Apr' 24

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - April Sightings

April was an exciting month with winter visitors overlapping with summer migrants and some notable passage. The record-breaking spring Whooper Swan passage logged 2,992 birds moving north-west, although several herds were also logged on nocturnal passage, so the true figure was undoubtedly higher. A single White-fronted Goose lingered during the month and the drake American Wigeon made a re-appearance early on. Two pairs and two or three additional Garganey were present, with one or two pairs showing incredibly well daily on ‘Tom’s Ponds’ at Bank Island. Three pairs of Cattle Egrets were present amongst the 36 pairs of Little Egrets with a Spoonbill south (23^rd) and sightings of three Common Cranes. Five passage Black-necked Grebes were logged with a fine summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe at Bank Island (11^th) and Wheldrake (12^th-24^th) - the first in summer plumage to be recorded on the site.

Six Ospreys were recorded during the month (bringing the total to nine for the spring) with a Hen Harrier seen again on the 4^th. The first returning Hobby (9^th) was the second earliest ever with double figure counts by month end. The highlight on the wader front was the build-up in passage Black-tailed Godwits, with a record 1,270 (2^nd). The spring passage Whimbrel roost started from the 11^th whilst other notable records included Avocet, Wood Sandpiper and Grey Plover. A Little Gull (3^rd) and a record-breaking 240 Arctic Terns passed through North Duffield Carrs (22^nd) along with two Sandwich Terns. A Little Tern was also present at Bank Island on the 30^th – the first for several years.

First returning migrant dates included Willow Warbler and Swallow (2^nd), Yellow Wagtail (5^th), House Martin and Sedge Warbler (7^th), Cuckoo (10^th), Reed Warbler (12^th), Whitethroat (13^th), Lesser Whitethroat (16^th), and Garden Warbler and Swift (22^nd).

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, Adam Firth, Oliver Metcalf, Darren Starkey, Dave Ward and Trevor Walton for the use of their images below.

 

BIRDS:

Mute Swan – Four pairs were nesting building at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with two pairs at North Duffield Carrs and a single pair at Bank Island on the 2^nd. Five pairs were also present along the Pocklington Canal during the month.

Whooper Swan – 28 resident wintering birds remained on the 2^nd with 21 on the 6^th and 13 on the 12^th, with just two remaining by the 13^th.

32 flew north over Elvington Airfield on the 1^st with two at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th and herds of 24 at North Duffield Carrs and 13 on the Low Grounds on the 8^th. A final northwards clearance out of the Cambridgeshire Fens brought 196 to the site on the 13^th with 14 at Bubwith Ings and 30 north at Aughton on the 14^th – a further 60 also headed over Thorganby on the same day. 36 then paused after dark at Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th with 40 at Bubwith on the 18^th.

A total of 2,992 passage birds were recorded during March and April, although numerous herds were also detected by noc-mig during the month, so the true number of birds involved is likely to be significantly larger, with perhaps 3,500+ individuals involved during the return spring passage.

Whooper Swans - Wheldrake Ings - 13/04 - DB

Pink-footed Goose – 440 were in the Wheldrake Storwood area on the 1^st whilst four remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th. 21 were on the Low Grounds on the 9^th with 41 at Ellerton Ings on the 13^th and 14^th. A late passage bird was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th and at Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings on the 28^th.

White-fronted Goose – A single European race bird was present again at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st before it flew over Bank Island on the 2^nd. It was then present again at Wheldrake Ings between the 3^rd-15^th.

Greylag Goose – 122 were present throughout the site on the 13^th with numerous pairs incubating. The first brood of seven appeared on the 11^th with 14 broods present by month end.

Canada Goose – Low numbers remained during the month with 40 recorded on the 13^th.

Barnacle Goose – A single at North Duffield Carrs on the 19^th was presumably the same colour-ringed individual from North Yorkshire, which was later seen at Thorganby Ings on the 22^nd. Presumably the same individual was then at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th.

