Apr' 22

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - April Sightings

April was a standout month for Garganey, with multiple birds present at several sites daily throughout the month. At least four pairs and three additional drakes remained at month end, with at least three females thought to be incubating. Common Cranes put on a great display with two to four appearing regularly, with up to nine one day – possibly the wandering flock of nine seen recently on the upper Humber. Last months early Spotted Crake influx resulted in up to nine birds calling early in the month, becoming increasingly less vocal from mid-month.

The record-breaking passage of Black-tailed Godwits continued, with a peak of 521 on the 3^rd. A degree of turnover was identified as the flock reduced and increased again, until the last four were seen on the 26^th before a late single moved through on the 30^th.

Other highlights were at least three Twite found in the flock of Linnets in the Newton Mask area – a species which is now very hard to locate in the area. Two Bearded Tits were at Wheldrake on the morning of the 2^nd - the first record of spring birds on the reserve, whilst between 11 - 12 singing Cetti’s Warbler finally announced the arrival of the species as a breeding bird in the area.  

First returning dates for summer migrants included Swallow (1^st), Willow Warbler (2^nd), Sedge Warbler (10^th), House Martin (11^th), Wheatear, Ring Ouzel, and Yellow Wagtail (12^th), Whitethroat and Reed Warbler (13^th), Whinchat (15^th), Lesser Whitethroat (16^th), and Cuckoo and Grasshopper Warbler (18^th) – before the first Swifts appeared on the 29^th.

As always many thanks to everyone who submitted counts and records throughout the month, in particular to members of York Birding, and regular patch birder Duncan Bye, thanks also to Duncan, Adam Firth, Matt Gowney, Jono Leadley & Jean Thorpe for the use of their images below.

BIRDS: 

Whooper Swan – The resident herd further reduced with 11 remaining on the 4^th. A passage herd of 22 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th whilst 14 flew north up the reserve on the 9^th. A single was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th.

Singles remained at Storwood and Aughton early in the month with one on the canal at Storwood thereafter to end month.

Mute Swan – 56 were grazing on arable fields by Derwent Farm on the 4^th, by which time three pairs were incubating clutches at North Duffield Carrs. 108 were present throughout the site with clutches of 7, 8 and 8 at North Duffield on the 16^th, with another nest built but no eggs, and a further pair on the riverbank. Four pairs were recorded at Wheldrake with another at Bank Island. Five pairs were noted along the Pocklington Canal, with one on the Low Grounds and four pairs on ponds in the wider area – total of 20 pairs throughout.

Mute Swan - North Duffield Carrs - 30/04 - LDV Team

Greylag Goose – 197 adults were counted throughout the site on the 16^th when the first broods were noted at Wheldrake – 22 Goslings from 2 broods. 10 goslings were then seen in a brood at North Duffield Carrs, with another brood of nine nearby.

Canada Goose – A small number of pairs remained scattered throughout the wider area on ponds and small lakes rather than the Ings.

Pink-footed Goose – 19 flew north-west over Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th.

Pink-footed Geese - Wheldrake Ings - 10/04 - DB

Egyptian Goose – Five were present at Wheldrake on the 10^th, with three there on the 15^th.  Three or four were seen regularly in the Low Grounds/Wheldrake area thereafter, with 10 on the reserve on the 16^th – when the first brood of nine were at East Cottingwith. Three or four birds were in the Wheldrake/Low Grounds area during the month, with five there on the 16^th and six on the 23^rd. The brood at East Cottingwith numbered seven on the 28^th with a second brood of at least three at the same site on the 30^th.

Shelduck – 162 were recorded across the reserve on the 1^st, with a further wave of migrants noted later in the month, in addition to the local breeding population (via ringing studies/colour-ringed birds), many of these birds being first year individuals. A total of 113 were counted throughout the site on the 16^th.

Ruddy Shelduck – Two were at Aughton Ings with 11 Shelduck on the 16^th.

Mandarin – A male was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th.

