Apr' 18

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - April Sightings 2018

Small numbers of Whooper Swans continued to pass through the site during the month, whilst a late single reamined at Aughton Ings on the 29^th. 124 Mute Swans included 11 breeding pairs, whilst 203 adult Greylag Geese included 80+ goslings in 13 broods by month end. 114 Shelduck were present late in the month, probably part of the breeding population, whilst a Ruddy Shelduck was present again early in the month along with four Egyptian Geese. Wintering waterfowl started to finally depart from mid-month with Wigeon decreasing from 6000 to 45, Teal from 5000 to 271 and Pintail from 300+ to 6. Incoming migrants and breeding birds included at least three pairs of Garganey which showed well throughout, 90-100 pairs of both Shoveler and Gadwall and 160+ Tufted Duck to month end, with a handful of Pochard lingering. A drake Red-crested Pochard appeared briefly on the 19^th.  

Another Great White Egret was present from the 23^rd, with up to 37 Little Egrets following an arrival from the 20^th. Another pair of Black-necked Grebes passed through North Duffield Carrs on the 27^th whilst up to six pairs of Great Crested Grebes were noted around the valley. Four records of up to four Common Cranes were had during the month. 

Ospreys passed over on the 3^rd and 26^th with the usual and regular sightings of Common Buzzards, Marsh Harrier, Red Kite and one or two Peregrines. A good showing of Hobbies followed the first bird on the 21^st with three at Wheldrake Ings by the 29^th. Wader passage started to pick up but was generally slow, with highlights being Avocets on the 23^rd and 26^th, Little Ringed Plover (22^nd), Ringed Plover (29^th), Greenshank (20^th, 26^th and 28^th) and Spotted Redshank (29^th). Small numbers of Black-tailed Godwits continued to pass through the site with the largest flock of 49, whilst the first returning Whimbrel at the Wheldrake spring passage roost site arrived on the 17^th, increasing to 76 by the 26^th. A Kittiwake was present on the 9^th, followed by two adult Mediterranean Gulls on the 15^th and a first-summer on 17^th, and two Little Gulls on the latter date. The first Two Common Terns arrived on the 26^th while five Arctic Terns passed through Wheldrake on the 29^th.

Otherwise the month was marked by returning migrants – albeit quite slow and late for many species. The first returning dates included Swallow and Willow Warbler (4^th), Blackcap (8^th), House Martin and Yellow Wagtail (9^th), Lesser Whitethroat (15^th), Whitethroat (16^th), Sedge Warbler (17^th). Tree Pipit and Cuckoo (18^th), Swift (20^th) and Wheatear/Reed Warbler (22^nd).  Out going wintering birds included the last Redwing (12^th), Fieldfare (18^th) and Brambling (22^nd). 

Many thanks as always to everyone who has contributed records throughout the month, including members of the YOC, thanks also to regular valley birders Duncan Bye and Jono Leadley for the use of their photographs (credited DB/JL).

BIRDS:

Whooper Swan - 31 flew north at Bank Island on the 3^rd whilst 35 also headed over Thornton on the same morning. A lone single flew over Melbourne on the 4^th whilst 17 flew north at Bank Island on the 5^th. 13 were present at Bank Island at dusk on the 7^th, with the same herd possibly being seen heading over Knaresborough the next day. Up to 12 still remained at Derwent Farm on the 8^th. Thereafter, two late passage birds were present at East Cottingwith Ings on the 21^st whilst six passed through Wheldrake on the 26^th. A single was still present at Aughton Ings on the 29^th (CSR, DB). 

Mute Swan – 114 were still present early in the month with 124 throughout the site on the 29^th – this count included 11 breeding pairs and 102 non-breeding birds, including 24 at Wheldrake Ings, 23 at Melbourne/Thornton Ings and 20 at Derwent Farm.

 

Mute Swan - Wheldrake Ings - 20/04

Pink-footed Goose – Ten were present at Ellerton Ings with nine still lingering on the 15^th – 19^th. 

