Apr' 23

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - April 2023

The highlight of the month for two lucky observers was a Black-crowned Night Heron, which flew past Tower Hide after dark on the 22^nd calling, before flying towards the Low Grounds. More accessible and well received were a pair of Black-necked Grebes at Bank Island on the 26^th. Whooper Swans and Pink-footed Geese were both present to month end, with the last Goldeneye seen on the 23^rd. Several Garganey, including a popular pair at Bank Island were present late in the month, whilst the spring passage of Common Scoter continued (largely overnight), resulting in a total of eight or nine grounded day-time individuals. Raptors included two passage Ospreys, up to eight Hobbies towards month end, and the last sighting of the long-staying juvenile Hen Harrier, with what may have been a passage bird moving through the site later in the month. Flocks of five, four and two Common Cranes continued the spring sightings, with four Avocet and 44 Whimbrel recorded, whilst a recorded breaking passage of Bar-tailed Godwits saw a total of 40 bird-days recorded (18^th-27^th).

Black-necked Grebes - 26/04 - DB

Ten Little Gulls on the 20^th were noteworthy, as was an Arctic Tern on the 22^nd and a flock of six Kittiwake on the 1^st. The first Cuckoo appeared on the 11^th with the main arrival taking place from the 22^nd, whilst other first arrival dates included Sedge Warbler (7^th), Ring Ouzel (8^th), Yellow Wagtail (11^th), Whitethroat (15^th), Reed Warbler (17^th), Swift and Lesser Whitethroat (22^nd), Grasshopper Warbler (23^rd), Whinchat (25^th) and Garden Warbler (27^th). Other notable highlights during the month were a Water Pipit (4^th) and yet another two Ravens.

Yellow Wagtail - 30/04 - DB

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 Bye, Trevor Walton and Andrew Wappatt for the images below.

 

BIRDS:

Mute Swan – Birds were incubating the start of clutches early in the month, with up to 14 pairs scattered around the site. Non-breeding birds started to build-up with 62 between North Duffield Carrs and Derwent Farm, and 12 at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th – a total of 102 across the reserve. 111 were then present throughout the site on the 16^th including 87 non-breeders and 12 pairs.

Whooper Swan – A herd passed over the reserve during the night of the 2^nd/3^rd with another large herd following on the 3^rd/4^th. 100+ were recorded at Thornton Ellers on the 4^th, whilst 13 arrived at Wheldrake early on the 5^th – remaining until the 7^th before departing overnight. Eight flew north over Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th followed by four 9^th, with two remaining in the wintering herd at North Duffield Carrs until the 11^th. Four were at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th with five there between the 13^th - 15^th. Two were also at North Duffield Carrs on the 13^th with one remaining on the 17^th to month end. A total spring passage of over 2220 individuals was had from late February to the end of April.

Whooper Swans - Wheldrake Ings - 08/04 - DB

Pink-footed Geese – Six were still present on the Low Grounds on the 2^nd, whilst 80 flew north over Bank Island on the 9^th. A single was at Thornton Ellers on the 16^th before a small flock flew over Elvington during the night of the 18^th/19^th. 20 were at Wheldrake Ings during the morning of the 27^th before flying off north, with two at North Duffield Carrs on the 28^th to month end, and four at Thornton Ellers on the 30^th.

Greylag Goose – The first brood of eight were at Wheldrake Ings on the 11^th with 14 broods there by month end. Eight broods were at North Duffield Carrs with three additional broods across the area on local ponds.

Shelduck – 93 remained across the site on the 5^th with 91 present on the 16^th.

Wigeon – 1683 were recorded across the reserve on the 5^th - decreasing to 487 by the 16^th. 51 remained at North Duffield Carrs on the 28^th with 25 elsewhere through the reserve.

Teal – 1237 were present throughout the site on the 5^th with 892 recorded on the 16^th. Fewer than 200 remained at month end.

