Several weeks ago the team carried out the January WeBS count (Wetland Bird
Survey) across the valley. WeBS is the monitoring scheme for non-breeding
waterbirds in the UK, which aims to provide the principal data for the
conservation of their populations and wetland habitats. It was previously known
as the National Wildfowl Count, before changing to the Wildfowl and Wader
Count and now the Wetland Bird Survey – which includes gulls, terns,
kingfishers, herons and cormorants etc. Continuing a tradition begun in 1947,
around 3,000 volunteer counters undertake monthly counts at around 2000
wetlands of all habitat types throughout the year, but mainly during the winter
period of September to March. This allows bird populations to be monitored on a
national and international level, but also picks up more local trends at the
site level or changes with regards to climate change.
For example, the survey has become extremely well placed to
contribute valuable information on the potential spread and context of Avian
Influenza arriving or spreading in the UK. It has also shown that the
international population of Bewick’s Swans has decreased, but that further
decreases in the UK (and the LDV) can be contributed to the birds
‘short-stopping’ in the low countries in Europe.
The LDV has seen WeBS counts or predecessors undertaken
since the 1970’s so there is a run of 40+ years of data on wetland bird
populations across the site – changes have included the incredible rise in
numbers of Greylag Geese from only a handful in the 1970’s to over 2500+ in
recent years, and the crash in the population of Bewick’s Swans has dropped
from 300+ in the 1970’s to a mere one or two returning in recent winters.
Following the freezing conditions and minus temperatures on
the morning of the count the majority of the site was found to be frozen, thus
concentrating all the remaining birds on to the few open pools of water.
Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs held the majority of the birds, with a
few extras seen on the river.
North Duffield held an impressive number of wildfowl, with
c2500 Teal, c3000 Wigeon, c300 Mallard, 134 Shelduck, 10 Pintail, 7 Mute Swans
and 65 Whooper Swans. Wheldrake Ings, largely around Swantail Hide, also held
good numbers of birds, however they were all packed in tightly in one area thus
making counting difficult, resulting in the counts presumably not representing
the full amount present. At least 5500 Wigeon and 2250 Teal were counted, along
with 97 Pintail, 15 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 27 Gadwall, 1134 Mallard, 11 Coot,
360 Greylag Geese, 100 Canada Geese, 51 Mute Swans and 3 Whooper Swans.
In contrast to the wildfowl, the freezing conditions caused
a mass clear-out of wintering waders, with just 3 Dunlin, 5 Common Snipe and a
single Redshank remaining from the previous week’s high numbers. The rest, we presume,
may have moved down to the upper Humber on to softer areas in which to probe
for food - where they are likely to stay until the site here begins to thaw.
A variety of raptors were also a pleasing addition to the
days sightings, with a Peregrine no doubt being the highlight as it soared over
the water at Duffield, immediately flushing all the ducks in to the air
creating quite a spectacle. Four Buzzards at Wheldrake along with a single
Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Red Kite were also seen.
A few mammals also made it on
to the day list including a Red Fox crossing the ice at Wheldrake
and two female Roe Deer by the hide.
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