Greylag Goose – Up to 80 adults were present at Wheldrake on the 26^th with 70+ goslings in nine broods, along with a single brood of six at Bank Island on the 27^th. A full count on the 29^th produced a total of 203 adults throughout the site with 83 goslings in 13 broods. 

Canada Goose – Up to 13 pairs were scattered throughout the site with a further 18 pairs on adjacent water bodies in the surrounding area. 

Egyptian Goose – A single was present at Wheldrake Ings and Bank Island on the 7^th and 8^th whilst two remained at East Cottingwith throughout the month. A single was recorded from North Duffield Carrs on the 12^th followed by two at Wheldrake on the 15^th and two at Ellerton on the 18^th. Three were present at Wheldrake on the 26^th – 29^th. 

 

Egyptian Goose - East Cottingwith - 09/04 - DB

Ruddy Shelduck – A single was present at Bubwith Ings on the 2^nd.

Shelduck – A full count on the 29^th produced a total of 114 birds, many of which were territorial males. The largest numbers as usual were present in the Thorganby area with 89 recorded there.  

Wigeon – c6000 early in the month fell quickly although 3500 were still present on the 13^th. 500+ remained on the 21^st falling further and leaving just 45 on the 29^th. 

Teal – c5000 early in the month fell quickly with c1100 still present on the 13^th, 700+ on the 21^st and 350 on the 26^th. 271 remained throughout the site on the 29^th. 

Mallard – The first broods of two were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 2^nd, with broods of five and ten there on the 3^rd along with a newly hatched brood of six at Bank Island on the 21^st. Large numbers of broods appeared throughout the site from the 26^th with 14 broods (90+ ducklings) on the 29^th when a total of 150 pairs were located, although no doubt an under-estimate. A large brood of quite well grown ducklings at North Duffield Carrs on the 29^th may well may be a brood seen there on the 2^nd, suggesting some success for these early broods. 

Pintail – 300+ were recorded early in the month with 200+ still present along Melbourne and Thornton Ings on the 13^th, including 150 at Thornton Ellers on that date (NC). Numbers fell quickly thereafter with 30+ on the 19^th and just six by month end.

Garganey – The first returning drake was at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th (CSR) followed by two there on the 20^th (DB). Two drakes and a female were present there on the 21^st with three drakes and a female on the 22^nd and an additional pair at Thornton Ellers on the 24^th (total of six birds present in the valley). A single drake was on the pool at Wheldrake on the 27^th with pairs on the Low Grounds and North Duffield Carrs on the 28^th, and again on the 29^th when a single was still present at Thornton Ings – a good showing.

 

Garganey - North Duffield Carrs - 29/04 - JL

Gadwall – Good numbers remained scattered throughout the site with an estimated 90+ pairs. A full count on the 29^th produced a total of 181 individuals.

Shoveler – With high water levels up to 50 still remained in the Thornton and Melbourne Ings area on the 7^th, with large numbers then spreading around the site from mid-month. An estimated 100 pairs were present during this time with 206 counted on the 29^th.  

Tufted Duck – 200+ remained throughout the site on the 15^th with 103 at North Duffield Carrs on the 20^th, when 67 were present at Wheldrake and 32 at Bank Island – a minimum of 232 present throughout. Good numbers remained thereafter with 162 counted on the 29^th. 

Pochard – 15 were present early in the month with two still at Wheldrake on the 15^th. 12 were recorded on the pool at Wheldrake on the 17^th (10 drakes) with five there on the 18^th. Seven were reported on the 20^th with two drakes remaining on the 28^th to month end. 

Red-crested Pochard – An adult drake present at Wheldrake Ings on the 19^th (ET). 

Goldeneye – Five were still present at Wheldrake on the 12^th with 12 there on the 15^th. Five were present thereafter to the 19^th followed by two on the 20^th and a single on the 22^nd. 

Goosander – A single red head flew south at Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th, followed by a single (red head) on the Pocklington Canal near Melbourne on the 25^th – an unusual record for the area (NC). 