Egyptian Goose – A pair were present at Foggathorpe on the 11^th with one at Bank Island on the 14^th. Pairs also remained in the Elvington area with two pairs (one with six well grown young) at East Cottingwith on the 13^th. A single flew over Bank Island on the 19^th.

Shelduck – Up to 140 remained across the site throughout the month, but were well scattered throughout the wider area as they occupied breeding sites.

American Wigeon – The adult drake re-appeared at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st and was present again there on the 2^nd where it remained until the 5^th. It then re-appeared at North Duffield Carrs on the 7^th.

Wigeon – Numbers had reduced to 616 by the 13^th and were down to 200 by month end.

Teal – 320 remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st.

Mallard – The first brood appeared at Bank Island on the 4^th with numerous broods appearing across the site thereafter to month end.

Mandarin – A single duck flew onto the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with a drake nearby on the 4^th. A drake was then present at Low Catton Ings on the 7^th and again at Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th. A pair were also seen inspecting nest holes in trees in Elvington village early in the month, with a pair also prospecting nest holes in Sutton on the 12^th and at Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st.

Mandarin pair - Sutton - 12/04 - AF

Pintail – 300+ were still present early in the month with 288 remaining on the 5^th down slightly to 281 on the 7^th. 61 were still present at Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th reducing to 10 by the 21^st.

Garganey – A drake was present at Aughton Ings on the 8^th and North Duffield Carrs on the 9^th. A single drake was at Bank Island on the 20^th and Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st. Two pairs were then present at Bank Island on the 22^nd. Both pairs remained at Bank Island on the 23^rd when two, possibly three, additional drakes were present at Wheldrake Ings. Pairs were then seen regularly at both Wheldrake Ings and Bank Island thereafter.

Shoveler – 448 were recorded early in the month with 511 noted on the 3^rd. 430 were still present on the 7^th.

Shoveler - Bank Island - 22/04 - DB

Gadwall – 200 present early in the month remained thereafter with much pursuit flighting observed and females incubating towards month end. Approximately 90-100 pairs were present throughout the site.

Pochard – Up to 45 were still present across the site during the first week of the month. At least seven drakes and a duck remained at month end, with eleven drakes and a duck recorded at Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th.  

Tufted Duck – 390 were present on the 1^st with 380 remaining on the 7^th. At least 444 were present on the 13^th with 290 remaining at month end.

Scaup – A single drake remained at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st with a pair there between the 5^th-18^th.

Scaup - Wheldrake Ings - 11/04 - OM

Common Scoter – Several flocks passed over the site during nocturnal migration on the 1^st. A female was at North Duffield Carrs on the 3^rd with another near Barmby Moor on the 4^th. A female was then present at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th with nocturnal passage recorded on the 6^th, 8^th and 9^th. A female was at Aughton between the 11^th-14^th, with several nocturnal flocks reported between the 11^th-13^th. A pair were at North Duffield Carrs on the 21^st with six there on the 22^nd followed by two on the 24^th.

Goldeneye – 14 were still present at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with eight at North Duffield Carrs on the same date. Nine were at Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th with 13 there on the 11^th. Three remained on the 21^st with four there on the 24^th.

Goosander – A single red-head was at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st.

Cormorant – 29 roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with 25 there on the 9^th.

Little Egret – 13 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with 26 roosting there on the 9^th followed by 42 on the 12^th. 36 active nests were present in the heronry on the 13^th.

Little Egret - Wheldrake Ings - 14/04 - DB

Grey Heron – 35 active nests were recorded in the heronry on the 13^th.

Bittern – A single flew across Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th.  

Great White Egret – Four remained early in the month with a bird in breeding plumage seen at Wheldrake Ings on the 11^th.

Cattle Egret – Five flew into Wheldrake Ings to roost on the 12^th, with two present at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th and 14^th. Three were at Thorganby on the 16^th and Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th. Singles were at North Duffield Carrs on the 23^rd, Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th and Thorganby on the 27^th.

Cattle Egret - Wheldrake Ings - 14/04 - DB

Spoonbill – A single flew south at North Duffield Carrs on the 23^rd.

