Feb' 21

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - February Sightings

Unsurprisingly wintering and returning waterfowl featured predominantly, with cold weather movements bringing a welcome lingering Slavonian Grebe to Bank Island from the 15^th, and a drake and three red-head Smew from the 21^st. Two wintering Bewick’s Swans and up to 14 Tundra Bean Geese were present throughout much of the month, adding additional mid-winter birding opportunities. With a switch to mild weather later in the month, the first wave of returning Pink-footed Geese started with 2000+ through the reserve on the 22^nd, followed by the first 17 Whooper Swans the next day. Other notable counts included 173 Pochard and 600+ Pintail. 

Amongst the waders, large numbers of Woodcock, Jack Snipe and Common Snipe were found scattered throughout the site, having relocated due to flooding and freezing conditions, whilst the usual build-up of spring passage and returning breeding waders began, including most notably, up to 200 Curlew back on site. 300+ Dunlin and 80 wintering Ruff were still present, with notable records of Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Grey Plover and Avocet, whilst a small build-up of Black-tailed Godwits was noted at month end. Local gull watchers were rewarded with perhaps as many as seven individual Mediterranean Gulls and four Iceland Gulls. Incoming and outgoing migrants included the first Woodlarks from the 16^th, three Waxwings (briefly on the 12^th) and a small run of Chiffchaff records at month end - possibly over-wintering birds moving within the local area.

Many thanks to everyone who submitted records throughout the month, in particular to members of the YOC, and regular patch birder Duncan Bye. Thanks also to Tom Broxup, Duncan Bye, Stuart Campbell, Mikey Naylor and Terry Weston for the use of their images below – credited TB, DB, SC, MN and TW.

 

BIRDS: 

Mute Swan – Up to 98 were recorded around the site during the month.    

Whooper Swan – 177 present in the North Duffield area on the 1^st were followed by counts of 144 at Ellerton/Aughton on the 11^th and 179 throughout the reserve on the 12^th. 193 were located in the Bubwith Ings area on the 23^rd, on which date 17 passage birds, the first of spring, flew north off Wheldrake shortly after dawn. Three flocks were recorded overnight passing through Elvington on the 22^nd/23^rd. 129 were still present across the site on the 25^th, whilst passage flocks saw numbers increase to 226 throughout the reserve on the 28^th.

A total of 110+ spring passage birds moved through the site during the month.

Whooper Swans - Wheldrake Ings - 28/02 - DB

Bewick’s Swan – Two remained into the month with the Whooper Swan herd at North Duffield and elsewhere until month end.

Greylag Goose – 1200 were in the North Duffield Carrs area on the 11^th with 1876 present throughout the site on the 12^th. Numbers appeared to fall quickly with the mild weather later in the month, with the larger flocks breaking up into smaller groups and pairs starting to move onto territories.

Pink-footed Goose – 23 were at Aughton Ings on the 3^rd with 120 into roost at Wheldrake Ings on the same date. 98 were present throughout the whole site on the 7^th. 131 were recorded between Aughton and North Duffield Carrs on the 11^th with a total of 311 across the reserve on the 12^th. 60+ were still in the area on the 14^th with 110 over Crockey Hill on the 16^th - on which date 200 remained in the Aughton area. Nine present at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st were followed by 2000+ flying north on the 22^nd - the first large scale return passage movement of the spring. Several flocks were also recorded heading over Elvington later in the day after the cover of darkness. 520 flew north-west over the reserve on the 26^th, followed by 121 on the 27^th and 210 on the 28^th.

Pink-footed Geese - Bank Island - 27/02 - DB

Tundra Bean Goose – 13 were present in the Aughton/North Duffield Carrs area on the 11^th, and may have been in the area for a week previously. 14 were recorded in the area on the 12^th with at least four still present between the 16^th - 23^rd.  

White-fronted Goose – Nine adults were observed on the 12^th.  

Canada Goose – Up to 200 were counted throughout the month around the reserve.

Egyptian Goose – Up to seven remained in the usual stronghold of East Cottingwith, with occasional ones and twos recorded elsewhere.

Shelduck – 153 were counted in the Thorganby/Ellerton area on the 12^th.

Wigeon – Up to 10,800 were present during the month.

Wigeon - Aughton Ings - 01/02 - MN

Teal – Monthly maximum of 6,150 were recorded during the month.

Pintail – 512 were present throughout the site on the 12^th. 305 were on North Duffield Ings on the 26^th with 161 at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th – when a total of 612 were recorded throughout the site.

