Mar' 20

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - March Sightings

One of the highlights of the month was the usual spring passage movement of Whooper Swans - a minimum of 1510 birds passed through the site during the month, with peaks of 376 on the 7^th, 255 on the 16^th and 300+ on the 17^th. Although this is now an established annual movement in the valley, numbers are increasing year on year, with this year being the largest yet. Smaller numbers of Pink-footed Geese were also involved, with 489 on the 3^rd followed by 1000 through on the 4^th, whilst smaller flocks lingered. The drake Green-winged Teal reappeared and was present between the 16^th – 31^st, but was very mobile during this time amongst the 4300 Eurasian Teal. The first returning Garganey (two females and a drake) were at Wheldrake on the 19^th, whilst two pairs of Mandarin were present on private ponds near Thorganby between the 1^st – 4^th. Little Egret numbers increased to 24, including a returning breeding bird colour-ringed here last year, whilst a Great White Egret was recorded with a Common Crane on the 13^th.

Three Avocets flew south on the 20^th and were followed by the first returning Little Ringed Plover (22^nd), Grey Plover (26^th) with a small passage of Golden Plover and Jack Snipe also noted. The wader highlight was the arrival of a large flock of Black-tailed Godwits late in the month, with 160 on the 19^th, 195 on the 23^rd and 166 on the 26^th. A single adult Mediterranean Gull (1^st) and first winter Iceland Gull (1^st and 21^st) were the pick of the gulls, although the annual spring passage of Lesser Black-backed Gulls saw small numbers move through the site.

Up to three Water Pipits were present at Melbourne Ings (13^th – 24^th) with seven singing Woodlarks at Skipwith Common NNR - this site also hosted a long staying first year female Hen Harrier during the month.

The end of the month received less coverage due to the current government restrictions, however the first returning migrants logged were Chiffchaff (9^th), Sand Martin (12^th), Swallow (25^th) and Blackcap (27^th).

Many thanks as always to everyone who contributed records throughout the month, in particular to members of the YOC, and regular LDV birder Duncan Bye. Thanks also to those who have contributed photographs - Jack Ashton-Booth (JAB), Duncan Bye (DB), Stuart Campbell (SC), Clive Featherstone (CF), Tim Jones (TJ) and Jono Leadley (JL).

BIRDS: 

Whooper Swan – 40 flew over Thorganby Ings on the 2^nd whilst 39 flew north-west over Melbourne mid-morning on the same date. A total of 59 flew north-west over the site on the 3^rd with 17 following on the 4^th. A large movement took place throughout Yorkshire on the 7^th which resulted in a total of 376 through the site, whilst 121 remained in the wintering herd on the 8^th. 16 flew north over Thorganby Ings on the 11^th while a further 146 passed through the site on the 14^th, followed by 73 on the 15^th. Herds of 198, 41 and 16 passed through on the 16^th while a further 30 spent the day at Wheldrake. 148 ‘resident’ birds were still present on the 15^th/16^th at Derwent Farm. 254 flew north over valley on the 17^th with an additional 212 in fields by Derwent Farm. 133 remained there the following day whilst a herd of 52 was at Seavy Carr and 12 passed north-west over Thorganby. 71 flew north over Bank Island early on the 20^th when 100+ still remained at Bubwith and six flew north off Wheldrake at dusk. A large clear out then followed with just 26 remaining at Bubwith on the 21^st, although 48 were present across the site on the 22^nd, followed by 26 on the 23^rd and 19 on the 24^th/25^th. A small group of ten remained at Derwent Farm until month end, with a single at Aughton on the 31^st.

A minimum of 1510 passage birds moved through the site during the month in addition to the resident herd. 

Whooper Swans - North Duffield - 07/03 - JL

Mute Swan – Up to 112 were present throughout the site during the month, with several pairs starting to nest build from the 17^th.

Pink-footed Goose – A total of 496 flew north-west over the valley on the 3^rd – mirroring a large-scale movement through Yorkshire at this time. A large skein of c1000 birds headed north-west over the site on the 4^th with 70 earlier in the day over Elvington. 200 north-west on the 14^th were followed by 16 on the 15^th and 18 on the 22^nd.  

Lingering flocks included 26 at Thorganby between the 5^th – 24^th, followed by 49 at Aughton/Ellerton from the 20^th – 29^th and 66 on the 30^th/31^st.

Egyptian Goose – Eight adults were still present on ponds in the East Cottingwith area on the 8^th while two flew over Thornton Ings on the 13^th. Three were still at East Cottingwith on the 15^th with eight again on the 22^nd.

