Feb' 26

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - February Sightings

A total of 140 species have now been recorded across the reserve and surrounding area since the beginning of the year.

The undoubted highlight was the large influx of grey geese into the area, which peaked with 600-700 White-fronted Geese, 42 Tundra Bean Geese, 11 Barnacle Geese and 6,400 Pink-footed Geese. Whilst the local Whooper Swan wintering herd peaked at 249 on the 12^th, spring return passage started on the 24^th, with 197 through the site heading north-west by month end. Other notable sightings included a Slavonian Grebe, a lingering Long-tailed Duck (in the wider local area), and both a Knot (12-18^th) and Turnstone (21^st-26^th) at Bubwith Bridge, along with the lingering Spotted Redshank.

Slavonian Grebe - North Duffield Carrs - 08/02 - DB

Other waterfowl counts included 10,000 Teal, 9600 Wigeon, 703 Pintail and 140 Pochard, whilst 8,000-10,000 Lapwing remained during the month. A drake Smew was present throughout whilst three sightings of a Common Crane were logged, and at least one drake Scaup lingered. There was also the usual return and build-up of Oystercatchers and Curlews, with the first chipping and drumming Snipe heard at Bubwith Bridge on the 25^th. The now annual build-up of spring Black-tailed Godwits reached 591 by the 21^st. 

A Little Gull lingered at North Duffield Carrs (10^th-15^th) whilst the first returning Woodlark was present at Skipwith Common (25^th).

Many thanks 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, Tony Jenkins, Stuart Masheder and Andrew Woodcock for the use of their images below.

 

BIRDS:

Mute Swan – Monthly maxima of 80 on the 21^st.

Whooper Swan – A total of 210 were present in two herds (Ellerton and North Duffield Ings) on the 2^nd (including 58 first-winters). At least 180 were present on the 7^th in a non-full count of the reserve, whilst 249 were recorded on fields at Derwent Cottage Farm at North Duffield on the 12^th, with 208 still present there on the 21^st. Spring passage started late in the month with 21 north-west on the 24^th followed by another 127 moving over Bank Island after dark (2300hrs to 0100hrs on the 25^th). Eleven went over Melbourne Ings on the 25^th with a further 38 north-west over Bank Island on the 26^th, followed by 23 on the 27^th.

Whooper Swans - Ellerton Ings - 04/02 - DB

Greylag Goose – Numbers continued to fall during the month with just 454 remaining on the 21^st.

Tundra Bean Goose – A flock of 19 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st and were followed by 22 there on the 8^th. At least 19 remained there on the 9^th, whilst a single was present on the regular farm pond at East Cottingwith on the 10^th. Eighteen were in the North Duffield Carrs area on the 12^th with numbers up to 32 on the 13^th/14^th. A total of 42 were recorded on the monthly WeBS count throughout the site on the 21^st, with the same number remaining on the 22^nd and 36+ were present until month end.

European White-fronted Goose – Up to 22 remained across the reserve on the 1^st with 20 present in fields near Thorganby on the 2^nd. The Thorganby flock remained on the 5^th with additional flocks of 20 over Stamford Bridge and 40 south over Low Catton. Twenty-six were recorded at Thorganby on the 6^th when another flock of 380+ were present at North Duffield Carrs – a minimum of 406 throughout the site. A full count of the reserve on the 7^th produced a minimum total of 507 but perhaps as many as 617. Several flocks were mobile throughout the area on the 8^th, with a minimum of 317 recorded on the 9^th and 150+ remaining on the 12^th. At least 300 were at North Duffield Carrs on the 14^th. Up to 700 were present across the site on the 16^th, when a single large flock flew up the valley and 400 came towards and over York before u-turning, whilst 300 separated and dropped down onto Wheldrake Ings. 120 flew north at Bank Island early morning on the 18^th on a similar flight line, with 340 birds on the ground around the reserve on the same day. A total of 679 were present throughout the site on the 21^st/22^nd. At least 300+ remained in the Bubwith area on the 25^th, with numbers up to 450+ by the 28^th.

White-fronted Geese - Thorganby - 02/02 - DB

Pink-footed Goose – Over 2,000 remained at the beginning of the month with 1,488 found along Menthorpe Lane on the 7^th, where they remained until the 9^th. At least 800 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 14^th with 3,000 birds observed feeding in two flocks around the site on the 18^th, with an impressive total of 6,423 recorded on the 21^st. At least 500+ moved north-west on spring migration on the 24^th followed by 633 on the 25^th. Between 2,000-3,000 remained across the site on the 25^th.

Canada Goose – Numbers declined during the month with just 88 remaining on the 21^st.

Barnacle Goose – Seven were in the area on the 1^st, and two were present with large numbers of White-fronted Geese at North Duffield Carrs on the 6^th and again at Hagg Bridge on the 7^th and 8^th. Eleven were recorded across the reserve on the monthly WeBS count on the 21^st including at least one colour-ringed individual, thought to be from the Netherlands.