Garganey – A single drake remained in the Low Grounds/Wheldrake area on the 1^st/2^nd, with a single on the pool at Wheldrake on the 11^th. One was at Hagg Bridge on the 12^th when two were also at Wheldrake Ings. Two drakes and a duck were at Wheldrake on the 22^nd with three drakes and two ducks there on the 24^th – on the same day another duck was present at Breighton Meadows. A pair were seen at Bank Island on the 28^th and thereafter to month end, when the female was thought to be sitting on a nest.

Garganey - Bank Island - 28/04 - DB

Gadwall – 150 remained throughout the month, with many females incubating by month end.

Mallard – The first broods appeared early in the month, with a brood of eight at Bank Island on the 8^th - total of 21 broods (150+ ducklings) recorded.

Mandarin – The Bank Island pair reappeared again on the 4^th and 6^th, when it was thought the female could be incubating (seen again between the 8^th - 11^th) with a lone male there on the 19^th and 23^rd.

Mandarin - Bank Island - 08/04 - DB

Pintail – 43 were recorded at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st and 5^th when a total of 92 were still present across the reserve. 24 remained at Wheldrake on the 9^th with 12 still present on the 13^th. 42 were counted throughout the site on the 16^th. Four remained at Wheldrake from the 22^nd to month end, with four at North Duffield Carrs (total of four pairs).

Shoveler – 157 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with 173 there on the 5^th – on the same day a total of 264 were recorded throughout the reserve.

Shoveler - Wheldrake Ings - 02/04 - DB

Pochard – A single remained on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st and 2^nd, with a drake at Bubwith on the 17^th and Wheldrake on the 19^th and 29^th.

Goldeneye – Eight were on the pool at Wheldrake on the 1^st and 5^th, with five there between the 7^th - 11^th, down to four by the 12^th. Two red-heads and an immature drake remained at Wheldrake between the 16^th-19^th with two red-heads present until the 23^rd.

Common Scoter – Two flocks passed over on the night of the 2^nd, with further flocks after dark on the 3^rd and 4^th. A single female lingered to mid-morning at Wheldrake on the 5^th before departing high to the east. A large nocturnal movement occurred after dark on the 6^th with c300 birds moving over Bank Island and Wheldrake in numerous small flocks (6-12 individuals), with occasional larger flocks of up to 30-40 individuals. A single drake dropped in at Wheldrake on the 7^th but departed soon after. A female was present on the floods at North Duffield Carrs on the 11^th, with nocturnal passage still continuing most nights around this time. Flocks continued to pass through the reserve, usually arriving overhead from 22:30hrs and continuing until midnight, with a movement of several flocks overnight on the 13^th/14^th, which probably resulted in the pair at North Duffield Carrs on the 14^th. A female was then present at Ellerton on the 16^th, with either the same individual or another at North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th before a drake appeared at the same site on the 25^th. What may have been the same drake was then present at Bank Island the next day on the 26^th. A flock were then picked up over Elvington during the night of the 28^th/29^th.

Common Scoter - Bank Island - 26/04 - DB

Little Egret – Numbers increased during the early part of the month with 16 throughout the site on the 5^th, followed by seven at Bank Island on the 7^th and seven at Ellerton. Five were at Bank Island on the 11^th with 22 into roost at Wheldrake on the 13^th. 27 were counted across the reserve on the 16^th when several birds were also present in the heronry (which held 16 occupied nests on the 28^th).

Great White Egret – The long staying individual remained in the Bank Island/Wheldrake and Hagg Bridge area early in the month, with either the same or another individual at Bubwith Ings on the 5^th and 6^th, and Wheldrake between the 9^th - 11^th.

Great White Egret - East Cottingwith - 07/04 - DB

Grey Heron – Regular sightings throughout the month with 32 active nests recorded in the heronry on the 28^th.

Black-crowned Night Heron – A single flew over Wheldrake (heard calling after dark near Tower Hide) on the 22^nd.

Little Grebe – Good numbers remained around the reserve on the Ings, with a number of individuals also picked up early in the month on noc-mig (passing over the area during darkness), with several birds over Bank Island, Wheldrake and Elvington on the 5^th. Nine remained at Bank Island on the 5^th with eight at Wheldrake on the same date. Six pairs were at Bank Island on the 27^th.

