May 19

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - May Sightings

A memorable month with some great birding to be had around the LDV, as well as an increase in invertebrate activity. The 8^th proved to be somewhat of a red-letter day – easterly winds and drizzle/rain produced three Grey Plover over Wheldrake Ings, followed by a total of 43 Black Terns and 11 Arctic Terns through Bank and Wheldrake in a couple of hours after dawn. One or two Black Terns continued to pass through during the following week, along with other notable gulls including Kittiwake and Little Gull.

It was another great month for Garganey, with almost daily sightings, including up to seven drakes and four females at Bank Island, Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs. A single pair of Pintail remained, along with 10 Egyptian Geese in the East Cottingwith area, including one pair with a brood of three, whilst five Pink-footed Geese lingered until the 20^th. Little Egret numbers soared - as well as 16 pairs in the heronry, up to 69 adults were present in the valley on the 17^th – with perhaps as many as 85 in the area. A Great White Egret was present in the area (10^th-14^th) followed by a Common Crane (15^th/16^th). A Corncrake was present at Bank Island on the 13^th with the first of two Quail heard at Wheldrake on the 19^th.  

Wader passage was above average, with new and improved habitat in the valley proving attractive. Little Ringed Plovers lingered, whist up to 19 Ringed Plovers appeared to be on the move (16^th-18^th). Three Turnstone (10^th) were notable, along with Spotted Redshank (10^th/11^th and 15^th/17^th), five Greenshank, three Common Sandpiper, eleven Dunlin and an obliging Wood Sandpiper (17^th). The Whimbrel roost proved difficult to count as birds occupied different roost sites, however 66 were logged on the 1^st followed by 25 still lingering on the 10^th. 

Other highlights - a Long-eared Owl at North Duffield Carrs (15^th), 30 singing male Cuckoo and a Green Woodpecker at Bank Island (19^th), where up to 16 pairs of Sand Martins were busy excavating nest holes in the new bank. 

Many thanks as always, to everyone who has contributed records and photographs throughout the month, particularly to the YOC and regular LDV birder Duncan Bye (credited DB). 

BIRDS: 

Mute Swan – In addition to 13 breeding pairs, a total of 118 non-breeders were counted throughout the site on the 4^th, making a total of 144 individuals present. 98 non-breeders remained on the 16^th, with 89 on the 19^th reducing to 52 by month end, as birds departed for the moulting sites and water levels receded. The first cygnets were a brood of nine near Melbourne on the 18^th followed by four at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd. A clutch of five were hatching at Sutton-upon-Derwent on the 24^th, with two broods of three appearing at Bank Island and Wheldrake on the 27^th.

Mute Swan - North Duffield - 27/05

Greylag Goose – Up to 57 goslings were present at Wheldrake on the 2^nd, when 23 were also noted at North Duffield Carrs and 14 at Sutton-upon-Derwent. A full count throughout the site resulted in a total of 203 adults and 83 goslings on the 6^th, with a further 11 pairs raising 34 goslings on ponds off the reserve in the adjacent area. 

Pink-footed Goose – Two remained at North Duffield Carrs until the 9^th, before appearing at Wheldrake on the 10^th. Five were then present at North Duffield Carrs between the 17^th-20^th. 

Canada Goose – Several pairs bred on local ponds and lakes in the wider area (8 goslings were seen at East Cottingwith on the 16^th, followed by 18 there on the 28^th), whilst two pairs were breeding at Wheldrake Ings. Small numbers of non-breeding birds were present, with a total of 31 seen on the 15^th.

Egyptian Goose – A single pair were present briefly at Wheldrake on the 6^th and 14^th. Three pairs (one with three goslings), were present in the East Cottingwith area on the 15^th, whilst five adults and a pair with three goslings were seen there on the 18^th. By month end it was clear that there were four pairs, with an additional single adult and three goslings in the area.

Egyptian Goose - East Cottingwith - 27/05

Shelduck – Good numbers remained, with pairs scattered around the valley and wider area. 62 ‘off duty’ males were counted on the 18^th followed by 72 on the 24^th. 

Wigeon – Up to seven pairs and three drakes remained throughout the month.

Teal – Over 100 still remained early in the month, An estimated 45-55 pairs were present throughout the site.

Mallard – Broods continued to appear as the month progressed. 