Greylag Goose – Numbers reduced quickly early in the month with 187 throughout the site on the 8^th - largely in pairs or small breeding groups.

Canada Goose – Numbers had fallen to 103 by the 9^th, many of which were on local ponds and gravel pits in the wider area rather than on the Ings.

Shelduck – Up to 130 remained throughout the site during the month, with several pairs already holding territories away from the Ings. Up to 60 birds were present across Ellerton on the 31^st.

Teal – Large numbers remained throughout, with 5940 still present on the 8^th and 4300+ on the 22^nd.

Green-winged Teal – A drake was present at Bubwith Ings on the 16^th (DW) and again on the 18^th (CSR). It was then re-found at Ellerton Ings on the 21^st (CSR) before moving to North Duffield Carrs on the 24^th where it remained until the 31^st (TJ, NCa).

Green-winged Teal - North Duffield Carrs - 31/03 - TJ

Garganey – The first returning birds were two females and a drake at Wheldrake on the 19^th (SW, CSR). At the end of the month another pair were present in front of Garganey Hide, North Duffield Carrs on the 31^st (TJ).

Wigeon – 10,805 were present on the monthly WeBS count on the 8^th with 8000+ remaining on the 22^nd.

Pintail – 290 were still present at Wheldrake on the 2^nd and again on 7^th, with 526 present throughout the whole site on the 8^th (of which 289 were drakes). 400+ remained throughout the site on 15^th with 437 on the 22^nd.

Gadwall – Prolonged extensive flooding appeared to lead to a reduction in numbers with 172 counted throughout the site on the 8^th. Numbers started to increase again with 366 recorded on the 25^th.

Mandarin – Two pairs were present on a private pond at Thorganby between the 1^st – 4^th with one drake remaining thereafter to month end.

Shoveler – Numbers increased towards month end with 311 on the 25^th. 

Shoveler - Wheldrake Ings - 14/03 - DB

Tufted Duck – Numbers increased with extensive flooding and the start of spring passage, with 411 (299 drakes) present by the 8^th. 307 remained at month end.

Pochard – 81 (65 drakes) remained on the 8^th with a total of 123 present on the 15^th. 47 were recorded at Aughton Ings on the 18^th with 59 throughout the whole site on the 22^nd.

Goldeneye – A total of 34 (14 drakes) were counted on the 8^th, with 10 remaining on the pool at Wheldrake on the 25^th.

Goosander – A pair were present at Bank Island on the 7^th with a single drake there on the 22^nd. Three were on the River Derwent at East Cottingwith on the 31^st.

Common Scoter – A large movement took place across the north on the night of 31^st/1^st April, with several flocks moving NNE over Barmby-on-the-Marsh and nearby Hemingbrough after 2200hrs on the 31^st, followed later by a small flock calling over Wheldrake village.

Little Egret – 12 were present early in the month until the 8^th. Numbers then increased with 24 recorded throughout the site on the 15^th. A single colour-ringed bird was seen at Bank Island on the 18^th – ringed at Wheldrake Ings in July last year. 12 were recorded at Wheldrake on the 19^th.

Great White Egret – A single flew upstream following the River Derwent at Bank Island on the 4^th, with perhaps the same individual seen there on the 13^th. A single was later seen at Wheldrake on the 24^th.

Grey Heron – 29 were recorded on the monthly WeBS count on the 8^th.

White-tailed Eagle – A single immature was seen distantly at North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th (CSR) before being seen again flying over Melbourne on the 26^th (NC) – presumably the same individual that was seen in the Doncaster area later in the day (CF). 

White-tailed Eagle - Doncaster - 26/03 - CF

Marsh Harrier – Two cream crowns were present at Seavy Carr on the 1^st, whilst at least three (cc) and an adult male were present at Wheldrake on the 7^th, with three (cc) present throughout the core of the valley on the 8^th. Five were present on the 22^nd with three at Ellerton/Aughton on the 25^th - at least six different individuals involved throughout the month.

Hen Harrier – An immature female was present at Skipwith Common NNR on the 21^st-23^rd (JAB et al) with late news that it had been in the area for a few weeks previously. 

Hen Harrier - Skipwith Common NNR - 21/03 - JAB

Peregrine – Up to four wintering individuals remained throughout the month.

Merlin – A single adult male at Bubwith Ings on the 30^th (NCa).

Red Kite – Two were present at a site near Thorganby throughout the month with display and copulation noted. A pair were recorded near Skipwith Common NNR on the 3^rd with a single at Bubwith Bridge on the 5^th. Pairs were also regularly seen over Wheldrake early in the month. Singles were over Bank Island on the 12^th/13^th with a single over Bubwith churchyard on the 17^th. Individuals were encountered almost daily throughout the site thereafter with a single pair actively nest building by the 21^st.

