Dec' 22

 Lower Derwent Valley NNR - December Sightings

A nice end to the year with some classic winter birding - highlights including 7 Bewick’s Swans, up to 203 Whooper Swans, 2000+ wintering Pink-footed Geese, 3120 Greylag Geese, 11,000+ Wigeon, 7000 Teal and 349 Pintail, with the lingering Smew and female Scaup also present. Last month’s juvenile Hen Harrier remained (roosting at North Duffield Carrs), whilst up to nine Marsh Harriers, five Peregrines and a single Merlin were also reported. A Rough-legged Buzzard through Bank Island on the 2^nd was also a notable record. Wader numbers fluctuated in response to cold weather conditions, with peaks of 5780 Lapwing and 4100 Golden Plover, along with 376 Snipe - forced to take refuge along the riverside in freezing conditions on the 11^th. Small numbers of Jack Snipe were scattered throughout the site, with once again large numbers of Woodcock using the Ings after dark - including a staggering 31 on Wheldrake on the 22^nd. A single Spotted Redshank (present from the 11^th) and a late Common Sandpiper were notable, as were a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Wheldrake on the 15^th, followed by a Raven there on 26^th and a Hawfinch at North Duffield Carrs on the 10^th.

Wheldrake Ings - Stuart Rapson

Many thanks as always to everyone who submitted counts and records during the month, in particular to members of York Birding, and regular patch birder Duncan Bye – thanks also to Duncan, Adam, Stuart & Johnny for the use of their images below.

 

BIRDS:

Whooper Swan – 68 were recorded at Thorganby Ings on the 2^nd whilst herds of 11 and 23 arrived at Wheldrake Ings during the day – giving a total of 102 across the site. 30 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th with numbers increasing to 187 on the monthly WeBS count on the 11^th. 203 were recorded on the dawn flight out of roost on the 18^th with counts of 130-170 thereafter to month end.

Bewicks’ Swan – Four (two adults and two juveniles) roosted with Whooper Swans at Thorganby on the 19^th. A presumed different party of three (one juvenile) appeared at North Duffield Carrs on the 27^th and remained on the reserve until the end of the year – believed to be the long returning ringed bird (702) although it has now lost its darvic.

Bewick's Swans - Derwent Farm - 29/12 - DB

Pink-footed Geese – Up to 300 roosted on the Low Grounds on the 1^st and 2^nd - presumably feeding further afield during the day, moving between Hagg Bridge on the 3^rd, Wheldrake on the 4^th and Sutton Farm on the 5^th. 557 were recorded on the monthly WeBS count on the 11^th. 70 were at Seavy Carr on the 13^th with 500+ remaining on the 18^th - increasing to 1000+ by the 23^rd and c2000 from the 27^th to month end.

Greylag Goose – Up to 1700 remained throughout the site on the 1^st including 900 at Melbourne and Thornton Ings. 2088 were recorded on the 11^th on the monthly WeBS count. 1500 were at Bank Island on the 24^th with a total of 3120 recorded on the 27^th and large numbers remaining thereafter.

Canada Goose – Relatively low numbers were seen throughout the site with 159 recorded on the 11^th. Numbers increased in the second half of the month with 328 recorded on the 29^th.

Egyptian Goose – Nine were in the usual East Cottingwith area on the 11^th. Two were on Elvington Airfield on the 19^th, with two or three regularly recorded from Wheldrake Ings and the Low Grounds later in the month.

Shelduck – Numbers increased with 100 recorded (plus the returning the hybrid bird) on the 11^th with 132 present on the 23^rd.

Wigeon – The WeBS count on the 11^th resulted in a count of 9268, followed by 11,000+ on the 17^th and 9900 on the 27^th.

Wildfowl - Ellerton Landing - 11/12

Teal – 4695 were present throughout the site on the 11^th with an estimated 7000 on the River Derwent at Ellerton Landing on the 15^th during the ongoing freeze.

Gadwall – 100+ were recorded on the 1^st with numbers down to just 23 by the 11^th. Numbers increased thereafter with 188 on the 27^th.

Gadwall - Wheldrake Ings - 04/12 - DB

Mallard – The WeBS produced a count of 1365 on the 11^th.

Pintail – Birds continued to increase with 170+ on the 1^st, followed by 349 on the 4^th (including 208 at Wheldrake Ings). Numbers then fell to 204 on the 11^th during the freezing conditions with limited open water, however as the thaw continued numbers recovered and reached 350+ by month end.

Shoveler – 113 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 4^th, with only 15 remaining on the 11^th when the freezing conditions and lack of open water forced birds away from the site. 111 had returned by the 27^th.

Tufted Duck – 42 were recorded on the 1^st with just a single remaining on the 11^th. Numbers increased later in the month with up to 22 present by the 31^st.

