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 29th.
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 19th.
Another Great White Egret
was present from the 23rd, with up to 37 Little Egrets
following an arrival from the 20th. Another pair of Black-necked
Grebes passed through North Duffield Carrs on the 27th 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 3rd and 26th 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 21st
with three at Wheldrake Ings by the 29th. Wader passage started to
pick up but was generally slow, with highlights being Avocets on the 23rd
and 26th, Little Ringed Plover (22nd), Ringed
Plover (29th), Greenshank (20th, 26th
and 28th) and Spotted Redshank (29th). 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 17th, increasing
to 76 by the 26th. A Kittiwake was present on the 9th,
followed by two adult Mediterranean Gulls on the 15th and a
first-summer on 17th, and two Little Gulls on the latter
date. The first Two Common Terns arrived on the 26th while
five Arctic Terns passed through Wheldrake on the 29th.
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 (4th), Blackcap (8th),
House Martin and Yellow Wagtail (9th), Lesser Whitethroat (15th),
Whitethroat (16th), Sedge Warbler (17th). Tree Pipit and
Cuckoo (18th), Swift (20th) and Wheatear/Reed Warbler (22nd). Out going wintering birds included the last
Redwing (12th), Fieldfare (18th) and Brambling (22nd).
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 3rd
whilst 35 also headed over Thornton on the same morning. A lone single flew
over Melbourne on the 4th whilst 17 flew north at Bank Island
on the 5th. 13 were present at Bank Island at dusk on the 7th,
with the same herd possibly being seen heading over Knaresborough the next day.
Up to 12 still remained at Derwent Farm on the 8th. Thereafter,
two late passage birds were present at East Cottingwith Ings on the 21st
whilst six passed through Wheldrake on the 26th. A
single was still present at Aughton Ings on the 29th (CSR, DB).
Mute Swan – 114
were still present early in the month with 124 throughout the site on the 29th
– 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 15th – 19th.
Greylag
Goose – Up to 80 adults were present at Wheldrake on
the 26th with 70+ goslings in nine broods, along with a
single brood of six at Bank Island on the 27th. A full count
on the 29th 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 7th and 8th whilst two remained at
East Cottingwith throughout the month. A single was recorded from North
Duffield Carrs on the 12th followed by two at Wheldrake on the
15th and two at Ellerton on the 18th. Three
were present at Wheldrake on the 26th – 29th.
Egyptian Goose - East Cottingwith - 09/04 - DB
Ruddy
Shelduck – A single was present at Bubwith Ings on the 2nd.
Shelduck – A
full count on the 29th 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 13th. 500+ remained on the 21st falling further and leaving just 45 on the 29th.
Teal – c5000 early in the month fell
quickly with c1100 still present on the 13th,
700+ on the 21st and 350
on the 26th. 271 remained
throughout the site on the 29th.
Mallard – The first broods of two were
present at North Duffield Carrs on the 2nd,
with broods of five and ten there on the 3rd
along with a newly hatched brood of six at Bank Island on the 21st. Large numbers of
broods appeared throughout the site from the 26th with 14 broods (90+ ducklings) on the 29th 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 29th may well may be a brood seen there on the 2nd,
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 13th,
including 150 at Thornton Ellers on that date (NC). Numbers fell quickly
thereafter with 30+ on the 19th
and just six by month end.
Garganey – The first returning drake was at
Wheldrake Ings on the 17th
(CSR) followed by two there on the 20th
(DB). Two drakes and a female were present there on the 21st with three drakes and a female on the 22nd and an additional pair
at Thornton Ellers on the 24th
(total of six birds present in the valley). A single drake was on the pool at
Wheldrake on the 27th
with pairs on the Low Grounds and North Duffield Carrs on the 28th, and again on the 29th 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 29th 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 7th, 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 29th.
Tufted
Duck – 200+ remained throughout the site on the 15th
with 103 at North Duffield Carrs on the 20th, 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 29th.
Pochard – 15 were
present early in the month with two still at Wheldrake on the 15th.
12 were recorded on the pool at Wheldrake on the 17th (10
drakes) with five there on the 18th. Seven were reported on
the 20th with two drakes remaining on the 28th
to month end.
Red-crested
Pochard – An adult drake present at Wheldrake Ings on the 19th
(ET).
Goldeneye
– Five were still present at Wheldrake on the 12th
with 12 there on the 15th. Five were present thereafter
to the 19th followed by two on the 20th and
a single on the 22nd.
Goosander
– A single red head flew south at Wheldrake Ings on
the 18th, followed by a single (red head) on the Pocklington
Canal near Melbourne on the 25th – an unusual record for the
area (NC).