Garganey – Birds continued to show well with daily sightings from Bank Island and Wheldrake early in the month of up to three pairs between the sites. A pair were present at North Duffield Carrs from the 5^th, with an impressive total of 7 drakes and 3 females across the site on the 6^th. Up to 5 drakes and 2 females remained and showed well in the Wheldrake/Bank Island area thereafter, with another pair at North Duffield Carrs throughout. A survey on the 13^th produced a full count of four pairs and three drakes (CSR, FM). A drake was displaying to two females at Bank Island on the 17^th, when pairs were also present at Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs. A single female was reported at Bank Island with two young on the 18^th followed by another female appearing with a brood of eight there on the 30^th. 

Garganey - Wheldrake Ings - 19/05 - DB

Pintail – Singles pairs remained at Bank Island and Wheldrake early in the month. 

Gadwall – Up to 107 pairs were located throughout the site, with up to 51 at Wheldrake where 29 drakes were pursuit flighting after a lone female on the 16^th. The first brood, of five, were present at Wheldrake on the 7^th, with additional broods appearing at month end.

Shoveler – Up to 70 pairs remained throughout the site.

Tufted Duck – 31 pairs were present throughout the site during the month.

Pochard – A single drake on the pool at Wheldrake on the 11^th-15^th. 

Goosander – A single drake was present at Bank Island on the 11^th.

Cormorant – Small numbers remained throughout the month with up to 13 at the Wheldrake roost.

Little Egret – 27 were present throughout the site on the 2^nd, including counts of 10 individuals at both Bank Island and North Duffield Carrs, several pairs were also thought to be incubating by this time. Nine were present at North Duffield on the 4^th followed by 10 there on the 6^th and 12 on the 7^th. A total of 29 were there on the 15^th when at least 39 were present throughout the whole site. A remarkable roost of 52 were seen at North Duffield Carrs later in the day, with 69 present throughout the whole site the following morning (excluding breeding birds in the heronry) – perhaps up to 85 birds were present at this time. 16 nests were counted in the heronry on the 17^th. Numbers at North Duffield then declined with up to 20 daily thereafter. 

Birds were also reported as being more widespread in the wider Derwent catchment with four at Stamford Bridge on the 6^th being a notable record.

Little Egrets - North Duffield Carrs - 17/05 - DB

Grey Heron – Sightings increased during the month as the adults were busy feeding broods, with 14 on Wheldrake and 11 at North Duffield on the 15^th. The first fledged young appeared at Wheldrake on the 17^th and North Duffield on the 21^st with several further young fledged by month end. 

Great White Egret – A single over Bank Island towards Wheldrake on the 10^th (FM, CSR, JT) where it was seen the following day with presumably the same bird back at Bank Island on the 14^th. Another was present at North Duffield on the 31^st (CSR). 

Marsh Harrier – A single cream crown was at Wheldrake on the 3^rd and again on the 7^th with another at Bubwith on the 30^th.

Peregrine – A single at North Duffield on the 15^th.

Red Kite – Regular sightings during the month of up to 3-4 pairs in the area. 

Hobby – Two to three were present daily at both Wheldrake and Bank Island from the 1^st, with one also at Thorganby Ings on the 5^th. Sightings became scarce with the cooler weather but five then re-appeared with warmer temperatures at Bank Island/Wheldrake on the 11^th. Six were present in the Wheldrake/Bank Island area on the 12^th followed by five there on the 13^th and four at Bank Island on the 15^th. Birds were less obvious thereafter with singles widely scattered with one over Bubwith Ings on the 28^th/29^th and North Duffield Ings on the 31^st. 

Merlin – A rather unseasonal male was at North Duffield on the 22^nd. 

Grey Partridge – A pair near North Duffield Carrs on the 6^th and 7^th with another nearby on the 15^th and 27^th.

Grey Partridge - North Duffield - 07/05/19 

Quail – A singing male was at Wheldrake on the 19^th (DB) and 20^th (CSR), when another was present at Storwood Ings (CSR, FM, GD). 

Corncrake – A single was flushed from the side of the path towards the hides at Bank Island on the 13^th.

Water Rail – Up to six singing males at Wheldrake with a single at Bank Island on the 1^st and North Duffield Carrs on the 15^th. 