Mallard – The first two predated eggs were found at Bank Island on the 17^th. Up to 1200 were present throughout the site during the month.

Gadwall – Numbers increased during the month with 175 recorded by month end.

Shoveler – Numbers increased towards the end of the month with 147 individuals counted.

Tufted Duck – 117 were present throughout the site on the 12^th with 77 at Bank Island on the 22^nd. Numbers increased quickly thereafter with 343 on the 27^th (including 210 at Wheldrake Ings and 70 at Bank Island).

Scaup – A drake was observed at Bank Island on the 11^th (CSR) and later at Wheldrake Ings/Bank Island on the 20^th and 21^st (DB et al).

Goldeneye – 17 were recorded at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th with 10 remaining there on the 28^th.

Goldeneye - Wheldrake Ings - 28/02 - DB

Pochard – 118 were present in the Bubwith Ings area on the 1^st, increasing to 137 by the 12^th and 150+ by the 13^th. 173 were present on the 17^th, including 54 at Wheldrake and five at Bank Island. 160 (just 19 of which were female), were recorded on the 26^th followed by 139 on the 28^th. A female and two drakes on Melbourne and Thornton Ings on the 24^th were unusual at this location.

Common Scoter – Three parties flew over North Duffield during the night of the 24^th (OM) and coincided with several sightings at the time in the wider area.

Goosander – Two pairs were present higher up the Derwent at Stamford Bridge on the 12^th.

Smew – A drake and three red-heads were present on the reserve on the 21^st (DW et al), and were recorded at Thorganby Ings thereafter to the 24^th. A drake and two red-heads present again there on the 26^th.

Slavonian Grebe – A single winter plumaged bird was found at Bank Island on the 15^th (DW et al), and was present again the following morning – remaining until the 25^th.

Slavonian Grebe - Bank Island - 18/02 - TB

Great Crested Grebe – A single was still present at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th with another in summer plumage newly arrived at Bank Island on the 16^th - present until the 22^nd. A pair were at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th with a single at Bubwith Ings on the 28^th.

Little Egret – Up to six were present during the first week of the month in the Melbourne area, and were followed by two at East Cottingwith on the 10^th. Six were at Melbourne again on the 17^th, with a single at Bank Island on the 24^th. Numbers continued to increase as the month progressed with returning birds scattered throughout the site towards month end.

Little Egret - Dunnington - 10/02 - TW

Great White Egret – A single was observed on Sutton On Derwent Ings on the 26^th (CSR).

Cormorant – Up to 33 were present at the Wheldrake roost during the month.

Coot – Four were recorded at Melbourne on the 10^th, with two at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th – on the same date six were also at Storwood Ings. 21 were reported across the site on the 20^th followed by 31 on the 26^th.

Marsh Harrier – Wing-tagged bird ‘D3’ was observed at Skipwith Common NNR – perhaps hunting more widely in response to the extensive flooding on the Ings. A single was still present on an extensively flooded Wheldrake on the 3^rd with D3 then seen at Aughton Ings on the 5^th. Three individuals were recorded at Aughton on the 12^th, with two in the Bank Island area on 18^th and 19^th. D3 remained on site until month end.

Peregrine – Two or three birds were present throughout the reserve during the month, with two sparring females over Skipwith Common NNR on the 15^th an unusual record. A pair were present over Aughton Ings on the 16^th with an adult female at Barmby Marsh on the 18^th, Bank Island on the 24^th and North Duffield Ings on the 26^th.

Merlin – A single immature was present at Bank Island on the 18^th (TB) and again on the 19^th and 24^th (CSR). A single was hunting over North Duffield Ings on the 26^th (TJ).

Red Kite – Two were at Wheldrake Ings and one at Aughton Ings on the 1^st, followed by one at Bank Island on the 2^nd. One was present at Crockey Hill on the 8^th with two at East Cottingwith on the 10^th and a single over Aughton on 16^th. A pair were in the Thorganby area on the 17^th and 18^th with another pair over Bank Island on the 17^th. Four flew north in a group over Bank Island on the morning of the 19^th heading north, with two at Skipwith Common and a single at Bubwith Ings on the 21^st. A single was present over North Duffield village towards Bubwith on the 23^rd whilst five were seen over fields near Skipwith on the 25^th.