Cormorant – Monthly maxima at the Wheldrake Ings roost of 26 on the 18^th.

Grey Heron – Up to 19 nests were counted in the heronry on the 17^th – down on recent years, possibly due to the impact of the cold weather and extensive flooding this winter/spring. Several nests held small young. 

Little Egret – Five were present on Melbourne and Thornton Ings on the 7^th with seven there on the 9^th – 10^th. Two were present at Bank Island on the 13^th with three at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th. Five pairs were present in the heronry on the 17^th with five birds also seen at Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th. 19 were present over the heronry on the 20^th with a full count of 27 present throughout the valley on that date – a noticeable arrival into the area. Numbers continued to increase thereafter with 17 on Sutton Ings and 11 on the Low Grounds on the 28^th. A full count (excluding the heronry) of 37 birds was had on the 29^th, this included seven on the Low Grounds, 11 at Sutton upon Derwent and 13 in the Melbourne and Thornton Ings area.

Great White Egret – A single was photographed and reported by a walker at Sutton upon Derwent on the 23^rd, with presumably the same bird at Wheldrake Ings on the 25^th (TW). 

Little Grebe – 18 birds were present early in the month including several pairs.

Black-necked Grebe – A pair of summer plumaged birds were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 27^th (CSR, FM, JT). 

Great Crested Grebe – A pair were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th followed by three at Aughton on the 8^th. Three were recorded at Wheldrake on the 15^th. 12 birds were present throughout the site over the 20^th-23^rd followed by 12 on the 29^th. Three pairs at both Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs on the 26^th to month end included a single pair with a near completed nest on the pool at Wheldrake on the 29^th. 

Common Crane – Four flew north after circling over Bank Island, calling in the mist on the 9^th (CSR). A single was present at Skipwith Common on the 14^th with a pair near Thornton on the 15^th and two present in Thorganby on the 17^th. 

Coot – Large numbers were breeding throughout the site with several high-rise nests resulting from the falling flood water. 204 were counted throughout the site on the 29^th including 38 nesting pairs. 

Osprey – A single flew north over Bank Island at 1900hrs on the 3^rd before being seen heading over Heslington. Later in the month on the 26^th, a single headed north over Wheldrake Ings at 1700hrs. 

Red Kite – A single was on Skipwith Common on the 3^rd shortly followed by a single over Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th. A single was over Melbourne and Thornton Ings on the 7^th with two over Wheldrake on the 15^th. Five birds were recorded around the valley on the 21^st-22^nd, with regular sightings therafter. 

Common Buzzard – Five flew north, very high over Bank Island on the 5^th - thought to be passage birds on migration. Large numbers were noted elsewhere in the York and Yorkshire area around this time. Eight were over Bank Island on the 15^th. 

Marsh Harrier – A first winter male was present at Bubwith Ings on the 5^th when a cream crown was seen hunting Coot at Thornton Ellers. A single female was present at Church Bridge on the 11^th with regular sightings of females at both Wheldrake and North Duffield during the month. Two cream crowns were present at Wheldrake on the 27^th. 

Peregrine – Two ‘wintering’ birds were still at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th with regular sightings of singles thereafter to the 26^th. 

Hobby – The first returning bird was at Wheldrake on the 21^st (DB) shortly followed by singles at Wheldrake, Bank Island and Thornton Ings on the 22^nd. A single was present at Aughton on the 24^th followed by two over Thicket Priory on the 25^th. Two birds were then showing well at Wheldrake daily thereafter to month end with three on the 29^th. 

Kestrel – Present in good numbers throughout the site.

Grey Partridge – Two at Hagg Lane, East Cottingwith on the 15^th. 

Water Rail – A single singing male in the reedbed by Church Bridge during the month with up to three calling birds present in the Wheldrake Ings reedbed.

Oystercatcher – Up to 20 were still present throughout the site on the 15^th with 31 recorded on the 29^th, including 14 at North Duffield Carrs.  