Wigeon – 3,654 remained throughout the site on the 4^th, with a large clear out around the 11^th/12^th - leaving just 307 by the 16^th. 68 remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th with 24 there on the 28^th.

Teal – 1,733 remained throughout the site on the 4^th, with numbers decreasing quickly thereafter to 689 by the 16^th. 570 were still present at Wheldrake on the 22^nd – followed by 440 on the 24^th and 28^th to month end. 60 were at North Duffield Carrs on the 30^th with six at Thornton Ellers – total of 548 present on that date throughout the site.

Mallard – 20+ broods appeared throughout the month.

Gadwall – 160 were counted on the 4^th, with 194 present throughout on the 16^th. The majority of females were incubating at month end, with several concentrations of 20-30 loafing drakes around the reserve.

Shoveler – 215 were recorded on the 4^th, with 228 noted on the 16^th. A single pursuit flight at Wheldrake on the 27^th involved 60 drakes after a single female.

Garganey – Two drakes were present at both Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs on the 2^nd with one at Bank Island on the 3^rd. A pair were at North Duffield Carrs and a drake at Bank Island on the 4^th followed by two there on the 5^th. Two ducks and a drake were seen at Bank Island on the 7^th and 8^th with a pair caught and ringed there on that date. Drakes were present at Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs on the 11^th when three birds remained at Bank Island (drake and two ducks). Drakes were at Wheldrake and North Duffield on the 12^th, with two drakes at each North Duffield, Bank Island and Wheldrake on the 13^th. Several were then present daily at numerous sites thereafter to month end, with seven recorded on the WeBS on the 16^th. A pair were on the Low Grounds from the 17^th onwards, with three pairs and three additional drakes on the reserve on the 20^th to month end - including three drakes and a duck pursuit-flighting on Wheldrake on the 25^th. Five drakes were at Wheldrake on 26^th with a single drake at Thornton Ellers on the 30^th – on the same day a single pair remained at North Duffield Carrs.

Pintail – Numbers remained high with 174 on the 4^th. A large clear out of overwintering ducks was noted on the 9^th/10^th, with nocturnal passage recorded overnight at Elvington on the 10^th. 73 were still present at Wheldrake on 13^th but only 29 remained throughout the site on the 16^th. As few as 12 were recorded on the 24^th with a pair remaining at Wheldrake to month end.

Pintail - Bank Island - 02/04 - DB

Tufted Duck – Up to 35-40 pairs were scattered throughout the site to month end.

Scaup – A single female was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th.

Pochard – Two pairs remained on the pool at Wheldrake early in the month with three drakes and two females on the 4^th. Two drakes were present on the 13^th and 16^th, with a pair observed copulating on the 18^th. A single drake was at North Duffield Carrs on the 20^th. At least one pair remained at Wheldrake to month end.

Goldeneye – Seven were at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th with two remaining between the 10^th-16^th. A single female was present until month end.

Common Scoter – An adult drake was at Wheldrake on the 2^nd followed by a female on the 4^th. A female was rescued further up the Derwent near Malton on the 6^th – before being released at the coast the following day. Flocks were recorded on nocturnal passage over Elvington overnight on the 9^th/10^th, with small numbers of flocks continuing to be picked up on nocturnal recorders thereafter until the 13^th (two flocks just after midnight), and a single flock on the 14^th. None were recorded thereafter until a single flock of male and female calls were picked up overnight at 0300hrs on the 30^th.

Common Scoter - 06/04 - JT

Goosander – Three flew into roost at North Duffield Carrs on the 13^th.

Cormorant – Up to 30 remained at the Wheldrake Ings roost throughout the month.

Little Grebe – Nine pairs were present on the Ings with four additional pairs on other local water bodies.

Great Crested Grebe – A single on Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th and 29^th.  

Black-necked Grebe – A summer plumaged bird at North Duffield Carrs on the 16^th.

Grey Heron – Good numbers were present throughout the site during the month as birds were feeding young in the local heronry - total of 27 pairs on the 28^th. Many nests held large young on that date with the first fledged juvenile at Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th - with an incubation period of 25 days and a fledging period of 7-8 weeks, this gives an approximate laying date around early to mid-February.

