Jan' 26

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - January Sightings

It’s been a fantastic start to the year with a total of 129 species recorded during the month (compared to 119 in January 2025).

The juvenile White-tailed Eagle remained throughout the month until the 28^th attracting large numbers of admirers from near and afar, and was undoubtedly the highlight of the month. Other notable sightings included two Glossy Ibis (2^nd), up to six Twite (from the 4^th) in the wider area at Dunnington (with mixed finches) and a Long-tailed Duck at Hemingbrough (25^th-31st).  

White-tailed Eagle - North Duffield Carrs - 17/01 - JL

Otherwise it was a great month for geese following a national influx from the continent, with 3,000 Greylags, 28 White-fronts, 19 Tundra Beans, 2,000 Pink-footed and 7 Barnacles, whilst amongst the ducks three Scaup lingered for most of the month, a single red-head Smew was present late on, and four Common Scoters were notable. Three Common Cranes were at Ellerton on the 31^st. 

Raptors were once again well represented with up to four Merlins, 13 Marsh Harriers and five Short-eared Owls. The now usual early spring build-up of Black-tailed Godwits continued with 248 present late in the month, whilst a single Bar-tailed Godwit and Spotted Redshank appeared to be wintering along the riverbank, and a single Green Sandpiper make a brief appearance on the 2^nd. Two Mediterranean and three Caspians Gulls were present throughout the month with a Water/Rock Pipit seen on the 11^th. Fifteen wintering Blackcaps and a minimum of four Chiffchaff were also noted.

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, Ebor Birder, Phil Harrison, Jono Leadley, Stuart Masheder, Jeremy Pierson and Pete Short for the use of their images below. 

BIRDS:

Mute Swan – Up to 80 were present throughout the month with 82 recorded on the 21^st the peak count.

Whooper Swan – The month started with 202 recorded across the reserve, with counts of 188 at Ellerton Ings on the 10^th following and 195 on the 12^th. A total of 235 (including 48 first-winters) were present on the ISC on the 18^th with 198 then recorded at Ellerton Ings on the 25^th.

Whooper Swans - Thorganby - 18/01 - DB

Greylag Goose – Over 3,000+ were present on the 1^st with 1,412 remaining on the 18^th.

Tundra Bean Goose – Following last month’s influx a flock of ten were in the Bubwith Ings/North Duffield Carrs area on the 1^st, with ten there again on the 2^nd and six at Elvington. Ten remained in the North Duffield Carrs area until the 4^th with one at Thorganby on the same date. Flocks of ten and nine passed over Bank Island on the morning of the 7^th and were later seen feeding in the Elvington area. Two were around Ellerton Ings on the 8^th and possibly the same two lingering birds were seen on a farm pond at East Cottingwith on the 10^th. Five were present on the reserve on the 11^th and were followed by seven on the 12^th and 13^th and five on the 18^th. At least four were at Ellerton on the 20^th with eight there on the 21^st and 15 on the 24^th. Up to 17 remained at month end.

European White-fronted Goose – Twenty-eight were present across the reserve on the 1^st and 2^nd, with five at Elvington seen on the 4^th and at least seven at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th. At least two were on a farm pond at East Cottingwith between the 6^th-11^th with 12 then recorded in the area on the 12^th and 13^th. Five were in the Hagg Bridge area on the 17^th and 18^th with 12 at Aughton on the 19^th and 20^th, followed by two at Ellerton on the 22^nd and 23^rd. Eleven were present at Ellerton on the 24^th with numbers up to 19 on the 25^th, whilst three were also present at Hemingbrough on the same date. Up to 20 remained until month end.

Pink-footed Goose – Up to 1,000 were present in the Thorganby/Ellerton Ings area early in the month with 1,100 recorded at North Duffield Carrs between the 5^th-6^th. c500 flew north-west in several groups on the 7^th – possibly departing the area for the north-west as the freeze continued. Up to 100 lingered in the East Cottingwith area thereafter with 500+ recorded again on the 12^th. A flock of 720 were recorded in the Storwood area on the 16^th and 1,000+ were back in the Ellerton area on the 17^th. A total of 2,052 were present across the reserve on the 18^th, with 40 south over Bank Island on the 19^th. At least 2,000+ remained in the Ellerton area on the 24^th.