Grey Partridge – Up to 17 pairs were located on the Escrick Park Estate during the month, with six pairs observed on farmland along the Wheldrake to Escrick road. A single pair were present on farmland adjacent to Elvington Airfield on the 23^rd.

Water Rail – Up to three were recorded by the Pocklington Canal at Melbourne early in the month, with up to three also present in the Wheldrake car park area and two at Bank Island.

Avocet – A single at Thornton Ellers on the 26^th.

Oystercatcher – Singles were at Aughton and Ellerton on the 4^th and 5^th with three across the site on the 7^th. Three were at Bubwith Ings on the 18^th with seven in the southern half of the reserve on the 25^th. Seven were then present at Wheldrake Ings on the 28^th.

Oystercatcher - Wheldrake Ings - 28/02 - DB

Lapwing – 2000+ remained across the reserve early in the month, with c3000 in the Storwood/Hagg Bridge area on the 3^rd. Early displaying pairs were at Bubwith Ings on the 13^th and Bank Island on the 15^th. Up to 3000 were present between East Cottingwith and Bubwith on the 25^th.

Golden Plover – 1500 were present in the Hagg Bride area on the 3^rd with smaller numbers lingering to month end.

Grey Plover – A single flew over the flood water at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th.

Jack Snipe – A single was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th with singles at Melbourne Ings on the 14^th and 15^th. Eight were present at Skipwith Common NNR on the 23^rd with five on wet pasture near Elvington Airfield on the same date.

Snipe – Up to 100 birds arrived at Bank Island during the morning of the 12^th, in small flocks and singles – presumably the result of cold weather movements. 12 flew over East Cottingwith village later in the day. 50 were present on Melbourne Ings on the 14^th, whilst 100 were observed feeding after dark on pasture fields in the Elvington area on the 16^th. 32 were recorded at Skipwith Common NNR on the 23^rd with 100 still near Elvington Airfield on the same date.

Woodcock – Four were present on Skipwith Common NNR on the 1^st with five there on the 13^th. 52 were observed on a single farm, largely in three pasture fields, near Elvington Airfield on the 16^th, with 15+ on nearby fields on the 17^th. 25+ were still present in the area on the 23^rd. Two were present at Back Common on the 28^th.

Curlew – Numbers increased early in the month to 54 by the 5^th, when the first bird was heard in sub song at Thorganby. Numbers started to increased thereafter as birds returned across the reserve with eight at Bubwith Bridge on the 10^th. 47 roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th with 63 around the reserve on that date. 43 were present at Thornton Ings on the 19^th with 108 recorded there on the 20^th. A total of 203 were located throughout the reserve on the 22^nd and 23^rd.

Black-tailed Godwit – A single present throughout the month in the Wheldrake area was followed by two at North Duffield Carrs from the 5^th to month end. Ten were at Bank Island on the 22^nd with 21 at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th.  

Black-tailed Godwits - Wheldrake Ings - 27/02 - DB

Dunlin – c100 were still present in the Aughton area on the 3^rd with c100 on the floodbank at North Duffield Ings on the 7^th. 300+ were present in the Bubwith Bridge area on the 10^th with 327 counted there on the 12^th. Up to 200 remained thereafter.

Ruff – Up to 80 lingered at several sites throughout the reserve.

Green Sandpiper – A single at Elvington Airfield on 17^th was followed by one at Bank Island on the 24^th and Melbourne on the 26^th.

Greenshank – A single flew over Bank Island and Wheldrake calling on the 22^nd.

Redshank – 30 were recorded at Bubwith Bridge on the 7^th with 40 there on the 10^th thereafter. Birds started to disperse back onto breeding territories late in the month with one at Thornton Ings on the 24^th. 61 were present throughout the whole site on the 28^th.

Mediterranean Gull – Four were observed at the Wheldrake roost on the 20^th and were followed by one at Elvington and one at Wheldrake on the 21^st. A second winter was present at the roost again on the 24^th with a different second winter on the 26^th and 27^th. Perhaps as many as seven different individuals were involved in these sightings.

Black-headed Gull – 20,000 were at the Wheldrake Ings roost on 24^th.

Gull roost - Wheldrake Ings - 21/01 - DB

Common Gull – 15,000 were counted at the Wheldrake Ings roost on the 24^th.

Greater Black-backed Gull – Up to 300 remained throughout the area and at the roosts during the month.

Lesser Black-backed Gull – Up to 30 were observed in fields by Skipwith Common NNR on the 24^th when two were also present at the Wheldrake roost at dusk – the first signs of increasing spring passage.