Little Egret – Six were at Aughton, seven at Wheldrake and four at Bank Island on the 13^th, with 21 across the site on the 14^th when a colour-ringed bird ‘H4’ was at Bank Island - ringed as a breeding adult in 2019. Another colour-ringed bird, ringed as a chick in Hartlepool in 2019, was present at Bank Island during the month. A total of 32 nests were counted in the heronry on the 28^th.

Little Egret - Wheldrake Ings - 02/04 - DB

Great White Egret – Two were at North Duffield Carrs with another at Thornton Ellers on the 2^nd. Three were at Skipwith Common on the 13^th followed by one at Bank Island on the 22^nd and 29^th.

Common Crane – A single un-ringed adult was at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st (DB, AF et al), and remained the following morning. It was then joined by two additional birds before all three headed north mid morning – being reported from Staveley, near Ripon, later in the day. A single circled Sutton-upon-Derwent on the morning of the 10^th, before later passing south over Wheldrake Ings, North Duffield Carrs and then off towards Skipwith Common. Four were at Thornton Ellers early on the 11^th with two over North Duffield Carrs and Aughton Ings on the 19^th. A single appeared at Skipwith Common on the 19^th with six flying north at Bank Island on the same date. Four were present at Melbourne on the 21^st with two over the Low Grounds and Bank Island on the 22^nd. A single was reported at Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th.

Common Crane - Wheldrake Ings - 01/04 - DB

Osprey – A single flew high and north, over East Cottingwith and Bank Island at midday on the 14^th, before being followed by another an hour later and a third later in the day. A single headed over Wheldrake on the 22^nd whilst one lingered throughout the afternoon at East Cottingwith Ings on the 25^th.  

Marsh Harrier – Three were present across the reserve on the 2^nd, with two still at Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th-12^th and regular sightings of one or two thereafter to month end. A female was seen carrying nesting material on the 22^nd/23^rd with three females at Wheldrake on the 28^th and two on the 29^th.

Marsh Harrier - Wheldrake Ings - 24/04 - DB

Red Kite – Single was present on the 1^st with others at Thorganby, North Duffield Carrs and Thornton Ellers on the 2^nd. Four were at Wheldrake on the 10^th with three over Melbourne on the 14^th.

Common Buzzard – 30+ were counted from North Duffield Carrs on the 2^nd with 6 at Thornton Ellers, 8 at Wheldrake Ings and 8 recorded elsewhere – minimum of 52+ around the reserve. Nine were visible from the Thorganby viewing platform on the 10^th.

Peregrine Falcon – Two were at North Duffield Carrs on the 2^nd with another at Wheldrake Ings on the same date. A single was at Thorganby Ings on the 10^th with a buff-headed immature at Wheldrake on the 11^th with another high south there on the 18^th.

Goshawk – A single was displaying at an un-disclosed location on the 8^th with another nearby on the 10^th. A further two displaying birds were noted in the wider area.

Merlin – Single at Thornton on the 2^nd with one observed chasing Meadow Pipits at Seavy Carr on the 24^th.

Hobby – The first returning bird was at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th, with singles at Wheldrake on the 17^th and daily thereafter until two on the 24^th and 25^th and daily thereafter.

Hobby - Wheldrake Ings - 28/04 - DB

Coot – Numbers continued to increase with 214 on the 4^th and 238 on the 16^th. A brood of four were at East Cottingwith on the 27^th. A brood then appeared on the pool at Wheldrake on the 29^th.

Spotted Crake – A fourth bird was calling on Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st when two were calling at 10:30hrs during daylight. Another was on nearby Skipwith Common on the same date. Daytime calling birds were heard at both Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs on the 2^nd, with another new bird at Wheldrake on the same date – at least seven calling birds recorded by this date. Birds continued to call at dusk, through the night and at dawn, with occasional singing throughout the day - three were still at Wheldrake at dusk on the 4^th and 5^th although calling activity had dropped. Birds were still calling, night and day on the 10^th – 11^th with three, possibly four, still calling after dark on the 12^th. ‘New’ birds were heard at Aughton and the Low Grounds on the 13^th. Thereafter, birds were largely silent with two calling at Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th. A single was calling at a new location in the refuge area after dark on the 27^th – possibly a new arrival.