Avocet – A single flew west over North Duffield Carrs on the 23^rd when two were also reported from North Duffield Ings. A single was then present on the Low Grounds on the 26^th (CG, DW).

Little Ringed Plover – A single flew through Allerthrope Gravel Pits on the 22^nd (PB). 

Ringed Plover – A single was found roosting on a field near North Duffield on the 29^th (JL). 

Lapwing – With extensive flooding lingering during the month, only 31 pairs were located on the Ings on the 29^th, with numerous pairs settling on surround arable fields instead.  

Dunlin – A single winter plumage bird was present at Melbourne on the 13^th. 

Ruff – A single at Melbourne and Thornton Ings on the 13^th with two there on the 29^th.

Common Snipe – Three pairs were displaying over Thornton Ings on the 4^th with a single drumming over arable fields at East Cottingwith on the 9^th and two over arable fields near Ellerton on the 15^th. 

Black-tailed Godwit – Two were present at Thornton Ellers on the 15^th before a passage flock of 49 were present at Wheldrake on the 17^th followed by 23 on the 18^th and 19^th. Two pairs were present in the valley from the 20^th to month end, while 47 flew north, high, at Bank Island on the 23^rd. 12 were present at North Duffield on the 27^th with 19 at Ellerton on the 28^th and a pair on the 29^th. 

Curlew – 30 were still present at Bank Island on the 8^th with 43 at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th. A full count on the 29^th located 98 individuals (c50 pairs), with a single pair found on two eggs on that date. 

Whimbrel – The first four returning birds were present at the spring roost at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th (CSR) increasing to 11 on the 18^th (DB) and 24 on the 20^th. Numbers had increased at the roost to 54 by the 24^th, whilst 24 were present there at midday on the 25^th before 64 came into roost that evening. 76 roosted on the 26^th, including a single bird caught and colour-ringed in 2007.

 

Whimbrel - Wheldrake Ings - 30/04 - JL

Redshank – Despite the high water levels up to 18 were present in the Ellerton/Aughton area on the 8^th. 

Greenshank – The first returning spring passage bird arrived at Wheldrake on the 20^th with a single reported there again on the 26^th. A single flew south at Wheldrake on the 28^th. 

Spotted Redshank – A single flew over Thornton Ellers calling on the 29^th (CSR). 

Common Sandpiper –Two at Melbourne on the 28^th were the first for the year (NC), followed by one at at North Duffield Carrs on the 29^th (CSR, DB).

Lesser Black-backed Gull – 40 were present at the Wheldrake roost on the 12^th with 56 there on the 26^th. Small numbers were present throughout the site, either passing over or loafing on the floodwater. 

Mediterranean Gull – Two adults flew north west over North Duffield on the 15^th (JL), followed by a first summer bird at Wheldrake on the 17^th (CSR).

Kittiwake – A single adult flew over Bank Island towards Wheldrake on the 9^th (CSR). 

Little Gull – An adult and first winter went through Bank Island on the 17^th. 

Common Tern – The first returning pair were present at Wheldrake on the 26^th with three there on the 27^th and regularly thereafter to month end. 

Arctic Tern – Five flew north at Wheldrake on the 29^th (AF). 

Short-eared Owl – A single was present near Dunnington on the 5^th.

Great Spotted Woodpecker - Present on Skipwith Common NNR throughout the month.

 

Great Spotted Woodpecker - Skipwith Common - 19/04

Green Woodpecker – A single at Melbourne on the 1^st was a more unusual location. 

Woodlark – The first singing bird was present at Skipwith Common NNR on the 4^th (CSR) followed by another on the 9^th (DB). Four singing birds were present by the 15^th with five recorded on the 19^th.

Skylark – Present in small numbers due to the extensive flooding.

Skylark - Hagg Lane - 08/04 - DB

 
Jay – A single was at Thorganby on the 5^th followed by three at East Cottingwith on the 7^th. 

