Jan' 19

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - January Sightings

The wintering Whooper Swan herd remained at 97 throughout the month with 106 migrant birds passing through, along with over 1500 Pink-footed Geese also returning north-west to Lancashire from mid-month. Up to 19 White-fronted Geese and a single Tundra Bean and Barnacle Goose lingered throughout amongst the 1800+ Greylag and 370 Canada Geese. Amongst the rafts of Wigeon both drake and female American Wigeon were found, with a Green-winged Teal present between 10^th-26^th at least. A male and female Smew put in brief appearances, whilst Little Egrets had built up to four by the 15^th and the first Great White Egret of the year appeared on 19^th.

Early signs of spring around the corner included the first returning Oystercatcher on que on the 27^th, whilst Curlew numbers built up to a respectable 88 by the 29^th with small parties of Lapwing noted prospecting adjacent arable fields on the same date. Up to 8800 Lapwing, 1000 Golden Plover, 200 Dunlin and 91 Ruff were present until late in the month when a sharp reminder that we are still firmly in mid-winter, produced freezing conditions that pushed birds out of the valley and presumably down towards the Humber. Up to seven Black-tailed Godwits were present with a single wintering Green Sandpiper on the 10^th, whilst good numbers of Woodcock were found feeding on the Ings after dark during the month. Although the gull roost was rather reduced following the closure of Rufforth landfill operations, a single Yellow-legged, Caspian and Iceland Gull were logged during the month.

The Ring-necked Parakeet seen at the end of 2018 re-appeared at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd, with four Waxwings appearing in the area and a wintering Chiffchaff remained at Wheldrake Ings. At least three Brambling were present around the Bank Island feeding station with an impressive 170 Corn Buntings roosting at Melbourne. 

Many thanks as always to everyone who has contributed records throughout the month, in particular to members of the YOC, and to Duncan Bye for the use of photographs (credited DB).

BIRDS: 

Mute Swan – Monthly maximum of 81 on the 16^th.

Whooper Swan – Up to 97 remained but were widely scattered and mobile. 73 were present at Wheldrake on the 20^th while 33 flew north west during the day – presumed migrants. 

 

Whooper Swans - Wheldrake - 20/01 - DB

Greylag Goose – 400 were present at Bank Island on the 4^th with counts of 300 again there and at Thorganby on the 5^th. On the same date 600 were at Ellerton, 300+ at North Duffield Carrs and 250 at Thornton (1850 throughout). 475 were present at Bank Island on the 10^th when 310 were at North Duffield Carrs. On the 14^th 498 were at Bank Island, 388 at Thorganby and 625 at North Duffield Carrs, along with a few others resulted in a whole valley count of 1867.

Pink-footed Goose – Three were present at Wheldrake on the 2^nd with presumably the same birds at Bank Island on the 3^rd. At least six were present in the Bank Island/Wheldrake area on the 4^th-5^th with four on the 6^th and 7^th. Up to five lingered thereafter with 16 there on the 20^th. 110 flew north west over North Duffield Carrs on the 14^th before circling and dropping in to join the Greylags present on the site. A total of 240 flew over the site in three skeins on the 18^th whilst 90 dropped into Storwood on the 19^th, followed by a series of flocks moving north west (230 over North Duffield, 60 over Dunnington and 83 over Bank Island on the 20^th). 250+ flew north west the following day (21^st) over Bank Island. 300 flew over Bank Island on the 26^th with 120 on the 27^th, whilst several unseen skeins flew north over the valley calling in fog on the 31^st – a total of 1500 + moving during the month. 

 

Pink-footed Geese - Bank Island - 20/01 - DB

Tundra Bean Goose – A single with the goose flock in the Bank Island/Low Grounds area on the 4^th (CSR, AF) with a single lone bird calling over Aughton on the 15^th (CSR/MFJ).

White-fronted Goose – At least eight remained in the Wheldrake/Bank Island area from the 1st – 10^th with 19 throughout the site on the 11^th including 11 at North Duffield. 11 remained there on the 19^th when 12 were present at Bank Island – a total of 23 throughout the site. Up to 10 were present daily thereafter at North Duffield Carrs.

Canada Goose – 370 were recorded throughout the site on the 5^th with 103 at Bank Island on the 10^th when 89 were also present at North Duffield Carrs.

Barnacle Goose – A single was present at Wheldrake on the 18^th, moving to Bank Island on the 19^th and joining the large goose flock there. Presumably the same bird was present with Greylags feeding in fields at Elvington Bridge by the Water Treatment Works on the 29^th.

Egyptian Goose – Two were present in the East Cottingwith area throughout the month.

Shelduck – Numbers had increased to 63 by the 5^th with 74 by the 29^th.