Egyptian Goose – Up to ten were present throughout the site on the 8^th followed by eight on the 21^st.

Shelduck – Monthly maxima of 112 were present throughout the site on the 21^st. 

Mallard – A total of 1,039 were recorded during the monthly WeBS count on the 21^st.

Pintail – A count of 90 at Melbourne Ings on the 14^th represented a noteworthy total at this site, whilst 703 were present throughout the whole reserve on the 21^st.

Teal – At least 10,000 present early in the month had reduced to 5,333 by the 21^st.

Wigeon – A total of 9,638 were recorded on the 21^st.

Wigeon - Bubwith Ings - 14/02 - DB

Shoveler – Sample counts on the 2^nd included 59 at Thornton Ellers and 19 at North Duffield Ings, with 208 recorded throughout the whole site on the 21^st.

Gadwall – Monthly maxima of 94 were present on the 21^st.

Tufted Duck – A total of 116 were present throughout the site on the 21^st.

Scaup – Two first-winter birds and an adult male remained at North Duffield Carrs between the 1^st-10^th with a single drake remaining thereafter until the 15^th. The same individual was present at Aughton Ings on the 21^st before returning to North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd.

Pochard – A flock of 40 were on Bubwith Ings on the 7^th with a total of 63 recorded throughout the site on the 8^th. A total of 123 were on Bubwith Ings on the 14^th before 140 were counted throughout the site on the 21^st.

Goldeneye – A total of 24 were present across the reserve on the 8^th followed by 23 on the 15^th and 21^st.

Smew – A drake was present at Thorganby Ings on the 8^th and 9^th.

Goosander – Eight were at Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th, later flying off towards York at dusk.

Common Scoter – A drake was present on the floods at Bank Island on the 15^th.

Common Scoter - Bank Island - 15/02 - DB

Long-tailed Duck – The lingering bird reappeared at Hemingbrough on the 15^th.

Grey Heron – Good numbers were present throughout the month with breeding activity well underway in the local heronry. A total of 28 were recorded on the WeBS count on the 21^st.

Little Egret – Several birds lingered throughout the month.

Great White Egret – Three were at Ellerton Ings on the 1^st with six across the site on the 2^nd including birds at Bank Island, Thornton Ings and Bubwith. A total of eight were present throughout the site on the 7^th with four or five lingering until month end.  

Great White Egret - Bubwith Ings - 14/02 - DB

Slavonian Grebe – One was found at North Duffield Carrs on the 6^th, and despite being well looked for on the 7^th, there were no records, until it then reappeared on the 8^th when it showed well in front of Garganey Hide. Either the same bird, or another, was then present at Stamford Bridge Flash between the 18^th-21^st.

Great Crested Grebe – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th was followed by two at Bank Island on the 25^th and a single on the 27^th.

Water Rail – Regular throughout the site during the month.

Common Crane – A single was on Oaks Golf Club at Aughton on the 2^nd with one heard calling in the Hagg Bridge area on the 7^th. A single went south over East Cottingwith on the 21^st.

Coot – A single was present at Melbourne on the 9^th and another was heard after dark over North Duffield Ings on the 12^th. A total of 55 were present along Melbourne and Thornton Ings on the 16^th.

Cormorant – Up to 30 wintering birds remained throughout the month.

White-tailed Eagle – Last month’s un-ringed juvenile which was last seen on the site on the 28^th January, and was then seen along the Humber over the next few days, before relocating to Northumberland and spending time at Duridge Bay. A single was reported over Wheldrake Woods on the 15^th.

Goshawk – A pair were present and displaying at one site on the 17^th and an immature male was seen over Bank Island on the 25^th.

Marsh Harrier – Good numbers remained across the reserve throughout the month, with seven logged on the 15^th.

Marsh Harrier - North Duffield Carrs - 15/02 - DB

Hen Harrier – A single ringtail was present near Elvington on the 16^th.

Peregrine – Four or five wintering birds were present throughout the month.

Merlin – Two were seen in East Cottingwith on the 7^th with a male observed at Wheldrake Ings on the 28^th.

Oystercatcher – Three were present on the 1^st, four on the 2^nd and seven on the 7^th, with numbers reaching 11 throughout the site by the 14^th, when the first three birds were recorded back at Melbourne and Thornton Ings. Eleven were recorded again on the 21^st.

Oystercatchers - Bubwith Ings - 14/02 - DB

Ringed Plover – One flew north at North Duffield Ings (with Dunlin) on the 28^th.

Golden Plover – Numbers reduced with most birds absent early in the month due to high water levels. A flock of around 500 returned by the 7^th increasing to 1,000 by the 9^th, with just 755 remaining on the 21^st.

Golden Plover - North Duffield Carrs - 24/02 - TJ

Lapwing – Up to 7,000 remained throughout the reserve on the 1^st and 2^nd (despite the high water levels), with at least 8,000 present on the 7^th and 10,024 on the 21^st.

