Mar' 22

 Lower Derwent Valley NNR - March Sightings

Another interesting month with activity increasing towards the end with plenty of passage movements.

Highlights included a record-breaking build-up of islandica Black-tailed Godwits, reaching 561 towards the end of the month. A sample of individuals caught and ringed showed a significant weight gain from 160-200g to 350-400g as birds fed up prior to departure. There was a notable national influx of Garganey mid-late month with the first bird appearing in the LDV on the 22^nd, with at least five drakes and two ducks present. The now annual nocturnal passage of Common Scoter continued with 46 flocks/groups recorded passing over between the 13^th and 29^th, with a grounded adult male at Bank Island on the latter date, providing a notable but typical one day sight record. A single Spotted Crake was picked up singing on Wheldrake Ings at 03:00hrs on the 26^th, with up to three birds daily thereafter to month end - the earliest to have been recorded on the reserve (previous record was a single singing bird on the 10^th April 1995) - hopefully early indications of another successful year for the species.

Large numbers of wintering waterfowl remained throughout, with spring passage again noted with a minimum of 417 Whooper Swans moving through the site. Wigeon numbers peaked at 12,134 and likewise, the now established passage of Pintail reached 712. Two red-head Smew (9^th-14^th) continued the good run of records this winter and proved popular for visitors. Great White Egrets and Common Cranes were both recorded, whilst waders included the first returning Little Ringed Plover (16^th), three Avocets, a single Bar-tailed Godwit, and an early returning Whimbrel (23^rd). It was perhaps the usual large spring passage of Snipe which was most notable, with at least 1,000 birds spread throughout the site and 600+ alone at Wheldrake Ings during the month.

Incoming summer migrants included the first returning Chiffchaffs (from the 8^th), Sand Martin (first on the 14^th and again from the 27^th), Blackcap (29^th), with three singing Cetti’s Warblers at month end. Wintering migrants included flocks of 200 and 100 Brambling in the area and a return passage of Fieldfare and Redwing at month end.

Many thanks as always 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 & David Winspear for the use of their photographs below

 

BIRDS: 

Whooper Swan – The resident wintering herd declined from 115 on the 3^rd to 66 by the 14^th and 40 by the 20^th. 14 remained on the 27^th to month end.

Passage birds included 46 north on the 2^nd, before a sizable departure from the Fens saw herds of 24, 6, 66 and 17 staging through the site over the course of the day on the 7^th before five roosted at Wheldrake. Three further herds were picked up on noc-mig over Elvington after dark on that date, with eight present on the Low Grounds throughout the day on the 8^th. 27 flew through Wheldrake Ings after dark on the 9^th with 70 over Melbourne earlier in the day. Herds of 19 and 7 passed through on the 13^th including colour-ringed bird ZXI. A herd of 17 passed over Wheldrake after dark on the 14^th, with 74 over Thorganby and later Heslington on the 18^th. Seven were present on Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th, followed by five on 25^th/26^th with another herd over North Duffield Carrs after dark on that date. 14 were present for the day at Wheldrake on the 29^th.

A total of 417 passage birds were logged with an additional four nocturnal herds recorded during the month.

Whooper Swan - Wheldrake Ings - 26/03 - DB

Mute Swan – 73 were present throughout the site on the 14^th increasing to 101 by the 20^th – including 49 feeding on arable at Derwent Farm. Three pairs were nest building late in the month with the start of clutches being laid from the 27^th.

Greylag Goose – Numbers continued to decline as individuals started to spread out into breeding pairs and smaller groups, with a total of 214 counted throughout the site on the 14^th.

Canada Goose – Numbers continued to fall with just 49 remaining around the reserve from mid-month.

Pink-footed Goose – 100 flew over Bank Island heading north-west on the 3^rd, whilst the wintering flock of 260 remained in the Thorganby/Ellerton area until the 13^th – total of 305 present across the reserve with additional small numbers of passage birds passing through. 60 passage birds were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th with 16 across the NNR on the 20^th. Eight remained in the Ellerton/Aughton/North Duffield areas on the 26^th-27^th.

Egyptian Goose – One or two were regularly recorded over Wheldrake Ings during the month, with eight remaining in the East Cottingwith area weekly, with a notable increase on the 20^th (total of 12 recorded).

Egyptian Goose - East Cottingwith - 20/03 - DB

Shelduck – Numbers remained high although birds were widely scattered in pairs from early in the month. A total of 146 were present on the 13^th.