Black-necked Grebe – A pair arrived at Bank Island on the 26^th.

Great Crested Grebe – A pair were still nest building at Bank Island early in the month, with three individuals seen at Wheldrake on the 3^rd followed by two pairs there between the 5^th - 16^th, on which dates a pair were also present at North Duffield Carrs with a single at Bubwith Ings.

Great Crested Grebe - Wheldrake Ings - 17/04 - DB

Osprey – The first of the year flew north up the reserve on the 3^rd passing over Wheldrake, Bank Island and Raker Lakes, with another north between Wheldrake and Thorganby on the 20^th.

Marsh Harrier – Two cream-crowns were at Wheldrake on the 12^th and 27^th with one there on the 29^th.

Hen Harrier – The long staying immature remained into the month, favouring the Bank Island/Wheldrake Ings areas on the 1^st - 2^nd (also recorded on the Tilmire on the 2^nd), before being present again at Wheldrake on the 6^th. A single ringtail reported at Hagg Bridge around the 22^nd may have been a bird on passage.

Red Kite – Regular sightings throughout the month with an estimated 7-8 pairs present.

Red Kite - Thorganby - 08/04 - DB

Peregrine – One or two sub-adults and an immature lingered early in the month, with another at Aughton later on the 30^th (total of three or four pairs present in the wider area).

Hobby – The first returning bird was present at Bank Island and Wheldrake on the 13^th - the joint earliest following an individual on the same date in 2017. Singles were then present at Thorganby, Wheldrake and Skipwith on the 20^th with four hawking together over the pool at Wheldrake on the 25^th. Seven were over the pool on the 26^th with another at Bubwith. Single at East Cottingwith on the 28^th with two at dusk at Wheldrake on the 30^th.

Water Rail – The now usual nocturnal spring passage started with one or two birds noted in late March increasing to three or four birds most nights from 1^st – 4^th. Up to six singing birds were present in the reedbed at Wheldrake early in the month, with eight across the whole site. Two individuals flying over Wheldrake on the 27^th calling after dark may well have been migrants.

Coot – Counts on the 5^th included 66 at Bank Island, 94 at Wheldrake Ings, 21 at North Duffield Carrs and 18 at Aughton - total of 199 across the main areas of the reserve.

Common Crane – Five flew north up the reserve (over Wheldrake Ings, Bank Island and Wheldrake village) on the 2^nd, before being relocated at Thornton Ellers on the 3^rd. Two flew over Bielby Arm on the Pocklington Canal at Bielby on the 8^th. Four flew south towards Skipwith from Thorganby on the 12^th, appearing at North Duffield Carrs and Bubwith later in the day.

Common Crane - Wheldrake Ings - 02/04 - DB

Avocet – Two at Barmby on the Marsh on the 1^st may have been the same individuals seen on the gravel pits at Hemingbrough on the 31^st March. Singles were also picked up on nocturnal passage over Elvington on the 3^rd and Bank Island on the 4^th.

Little Ringed Plover – A single was on the pool at Wheldrake Ings between the 9^th -11^th with one at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd.

Ringed Plover – One at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th another individual over on the 27^th.

Ruff – Eight remained at Aughton on the 5^th with a single at Wheldrake on the same date. A male coming into summer plumage was at Aughton Ings on the 16^th with a different male at Wheldrake on the 17^th. Five were at North Duffield Carrs on the 23^rd (four males and a female), with a male at Bank Island from the 26^th to month end.

Ruff - Aughton - 16/04 - DB

Dunlin – Single with Black-tailed Godwits at Wheldrake on the 16^th was followed by two flew through the same site on the 30^th.

Whimbrel – Two at Thorganby Ings on the 17^th were the first returning birds following a noc-mig record over Elvington on the 3^rd. The two Thorganby individuals were present until the 18^th-19^th, when five were then found roosting at Wheldrake Ings on the 19^th. A series of counts then followed with eleven on the 20^th, eight on the 22^nd, eighteen on the 24^th and twenty on the 25^th. 44 individuals were located around the site during the day on the 27^th.