Canada Goose – 161 were present across the site on the 18^th.

Barnacle Goose – One was still present at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th with four at Thorganby Ings on the 25^th. Four were at Ellerton on the 26^th with a total of seven in the area on the 31^st.

Barnacle Geese - Thorganby - 25/01 - DB

Egyptian Goose – Two were present at Ellerton and North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st followed by two at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd. Six were on ponds at East Cottingwith on the 4^th with two at Wheldrake Ings on the same date. Pairs were also present in two sites near Foggathorpe throughout the month.

Egyptian Goose - Lower Derwent Valley - 05/01 - EB

Shelduck – 118 were present early in the month with numbers reaching 128 on the 4^th, 138 on the 7^th and 134 on the 18^th.

Mallard – A total of 2,368 were counted on the monthly WeBS on the 18^th.  

Mandarin – A female flew over Bank Island on the 24^th.

Red-crested Pochard – One was back at Hemingbrough Brick Pits on the 14^th.

Pintail – A total of 626 were recorded throughout the site on the 18^th.

Pintail - North Duffield Carrs - 15/01 - PH

Teal – 10,000+ were present early in the month, although only 8,066 remained after the freeze finally thawed on the 18^th.

Teal - Wheldrake Ings - 02/01 - DB

Wigeon – c10,000 were present early in the month with 9,002 remaining after the freeze on the 18^th.

Shoveler – 136 were recorded throughout the site on the 18^th.

Gadwall – On the 18^th a peak count of 113 was made.

Tufted Duck – A total of 136 remained on 18^th (down from 260 early in the month) with reducing flood levels and following a prolonged frozen spell.

Scaup – Last month’s female was still present at Aughton on the 2^nd with a pair then seen at Thorganby on the 3^rd. A male was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 14^th, with two first-winters and an adult male seen there on the 16^th, followed by two again on the 17^th and three on the 18^th (remaining until month end).  

Pochard – Numbers decreased from 200+ early in the month to 31 by the 18^th, as water levels reduced following the freeze. Twelve returned to Bank Island following widespread flooding again on the 25^th with numbers up to 17 there on the 26^th.

Goldeneye – Numbers increased during the month with 31 recorded on the 19^th.

Goldeneye - Wheldrake Ings - 02/01 - DB

Smew – A single red-head first seen at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th was then re-found on the Low Grounds on the 30^th.

Goosander – A male was present at Wheldrake Ings between the 1^st-4^th with a red-head also seen there on the 4^th. A pair were at the Melbourne Arm on the 12^th with a single drake there on the 16^th. Seven roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 26^th.

Common Scoter – Four were grounded in the mist at North Duffield Carrs on the 19^th before moving on to Bubwith Ings later in the day.

Long-tailed Duck – A single was present in the wider area at Hemingbrough Brick Pits between the 25^th-31^st.

Grey Heron – A total of 22 were recorded throughout the site on the 18^th.

Glossy Ibis – Two were present off the Thorganby Ings viewing platform on the 2^nd.

Little Egret – At least 11 remained in the Melbourne and Thornton Ings early in the month, but were scarce elsewhere, with just two at North Duffield Carrs on the 2^nd. Ten were present across the reserve on the 18^th.

Great White Egret – Two remained feeding in a game cover/clover mix at Bubwith throughout the month, with two at Melbourne and one at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st. Three were at Bubwith Ings on the 2^nd and 3^rd and at least five lingered there during the first half of the month, with two present on the reserve on the 18^th.

Great White Egret - North Duffield - 02/01 - DB

Water Rail – Up to nine were in the Melbourne and Thornton Ings area early in the month, and one showed well on the path at Bank Island on the 12^th and 18^th. Three or four lingered at Wheldrake Ings with scattered singles elsewhere, and three were in the Pocklington area and East Cottingwith on the 25^th.

Common Crane – Three were present from Ellerton Ings during the morning of the 31^st, before being seen later in the afternoon heading over North Cave Wetlands.

Coot – Two were at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd and 18^th.

Moorhen – At least 21 seen together at the Melbourne Arm on the 7^th were noteworthy.