Cormorant – Monthly maxima at the Wheldrake Ings roost of 26
on the 18th.
Grey
Heron – Up to 19 nests were counted in the heronry on the 17th
– 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 7th with seven there on the 9th – 10th.
Two were present at Bank Island on the 13th with three at
Wheldrake Ings on the 15th. Five pairs were present in the
heronry on the 17th with five birds also seen at Wheldrake
Ings on the 18th. 19 were present over the heronry on the 20th
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 28th. A
full count (excluding the heronry) of 37 birds was had on the 29th,
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 23rd, with presumably the same
bird at Wheldrake Ings on the 25th (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 27th (CSR, FM, JT).
Great
Crested Grebe – A pair were present at North Duffield Carrs on
the 5th followed by three at Aughton on the 8th.
Three were recorded at Wheldrake on the 15th. 12 birds were
present throughout the site over the 20th-23rd
followed by 12 on the 29th. Three pairs at both
Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs on the 26th to month
end included a single pair with a near completed nest on the pool at Wheldrake
on the 29th.
Common
Crane – Four flew north after circling over Bank Island,
calling in the mist on the 9th (CSR). A single was present at
Skipwith Common on the 14th with a pair near Thornton on the 15th
and two present in Thorganby on the 17th.
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 29th including 38 nesting pairs.
Osprey – A
single flew north over Bank Island at 1900hrs on the 3rd
before being seen heading over Heslington. Later in the month on the 26th,
a single headed north over Wheldrake Ings at 1700hrs.
Red Kite – A
single was on Skipwith Common on the 3rd shortly followed by
a single over Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings on the 5th. A
single was over Melbourne and Thornton Ings on the 7th with
two over Wheldrake on the 15th. Five birds were recorded
around the valley on the 21st-22nd, with regular
sightings therafter.
Common Buzzard – Five
flew north, very high over Bank Island on the 5th - 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 15th.
Marsh Harrier – A first winter male was present at Bubwith Ings
on the 5th when a cream
crown was seen hunting Coot at Thornton Ellers. A single female was present at
Church Bridge on the 11th
with regular sightings of females at both Wheldrake and North Duffield during
the month. Two cream crowns were present at Wheldrake on the 27th.
Peregrine – Two ‘wintering’ birds were still
at North Duffield Carrs on the 5th
with regular sightings of singles thereafter to the 26th.
Hobby – The first returning bird was
at Wheldrake on the 21st
(DB) shortly followed by singles at Wheldrake, Bank Island and Thornton Ings on
the 22nd. A single was
present at Aughton on the 24th
followed by two over Thicket Priory on the 25th.
Two birds were then showing well at Wheldrake daily thereafter to month end
with three on the 29th.
Kestrel – Present in good numbers
throughout the site.
Grey Partridge – Two at Hagg Lane, East
Cottingwith on the 15th.
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 15th
with 31 recorded on the 29th,
including 14 at North Duffield Carrs.
Avocet – A single flew west over North
Duffield Carrs on the 23rd
when two were also reported from North Duffield Ings. A single was then present
on the Low Grounds on the 26th
(CG, DW).
Little Ringed Plover – A single flew through
Allerthrope Gravel Pits on the 22nd
(PB).
Ringed Plover – A single was found roosting on
a field near North Duffield on the 29th
(JL).
Lapwing – With extensive flooding
lingering during the month, only 31 pairs were located on the Ings on the 29th, with numerous pairs
settling on surround arable fields instead.
Dunlin – A single winter plumage bird
was present at Melbourne on the 13th.
Ruff – A single at Melbourne and
Thornton Ings on the 13th
with two there on the 29th.
Common Snipe – Three pairs were displaying
over Thornton Ings on the 4th
with a single drumming over arable fields at East Cottingwith on the 9th and two over arable
fields near Ellerton on the 15th.
Black-tailed Godwit – Two were present at Thornton
Ellers on the 15th before
a passage flock of 49 were present at Wheldrake on the 17th followed
by 23 on the 18th and 19th. Two pairs were present
in the valley from the 20th
to month end, while 47 flew north, high, at Bank Island on the 23rd. 12 were present at
North Duffield on the 27th
with 19 at Ellerton on the 28th
and a pair on the 29th.
Curlew – 30 were still present at Bank Island
on the 8th with 43 at
Wheldrake Ings on the 17th.
A full count on the 29th
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 17th (CSR) increasing to 11 on the 18th (DB) and 24 on the 20th. Numbers had increased at the roost to 54 by the 24th,
whilst 24 were present there at midday on the 25th before 64 came into roost that evening. 76 roosted
on the 26th, 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 8th.