Whimbrel - Storwood - 28/04 - DB

Woodcock – Seven individuals were roding at Skipwith Common NNR on the 2^nd with regular roding noted thereafter.

Black-tailed Godwit – 13 remained on the 1^st and 2^nd following a turnover of birds in late March, with 15 at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd. 12 were present on the 4^th and 5^th with a gap of a few days following with no records, until 15 were found at North Duffield Carrs on the 8^th with 17 then at Wheldrake on the 9^th. A passage flock of 68 individuals passed through the site on the 15^th, whilst eight individuals were scattered throughout the site on the 16^th. 15 flew north over Wheldrake on the 17^th followed by four on the 18^th and six on 19^th. Up to 35 were scattered throughout the reserve daily between the 20^th to 25^th, with some degree of turn over at this time. A single remained at Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs on the 26^th and 27^th, with two on the latter date at Thorganby and one there next day.

Black-tailed Godwit - Wheldrake Ings - 24/04 - DB

Bar-tailed Godwit – A single summer plumaged bird flew over Thorganby, heading towards Aughton on the 18^th. Three flew north-east over Bank Island at midday on the 19^th before two were found on the Low Grounds with four further birds roosting at Wheldrake Ings. Six were present on the reserve on the 20^th followed by five on the 21^st, with a single remaining on the 22^nd before six were found at Thornton Ellers on the 23^rd with two also at North Duffield Carrs. Five were at Thorganby Ings on the 26^th with four on the river at Ellerton, and later Thorganby on the 27^th when one was also present near Storwood – representing the best ever spring passage on record.

Redshank – 21 remained throughout the site on the 5^th, with a total of 41 across the reserve on the 16^th - including 14 territorial pairs. 10 were at Thorganby Ings on the 17^th.

Greenshank – Single at Bank Island on the 13^th was the first of the year, with another at Thorganby Ings between the 17^th - 18^th. Four flew north at Wheldrake on the 22^nd followed by three at Ellerton on the 27^th.

Greenshank - Thorganby - 17/04 - DB

Green Sandpiper – One was present on the Low Grounds on the 22^nd before flying off towards Hagg Bridge.

Common Sandpiper – Two were on the river at Ellerton/Thorganby on the 27^th when two were also present near Stamford Bridge.

Wood Sandpiper – One was heard over Hagg Bridge on the 27^th with a possible heard later in the day from Bank Island.

Little Gull – A total of ten flew north through Wheldrake and Bank Island on the 20^th - a day with considerable inland movement through the country. Single at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th.

Kittiwake – A flock of six adults at Wheldrake Ings were part of a large inland movement throughout the country on the 1^st.

Kittiwake - Wheldrake Ings - 01/04 - DB

Arctic Tern – Seven terns north up the reserve on the 18^th were thought to be of this species, with a single at Bank Island briefly early morning on the 22^nd seen well enough to be confirmed.

Common Tern – The first returning birds were four near Foggathorpe on the 26^th, with a single at Wheldrake on the same day. Singles at both Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs were then recorded on the 27^th with up to four at Wheldrake from the 28^th to month end.

Green Woodpecker – Single at Bank Island on the 1^st.

Long-eared Owl – A single calling bird was heard by the canal at Storwood (behind Wheldrake Ings), after dark on the 4^th with one recorded there again (hunting) on the 8^th.

Cuckoo – The first returning bird was back and calling at the favoured area in Melbourne on the 11^th, with the next individual at Elvington on the 22^nd followed by one at Thorganby on the 26^th. One was then present at Storwood on the 27^th with the first at Wheldrake on the 28^th – on the same date three were at Skipwith Common NNR.

Swift – A single was at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd and was followed by three across the site on the 25^th with several more arriving on the 27^th. Eight were recorded at Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th when birds started to return to local nesting sites in villages.

Ring-necked Parakeet – A single bird remained around Wheldrake village throughout the month.

Woodlark – Up to eight pairs remained on Skipwith Common NNR early in the month.

Water Pipit – A single bird was present behind Swantail Hide at Wheldrake, before flying off towards the canal Storwood on the 4^th.