Cormorant – A total of 38 roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd.

White-tailed Eagle – The un-ringed juvenile lingered in the Aughton area on the 1^st and was also noted over Wheldrake Ings, before appearing to roost in the Skipwith area towards dusk. It then remained on the reserve on the 2^nd and was seen over Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th. On the 5^th it was observed sitting on the ice at Bank Island before returning south down the valley, where it remained until the 22^nd. After a month-long stay, it then departed the site and was seen over Swillington Ings in West Yorkshire on the 23^rd. A few days later it reappeared back on the reserve and was present between the 25^th-28^th. It was then seen early on the morning of the 29^th before being reported heading towards the Humber, flying over Newport in East Yorkshire.

Marsh Harrier – Up to eight or nine were present throughout the site on the 1^st with as many as 13 seen on the 4^th, when at least ten roosted at Wheldrake Ings. Twelve roosted at Wheldrake on the 15^th whilst five were noted flying south towards the Humber at dusk on the 20^th – further suggesting that whilst some may roost on the reserve, others may undertake daily commutes.

Marsh Harrier - Wheldrake Ings - 03/01 - DB

Peregrine – Up to four remained across the site early in the month.

Red Kite – Up to five were in the Bank Island area on the 20^th.

Red Kite - Lower Derwent Valley - 05/01 - EB

Merlin – A male was seen at Bank Island on 4^th with another at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th. A single was present in fields to the east of Wheldrake village on the 16^th before flying towards Bank Island. One was in the East Cottingwith Hagg Lane area on the 17^th. Singles were at Ellerton, Melbourne and Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th and at East Cottingwith again on the 19^th and 24^th.

Oystercatcher – One was at North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th with two at Thorganby and a single at Hemingbrough on the 31^st.

Golden Plover – Over 1000+ were present across the site on the 1^st but all had virtually departed by the 4^th following the big freeze. A flock of 1,008 had returned by the 19^th.

Lapwing – At least 7,100+ remained on the 1^st with numbers down to 2,000+ on the 4^th following a big departure due to the freezing conditions. At least 5,583 had returned by the 18^th.

Dunlin – A total of 250 were present on the 1^st with 70+ remaining on the 4^th before increasing to 274 by the 19^th.

Ruff – At least 17 remained across the site on the 4^th with 18 recorded on the 18^th.

Ruff - Bubwith Bridge - 05/01 - JP

Black-tailed Godwit – Up to 46 remained on the reserve on the 1^st and 2^nd. A total of 58 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd followed by 69 on the 4^th (a new record count for January). Following the freeze 18 were present on the 7^th with numbers reaching 94 at Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th/17^th. A total of 120 were recorded throughout the site on the 18^th and 23^rd, with 200+ present in the Thorganby area on the 24^th. A flock of 248 were at North Duffield Carrs on the 27^th.

Black-tailed Godwits - Wheldrake Ings - 17/01 - DB

Bar-tailed Godwit – A single was seen on the riverbank at Ellerton on the 11^th and North Duffield Carrs on the 26^th.

Snipe – Freezing conditions caused birds to be mobile and displaced throughout the site. Following c300 recorded at North Duffield Ings on the floodbank on the 1^st, 90 were feeding by the river at Newton Mask on the 5^th, followed by 60 at Bank Island on the 6^th, 70 at Thorganby on the 7^th and 50 at North Duffield Carrs on the floodbank on the 8^th. 100+ were present after dark on Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd with 100+ seen on farm fields at Elvington.

Jack Snipe – The first of the year was found in fields by Elvington village on the 1^st and was followed by two at Bank Island and seven at Hagg Bridge on the 3^rd – displaced by freezing conditions. Several were visible during the day on the floodbank at North Duffield Carrs on the 7^th. One was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th with two then seen on the main meadow there after dark on the 23^rd.

Woodcock – Many moved out of the area during the big freeze early in the month with just one seen at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th. A single caught from seven seen on farm fields at Elvington was very light and in poor body condition.

Redshank – Up to 20 remained on the riverbank at Bubwith Bridge and elsewhere early in the month with a wandering/possibly early returning territorial bird seen at Melbourne on the 7^th – on the same date a record of one of our colour-ringed birds came in from Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve. Fourteen were present across the site on the 18^th. 