Greenshank – The first returning spring
passage bird arrived at Wheldrake on the 20th
with a single reported there again on the 26th.
A single flew south at Wheldrake on the 28th.
Spotted Redshank – A single flew over Thornton
Ellers calling on the 29th (CSR).
Common Sandpiper –Two at Melbourne on the 28th were the first for the
year (NC), followed by one at at North Duffield Carrs on the 29th (CSR, DB).
Lesser Black-backed Gull – 40 were present at the
Wheldrake roost on the 12th
with 56 there on the 26th.
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 15th
(JL), followed by a first summer bird at Wheldrake on the 17th (CSR).
Kittiwake – A single adult flew over Bank
Island towards Wheldrake on the 9th
(CSR).
Little Gull – An adult and first winter went
through Bank Island on the 17th.
Common Tern – The first returning pair were
present at Wheldrake on the 26th
with three there on the 27th
and regularly thereafter to month end.
Arctic Tern – Five flew north at Wheldrake
on the 29th (AF).
Short-eared Owl – A single was present near
Dunnington on the 5th.
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 1st was a more unusual
location.
Woodlark – The first singing bird was
present at Skipwith Common NNR on the 4th
(CSR) followed by another on the 9th
(DB). Four singing birds were present by the 15th with five recorded on the 19th.
Skylark – Present in small numbers due to the extensive flooding.
Skylark - Hagg Lane - 08/04 - DB
Jay – A single was at Thorganby on
the 5th followed by three
at East Cottingwith on the 7th.
Cuckoo – The first returning bird was
present at Skipwith Common early on the 18th
(LM) with others following later in the day at Wheldrake (DB, AF) and
Allerthorpe. Further arrivals were noted from the 21st with one at Bank Island on the 22nd.
Swift – A single, the first returning
bird, was at Bank Island on the 20th
shortly followed by two there on the 25th.
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 4th with two there
the following day, when six were also present at Bubwith bridge. By late
evening on the 5th a total of 50 were recorded throughout the valley,
followed by 30+ on the 8th
and 50+ on the 12th. 100+
were present at Bank Island on the 13th.
House Martin – The first returning bird was
at Bank Island on the 9th,
followed by 12 on the 13th
and a single at Wheldrake on the 15th.
A noticeable arrival brought small numbers to the Ings on the 21st with three back in
Thorganby village the following day.
Swallow – A single was present at Bank Island
on the 4th, 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
7th along with a single at Melbourne and nine throughout the site
the following day. 60 were present on Wheldrake Ings/Low Grounds on the 12th. 100+ were recorded at
Bank Island on the 13th.
Stonechat – Following a lack of records
following the cold spell in early March, a pair at Thornton on the 15th were the first to
appear, possibly passage birds.
Rock/Water Pipit – A single was seen distantly
from Ellerton Church on the 7th
(JL).
Tree Pipit – The first returning bird was
present at Skipwith Common on the 18th
(JL) with two there on the 19th.
White Wagtail – Two were present on arable
fields near Storwood/East Cottingwith on the 9th.
Yellow Wagtail – Two were present in fields at East
Cottingwith/Storwood on the 9th
with singles at Hagg Lane, East Cottingwith and Melbourne on the 15th. Several were present
in the Thornton area on the 18th
with a further notable arrival on the 21st/22nd.
Wheatear – The first returning bird was
at the Low Grounds on the 22nd
(AF) followed by five in arable fields south of Bubwith on the 24th (CG). Eight were
present in fields at East Cottingwith on the 27th (CG) with another at Wheldrake and three along the
floodbank at Ellerton Landing on the 29th.
Wheatear - Ellerton - 29/04 - DB
Fieldfare – 100+ were present at Thorganby
on the 3rd with 32 over
Bank Island on the 5th and
30 at Melbourne on the 6th.
Eight were present at Bank Island on the 14th
followed by 17 at Wheldrake Ings on the 18th.
Redwing – Five over Bank Island on the 5th with a single at
Wheldrake Ings on the 12th.
Ring Ouzel – A single wider area record
related to a first year male seen near Fangfoss on the 13th (TW). A single was seen on the top of a large Scots
Pine at Skipwith Common on the 19th
before flying off to the north.
Blackcap – The first migrants for the
year were two singing males at Bank Island on the 8th (DB). Five were then present between Bank Island and
Wheldrake on the 9th with
other scattered singles elsewhere in the valley. Five were present at Wheldrake
on the 15th.
Common Whitethroat – The first returning bird of
the year was present at Thornton Ings on the 16th (NC) with singles
at Bank Island, Wheldrake and Skipwith on the 22nd.