Water Rail – A singing male was at North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th with eight there after dark on the 19^th and regularly thereafter. Up to eight calling birds also remained in the reedbed/pool area at Wheldrake, with three at Bank Island and four scattered singles elsewhere – total of 23 singing birds. Single was recorded on nocturnal passage over Elvington overnight on the 22^nd.

Little Ringed Plover – A pair were displaying near Newton Mask on the 4^th with a single at North Duffield Carrs on the 11^th. One passed over Elvington on the night of the 15^th/16^th, with a single at Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th - a pair were at Thornton Ellers on the same date. Single at Bank Island on the 25^th.

Ringed Plover – Four dropped into the Low Grounds with two Sanderling on the 12^th – the first for the year, followed by another at Thornton Ellers on the 16^th.

Oystercatcher – Up to 17 pairs were present in the area with three pairs nesting on arable near East Cottingwith towards the month end.

Golden Plover – 119 ‘northern’ birds were still at Wheldrake on the 1^st, followed by 32 on the 4^th and 76 on the 7^th. A single was recorded on the 11^th and 14^th, with 32 present at Thornton Ings on the 16^th.

Grey Plover – A single was found at Thornton Ellers on the 13^th (NC).

Grey Plover - Thornton Ellers - 13/04 - JL

Snipe – There was once again a clear marked passage of birds through the site during the month, with 500+ at Wheldrake on the 13^th, when an estimated 800+ were present throughout the site. 300+ were recorded at Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th followed by 180+ at North Duffield Carrs on the 19^th – including six birds drumming, with two also heard drumming at Bubwith Ings. A total of 12 drumming birds were present by month end.

Jack Snipe – Two were at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th with five there on the 18^th. Single at North Duffield Carrs on the 19^th.

Curlew – The first clutch was found at North Duffield Carrs on the 21^st with two more by month end.

Whimbrel – Seven arrived at Wheldrake on the morning of the 12^th, followed by two over Bubwith Ings during the day and three at North Duffield Carrs. 15 were at the Wheldrake roost on the 13^th (with three more roosting at North Duffield Carrs). One or two then roosted at Wheldrake daily until three on the 19^th, 12 on the 20^th, 15 on the 25^th and 30+ on the 26^th. At least 15 roosted in front of Tower Hide on the 28^th with at least 42 in two roost sites on the 29^th. Three were daytime feeding on North Duffield Carrs on the 30^th.

Whimbrel - North Duffield Carrs - 30/04 - DB

Dunlin – 25 were still present at Wheldrake on the 1^st with five there on the 10^th and 11^th.

Sanderling – Two dropped into the Low Grounds with four Ringed Plovers on the 12^th.

Ruff – 20 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st followed by three there on the 10^th. Five were at Bank Island on the 11^th with 10 at Wheldrake on the 12^th and six at North Duffield Carrs on the 13^th. Nine were at Wheldrake on the 16^th followed by 12 on the 17^th. Up to 12 remained thereafter with two at Wheldrake on the 29^th and five on the 30^th.

Redshank – 15 pairs were present throughout the site.

Greenshank – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th was the first of the year with two picked up on nocturnal passage over Elvington on the 14^th. Singles were present at Wheldrake on the 28^th and North Duffield Carrs on the 29^th and 30^th.  

Black-tailed Godwit – A total of 451 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with 500+ there on the 2^nd. 503 were at Wheldrake on the 3^rd when 18 were also at North Duffield Carrs. 400+ were then recorded daily thereafter until the 7^th, before some departed leaving 192 on the 8^th and 9^th, and 100 on the 10^th and 11^th. Presumably further passage birds moving through brought numbers to 250+ on the 12^th (with two caught and ringed on this date having low weights - consistent with being newly arrived). 437 were recorded across the site on the 13^th. 136 remained on the 15^th with 147 throughout the site on the 16^th and 95 at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th-18^th. 59 remained at North Duffield Carrs on the 19^th and 20^th, with 10 in the Wheldrake Ings/Low Ground area on the same date. 10 remained on the reserve thereafter until the 24^th, with nine on the 25^th and four on the 26^th. A single was present on the 30^th.