Cuckoo – The first returning bird was present at Skipwith Common early on the 18^th (LM) with others following later in the day at Wheldrake (DB, AF) and Allerthorpe. Further arrivals were noted from the 21^st with one at Bank Island on the 22^nd. 

Swift – A single, the first returning bird, was at Bank Island on the 20^th shortly followed by two there on the 25^th. Several were present in the Bank Island and Wheldrake area daily thereafter to month end. 

Sand Martin – 13 were present at Bank Island on the 4^th with two there the following day, when six were also present at Bubwith bridge. By late evening on the 5^th a total of 50 were recorded throughout the valley, followed by 30+ on the 8^th and 50+ on the 12^th. 100+ were present at Bank Island on the 13^th.

House Martin – The first returning bird was at Bank Island on the 9^th, followed by 12 on the 13^th and a single at Wheldrake on the 15^th. A noticeable arrival brought small numbers to the Ings on the 21^st with three back in Thorganby village the following day.

Swallow – A single was present at Bank Island on the 4^th, the first of the year, with another there the following morning followed by a handful of other birds throughout the site during the day. Two were present at Aughton on the 7^th along with a single at Melbourne and nine throughout the site the following day. 60 were present on Wheldrake Ings/Low Grounds on the 12^th. 100+ were recorded at Bank Island on the 13^th.

Stonechat – Following a lack of records following the cold spell in early March, a pair at Thornton on the 15^th were the first to appear, possibly passage birds.

Rock/Water Pipit – A single was seen distantly from Ellerton Church on the 7^th (JL). 

Tree Pipit – The first returning bird was present at Skipwith Common on the 18^th (JL) with two there on the 19^th. 

White Wagtail – Two were present on arable fields near Storwood/East Cottingwith on the 9^th.

Yellow Wagtail – Two were present in fields at East Cottingwith/Storwood on the 9^th with singles at Hagg Lane, East Cottingwith and Melbourne on the 15^th. Several were present in the Thornton area on the 18^th with a further notable arrival on the 21^st/22^nd. 

Wheatear – The first returning bird was at the Low Grounds on the 22^nd (AF) followed by five in arable fields south of Bubwith on the 24^th (CG). Eight were present in fields at East Cottingwith on the 27^th (CG) with another at Wheldrake and three along the floodbank at Ellerton Landing on the 29^th. 

 

 

Wheatear - Ellerton - 29/04 - DB

Fieldfare – 100+ were present at Thorganby on the 3^rd with 32 over Bank Island on the 5^th and 30 at Melbourne on the 6^th. Eight were present at Bank Island on the 14^th followed by 17 at Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th. 

Redwing – Five over Bank Island on the 5^th with a single at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th. 

Ring Ouzel – A single wider area record related to a first year male seen near Fangfoss on the 13^th (TW). A single was seen on the top of a large Scots Pine at Skipwith Common on the 19^th before flying off to the north. 

Blackcap – The first migrants for the year were two singing males at Bank Island on the 8^th (DB). Five were then present between Bank Island and Wheldrake on the 9^th with other scattered singles elsewhere in the valley. Five were present at Wheldrake on the 15^th.

Common Whitethroat – The first returning bird of the year was present at Thornton Ings on the 16^th (NC) with singles at Bank Island, Wheldrake and Skipwith on the 22^nd. 

Lesser Whitethroat – The first returning bird was present at Thorganby on the 15^th (DB) with a small widespread arrival on the 18^th bringing singles to North Duffield, Thornton and Bank Island, along with two at Melbourne on the 19^th. 

Willow Warbler – A single was present Bank Island on the 4^th (CSR) with three throughout the valley on the 8^th. Three were present at Skipwith Common NNR on the 9^th when five were present in the Bank Island/Wheldrake area with others scattered throughout the site. Nine were present at Wheldrake on the 15^th with 24 between Bank Island and Wheldrake on the 20^th. 

Sedge Warbler – The first singing bird was heard by the car park at Wheldrake on the 17^th (CSR) with three at Melbourne on the 19^th. Three singing birds were at Wheldrake on the 20^th along with two at Bank Island.