Spotted Crake – Two calling males, with possibly a third, present in the refuge at Wheldrake at dusk on the 1^st (CSR). A single was then located at Bank Island after dark (2320hrs) on the 22^nd (DB, CSR) and again at dawn the next day. 

Coot – The first brood of two newly hatched chicks were at Wheldrake on the 8^th with a brood of four later seen at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd. Another brood of six appeared at North Duffield on the 27^th when another pair were incubating eight eggs.

Common Crane – A single sub-adult was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 15^th (CSR) and again the following day at Aughton Ings (FM). 

Little Ringed Plover – A single remained at Bank Island from the 1^st - 13^th. One was associating with a Ringed Plover flock at North Duffield Carrs on the 16^th with four there the next day and one remaining on the 18^th – 22^nd. Two were present again at Bank Island on the 22^nd, remaining to month end.

Little Ringed Plover - NDC - 22/05

Ringed Plover – A single at Wheldrake on the 1^st and 6^th, when one was also present at North Duffield Carrs, and again on the 15^th. Eleven tundra birds were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 16^th with eight arriving later the same day at Bank Island. Three were present the next day at North Duffield Carrs and again on the 18^th – 22^nd with two also present at Bank Island (22^nd). Five were present at North Duffield on the 24^th – 27^th with one at Bank Island on the 31^st.

Grey Plover – Three vocal birds flew north over Wheldrake on the 8^th (CG).

Lapwing – The first chicks were present on arable near Ellerton Ings on the 1^st. Sample counts included 20 pairs at Wheldrake, 23 at North Duffield Carrs and 6 at Aughton Ings and Bank Island – an estimated 70 pairs present throughout the site. Two pairs had three young each at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd. 

Snipe – 14 drumming birds were present after dark on North Duffield Carrs on the 15^th (DB, CSR) with good numbers present throughout the site.

Woodcock – Three roding birds were at Skipwith Common on the 22^nd. 

Dunlin – One at North Duffield Carrs on the 6^th. Eleven were scattered between Wheldrake and Bank Island on the 10^th with another at Bank Island on the 15^th and two there the next day. A single was present at North Duffield Carrs with a flock of Ringed Plover on the 23^rd – 27^th with another at Wheldrake on the 27^th and two at Bank Island on the 31^st.  

Ruff – Up to 11 remained at one lekk site on the 4^th but declined thereafter with just singles reported on the 18^th and 22^nd.  

Black-tailed Godwit – Two were present at Wheldrake on the 1^st with three at Bank Island on the 3^rd.

Curlew – Up to 65 pairs present throughout the site. 

Whimbrel – A co-ordinated roost count on Wheldrake produced a count of 66 on the 1^st - down on recent years but perhaps in part the result of a change of day time feeding and roosting behaviour caused by the dry conditions. Birds spent more time feeding on the Ings than usual with regular small groups at Wheldrake. 18 were recorded on the floodbank at East Cottingwith on the 1^st followed by 10 at Bank Island on the 3^rd. 30 were present during the day at Wheldrake on the 5^th while 25 were still there on the 10^th. 

Whimbrel - Wheldrake - 03/05 - DB

Redshank – Up to 20 pairs remained throughout the month with 6 pairs at Wheldrake, 5 at North Duffield and 2 at Bank Island. 

Spotted Redshank – A single summer plumaged adult was at Wheldrake on the 10^th/11^th with the same or another there on the 15^th-17^th.  

Greenshank – A single at Wheldrake on the 1^st with another on the 8^th followed by singles at Bank Island on the 9^th and North Duffield on the 15^th. Five were at North Duffield on the 17^th and 18^th with three there on the 19^th and 20^th. 

Common Sandpiper – A single was calling after dark at Bank Island on the 10^th with two at Elvington Water Treatment Works on the 20^th. 

Wood Sandpiper – A single at Bank Island on the 14^th with another at North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th. 

Wood Sandpiper - North Duffield - 17/05

Turnstone – Three circled Bank Island on the 10^th before flying off high, north east (CSR).

Greater Black-backed Gull – Up to 100 lingered during the days at North Duffield during the month, feeding in nearby fields - 60+ were recorded there on the 6^th. 

Lesser Black-backed Gull – Ten at North Duffield on the 4^th and eight on the 6^th. 

Common Gull – 19 sub-adults and immatures paused briefly at Bank Island on the 1^st before flying off south. Small numbers passed through and lingered during the month including 50 sub adults throughout the site on the 18^th. 