Wigeon – Following a large clear out in late February with extensive flooding, spring passage saw numbers increase to 12,134 on the 13^th - with nocturnal passage also noted at this time. 7,381 remained on the 20^th decreasing to 6,098 on the 27^th.

Wigeon - Wheldrake Ings - 23/03 - DB

Teal – 3,733 were still present on the 13^th with 3,317 recorded on the 20^th, dropping to 2,649 on the 27^th.

Mallard – 700 were still present early in the month, with birds then starting to disperse as early breeders began to pair up.

Gadwall – Numbers started to increase further during the month with incoming breeding and passage birds, with 256 recorded on the 13^th. 172 were still present on the 20^th with 234 on the 27^th.

Shoveler – 190 were recorded throughout the site on the 13^th increasing to 262 by the 20^th and 273 by the 27^th. A total of 142 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th.

Garganey – A single drake was heard calling at dawn on the 22^nd with three drakes and a duck found later in the day at Aughton Ings - the first for the year. A drake was then present at Bank Island on the 23^rd with presumably the same individual again on the 25^th – 28^th. Two drakes were present at Wheldrake between the 26^th-28^th with one at North Duffield Carrs on the 27^th. One was on the Pocklington Canal at Hagg Bridge on the 28^th with a pair at Bank Island on the 29^th. A single flock of five drakes and two ducks were at Bank Island on the 30^th.

A good start early in the season in line with the national influx – at least five drakes and two ducks involved but possibly more with perhaps as many as eight or nine drakes.

Pintail – Numbers increased with spring passage to an impressive 712 on the 13^th before falling again, with just 419 remaining on the 20^th. 330 were still present across the site on the 24^th – down to 257 by the 27^th. On the 29^th 127 remained at Wheldrake Ings, along with 23 at Bank Island and 96 at North Duffield Carrs – total of 246 throughout the site.

Pintail - Bank Island - 25/03 - DB

Tufted Duck – Numbers increased with the extensive flooding and onset of spring passage with 176 recorded on the 13^th. 158 were still present on the 20^th with 151 on the 27^th. 101 were observed at Wheldrake on the 29^th.

Pochard – 25 were present at Aughton on the 5^th with 24 scattered throughout the site on the 13^th, although just four (two pairs) remained on the 20^th to month end.

Goldeneye – 15 were present between Wheldrake and Bank Island on the 13^th. 23 recorded at Wheldrake on the 17^th perhaps indicated some spring passage, with 15 on the 20^th, 24 on the 23^rd and 11 on the 27^th - 29^th.

Smew – Two red-heads were on Wheldrake Ings, south of Pool Hide, on the 9^th (SR) and daily thereafter until the 14^th.

Smew - Wheldrake Ings - 12/03 - DB

Common Scoter – Two flocks were heard passing over Wheldrake Ings and Bank Island after dark on the 13^th at 21:30hrs. 11 flocks, totalling over 115 birds passed over between 20:40 hrs and 22:00 hrs after dark on the 14^th. Another flock passed over Elvington after dark on the 20^th and was followed by another at 22:00hrs on the 23^rd. Further flocks were recorded after dark on the 24^th and 27^th while 29 flocks/groups (minimum 210 birds) were logged between 22:30 and 23:50 on the 29^th. A single adult drake was then found grounded at Bank Island the following morning (29^th).

Goosander – Three (a drake and two red-heads) were present on the 13^th on the River Derwent at Thorganby, with a single red-head at Wheldrake on the 27^th and a drake at Bank Island on the 29^th.  

Goosander - Bank Island - 29/03 - DB

Cormorant – Up to 30 roosted at Wheldrake Ings early in the month with 32 on the 17^th, and a total of 33 across the whole site on the 20^th.

Little Grebe – Numbers increased as birds returned to the breeding sites on the Ings with totals of seven on the 13^th, 17 on the 20^th and 23 on the 30^th.

Little Grebe - Wheldrake Ings - 20/03 - DB

Great Crested Grebe – Two were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 24^th/25^th with one remaining on the 26^th. Three were at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th.

Grey Heron – Numbers increased and birds became more obvious as breeding activity in the local heronry increased, with 18 recorded around the reserve on the 13^th followed by 28 on the 20^th.

Grey Heron - Wheldrake Ings - 26/03 - DW

Little Egret – Up to five lingered around the reserve early in the month before numbers increasing as breeding birds returned. Six were recorded on the 13^th followed by five at Bank Island on the 15^th and nine at Bubwith Ings on 17^th. A total of 13 were recorded throughout the reserve on the 20^th with birds back in the Heronry from the 22^nd. 11 were present across the site on the 27^th with seven at Wheldrake at dusk on the 28^th. 12 were recorded again there on the 29^th followed by 15 on the 30^th.