American Wigeon – A drake was present at Bubwith Ings again on the 1^st – remaining from the 31^st December before relocating to the Low Grounds and Wheldrake on the 3^rd (AF, DB) and again at North Duffield on the 5^th (CSR). An adult female was then found at North Duffield Carrs on the 10^th (CSR, DW) with the drake re-appearing at Wheldrake again on the 13^th (GF, JL, DB).

 

American Wigeon - Wheldrake - 13/01 - DB

Wigeon – A monthly maximum of 9827 on the 16^th with smaller numbers at month end (freezing conditions forced birds away from the site).

Teal – Monthly maximum of 6154 recorded on the 16^th.

Green-winged Teal – A single drake was reported at Wheldrake on the 10^th and 11^th (per birdguides) and was found again there, sharing the Ings with a drake American Wigeon, on the 13^th (JL). Re-found again there on the 25^th (AF) and present again on the 26^th.

Mallard – Up to 980 were present throughout the site during the month.

Pintail – Numbers increased throughout the month with 307 throughout the valley on the 26^th. A good sample of 18 caught and ringed throughout the month.

 

Pintail - Bank Island - 07/01 - MFJ

Gadwall – 101 were present at Wheldrake on the 3^rd with a monthly maximum of 198 by the 16^th.

Shoveler – 158 were present at Wheldrake on the 3^rd with 221 present throughout the site on the 26^th.

Tufted Duck – 11 were present at Bank Island on the 3^rd with smaller numbers encountered on the river thereafter.

Goosander – Four females were present at the Wheldrake roost on the 6^th with a single female present again there on the 12^th and 26^th.

Goldeneye – Seven were present at Thorganby on the 2^nd whilst numbers at Wheldrake built up to 10 by 13^th.

Smew – A red-head flew over Bank Island on the 2^nd (CSR) followed by a drake at Wheldrake on the 10^th. A drake then flew south down the Derwent at North Duffield with two Goldeneye on the 31^st (CSR, MFJ).

Cormorant – A record of 31 on the 31^st was the peak count during the month.

Little Egret – One at Church Bridge Melbourne on the 3^rd was followed by two at Bank Island on the 7^th and one on the 9^th and 11^th. Three were present in the Bank Island/Wheldrake area on the 13^th/14^th with four at Bank Island on the 15^th/16^th.  

 

Little Egret - Wheldrake Ings - 12/01 - DB

Great-White Egret – A single flew over Bank Island towards Wheldrake on the 19^th (CSR).

Little Grebe – Up to 17 remained at wintering sites on the Pocklington Canal and River Derwent, with a single at Wheldrake on the 20^th being the first bird returning to a breeding site. Freezing conditions then forced birds back onto the river with 28 throughout the Lower Derwent (south of Kexby Bridge) and the Pocklington Canal.

Marsh Harrier – Up to four remained throughout and showed well, often associating with hunting Peregrines.

Peregrine – Five were present in the valley throughout the month including a pair displaying over North Duffield Carrs on the 31^st.

Red Kite – One at North Duffield Carrs on the 10^th and Bank Island on the 17^th.

Merlin – One at North Duffield Carrs on the 11^th (EBB) was followed by an adult male hunting thrushes by Raker Lakes, Wheldrake on the 13^th (CSR), and again at North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th and 23^rd.

Grey Partridge – Six at North Duffield Carrs and surrounding fields on the 4^th and 5^th, were followed by a record of six at Thornton on the 6^th when three were also in arable fields near North Duffield.

Water Rail – Four were present at Wheldrake Ings on 3^rd when one was also present at Melbourne. Three were present at Melbourne on 30^th.  

Coot – A single at Wheldrake Ings on 13^th was the only record of the month.        

Oystercatcher – The first returning bird was found at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th.

Golden Plover – Numbers remained low early in the month compared to the usual and large numbers present in the valley. 300 were present at Wheldrake on the 3^rd with 1000 there and on the Low Grounds on the 4^th-7^th and in the Bank Island area on the 13^th.

Lapwing – Large numbers continued to frequent the valley early in the month with an impressive 6000 at Wheldrake on the 1^st and 8800 present throughout on the 2^nd. 3500 at Wheldrake, 2500 at Thorganby, 1000 at Ellerton and 1000 at Bubwith totalled 8000 on the 3^rd. 8000+ remained thereafter with 4000 still at Wheldrake on the 13^th. Several pairs were prospecting local arable fields from mid-month although freezing conditions at month end forced a mass-exodus out of the area.

Common Snipe – 150+ were still present after dark on Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd with 180+ there on the 21^st.

Woodcock – Two were present after dark on Wheldrake on the 3^rd with four there on the 5^th.  Eight were seen in arable fields near North Duffield after dark on the 6^th, with nine seen on the Ings between Bubwith and Wheldrake on the 8^th. Four at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th whilst at least eight were present on Wheldrake after dark on the 29^th. 