Scaup – A single female was found amongst a mass of Wigeon and Teal on the river at Ellerton Landing on the 11^th - presumably the same bird then reappeared at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th and remained to month end.

Pochard – Extensive flooding resulted in numbers building to 23 at Wheldrake by the 4^th, however just a single remained on the 11^th. Eight were present at Wheldrake on the 31^st.

Goldeneye – Seven were observed at Wheldrake on the 4^th with six throughout the whole site on the 11^th. Numbers across the reserve then built up to 16 by the 29^th.

Goldeneye - Wheldrake Ings - 30/12 - DB

Smew – A first year redhead was seen on the canal on East Cottingwith on the 24^th before appearing at Wheldrake later the same day. A a drake was then present with a pair of Goosander on the river at Bubwith on the 27^th. Single redhead at Wheldrake on the 31^st.

Smew - East Cottingwith - 24/12 - AF

Goosander – Five were on the Pocklington Canal on the 9^th, whilst a single redhead flew north over Bank Island on the 11^th. 11 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th with a pair seen on the river at Bubwith on the 27^th.

Little Egret – Up to three were present (daily) at Bank Island early in the month, with several reported from Thorganby. Singles were also regularly recorded along the Pocklington Canal.

Great White Egret – A single remained at North Duffield Carrs between the 1^st - 4^th with another on the riverbank at Aughton on the 19^th. A single frequented and roosted at Wheldrake between the 23^rd - 29^th.

Little Grebe – Eight were recorded throughout the site on the monthly WeBS count on the 11^th, with birds concentrated on both the river and canal. Birds then returned to the flooded Ings after the thaw, with up to five at North Duffield Carrs on the 21^st and two at Wheldrake on the 31^st.

Little Grebe - Wheldrake Ings - 28/12 - DB

Marsh Harrier – D3, the long staying wing-tagged bird, was present from the 1^st - 4^th before roosting at RSPB Blacktoft Sands on the 5^th, and then reappearing in the LDV again on the 7^th. Four different individuals were present on the reserve on the 11^th with numbers up to five by the 16^th. Nine, including two adult males and D3, were present along the river on the 18^th with a total of eight across the reserve on the 29^th.

Hen Harrier – Last month’s immature bird remained on the reserve, with it appearing to roost at North Duffield Carrs overnight on the 1^st. It was next seen late in the day on the 2^nd at Bank Island, and at North Duffield Carrs again on the 3^rd. It was then present again on the 16^th and 18^th at North Duffield Carrs - hunting the riverbank, before roosting daily from the 19^th to month end. Presumably the same individual was also seen hunting fields to the north of Skipwith on the 30^th.   

Red Kite – One or two individuals were present regularly throughout the Wheldrake area with a pair also seen towards month end in the Melbourne area.

Rough-legged Buzzard – One flew over Bank Island on the 2^nd (CSR, JT) before being relocated near Murton 30 mins later (JT).

Peregrine – Three were present across the reserve early in the month with one observed taking a Lapwing at North Duffield Carrs on the 10^th. Three or four remained thereafter to month end with five different birds present throughout the site on the 29^th.

Merlin – A single female/immature at Aughton on the 29^th.  

Grey Partridge – 19 were in fields next to Skipwith Common NNR on the 1^st with 14 at Bank Island on the 9^th. 12 were in a field in Wheldrake village on the 19^th with nine near Raker Lakes on the 29^th.

Water Rail –. Up to six were present early in the month at Wheldrake with two calling birds heard around Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 10^th.

Golden Plover – 3500 were recorded throughout the reserve on the 2^nd with numbers up to 4100 by the 4^th. Freezing conditions then forced birds out the area, with just 65 remaining on the 11^th. c1000 had returned by the 27^th.

Lapwing – 3500 were present throughout the site on the 2^nd, reducing to just 376 on the 11^th.  Numbers began to build up again late in the month with 5780 recorded on the 29^th.

Lapwing - Ellerton - 11/12 - DB

Snipe – Birds were widespread throughout the reserve early in the month with flocks of 15, 7, 6 and 21 arriving at Bank Island in freezing conditions on the 9^th. A total of 461 were recorded across the site on the 11^th - 376 of which were found concentrated along the edge of the river. Birds were noted in several unusual locations during the ongoing freeze, with one feeding in an Elvington garden on the 17^th. 200+ were feeding in rush pasture by Elvington Airfield on the 19^th whilst 180+ were back on North Duffield Carrs following the thaw on the 21^st.

Jack Snipe – A single after dark on Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th was followed by one on Skipwith Common NNR on the 7^th and one on the riverbank at Aughton on the 11^th. Two were at Elvington Airfield on the 19^th with two at North Duffield Carrs on the 21^st and two on North Duffield Ings on the 22^nd.