Great White Egret – A single was present in fields between Skipwith and North Duffield on the 6^th with another in the southern half of the valley (Ellerton, Aughton and North Duffield Carrs) on the 20^th.

Common Crane – A single was heard calling on Skipwith Common NNR on the 24^th (MR), with one also seen and heard on the Low Grounds (from Wheldrake Ings), on the 27^th (JL et al). A single was then heard calling again from the Elvington area (from Bank Island) on the 28^th (CSR).  

Marsh Harrier – Up to four birds were present early in the month with at least three remaining to month end.

Marsh Harrier - Bank Island - 25/03 - DB

Red Kite – Seven were present around the NNR on the 5^th with a total of five to six pairs scattered around the reserve throughout the month.

Peregrine – Up to three birds were regularly reported early in the month, although fewer sightings were had towards month end, with two - three individuals remaining.

Goshawk – A large adult female was present over Bank Island on the 17^th (MR) with presumably the same bird seen again nearby on the 30^th.

Merlin – One was present between Bubwith and Aughton on the 5^th with one at the NNR reserve base at Bank Island on the 11^th and 25^th.

Coot – Numbers increased as the month progressed with counts of 122 on the 13^th, 191 on the 30^th and 214 on the 30^th.

Spotted Crake – A single was heard at 03:30 hrs from Wheldrake Ings on the 26^th (SE), with the same bird heard again at 20:30hrs on the same date with two singing there on the 27^th (JL, AF, OM) followed by three on the 28^th (CSR, DB, OM et al). These are the earliest to have occurred on the reserve, with the previous earliest on the 10^th April 1995. Two continued calling thereafter to month end.

Water Rail – Up to eight singing birds were present at Wheldrake Ings during the month with two at Bank Island after dark on the 28^th - singles at North Duffield Carrs and Aughton on the same date.

Little Ringed Plover – A single at Barmby-on-the-Marsh wetlands on the 16^th was the first of the year, and was followed by the next, at Bank Island, on the 22^nd.

Avocet – A single was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th (AF) with two at Thorganby Ings on the 17^th (CSR) and another at Bank Island on the 30^th (AF).

Oystercatcher – Numbers increased to 34 (17 pairs) in and around the site by the 13^th.

Oystercatcher - North Duffield Carrs - 13/03 - DB

Golden Plover – 3,000+ were still present early in the month with 1,800 at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th. 1,820 were recorded in the area on the 13^th, however, only 33 were located on the WeBS count on the 20^th. 69 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 28^th followed by 190 on the 29^th as northern migrants started to move through the site. 406 were present at Wheldrake on the 30^th with 56 at Elvington on the same date.

Lapwing – Numbers declined quickly from the 10,000+ recorded in February with birds displaying on territory early in the month. A total of 1,281 remained on the 13^th, down further to 525 on the 20^th and 300+ at month end.

Snipe – A single was ‘chipping’ at Seavy Carr on the 7^th with two displaying at Thornton Ings on the 10^th and four drumming after dark at Wheldrake on the 16^th. 35 were at Seavy Carr on the 7^th with 120+ at Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th. Three drumming birds were present at Aughton on the 24^th. 600+ were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd/23^rd (presumed spring passage), with six drumming birds there on the 28^th and four at North Duffield Carrs on the 29^th – at least 150 present. An estimated 1000 were thought to be present throughout the reserve during this time.

Common Snipe - Wheldrake Ings - 25/03 - DB

Jack Snipe – A mere single present at Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th was disappointing, but perhpas reflected survey effort and the amount of available suitable habitat across the reserve during the month.

Curlew – Numbers reached 106 by the 13^th and 137 by the 17^th, with 97 counted on the 20^th. Flocks of 36 at Wheldrake Ings and 28 at Thornton Ellers on the 27^th were presumed migrants passing through.

Whimbrel – The first of the year, an early individual, flew over Bank Island calling on the 23^rd.

Dunlin – 173 remained on the reserve on the 3^rd with 67 remaining by the 13^th and 75 on the 20^th. 20 remained thereafter to month end with 26 on the 30^th.

Ruff – 26 were present throughout the site on the 13^th followed by 30 on the 20^th. Up to 20 remained thereafter with 28 counted on the 30^th.

Redshank – 36 were present across the site on the 13^th. Three birds were displaying at Bank Island on the 18^th with 32 throughout the reserve on the 27^th.