Lesser Whitethroat – The first returning bird was
present at Thorganby on the 15th (DB) with a small widespread
arrival on the 18th
bringing singles to North Duffield, Thornton and Bank Island, along with two at
Melbourne on the 19th.
Willow Warbler – A single was present Bank Island
on the 4th (CSR) with
three throughout the valley on the 8th.
Three were present at Skipwith Common NNR on the 9th when five were present in the Bank Island/Wheldrake
area with others scattered throughout the site. Nine were present at Wheldrake
on the 15th with 24
between Bank Island and Wheldrake on the 20th.
Sedge Warbler – The first singing bird was
heard by the car park at Wheldrake on the 17th
(CSR) with three at Melbourne on the 19th.
Three singing birds were at Wheldrake on the 20th along with two at Bank Island.
Reed Warbler – The first returning bird was
at Wheldrake on the 22nd
(DB) with four singing males there by the 24th
and five on the 25th.
Common Redpoll – A single was (still) present
in the Melbourne and Thornton area with 70 Lesser Redpoll on the 7th (NC) and still present
on the 11th.
Brambling – A single was present in a
Melbourne garden on the 6th
with nine recorded on feeders near Allerthorpe on the 8th. A single lingered at Elvington until at least the 10th with five there on the 14th and a single to the 22nd.
Yellowhammer – 25 at Thornton Ellers on the 22nd.
Linnet – A flock of 80+ near North
Duffield Carrs on the 27th.
Nuthatch – A single at Melbourne on the 1st with a singing male at
the reserve base at Bank Island on the 16th.
Corn Bunting – Singing birds were present at
Thorganby and Thornton Ellers on the 1st
with three at Ellerton on the 8th
and four there on the 15th.
17 singing males were present in the East Cottingwith/Ellerton area on the 28th followed by 12 in the
Thornton area on the 29th
and scattered singles elsewhere in a partial survey.
Corn Bunting - Ellerton - 15/04 - DB
MAMMALS:
Red Fox – Single at North Duffield Carrs on the 27th.
Brown Hare – Singles present daily at Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings throughout the month along with: four at Bank Island on the 4th, three at East Cottingwith on the 7th, five at Thornton on
the 16th and 16
there on the 18th. Seven at Bank Island on the 20th, seven at Thornton on the 22nd and three at Bank Island on the 28th.
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 11th and three at Wheldrake on the 12th and 15th.
Fallow Deer – Four were present at Bank Island
on the 8th – a very
unusual record for the site (DB). 11 at Crockey Hill were however more usual
for that location on the 12th.
REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS:
Grass Snake – Two were present at Skipwith
Common on the 16th (LM).
Grass Snakes - Skipwith Common - 16/04
Adder – Four were recorded on Skipwith
Common on the 5th.
Common Lizard – Four were present at
Skipwith Common on the 5th,
followed by two on the 16th,
four on the 18th and four
on the 19th.
Common Lizard - Skipwith Common - 18/04
Smooth Newt – Nine were recorded in the
reserve base pond at Bank Island on the 18th
when several were also noted displaying. 12 there on the 19th.
BUTTERFLIES:
Small Tortoiseshell – One at North Duffield Carrs on
the 3rd. Two at Bank Island
on the 16th, three at
Wheldrake on the 18th and
three at Bank Island on the 19th.
Singles at Wheldrake on the 20th,
East Cottingwith on the 21st
and Wheldrake on the 22nd.
Comma – Singles at Skipwith on the 5th, North Duffield on the 15th, Skipwith on the 18th and two at Wheldrake on
the 20th.
Peacock – Two at Bank Island and a
single at Skipwith Common on the 16th.
Four at Skipwith on the 18th
and one at Bank Island were followed by, two at Bank Island on the 19th and a single at
Skipwith. Single at Wheldrake on the 20th
and 22nd.
Brimstone – A single male in the reserve
base garden on the 5th
was the first of the year, shortly followed by one at Skipwith Common on the 16th and two there on the 18th and 19th.
Speckled Wood – The first of the year was at
Skipwith Common on the 19th.
Orange Tip – The first of the year was
recorded from the Wheldrake Ings car park lane on the 25th followed by two at Wheldrake on the 26th and a single there on
the 29th.
Green-veined White – A single at Wheldrake on the 29th.
OTHERS:
Green Tiger Beetle – First for the year were recorded
on Skipwith on the 18th.
Gorse Shield Bug – Single recorded on Skipwith
Common on the 18th.
Hornet – First for the year recorded on
Skipwith on the 18th.
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