carrs on the 15^th was the first of the year with two following at Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th, three on the 26^th and five on the 27^th.

Grasshopper Warbler – The first reeling male was heard at Melbourne on the 16^th (and again on the 19^th) with another at Wheldrake Ings between the 18^th and 20^th. One was between Bank Island and Elvington on the 20^th with another at Bank Island on the 23^rd. A total of six reeling males were present throughout the site on the 23^rd/24^th with a further male present at Wheldrake Ings on the 30^th. Most remained to month end.

Grasshopper Warbler - Wheldrake Ings - 26/04 - DB

Whitethroat – The first of the year was at the NNR Base Garden at Bank Island on the 11^th with another at North Duffield Carrs and three at Thorganby on the 12^th. Four were at Wheldrake Ings and Bank Island on the 15^th.

Lesser Whitethroat – Birds present near Wheldrake and Melbourne on the 19^th were the first returning individuals of the year, with birds then recorded from Sutton upon Derwent and Melbourne on the 21^st, Bank Island on the 25^th and North Duffield Carrs on the 26^th before becoming widespread throughout the site by the 27^th.

Cetti’s Warbler – A singing male was present by the windpump at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with three recorded singing between the NNR Base at Bank Island and the car park lane at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd. A single was present at Foggathorpe on the 26^th. A total of 12 singing males were recorded during the month.

Crossbill – Three at Skipwith Common NNR on the 6^th.

Corn Bunting – 40 were recorded feeding in fields near Wheldrake village on the 2^nd with 22 at Thornton Ellers on the 27^th. A single had returned to the usual breeding site in front of Tower Hide at Wheldrake Ings by the 15^th. 25 were present around the wild bird crop at North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th with numbers there up to 50 on the 19^th and 26^th.