Herring Gull – 500 were at the Wheldrake Ings roost on the 24^th.

Iceland Gull – A single flew over North Duffield Carrs towards the Ings at dusk on the 8^th (OM) – presumably moving from its day-time feeding fields near Skipwith Common NNR to Aughton to roost. Three adults and a first winter were present at the North Duffield Carrs roost on the 13^th, with two adults roosting at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th.

Short-eared Owl – A single was present at Ellerton Ings on the 5^th (TJ).

Barn Owl – Up to two birds were seen daytime hunting at Bank Island during snow cover between the 9^th - 12^th, with seven individuals observed hunting during the morning of the 12^th across the site – presumably having difficulty finding food due to the harsh conditions.

Barn Owl - Hagg Bridge - 15/02 - SC

Skylark – Following a small influx around the reserve, no doubt related to snow cover, 300 flew over Skipwith Common NNR on the 15^th - with 100 also seen over Bank Island - possibly birds reorientating. Another flock, of 50 this time, were seen over Bank Island on the 16^th.

Woodlark – The first returning bird was singing at Skipwith Common NNR on the 16^th (NC, MR), with four there on the 22^nd, five on the 23^rd and eight on the 24^th/25^th.   

Song Thrush – Up to eight individuals were singing in the Melbourne/Pocklington Canal area on the 3^rd, followed by one at Bank Island on the 5^th.

Fieldfare – Numbers increased around the reserve during snow cover from the 9^th - 12^th, with 350 scattered throughout the site on the 12^th - on the same date c100 were feeding in an orchard at Ellerton, with a flock of 30 observed stripping a holly tree of berries at East Cottingwith cemetery.

Waxwing – Three were present near Elvington on the 12^th.

Stonechat – Pairs remained at both North Duffield Carrs and Melbourne during the month. Three were at Barmby Marsh Wetlands on the 24^th.

Cetti’s Warbler – Wintering birds remained at Melbourne, Church Bridge and East Cottingwith early in the month. A single was heard singing at Wheldrake on the 28^th.

Blackcap – The wintering bird in an Elvington garden remained throughout January and into early February.

Chiffchaff – A single was present in Aughton Churchyard on the 3^rd with a single at Barmby Marsh Wetlands on the 19^th. A single was seen at Bank Island on the 27^th when the first singing bird was heard at Back Common, Thorganby, closely followed by one at North Duffield Carrs on the 28^th.

Willow Tit – One at Skipwith Common NNR on the 1^st and the 8^th. Singing birds were heard at Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 10^th and North Duffield Carrs on the 12^th. Others followed on Skipwith Common NNR on the 18^th and Back Common on the 28^th.

Greenfinch – Several remained at the NNR base at Bank Island during the month, with flocks of 25 at Thorganby and 19 at Elvington.

House Sparrow – Up to 35 remained at the NNR base throughout the month.

Lesser Redpoll – 60 were present in canal side Alders at Melbourne on the 1^st, with small numbers observed throughout the month on Skipwith Common NNR.

Common Redpoll – One or two were present at Skipwith Common NNR on the 2^nd and again on the 8^th.

Siskin – Up to 160 were present in the Melbourne/Thornton Ings area during the month.

Brambling – A poor winter for the species continued with singles at Elvington on the 6^th and Bank Island on the 15^th.

Bullfinch – A total of 63 individuals have been caught and ringed or re-trapped at the NNR base feeding stations since the start of the year.

A total of 131 species have now been recorded since the start of the year.

 

MAMMALS:

Stoat – A single was seen in the NNR base garden on the 17^th.

Weasel – One was hunting voles in the snow at Melbourne Ings early in the month.

Pipistrelle Bat sp. – A single, the first of the year, was at Bank Island on the 15^th.

Fallow Deer – Up to 40 were present in the Thorganby area during the month, with 20 also seen on Skipwith Common NNR.

Water Vole – Signs of recent activity were found on Skipwith Common NNR on the 24^th.

 

BUTTERFLIES:

Small Tortoiseshell – A single in the NNR base garden on the 15^th was the first of the year, no doubt tempted out by the mild weather conditions.

Peacock – A single at Skipwith Common NNR on the 24^th was the first of the year.

Brimstone – The first of the year was at Skipwith Back Common near Thorganby on the 27^th.

 

MOTHS:

Dotted Border – Two at Bank Island on the 17^th.