Reed Warbler – The first returning bird was at Wheldrake on the 22^nd (DB) with four singing males there by the 24^th and five on the 25^th.  

Common Redpoll – A single was (still) present in the Melbourne and Thornton area with 70 Lesser Redpoll on the 7^th (NC) and still present on the 11^th. 

Brambling – A single was present in a Melbourne garden on the 6^th with nine recorded on feeders near Allerthorpe on the 8^th. A single lingered at Elvington until at least the 10^th with five there on the 14^th and a single to the 22^nd.  

Yellowhammer – 25 at Thornton Ellers on the 22^nd. 

Linnet – A flock of 80+ near North Duffield Carrs on the 27^th. 

Nuthatch – A single at Melbourne on the 1^st with a singing male at the reserve base at Bank Island on the 16^th. 

Corn Bunting – Singing birds were present at Thorganby and Thornton Ellers on the 1^st with three at Ellerton on the 8^th and four there on the 15^th. 17 singing males were present in the East Cottingwith/Ellerton area on the 28^th followed by 12 in the Thornton area on the 29^th and scattered singles elsewhere in a partial survey.

 

Corn Bunting - Ellerton - 15/04 - DB

MAMMALS:

Red Fox – Single at North Duffield Carrs on the 27^th.

Brown Hare – Singles present daily at Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings throughout the month along with: four at Bank Island on the 4^th, three at East Cottingwith on the 7^th, five at Thornton on the 16^th and 16 there on the 18^th. Seven at Bank Island on the 20^th, seven at Thornton on the 22^nd and three at Bank Island on the 28^th.

Roe Deer – Singles seen regularly on a daily basis at Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings throughout the month, including two at Thornton Ellers on the 11^th and three at Wheldrake on the 12^th and 15^th.

 

Fallow Deer – Four were present at Bank Island on the 8^th – a very unusual record for the site (DB). 11 at Crockey Hill were however more usual for that location on the 12^th.

REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS:

Grass Snake – Two were present at Skipwith Common on the 16^th (LM).

 

Grass Snakes - Skipwith Common - 16/04

Adder – Four were recorded on Skipwith Common on the 5^th. 

Common Lizard – Four were present at Skipwith Common on the 5^th, followed by two on the 16^th, four on the 18^th and four on the 19^th. 

 

Common Lizard - Skipwith Common - 18/04

Smooth Newt – Nine were recorded in the reserve base pond at Bank Island on the 18^th when several were also noted displaying. 12 there on the 19^th. 

BUTTERFLIES:

Small Tortoiseshell – One at North Duffield Carrs on the 3^rd. Two at Bank Island on the 16^th, three at Wheldrake on the 18^th and three at Bank Island on the 19^th. Singles at Wheldrake on the 20^th, East Cottingwith on the 21^st and Wheldrake on the 22^nd. 

Comma – Singles at Skipwith on the 5^th, North Duffield on the 15^th, Skipwith on the 18^th and two at Wheldrake on the 20^th. 

Peacock – Two at Bank Island and a single at Skipwith Common on the 16^th. Four at Skipwith on the 18^th and one at Bank Island were followed by, two at Bank Island on the 19^th and a single at Skipwith. Single at Wheldrake on the 20^th and 22^nd. 

Brimstone – A single male in the reserve base garden on the 5^th was the first of the year, shortly followed by one at Skipwith Common on the 16^th and two there on the 18^th and 19^th. 

Speckled Wood – The first of the year was at Skipwith Common on the 19^th. 

Orange Tip – The first of the year was recorded from the Wheldrake Ings car park lane on the 25^th followed by two at Wheldrake on the 26^th and a single there on the 29^th. 

Green-veined White – A single at Wheldrake on the 29^th. 

OTHERS:

Green Tiger Beetle – First for the year were recorded on Skipwith on the 18^th. 

Gorse Shield Bug – Single recorded on Skipwith Common on the 18^th. 

Hornet – First for the year recorded on Skipwith on the 18^th.