Ruff – 11 were recorded at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th followed by eight on the 11^th. 27 were present throughout the site on the 29^th.

Dunlin – 48 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th with 124 throughout the reserve on the 11^th – present until month end.

Curlew – Up to 22 remained throughout the month.

Curlew - Wheldrake Ings - 18/12 - DB

Woodcock – 12 were feeding in arable between Skipwith village and the Common after dark on the 1^st, with nine individuals present on the same night at Pool Bridge Farm near Crockey Hill. Five birds were flushed from more unusual locations around Wheldrake, Bank Island and North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th - perhaps the result of freezing conditions. One was again present at North Duffield Carrs on the 19^th – on the same day eight were seen after dark in fields around Wheldrake village with a further nine at Elvington Airfield. 10 were on arable fields adjacent to Skipwith Common NNR on the 21^st when nine were also present at North Duffield Carrs. A staggering 31 were recorded at Wheldrake Ings after dark on the 22^nd.

Black-tailed Godwit – Single at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd followed by six on the 4^th. Two were observed standing on a frozen Thorganby Ings on the 11^th with four there from the 23^rd to month end.

Redshank – Numbers had increased to 28 by the 11^th.

Spotted Redshank – A single was present with Redshank along the riverbank at Aughton/Ellerton Ings on the 11^th and was seen again on the 31^st – a drastic change to previous years with them being regular winter visitors in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s.

Spotted Redshank - Ellerton - 11/12 - DB

Green Sandpiper – One was present at Skipwith Common NNR on the 7^th with another/the same seen on the Pocklington Canal near Hagg Bridge on the 16^th.

Common Sandpiper – One flew off calling from the beck at Melbourne on the 7^th.

Caspian Gull – A first winter bird was present again at Wheldrake on the 16^th.

Black-headed Gull – 15,000 were recorded at the Wheldrake Ings gull roost on the 4^th with numbers up to 18,000 on the 11^th. 12,000 were still present on the 27^th.

Mediterranean Gull – An adult was seen at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd.

Common Gull – 5000 were recorded at the Wheldrake Ings roost on the 4^th - increasing to 7000 on the 11^th. 2000 were present on the 29^th.

Herring Gull – The Wheldrake Ings roost held 100 on the 4^th with numbers reaching 150 by the 11^th. Numbers then increased further and were higher than in recent years with 1000+ observed on the 27^th and 1500 on the 29^th.

Gull roost - Wheldrake Ings - 27/12 - DB

Greater Black-backed Gull – 50 at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th with 100 there on the 27^th.

Green Woodpecker – Single at Wheldrake on the 4^th and then again on the 27^th, 28^th and 31^st. Several were heard regularly throughout the month from Skipwith Common NNR.  

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker – A single was reported by riverside willows between the bridge and Tower Hide at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th.

Stonechat – Up to four remained at North Duffield Carrs throughout the month with two at Wheldrake Ings and two at Thornton Ellers on the 11^th. Single at Ings Lane, East Cottingwith on the 29^th.

Stonechat - Wheldrake Ings - 04/12 - DB

Redwing – Good numbers remained across the reserve on the 1^st and 2^nd with wet, drizzly and misty weather grounding birds which took advantage of the local berry supply and feeding areas around the edges of the flooded Ings. 2000+ were in the Melbourne area on the 10^th.

Fieldfare – 2500 were recorded throughout the reserve on the 11^th including 1300 feeding on the flooded, (but frozen Ings), on the 11^th. As the thaw began, a total of 5200 passed southwest through Bank Island on the 19^th, with large numbers present after dark feeding in arable fields around Wheldrake village.

Fieldfare - Wheldrake Ings - 09/12 - JM

Raven – Single at Wheldrake Ings on the 26^th.

Cetti’s Warbler – Up to four birds were present early in the month at Church Bridge, Melbourne and the surrounding area, with another at East Cottingwith on the 3^rd and two at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th. Two were still present at Melbourne on the 13^th and remained to month end – as did the two at Wheldrake.

Chiffchaff – Two at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th.

Blackcap – A male and female were present in a garden in Elvington on the 24^th with two males and a female there on the 31^st.  

Blackcap - Elvington - 24/12 - AF

Linnet – The Bank Island roost increased to 80 by the 4^th with 300 still in the Thornton area - remaining until the 11^th. 300+ were present in arable around Cheesecake Farm on the 29^th.

Siskin – 96 were recorded along the Pocklington Canal at Melbourne on the 5^th.

Common Redpoll – Two were caught and ringed during the second half of the month at Skipwith Common NNR with a single seen at Melbourne on the 20^th.

Hawfinch – A single was seen with a flock of Redwing in the car park at North Duffield Carrs on the 10^th.