Little Grebe – Four pairs were present at Bank Island on the 1^st with a single pair incubating a clutch in front of the Geoff Smith Hide at North Duffield Carrs on the 13^th.

Great Crested Grebe – A single remained at Wheldrake Ings early in the month. One was at Bank Island on the 12^th with a pair at Wheldrake Ings on the same date.

Black-necked Grebe – A pair were present at Bank Island on the 3^rd with a single at North Duffield Carrs on the 10^th. A bird was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 11^th with one at Bank Island on the 12^th. Another was present at Bank Island on the 15^th and 16^th. A pair were seen displaying at Bank Island on the 17^th and 18^th with one remaining until the 20^th.

Slavonian Grebe – A summer plumaged bird was present at Bank Island on the 11^th before relocating to Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th – presumably the same bird which had been present at Far Ings on the Humber in the days beforehand. It then remained at Wheldrake until the 24^th.

Slavonian Grebe - Wheldrake Ings - 23/04 - DW

Grey Partridge – Two pairs were present in fields around Bank Island throughout the month and were regularly recorded in the NNR Base garden.

Water Rail – Up to five singing birds were recorded in the reedbed at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st.

Coot – 177 were recorded on the 13^th. Good numbers were nesting throughout the month, although changing water levels resulted in second attempts.

Common Crane – A single was present in the Bank Island/Low Grounds area on the 8^th with two at North Duffield Carrs on the 10^th.  

Osprey – A single flew north through Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th with another low over Bank Island and circling the NNR Base on the 11^th, followed by another later in the day. Another went north-east over Bank Island on the 14^th with one at Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th. A single flew in the from the south at North Duffield Carrs on the 21^st, which brought the total to nine birds logged during the course of the spring.

Osprey - Menthorpe - 23/04 - DS

Marsh Harrier – Up to eight individuals were present early in the month with five cream-crowns and a male remaining at month end. Two cream-crowns were still present on the 14^th.

Red Kite – At least seven pairs were holding territory around the reserve during the month.

Hen Harrier – The ringtail present last month flew through Bank Island again on the 4^th and roosted in the evening in the Wheldrake reedbed.

Peregrine – Up to four birds remained early in the month.

Merlin – A single flew through Bank Island on the 6^th and North Duffield Carrs on the 24^th.

Hobby – The first returning bird was at Bank Island on the 9^th – just two days later than the earliest ever on the 7^th April 2021. One was also present the next day on the 10^th at Melbourne. Two were recorded in the Bank Island and Wheldrake area on the 21^st with two at Wheldrake on the 22^nd. Singles were present daily thereafter with possibly up to four on the 27^th at Wheldrake with two there on the 28^th. Three were at Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th with five across Bank Island, the Low Grounds and Wheldrake Ings on the 30^th.

Little Ringed Plover – A pair were observed on wet grassland near Barmby Moor on the 8^th with at least one remaining on the 10^th. One flew north at North Duffield Carrs on the 11^th with one on the scrapes at Bank Island on the 22^nd.

Little Ringed Plover - Bank Island - 22/04 - DB

Ringed Plover – A single was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 7^th.

Avocet – Two were at North Duffield Carrs on the 3^rd.

Oystercatcher – A single pair at Bank Island were incubating by month end, with the adult having been ringed at Bank Island in early July 2023.

Grey Plover – Two flew through Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with four over Bank Island on the 22^nd.

Dunlin – Four remained at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd with a single at Bank Island on the 29^th.

Ruff – 20+ remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st and 2^nd, joining the godwit flock there. Five were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 7^th with one at Barmby Moor on the 8^th. 13 remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th. Five were at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd with eight there on the 24^th and three at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th and 27^th.  