Black-tailed Godwits - Wheldrake Ings - 16/04 - DB

Green Sandpiper – Two were at Thornton Ellers on the 15^th with one remaining on the 16^th. Two, presumably the same lingering birds, were at Seavy Carr on the 24^th, with one also at Bank Island on the 24^th-25^th and one at Wheldrake Ings on the later date. Two were seen at dusk on Wheldrake on the 26^th, with one overnight picked up on nocturnal passage.

Common Sandpiper – The first returning bird was on the pool at Thornton Ellers on the 2^nd, with another on the banks of the River Derwent at Thorganby on the 14^th.

Wood Sandpiper – The first of the year was present at Thornton Ellers on the 16^th.

Little Gull – An adult passed through Bank Island, following a small flock of Common Gulls on the 5^th.

Black-headed Gull – Numbers were generally low although 130+ at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th suggested some passage through the site.

Mediterranean Gull – Two summer plumage adults flew north over Wheldrake in a small group of Black-headed Gulls on the 10^th, before settling in the refuge area. A single was present there on the 11^th.

Sandwich Tern – One flew north over Bank Island calling on the 12^th (CSR, MFJ).

Common Tern – The first returning pair were back on the pool at Wheldrake on the 25^th and were present on the tern rafts until month end. Another pair were at Ellerton on the 26^th and North Duffield Carrs on the 28^th, with three at Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th.

Common Tern pair - Wheldrake Ings - 25/04 - DB

Arctic Tern – Three flew high over Bank Island on the 28^th (AF).

Short-eared Owl – Single at North Duffield Carrs on the 21^st.

Cuckoo – The first returning bird was back at Skipwith Common on the 18^th followed by one in Wheldrake village on the 19^th and Skipwith on the 21^st. The first to arrive in the Melbourne, Church Bridge area was a calling male on the 22^nd with the first following at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th. Small numbers continued to arrive thereafter with one at North Duffield Carrs viewing platform on the 26^th, East Cottingwith on the 28^th and Bank Island on the 29^th.

Swift – The first returning birds were six at Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th.

Woodlark – Up to eight singing males remained early in the month.

Yellow Wagtail – The first returning bird was a single over Bank Island on the 12^th, followed by eight at Wheldrake Ings later the same day. Six were at Thornton Ings on the 13^th with 10 roosting at Wheldrake on the 18^th.

Pied Wagtail – 30 roosted in the Wheldrake Ings reedbed on the 12^th and were present again on the 20^th.

Pied Wagtail - Bank Island - 01/04 - DB

White Wagtail – Single at East Cottingwith on the 16^th and Thornton Ellers on the 18^th.

Sand Martin – Two were at North Duffield Carrs on the 2^nd with several there on the 11^th and three at Wheldrake Ings. 80+ were recorded throughout the site on the 12^th and 18^th. Low numbers were then present daily with 30+ at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th.

Swallow – The first returning bird was at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with singles at Bank Island and Wheldrake on the 6^th. At least six were recorded from Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th followed by five on the 8^th. Two or three were present daily thereafter, with 12 on the 11^th, 25+ on the 12^th, 100+ on the 25^th/26^th and 150 on the 27^th/28^th.

Swallow - Wheldrake Ings - 12/04 - JL

House Martin – The first four returning birds were at Wheldrake Ings on the 11^th with 15 on the 12^th. Only small numbers arrived thereafter until 60 at Wheldrake Ings on the 25^th with 100+ there on the 27^th/28^th. 15 were in Thorganby village at nest sites on the 29^th.

Whinchat – A single was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th.