Redshank - Blacktoft Sands - 07/01 - PS

Spotted Redshank – Last month’s lingering bird was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st and Bubwith Bridge on the 2^nd and 5^th. It was then seen there again on the 15^th/16^th, perhaps having been present elsewhere along the river in between those dates, with it then reappearing at North Duffield Carrs on the 20^th.

Curlew – At least eight were present throughout the site on the 18^th.

Green Sandpiper – One flew over Bank Island on the 2^nd.

Black-headed Gull – c6000+ roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th.

Mediterranean Gull – A single first-winter flew north over Bank Island on the 15^th with an adult seen at the Wheldrake roost on the 18^th.

Common Gull – c1,500 roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th.

Herring Gull – c900+ roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with 500 recorded there on the 18^th.

Greater Black-backed Gull – Five roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with numbers up to 20 by the 18^th.

Caspian Gull – Two first-winter birds were present at the Wheldrake roost on the 1^st, followed by one on the 2^nd and two on the 3^rd and 4^th. A single Polish colour-ringed first -winter bird was present at the Wheldrake roost on the 27^th having been seen at Castle Howard from the 14^th.

Caspian Gull - Wheldrake Ings - 03/01 - DB

Lesser Black-backed Gull – Two or three were present daily at the Wheldrake roost until the 4^th with two still present there on the 18^th.

Green Woodpecker – Recorded daily at Skipwith Common NNR throughout the month, with one also present on the banks of the River Derwent at Stamford Bridge on the 11^th.

Green Woodpecker - Skipwith Common NNR - 23/01 - EB

Short-eared Owl – Two were present in the Hagg Lane area of East Cottingwith on the 16^th (as viewed from Thorganby Ings), with five there on the 17^th.

Skylark – Up to 120 remained at Thornton early in the month with numbers up to 200+ there on the 14^th.

Water/Rock Pipit – A single at North Duffield Carrs briefly on the 11^th was considered more likely to be a Rock Pipit but eluded full confirmation.

Stonechat – 20+ wintering birds remained across the site early in the month, although were less numerous and obvious following the freeze.

Raven – A pair were present at Stamford Bridge on the 1^st with one north at Aughton on the 4^th and another over Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th. A single was present at Hemingbrough on the 19^th with a pair seen near Dunnington on the 20^th.

Fieldfare – Good numbers remained throughout the first week of the month with up to 1,500 present around the site, but few remained later in the month.

Nuthatch – One was seen by Tower Hide at Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th.

Blackcap – A single was at Bank Island on the 2^nd with two at Hemingbrough on the 6^th, followed by three there on the 12^th and five on the 14^th. One was at Dunnington on the 15^th when two were also present at Elvington, and a single was present in an Ellerton garden (all month) along with other garden records coming from Bubwith, North Duffield and Melbourne. A pair were also present at Stamford Bridge towards month end.

Blackcap - York garden - 26/01 - SM

Chiffchaff – One was present by the River Derwent at Stamford Bridge on the 1^st with two by Tower Hide at Wheldrake on the 2^nd. A single was at North Duffield Carrs on the 4^th.

Willow Tit – A single was at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st with another at Tower Hide at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd. Up to two were then seen regularly at North Duffield Carrs early in the month.

Siskin – Up to 200 were present in canal-side alders at Melbourne on the 7^th.

Linnet – Up to 600 remained at East Cottingwith on the 3^rd. Fifty roosted at Bank Island on the 2^nd when 30 were also present in a roost between the bridge and Tower Hide at Wheldrake Ings. By the 13^th the Bank Island roost had increased to 80+.

Twite – Two were in a mixed finch flock at Dunnington on the 4^th (first record since 2022), with at least one seen again on the 5^th and one heard on the 6^th. Six were then located there on the 16^th with at least one present on the 18^th.

Greenfinch – 20+ were near Bank Island on the 4^th.

Brambling – Up to three remained at East Cottingwith during the month.

Crossbill – Three or four were at Allerthorpe Common on the 4^th.

Corn Bunting – 200 were present at Dunnington on the 16^th with good numbers recorded throughout the month.