Black-tailed Godwit – Numbers continued to increase with 1,200 at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st followed by 1,270 on the 2^nd with 1000+ remaining on the 5^th. 1000+ remained thereafter dropping to 866 by the 11^th and 12^th. 100+ flew high north-west from Wheldrake calling excitedly during the early evening of the 12^th before gaining height over Bank Island and Wheldrake village at 1830hrs. The remaining flocks were also rather mobile around the site with increased calling noted. At least 400+ remained at dusk although 880 were present on the 13^th, with c800 on the 14^th and 15^th. Once again there was much excited calling and flights around the site in the evening of the 16^th with 200 finally departing high to the north-west at 2000hrs leaving 400+ on the site at dark. 550 were recorded on the 17^th followed by 100+ on the 18^th and 96 on the 19^th. 50 remained on the 20^th with 160 present on the 21^st. 60 also then arrived (considered fresh in) at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd – with their appearance coinciding with an arrival of Arctic Terns. 39 departed northwards at 1800hrs leaving six remaining, before a further 130 arrived towards dusk whilst 90 remained at Wheldrake Ings. 62 were recorded at Wheldrake Ings thereafter until the 24^th when 40 were also present at North Duffield Carrs. 115 remained throughout the site on the 25^th with 60 recorded between the 26^th-29^th with numbers then down to 30 by the 30^th. A total of 32,030 bird days were recorded during March and April.

Black-tailed Godwit - Wheldrake Ings - 29/04 - DB

Bar-tailed Godwit – A single was present with the Black-tailed Godwit flock at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd and was present again the following morning.

Jack Snipe – One was recorded at Wheldrake Ings on the 11^th and 12^th with one by Tower Hide on the 20^th. A single was flushed by a Roe Deer there on the 24^th.

Woodcock – A single in the car park lane at Wheldrake during the month was probably a local breeder.

Whimbrel – A single at Wheldrake Ings calling after dark on the 11^th was followed by three there at dusk on the 12^th. Five were present at dusk on the 16^th followed by a single on the 17^th and four on the 21^st. Nine roosted in front of Tower Hide at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd, with 11 there on the 24^th and 16 on the 25^th. 18 were present in the daytime feeding fields on the 27^th with 21 there on the 28^th.

Greenshank – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th was followed by one there on the 22^nd and Bank Island on the 23^rd. Two were at Bank Island on the 24^th.

Wood Sandpiper – A single at North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th.

Green Sandpiper – One at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th with another there on the 11^th. One at Bank Island on the 22^nd.

Common Sandpiper – One on the Low Grounds on the 14^th.

Little Gull – One left Bank Island with a small party of Black-headed Gulls and headed north-west on the 3^rd.

Kittiwake – An adult was present briefly at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th.

Yellow-legged Gull – One at North Duffield on the 22^nd.

Sandwich Tern – Three at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd were involved in a large passage of Arctic Terns at the same time.

Arctic Tern – A single flew upstream past Thorganby on the 12^th with one at North Duffield Carrs on the 13^th followed by three at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th. One flew over Bank Island on the 20^th with one at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd before a flock of 52 dropped in during early morning drizzle. Further flocks of 17, 5, 27 and 30 arrived in the following couple of hours. Other flocks followed to mid-afternoon/early evening, with a total of 174 involved over the course of the day. A further 40+ remained there towards dusk before departing high to the east, with two also remaining at Wheldrake towards dusk. A minimum of 240 were present during the day. A single was recorded at North Duffield Carrs on the 23^rd with another at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th.

Common Tern – The first of the year was a single at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th which was present again on the 25^th followed by two there on the 27^th. Three were present on the 29^th with six there on the 30^th.

Little Tern – A single drifted north up the River Derwent over Bank Island on the morning of the 30^th – possibly the same bird seen at Hatfield Moors earlier in the day.

Long-eared Owl – A single was picked up dead near Foggathorpe early in the month.

Short-eared Owl – A single was seen near Foggathorpe on the 11^th with one at Bank Island on the 21^st.

Little Owl – One was recorded on the riverside path at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th.

Cuckoo – The first of the year was heard near Barmby Moor on the 10^th with another at Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th. The first bird arrived back at Melbourne Ings on the 22^nd with one on Skipwith Common NNR on the 26^th. Singles were heard at Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th with two at Wheldrake Ings on the 30^th.