A good number of sightings but records probably just reflect average numbers feeding on the Ings after dark, and only discovered due to targeted survey work.

 

Woodcock - Wheldrake Ings - 09/01 - GD

Dunlin – Numbers increased to c200 present throughout the valley early in the month.

Ruff – 44 were present at Wheldrake and Bubwith on the 3^rd, with 57 at Wheldrake and 34 at North Duffield on the 13^th giving a site total of 91.

Black-tailed Godwit – Three were present at Wheldrake from the 1^st with two there on the 3^rd and four on the 5^th. Four remained at Wheldrake daily thereafter with up to three also at North Duffield from the 10^th. Five at Wheldrake Ings daily from the 26^th.

Curlew – Numbers increased from 17 early in the month to 41 by the 5^th. A single was first heard giving some sub-song at Bank Island on the 11^th. Numbers continued to increase with a noticeable arrival from the 26^th with 88 counted throughout the site on the 29^th.

Redshank – Up to 30 remained throughout.

Green Sandpiper – One at North Duffield Carrs on the 10^th (AW).

Black-headed Gull – 8000 were present at the Wheldrake roost on the 3^rd increasing to 13000+ on the 21^st.

 

Gull roost - Wheldrake - 05/01 - DB

Common Gull - 2000+ were present at Wheldrake on the 4^th with 4500+ on the 21^st.  

Great Black-backed Gull – 188 were present during the day, loafing on North Duffield Carrs on the 10^th with 230 there on the 18^th when 330 came into the Wheldrake roost at dusk.  600+ at the Wheldrake roost on the 21^st.

Yellow-legged Gull – An adult was present at Bubwith on the 1^st (DW).

Lesser Black-backed Gull – A single was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 4^th and again on the 6^th. Two were present again there on the 10^th.

Caspian Gull – A single first winter bird with a yellow colour-ring was present on Thorganby on the 5^th (CSR) with another first winter at the Wheldrake roost on the 20^th (DB, JL).

Iceland Gull – A single first winter at North Duffield Carrs on the 6^th.

Herring Gull – 310 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th when 400 roosted at Wheldrake with 1000+ on the 21^st.

Tawny Owl – Two calling birds were present at both Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd with regular birds throughout the site.

Little Owl – One at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd and 6^th with a single at Thornton on the latter date.

Ring-necked Parakeet – A single, perhaps the same bird seen at Bank Island on the 23^rd December, flew south at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd (DB).

Kingfisher –The first of the year was fishing at Thorganby on the 2^nd, sharing its patch of river with an otter.

Stonechat – At least two birds were present daily at Wheldrake Ings along with a pair at North Duffield Carrs throughout.

 

Stonechat - Wheldrake - 20/01- DB

Fieldfare – Small numbers present throughout the month throughout the area with a noticeable influx on the 20^th and 31^st due to the freezing conditions.

Blackbird – 11 were feeding on the tideline around Bank Island on the 4^th with nine in the reserve base garden on the same date. A small influx was noted from the 18^th as the temperatures dropped, with 34 at Bank Island on the 23^rd and an increase noted elsewhere.

Starling – 500 roosted at Melbourne on the 5^th.

Waxwing – Three in Thorganby village on the 2^nd with a single in Sutton-upon-Derwent church yard on the 29^th.

Skylark – The first singing birds were present at Aughton and North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th.

Chiffchaff – One at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th and again on the 11^th, 23^rd and 27^th.  

Tree Sparrow – Up to 60 were present at the reserve base feeding station.

Brambling – One at Bank Island on the 3^rd –14^th with two males caught and ringed there on the 21^st.

Reed Bunting – 100+ were present at the Melbourne roost on the 3^rd with 130+ there on the 29^th.

Corn Bunting – 70+ were present at the Melbourne roost on the 3^rd followed by 170 there on the 29^th. 

 

Corn Bunting - Melbourne - 03/01 - GD

MAMMALS:

Brown Hare – Five at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd.

Weasel – One at the reserve base car park on 10^th.

Stoat – One at the reserve base on the 13^th, 19^th and 21^st.

Roe Deer – Seven were present at Wheldrake on the 3^rd with four there on the 5^th and three at Bank Island on the same date.

Fallow Deer – Five between Wheldrake and Escrick on the 9^th.

Otter – A single was seen fishing in the river at Thorganby on the 2^nd and nearby at Ellerton Landing on the 6^th. Two juveniles were present in the river at North Duffield Carrs on the 14^th.

Bank Vole – A single was in the reserve base garden on the 3^rd.

MOTHS:

Dark Chestnut – A single at the reserve base on the 5^th.