Coot – Numbers decreased rapidly following a further extensive flood in late February, with a mere 103 present on the 8^th, although numbers increased thereafter with 347 recorded on the 25^th.

Common Crane – A single was heard calling at Bank Island on the 13^th (NCa, CSR) – possibly coming from the Wheldrake/Low Grounds area.

Great Crested Grebe – A pair were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th with a single at Bank Island on the 18^th and again on the 25^th. Two were at North Duffield Carrs on the 31^st.

Cormorant – Up to 33 remained throughout the month at the Wheldrake roost.

Avocet – Three flew south at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th (CSR).

Little Ringed Plover – A single, and the first for the year, was at Melbourne Ings on the 22^nd (NC).

Oystercatcher – Numbers continued to increase with 34 recorded on the 8^th. A total of 14 pairs had been located around the area by the 22^nd. 

Oystercatchers - North Duffield Carrs - 15/03

Grey Plover – A single bird was present on North Duffield Carrs on the 26^th (NCa).

Golden Plover – Birds were absent throughout the monthly WeBS count on the 8^th, however 30 flew north over Bank Island on the 13^th and 100 were at Wheldrake on the 15^th – possibly spring passage flocks. 26 were recorded at Wheldrake on the 20^th followed by 52 on the 21^st. A small flock of 12 were noted at Bubwith Ings on the 22^nd along with 26 at Wheldrake – some degree of spring passage.

Lapwing – The first displaying birds were present at Elvington on the 2^nd with eight pairs displaying on farmland around the Thorganby Parish on the 4^th. Wintering numbers decreased following the extensive winter floods, and as birds moved back to their breeding grounds, with 677 recorded on the 8^th. Many pairs were displaying around the site towards the end of the month.

Snipe – The first displaying birds were three individuals chipping over Bubwith Ings and two over North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th. 19 were chipping throughout the site on the 21^st with the first drumming birds heard at North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th.

Jack Snipe – A single was present on North Duffield Ings on the 8^th, with three at North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th and four at Wheldrake on the 21^st.

Black-tailed Godwit – 11 were present at Wheldrake on the 1^st with 15 there by the 6^th. An impressive flock of 160 were recorded at Wheldrake on the 19^th (CSR, SW) with 156 still present on the 20^th. Five were at Bubwith Ings on the 22^nd, with numbers at Wheldrake reaching 195 by the 23^rd. 166 were recorded at North Duffield Carrs on the 26^th followed by 156+ there on the 28^th when 60 were also present at Wheldrake Ings – a total of 216+ in the area.

Curlew – 147 were present throughout the site on the 1^st increasing to 178 by the 8^th, including numerous pairs and displaying birds. 46 displaying/territorial pairs were present throughout the site on the 22^nd.

Curlew - Wheldrake Ings - 07/03 - DB

Ruff – 44 remained throughout the site on the 8^th with 36 there on the 22^nd.

Dunlin – Only 13 remained on the 8^th - present again at Bubwith on the 15^th with a lone single at North Duffield Ings on the 22^nd.

Redshank – Only a single individual could be located on the monthly WeBS count on 8^th, with 21 back in the valley a week later on the 15^th. Birds started to return to breeding territories with a pair at Melbourne Ings on the 18^th, followed by three on the 19^th when birds were also displaying at Wheldrake Ings. Numbers increased with 67 throughout the site on the 21^st, including a flock of 51 at North Duffield Carrs.  

Green Sandpiper – One at North Duffield Carrs on the 28^th.

Common Gull – 2000+ were present at the Wheldrake roost on the 1^st falling to 500 by the 7^th.

Black-headed Gull – 6000 were present at the Wheldrake roost on the 1^st with only 500 birds remaining there on the 7^th.

Mediterranean Gull – A single adult was present at the Wheldrake roost on the 1^st.

Great Black-backed Gull – The Wheldrake roost held 120 on the 1^st with numbers down to 12 by the 7^th. 110 were present in the Derwent Farm area on the 21^st.

Lesser black-backed Gull – The Wheldrake roost held three on the 1^st and two on the 7^th, whilst up to five were encountered daily thereafter as birds started spring passage and were passing through the area.

Iceland Gull – A single first-winter was present again at the Wheldrake roost on the 1^st before re-appearing at Derwent Farm, Bubwith on the 21^st.