Swift – The first returning bird was at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd with one at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd, which was followed by two there on the 24^th with one also at North Duffield Carrs. Three were at both North Duffield Carrs and Wheldrake Ings on the 28^th.

Sand Martin – A handful of birds were recorded daily from the 1^st until 120 arrived at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th with 100+ also at North Duffield Carrs. Over 100 were at Wheldrake Ings again on the 9^th with 120 at Bank Island on the 11^th. At least 500 were at Wheldrake Ings at dusk on the 12^th. Numbers reached 1000+ across Bank Island, Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs on the 16^th with 2000 at Wheldrake Ings at dusk later that day.

House Martin – Three were at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th with two also at Bank Island.

Swallow – The first of the year was at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd followed by another on the 5^th. 15 were then present at Wheldrake on the 7^th with seven at North Duffield Carrs - small numbers were then present daily thereafter. 40+ were at Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th followed by 500 at Wheldrake Ings on the 25^th and 26^th.

Pied Wagtail – The swantail reedbed at Wheldrake Ings held 70+ at roost early in the month.

White Wagtail – A single was at Hagg Lane East Cottingwith on the 6^th and 9^th. Three were present at Melbourne Ings on the 17^th with one at Barmby Moor on the 18^th. Four were at Melbourne on the 21^st with a pair at North Duffield Carrs on the same date.

Yellow Wagtail – The first returning bird was at East Cottingwith on the 5^th with singles there on the 7^th and North Duffield Carrs on the 8^th. Seven were present around the site on the 9^th.

Wheatear – A single male was recorded at Hagg Lane East Cottingwith on the 6^th with twelve in the Foggathorpe area on the 18^th. Two were at Wheldrake Ings between the 23^rd-25^th with just one remaining between the 26^th-28^th.

Tree Pipit – The first returning bird was back at Skipwith Common NNR on the 19^th. Three were present across the site on the 30^th.

Redwing – Small figure flocks passed through most days early in the month with 15 through Bank Island on the 7^th.

Stonechat – A pair were recorded at Skipwith Common NNR on the 23^rd.

Willow Warbler – The first returning bird was heard at Wheldrake Ings and Bank Island on the 2^nd with four there by the 4^th. A small but noticeable arrival then brought a scattering of birds across the site on the 5^th. 17 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th with 22 at Skipwith Common on the 8^th – the same date that the first birds were noted at Melbourne. 30+ were present in the Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings area on the 22^nd.

Willow Warbler - Wheldrake Ings - 14/04 - DB

Blackcap – One or two were present daily from the 1^st with four at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th when small numbers were scattered throughout the site.

Whitethroat – Single birds at Wheldrake Ings and Bank Island on the 13^th were the first of the year. Small numbers were then scattered throughout the site by the 21^st.

Lesser Whitethroat – Two at Bank Island on the 16^th were the first of the year with one at Melbourne on the 17^th and two at Foggathorpe on the 18^th. Further arrivals brought a widespread scattering of records around the site from the 20^th. Above average numbers were then present throughout the site thereafter.

Garden Warbler – The first of the year was at Bank Island on the 22^nd with a widespread arrival noted around the site on the 27^th.

Sedge Warbler – Singles were present at Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th with three at Melbourne on the 9^th. Several were recorded throughout the site on the 13^th with five the next day. One was at Bubwith Ings on the 15^th with small numbers noted throughout the site by the 20^th with a notable arrival on the 26^th.

Sedge Warbler - Wheldrake Ings - 27/04 - TW

Reed Warbler – The first returning two birds were recorded at Melbourne on the 12^th and Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th. Four were at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th.

Grasshopper Warbler – The first reeling bird was at Bank Island on the 16^th with another at Melbourne on the 21^st and 30^th.

Nuthatch – Single at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd.

Willow Tit – A single pair were present around the NNR Base at Bank Island throughout the month.

Cetti’s Warbler – Two birds were singing at Bank Island with two at Wheldrake Ings and a single at East Cottingwith. A single bird was also singing in the North Duffield/Bubwith area during the month with two at Barmby Marsh.

Linnet – A flock of 60 were at East Cottingwith on the 12^th.