Kittiwake – A single adult was present briefly at Bank Island on the 23^rd (AF).

Little Gull – A single first summer bird at North Duffield Carrs on the 27^th (CSR, MFJ).

Common Tern – Five were present at Wheldrake on the 1^st/2^nd with up to three there thereafter (and at Bank Island). Four at Wheldrake on the 12^th and by the 13^th two pairs had settled on the Wheldrake raft (five birds present there on the 15^th). One pair at North Duffield Carrs from the 13^th. 

Common Tern - North Duffield Carrs - 27/05

Arctic Tern – Three flew over Wheldrake and Bank Island on the 4^th (DB, CSR). The easterly winds and heavy rain which brought a large movement of Black Terns through the site on the 8^th also produced six at Bank Island and three at Wheldrake (CSR, CG).

Black Tern – The combination of easterly air flows and heavy rain on the 8^th saw a huge movement through the valley with 43 north between 0700hrs and 0930hrs at Bank Island and Wheldrake (CSR, CG). This represents the second largest day total on record. Singles then followed at Bank Island and Wheldrake on the 9^th and two at Wheldrake on the 11^th. A further single was at Wheldrake on the 16^th and 20^th – total of 49 birds. 

Long-eared Owl – A single was being mobbed by Blackbirds at North Duffield Carrs on the 15^th with one possibly heard nearby, earlier on the 12^th. 

Tawny Owl - Present throughout the valley and wider area with regular birds recorded throughout the month at Bank Island and in hedgerows around the NNR base. A small owlet was ringed near Wheldrake village early in the month, with another brood found near Seavy Carr on the 28^th. 

Barn Owl – Scare early in the month with increasing activity towards month end suggesting birds had hatched young and were more actively feeding broods. Bank Island proved popular with birds hunting at dawn and mid-afternoon onwards, where they showed well on the gate post in front of the first hide.

Cuckoo – Sample counts produced four singing males in the Wheldrake/Low Grounds/Bank Island area, along with three along the Pocklington Canal in the Melbourne area, a further ten between Canal Head at Church Bridge and seven between Melbourne and East Cottingwith.   Three were present in Thorganby Parish and at Skipwith Common, two at Bubwith and singles at North Duffield Carrs, North Duffield Ings, East Cottingwith, Ellerton, South Grange Farm, Aughton and Breighton Meadows (39 singing males in total). 

Swift – 20 arrived at Bank Island on the 2^nd (the first multiple arrival), with 40 noted between Bank Island and Wheldrake on the 3^rd. 100+ were present throughout the site on the 6^th, increasing to 300+ over Bank Island on the 9^th. The following day 500+ were recorded in the Wheldrake/Bank Island area on the 10^th. Small but regular numbers were recorded thereafter, with 50+ at Bank Island and North Duffield on the 31^st. 

Green Woodpecker – One calling at Bank Island on the 19^th.

Song Thrush – The first fledged brood was seen at the NNR base at Bank Island on the 31^st.

Sand Martin – 150 were present at Bank Island on the 3^rd. Eight pairs were observed excavating holes at Bank Island on the 15^th followed by 11 on the 20^th. Three to four pairs were in and out of holes at Bubwith Bridge on the 16^th, with several pairs also seen around the old railway line bridge at North Duffield Ings. By month end up to 16 pairs had excavated holes at Bank Island with 10 also recorded around the Wheldrake sand bank on the 28^th – on this date five pairs were incubating clutches at Bank Island. 

Sand Martins - Bank Island - 20/05

Swallow – 200+ were present at Bank Island on the 3^rd with 400+ there on the 10^th. 

House Martin – 100+ were present at Bank Island on the 3^rd with 200+ on there on the 10^th. 

Woodlark – Up to six singing males were recorded at Skipwith Common throughout the month.

Tree Pipit – Up to three singing birds were heard at Skipwith Common early in the month.

Wheatear – A single at North Duffield Carrs on the 6^th with a female at Bank Island on the 26^th. 

Spotted Flycatcher – A single at the Melbourne Arm on the Pocklington Canal on the 18^th was the first of the year (NC), followed by one at North Duffield Carrs on the 27^th (CSR, DB). 