Black-tailed Godwit – 34 (including a single colour-ringed bird), were present early in the month at Wheldrake Ings, increasing to a flock of 90 by the 4^th. 125 were recorded there on the 5^th with a total of 189 across the site on that day. 60 were still present at Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th followed by 67 on the 8^th. Numbers then fluctuated thereafter with 108 on the 9^th, 188 on the 12^th and 338 on the 13^th. 412 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th, increasing further to 487 on the 20^th – a new reserve record. 360+ were still present on the 22^nd – 24^th followed by 432 on the 25^th. A further increase (and record count) was then had on the 27^th with a total of 561 individuals recorded. c550 were still present on the 29^th with most of the birds at North Duffield Carrs. 481+ were counted there on the 30^th with 385 later in the day at Wheldrake – possibly involving some or all of the same birds.

Black-tailed Godwits - Wheldrake Ings - 23/03 - DB

Bar-tailed Godwit – A single flew over Church Bridge at Melbourne on the 14^th (OM).

Green Sandpiper – A single was present at Bank Island on the 15^th.

Black-headed Gull – The roost fell away quickly from 2,000 birds early in the month with just 200 remaining on the 12^th and none thereafter. Small flocks of presumed passage birds (up to 100) moved through late in the month.

Herring Gull – 48 were present on the 8^th but few thereafter.

Greater Black-backed Gull – A lone single remained in the Wheldrake roost early in the month until the 8^th.

Lesser Black-backed Gull – Singles were present in the roost on the 1^st, 5^th and 7^th with four there on the 9^th. Small numbers (less than 10) were then regularly recorded towards dusk thereafter.

Short-eared Owl – Single at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th.

Long-eared Owl – Two calling birds at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th.

Stock Dove – 130 at Bank Island on the 17^th was a notable count followed by 30 at Thornton on the 27^th.

Woodlark – Five singing birds were present at Skipwith Common NNR on the 2^nd with six singing birds present on site on the 5^th and seven between the 8^th and 14^th. Up to eight singing males had territory by month end.

Sand Martin – The first returning individual was seen at Bank Island on the 14^th with the next, (two), seen over North Duffield Carrs on the 27^th.

Stonechat – Pairs were present early in the month at Melbourne, Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs until the 11^th.

Wheatear – A single at Thornton Ellers on the 30^th was the first of the year.

Raven – Two at Skipwith Common NNR on the 23^rd.

Fieldfare – Small numbers moved through the site during the first part of the month. Later flocks including 80 at Skipwith Common NNR on the 29^th and 310 at Bank Island on the 30^th and 90 on the 31^st.

Redwing – Small numbers passed back through the site during the month with 70 at Skipwith Common NNR on the 8^th. Nocturnal passage was noted throughout the reserve after dark on the 29^th with 220 over Bank Island heading east on the 30^th. A further 180 went east there on the 31^st.

Chiffchaff – Singing birds were at Wheldrake and Bank Island on the 8^th - the first of the year, (CSR, DB), with two at Melbourne on the 9^th (NC). Numbers then increased with a total of 13 around the site on the 13^th. A minimum of 21 were reported around the site on the 17^th with increasing numbers thereafter.

Blackcap – The first singing male was present at Bank Island on the 29^th.

Cetti’s Warbler – A singing male was at East Cottingwith on the 26^th with one in the NNR Base Garden/Water Treatment Works at Bank Island on the 27^th. This individual was still singing on the 28^th to month end, with another between there and the car park at Wheldrake Ings on the 28^th. Single was caught and ringed in the base garden on the 31^st.

Nuthatch – A singing bird was present in Thicket Priory on the 25^th.

Brambling – The flock at Thornton suddenly increased to 200 on the 1^st, and was still present on the 4^th with 150+ remaining on the 7^th. Numbers then increased to 130+ on the 18^th. Another flock of 100+ was present near Wheldrake village from the 15^th to the 23^rd. Several were present in the Cheesecake Farm area on the 25^th.

Chaffinch – 100+ present with mixed finches at Thornton on the 7^th.

Greenfinch – 60 were recorded with mixed finches at Thornton on the 7^th.

Tree sparrow – 70 were present at Thornton on the 7^th.

Siskin – 100 were present at Seavy Carr on the 7^th.

Linnet – 350 remained at Thornton early in the month, with 300 still present on the 7^th.

Corn Bunting – Present throughout the month on Hagg Lane, East Cottingwith. 

Corn Bunting - Hagg Lane - 26/03 - DB