Wheatear – One was present near Thornton on the 12^th followed by one at East Cottingwith on the 15^th and three at Hagg Lane on the 16^th. Singles were then present at North Duffield Carrs, and between Skipwith and North Duffield village on the 22^nd, followed by one at Wheldrake on the 24^th, Thorganby on the 27^th and Aughton on the 30^th.

Wheatear - Aughton - 30/04 - DB

Yellow Wagtail – Three at Wheldrake on the 11^th were the first of the year with one at Thornton the following day on the 12^th. Singles were then at Wheldrake, North Duffield and Ellerton on the 16^th, followed by six at Hagg Lane at East Cottingwith on the 28^th.

Pied Wagtail – 31 roosted in the reedbed at Wheldrake on the 13^th (a now regular spring roost), increasing to 70+ by the 18^th and 19^th with 50 there on the 24^th.

Sand Martin – 30 were seen over Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with numbers reaching 100+ by the 7^th.

Swallow – Single at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd, with several then present throughout the reserve on the 5^th. 30 seen over Wheldrake on the 7^th had increased to 100 on the 9^th.

House Martin – The first returning bird was seen at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th, and was followed by four on the 9^th and 10 on the 13^th.

Hirundines - Wheldrake - 10/04 - DB

Fieldfare – Five flew north over Wheldrake on the 9^th followed by 31 north-west over Wheldrake on the 17^th.

Redwing – Birds were picked up over Elvington on nocturnal passage on the night of the 18^th/19^th.

Ring Ouzel – Single heard at Storwood on the 8^th with a male at Melbourne on the 27^th.

Raven – A single was present at Wheldrake on the 9^th while either the same individual, or another, flew north-east at Bank Island on the 26^th.  

Whinchat – A single male was present at Barmby on the Marsh wetlands on the 25^th.

Willow Warbler – Following the first birds in late March, two were singing at Wheldrake on the 1^st and 2^nd. A handful of birds remained until four appeared at Wheldrake on the 6^th followed by seven on the 7^th due to a widespread arrival in the country, which brought small numbers across the reserve, Skipwith Common and surrounding area. 10 at Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th were followed by 12 on the 9^th and 17 on the 10^th. 23 were at Wheldrake on the 17^th increasing to 28 on the 27^th.

Willow Warbler - Wheldrake Ings - 17/04 - TW

Blackcap – A singing bird at Bank Island was the first spring arrival on the 4^th with three at South Duffield on the same day, followed by five at Bank Island/Wheldrake on the 7^th. Numbers slowly started to increase thereafter.

Common Whitethroat – The first returning bird was at Melbourne on the 15^th with a small arrival noted from the 21^st.

Lesser Whitethroat – Single at Bank Island on the 22^nd and 23^rd was the first of the year, and was followed by two there on the 25^th - birds were then widespread by the 27^th.

Garden Warbler – The first returning bird was at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th, increasing to three there by the 30^th.

Sedge Warbler – The first returning individual was at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th and was heard singing again there on the 8^th. The first returning bird at Melbourne followed a week later on the 15^th, with six recorded at Wheldrake on the 16^th. Numbers increased quickly from the 21^st with 27 across the reserve by the 24^th.

Sedge Warbler - Wheldrake Ings - 30/04 - AW

Reed Warbler – The first returning bird was at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th increasing to seven there by the 27^th. Six at Melbourne on the 30^th.

Grasshopper Warbler – Single reeling birds at Thornton Ellers on the 23^rd and Melbourne on the 27^th to month end.

Cetti’s Warbler – Two, possibly three calling birds remained at Wheldrake early in the month, with up to four recorded there by month end, with at least one remaining on the Pocklington Canal at Melbourne.

Willow Tit – Four were at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd including three singing/territorial birds, reaching five individuals by mid-month.

Willow Tit - Wheldrake Ings - 02/04 - DB

Marsh Tit – A single singing bird at Melbourne on the 9^th.

Corn Bunting – Singles were singing at Wheldrake Ings early in the month and later at East Cottingwith on the 28^th. Six were near Ellerton village on the 27^th with 12 around Hagg Lane East Cottingwith on the 28^th.