Whinchat - Wheldrake Ings - 15/04 - DB

Wheatear – A single was at Thornton Ellers on the 12^th followed by two on the 13^th and 15^th, with another at Wheldrake Ings on the later date. Four were present at Hagg Lane and two at Thornton on the 16^th. Single remained at Hagg Lane on the 18^th.

Redstart – A male was seen in the car park scrub at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st.

Ring Ouzel – Two flew south at Wheldrake Ings early morning on the 12^th.

Fieldfare – 610 passed over Bank Island on the 1^st. c300 were in field by North Duffield village on the 3^rd.

Redwing – 170 flew east over Bank Island on the 1^st. A large clear out of birds took place overnight on the 14^th with large numbers heard passing over after dark.

Willow Warbler – The first returning bird was singing at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with another there on the 6^th. A further small arrival took place on the 8^th and 9^th with up to four birds at both Wheldrake and Skipwith on that date. Seven were at Wheldrake Ings on the 11^th with 13 recorded on the 12^th. Numbers at Wheldrake had increased to 23 by the 14^th.

Blackcap – A single was singing at Bank Island on the 2^nd with 11 recorded across the site on the 3^rd (first large arrival of the year) - only small numbers remained thereafter.

Blackcap - Bank Island - 15/04 - DB

Garden Warbler – The first returning bird was at East Cottingwith on the 28^th with several across the reserve the following day.

Common Whitethroat – The first returning birds arrived on the 13^th with singles at Bank Island, Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs, followed by four at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th. Larger numbers then arrived a week later on the 24^th/25^th.

Common Whitethroat - Wheldrake Ings - 25/04 - MG

Lesser Whitethroat – The first returning bird was at Wheldrake Ings car park scrub on the 16^th, followed by singles at South Duffield on the 18^th, Melbourne on the 20^th and Bank Island on the 22^nd. Birds were widespread by the 27^th with seven singing males scattered across roadside hedges in the East Cottingwith/Storwood Parish on the 28^th.

Cetti’s Warbler – A singing male remained in the Water Treatment Works at Bank Island on the 1^st – 12^th, with a single at East Cottingwith again on the 3^rd. One was heard in riverside willows by Tower Hide at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th with two present at Bank Island on the 13^th and then daily thereafter. Two at Bank Island and two at Wheldrake were recorded on the 16^th, with another at East Cottingwith Ings on the 17^th. Possibly three singing birds were at Bank Island on the 28^th with one on the same date at North Duffield. A single was heard on the Pocklington Canal at Storwood on 29^th - total of 7-8 singing males present during the month with five caught and ringed.

Two individuals were also present south along the Derwent at Barmby Marsh Wetlands, with another at Loftsome Bridge, Wressle – total of 11-12 singing males in the wider Lower Derwent.

Sedge Warbler – The first returning bird was present in the reedbed at Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th with another singing there on the 12^th – up to six by the 13^th when two were also at Bank Island. Six remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th with 11 on the 18^th.

Reed Warbler – The first returning bird was at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th with another on the 16^th.

Grasshopper Warbler – A possible sighting was reported from the Low Grounds on the 18^th with the first singing male at North Duffield Carrs on the 23^rd followed by another at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th. Two were ‘reeling’ at North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th to month end, with a pair seen together there on the 29^th.

Grasshopper Warbler - Wheldrake Ings - 24/04 - AF

Bearded Tit – A pair were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd, showing well before flying off high to the east – first spring record for the reserve.

Bearded Tit - Wheldrake Ings - 02/04 - DB

Goldcrest – Three singing males were recorded in the East Cottingwith/Storwood Parish on the 28^th.

Nuthatch – Single at Wheldrake Ings on the 25^th.

Crossbill – 30 were present at Sutton Plantation on the 3^rd.

Brambling – 10 were present near Thornton on the 3^rd with 50 there on the 13^th, 22 on the 14^th and 19 on the 16^th.  

Twite – Three were found with 300 Linnets at Newton Mask, near Newton-on-Derwent on the 2^nd (AF et al).

Twite - Mask Lane - 02/04 - DB