Dunlin – Numbers returned with 350 recorded throughout the site on the 7^th. 304 were at North Duffield Ings on the 14^th followed by 352 there on the 21^st.

Turnstone – A single was seen feeding with Dunlin at North Duffield Ings between the 21^st-26^th.

Knot – A single was caught and ringed after dark at North Duffield Ings on the 12^th and remained there the following day and was then present until the 18^th.

Knot - Bubwith Bridge - 12/02 - CSR

Ruff – A total of 20 were at North Duffield Carrs on the 6^th, 9^th and 12^th, with numbers then reaching 34-40 on the 13^th and 14^th. At least 37 were still present on the 21^st.

Black-tailed Godwit – A handful of birds were present from early in the month with 170 recorded on the 7^th and 200+ between the 8^th-14^th. Numbers increased to 309 on the 15^th, and further to 407 on the 19^th and 591 on the 21^st.

Black-tailed Godwits - Wheldrake Ings - 22/02 - DB

Snipe – The first chipping birds (four) and drumming bird (one) were present at North Duffield Ings on the 25^th.

Jack Snipe – Two at Skipwith Common NNR on the 25^th.

Redshank – Twenty were present throughout the site on the 7^th and increased to 40+ at Bubwith Bridge on the 12^th and remained thereafter.

Spotted Redshank – The wintering individual was present on the riverbank at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st and remained until month end.

Curlew – Numbers increased during the month with 57 having returned by the 7^th. Birds were vocal early on and increased singing activity was observed from mid-month, with 73 having returned by the 21^st – including two colour-ringed birds returning to their territories held for the last five years on Wheldrake Ings.

Curlew - North Duffield Carrs - 14/02 - DB

Little Gull – An adult at North Duffield Carrs flew over Garganey Hide with Black-headed Gulls on the 8^th, and reappeared there again on the 9^th with a second bird. One was present at Bubwith Bridge on the 10^th before being seen at North Duffield Carrs on the 11^th and Bubwith Bridge between the 13^th-15^th.  

Black-headed Gull – At least 23,000 roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st.

Mediterranean Gull – An adult was in the Wheldrake roost on the 7^th.

Common Gull – Numbers at the Wheldrake roost increased with 11,000 recorded on the 21^st.

Herring Gull – 500+ were at the Wheldrake roost on the 7^th with numbers up to 577 by the 21^st.

Iceland Gull – A first-winter bird flew over Bank Island towards Wheldrake late afternoon on the 6^th (first record since 2021).

Greater Black-backed Gull – A total of 56 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st.

Caspian Gull – At least four first-winters and an adult were present at the Wheldrake roost on the 7^th, with two or three first-winters on the 8^th and one on the 14^th.

Lesser Black-backed Gull – Three were at the Wheldrake roost on 7^th with at least one adult there on the 13^th. Similar low figure counts continued throughout the month.

Green Woodpecker – Present throughout the month at Skipwith Common NNR, Hemingbrough Brick Pits and Allerthorpe Common. Singles were also noted at Ferry Lane in Thorganby and South Duffield on the 7^th with another at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd.

Little Owl – Pairs remained at Thorganby and Thornton at known breeding sites.

Skylark – Several pairs were singing and displaying over the extensive winter floods on the 1^st and 2^nd. At least 70 singing males were present across the site on the 21^st – observed displaying over floodwater.

Skylark - North Duffield Carrs - 17/02 - TJ

Woodlark – The first returning singing bird was at Skipwith Comon NNR on the 25^th and was followed by three there on the 28^th.

Raven – One at Melbourne Ings on the 14^th and Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st.

Nuthatch – Single at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st.

Treecreeper – Showed well throughout the month around the hedgerows at North Duffield Carrs (between the hides and around the car park area).

Treecreeper - North Duffield Carrs - 26/02 - TJ

Cetti’s Warbler – Singing birds remained at Melbourne (two), with singles at North Duffield Carrs and East Cottingwith.

Blackcap – A pair were present again in an Elvington garden on the 20^th, with other records coming from suburban York.

Blackcap - York garden - 27/02 - SM

Chiffchaff – One lingered at North Duffield Carrs at the start of the month and was seen there again on the 14^th, with one later heard singing there on the 26^th.

Willow Tit – A singing bird was heard at North Duffield Carrs on the 14^th.

Siskin – At least 100 were present in the Melbourne Pocklington Canal area on the 14^th, and were regular visitors to several Wheldrake gardens - taking advantage of sunflower hearts. 

Siskin - Wheldrake village - 21/02 - AW

Linnet – A flock of 600 were present in a wild bird mix at East Cottingwith on the 1^st with another large flock (500+) at Thornton on the 2^nd – on the same date 100+ were present at Hagg Lane, East Cottingwith. Roosts of up to 100 were still present at both Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings early in the month.

Brambling – Up to three remained at East Cottingwith on the 1^st.

Corn Bunting – A total of 46 were present at the Thornton Lock roost on the 17^th.