Yellow Wagtail – Up to 20 roosted at Wheldrake early in the month. Above average numbers were present throughout the site thereafter, both on the Ings and surrounding farmland.

Yellow Wagtail - North Duffield Carrs - 17/05

Long-tailed Tit – The first fledged family parties were at Wheldrake on the 12^th followed by one brood of seven at Ellerton on the 16^th, whilst five juveniles were caught and ringed at the NNR base on the 29^th.

Willow Tit – New calling birds/pairs were located at North Duffield Carrs (two), North Duffield Ings (two) - bringing the total of territorial birds/pairs in the valley to 22.

Garden Warbler – Up to six were present at both Wheldrake and Skipwith Common early in the month with scattered birds present throughout thereafter.

Lesser Whitethroat – Five birds were caught and ringed at Bank Island during the month.

Grasshopper Warbler – A single reeling male was at North Duffield Carrs on the 27^th and Thornton Ellers on the 31^st. 

Cetti’s Warbler – One heard by the Pocklington Canal near Melbourne on the 28^th (JB, JC). 

Greenfinch – The first fledged young were caught and ringed in the Bank Island base garden on the 31^st.

Corn Bunting – Singing birds were back on the Ings with singles at North Duffield, Bubwith and Ellerton on the 15^th, followed by two singing on Bubwith Ings on the 30^th. Good numbers scattered over the wider eastern side of the valley.

MAMMALS:

Brown Hare – Widespread throughout the site with daily sightings – including a large count of 13 at North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th. 

Red Fox – One at Wheldrake was seen regularly during the month with a single cub there after dark on the 11^th. 

Otter – A single on the River Derwent at North Duffield Carrs on the 10^th. 

Roe Deer – Recorded almost daily at Bank Island and Wheldrake, including a record of seven at Wheldrake on 3^rd. Occasional sightings at North Duffield, Skipwith Common and Thornton Ellers. 

Roe Deer - North Duffield - 27/05

Fallow Deer – Five at Skipwith on the 22^nd were followed by six there on the 23^rd. Five at Bank Island on the 31^st was more of an unusual record. 

Harvest Mouse – A single at Melbourne on the 10^th (NC).

MOTHS:

A very busy month of trapping, with a total of 234 individuals recorded, highlights included: Lime Hawk-moth (pictured below), Muslin, Knot Grass, Pale Tussock and Lychnis. 

BUTTERFLIES:

Brimstone – Singles at Bank Island on the 12^th and 17^th.

Orange Tip – Three at Bank Island on the 1^st and one there on the 4^th. Single at Bank Island on the 11^th followed by 11 at Wheldrake, the following day 10 were recorded at Wheldrake and five at Bank Island. On the 17^th three were at Wheldrake, with two seen there the next day. Flurry of sightings on the 19^th started with 14 at Wheldrake and 9 at Bank Island, followed by two at North Duffield Carrs. Six at Bank Island on the 25^th. 

Orange Tip - Escrick - 15/05

Small Tortoiseshell – Two at Wheldrake on the 1^st, single at Bank Island on the 11^th and two at Wheldrake. Three at Bank Island and four at Wheldrake on the 12^th. Four at Wheldrake on the 17^th and single at Bank Island on the 19^th with three also at Wheldrake. Single at Wheldrake on the 27^th.

Specked Wood – Two at Wheldrake on the 1^st, followed by singles on the 15^th and 17^th, and one at Bank Island on the 25^th. 

Holly Blue – One at North Duffield Carrs on the 19^th, followed by singles in the NNR base garden on the 23^rd and again on the 31^st.  

Common Blue – A single near Ellerton Ings on the 15^th when one was also present in the NNR base garden at Bank Island, with four between there and Wheldrake on the same date.  Four at Bubwith and two at North Duffield on the 28^th with one at the reserve base on the 30^th. 

Small Copper – One at Wheldrake on the 13^th was followed by singles at North Duffield Carrs and Bank Island, and four at Aughton on the 15^th.

Small Heath – Two at Wheldrake on the 13^th.

OTHERS:

Large Red Damselfly – One at Newton Mask on the 15^th.

Banded Demoiselle – The first individuals of the year (10+) were recorded at Wheldrake on the 19^th.

Hornet – The first of the year was reported from Wheldrake on the 17^th with one at Melbourne on the 21^st, Bank Island on the 22^nd and Wheldrake on the 27^th.