Herring Gull – 150+ on the 1^st declined to just 15 by the 7^th. A fFlock of 70 were recorded at Derwent Farm on the 21^st.

Little Owl – Singles were present at Crook Moor Thorganby on the 1^st and Thorganby Village Hall orchard on the 3^rd.

Skylark – 103 singing/displaying birds were present in the core of the valley (Wheldrake to North Duffield Ings) on the 8^th, with many concentrated on the floodbank or displaying over the flooded Ings. 

Skylark - North Duffield - 22/03

Woodlark – The first returning bird was singing on Skipwith Common NNR on the 1^st (CSR) with four singing birds present on the 4^th (OM). A single was singing around the Bomb Bay Loop on the 11^th (NCa) with up to six singing birds on the 14^th (NCa). Seven singing males were present on the 21^st.

Water Pipit – Three summer plumaged birds were present at Thornton Ings on the 13^th (NC) and again the following day (JL, DB, AF, NC). All three were present again on the 15^th with a further two birds on Seavy Carr (CSR) - three remained between the 16-18^th. Two were still present on the 19^th – 23^rd with one there on the 24^th.

White Wagtail – A single was present at Melbourne Ings on the 18^th (NC) with two there on the 19^th.

Sand Martin – The first two were seen over the pool at Wheldrake on the 12^th (AB) with two there again on the 15^th (DB). Six were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th.

Swallow – The first of the year was at Wheldrake on the 25^th.

Starling – Up to 150,000 remained at the Aughton roost early in the month, and showed well from the hides at North Duffield Carrs, with 60,000 still present on the 10^th and 45,000 on the 16^th. 

Starlings - Aughton - 15/03 - SC

Fieldfare – 60 were still present at Thorganby on the 31^st.

Redwing – 30 were recorded at Thornton on the 31^st.

Nuthatch – Two singing birds were in the car park lane at Wheldrake on the 5^th with a single heard on the track by Tower Hide on the 9^th.

Willow Tit – Up to four singing birds were present at Wheldrake, with five in the Melbourne/Pocklington Canal and Ings area. Two were still singing on Skipwith Common NNR with two near Bielby and singles at East Cottingwith, Storwood and Bank Island.

Marsh Tit – Two at Bielby on the 2^nd with one on Skipwith Common NNR on the 4^th.

Chiffchaff – An over-wintering bird was singing again at the NNR Base at Bank Island on the 4^th/5^th. A singing individual at Crockey Hill was probably the first migrant to arrive on the 9^th and was followed by four at Wheldrake on the 10^th and two at the NNR Base on the 11^th. Birds continued to trickle in with singles at Thorganby and North Duffield Carrs on the 13^th and Wheldrake car park on the 14^th. Five were present at Bank Island on the 15^th, along with five in the Melbourne Ings area and a single at North Duffield Carrs. Seven were present in the Melbourne area on the 18^th with a total of 26 recorded around the reserve on the 23^rd.

Blackcap – A presumed over-wintering bird was present near Skipwith on the 4^th, with the first presumed migrant singing at Bank Island at dawn on the 27^th followed by a female in Elvington on the 28^th.  

Cetti’s Warbler – The three over-wintering birds remained throughout.

Corn Bunting – The roost at Church Bridge held 89 on the 1^st whilst up to 53 were present in the Thornton Ings area throughout the month.

MAMMALS:

Fallow Deer – Up to 26 remained in the Thorganby area throughout the month with 20+ recorded from Wheldrake Woods.

Brown Hare – Good numbers were present throughout the site with animals moving back onto the Ings as the flood water receded.

BUTTERFLIES:

Small Tortoiseshell – One at Thorganby on the 2^nd with singles at Bank Island and Thorganby on the 5^th. Three were at Bank Island on the 24^th with widespread records thereafter, including five in Thorganby village and five at the NNR Base on the 25^th. Five were recorded at the Low Grounds on the 27^th.

Peacock – The first of the year was at Skipwith Common NNR on the 6^th and was followed by one at the NNR Base at Bank Island on the 11^th. A single at Wheldrake on the 17^th was followed by two at Bank Island on the 24^th and five in Thorganby village on the 25^th.

Brimstone – The first of the year was at Skipwith Common NNR on the 24^th.

Comma – Singles at Skipwith Common NNR and Bank Island on the 24^th were the first for the year.

MOTHS:

With the weather changing and the milder nights returning trapping began mid-month (14^th), with a handful of species caught to month end including: Common Quaker (42), Clouded Drab (24), Early Grey (1), Hebrew Character (62), Oak Beauty (1), Pine Beauty (1), Small Quaker (24) and Powered Quaker (2).