Mar' 23

 Lower Derwent Valley NNR - March 2023 

The second half of the month was dominated by the return spring passage of Whooper Swans through the reserve, with a total of 2043 recorded during the month. Smaller numbers of Pink-footed Geese followed with a single Tundra Bean Goose (23^rd), eight White-fronted Geese (8^th) and 17 Barnacle Geese from the feral breeding population in North Yorkshire (18^th). The first Garganey was recorded on the 5^th with a single drake showing well from the 23^rd. A pair of Mandarin were present late in the month with other notables including a female Scaup, four Smew and the start of the now annual nocturnal spring passage of Common Scoter. A Spoonbill was present (albeit briefly) on the 25^th, with a total of 9 Common Cranes, a single Great White Egret and the first calling Spotted Crake after dark on 23^rd.  A Short-eared Owl moved through the site on the 8^th.

The juvenile Hen Harrier remained throughout the month, with a run of Merlin sightings (possibly returning birds moving through the area).

Wader passage commenced with an Avocet (15^th) and the first Little Ringed Plover (27^th), with a trickle of returning Jack Snipe throughout. Black-tailed Godwit passage flocks peaked at 257 (28^th) with signs of turn over thereafter. Returning migrants included Chiffchaff from the 3^rd, Sand Martin (17^th) and Swallow (25^th), with large numbers of thrushes on the move during the second half of the month.

 

Many thanks as always 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, Gerry Capelin, Mike Fell, Chris Gomersall and Trevor Walton for the use of their images below.

BIRDS:

Mute Swan – 90 were recorded throughout the site on the 12^th with the on-set on spring passage and the usual build-up of non-breeding birds.

Whooper Swan – The month began with 146 on the 1^st - down to 100 by the 5^th. 81 were still present in the resident wintering herd on the 12^th followed by 96 on the 19^th with just 11 remaining at month end.

Returning spring passage began with 46 north-west over Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd followed by 34 over Bank Island on the 3^rd. 11 flew over Bank Island on the morning of the 7^th, with 547 through the reserve on the 8^th followed by 117 on the 9^th. 43 arrived at Wheldrake Ings after dark on the 9^th - departing shortly after dawn on the 10^th and heading north. 55 arrived at Wheldrake Ings shortly before dusk on the 15^th, departing early the next morning, with 33 overnight over Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th. 136 moved through on the 17^th, followed by 72 on the 18^th, 73 on the 19^th and 253 on the 20^th. Herds of 40 and 17 headed north over Wheldrake on the 21^st whilst six paused briefly at Bank Island on the 22^nd. 204 were on the move in several herds during the morning of the 23^rd before 100 followed north over Thorganby and the Tilmire 10 minutes later at 1530hrs. 43 flew north after dark at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd with a small passage flock of 22 at North Duffield Carrs on the 24^th. 32 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 25^th with 40 there the next day on the 26^th. 19 set off from North Duffield Carrs at dusk on the 27^th with herds of 70 and 30 north over Bank Island on the morning of the 28^th. A total of 2043 passage birds were recorded during the month (overall total of 2092 between late February and the end of March).

Whooper Swans - Wheldrake Ings - 25/03 - DB

Pink-footed Goose – 304 wintering birds remained early in the month until the 9^th with 436 recorded on the 12^th. 200 roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th with 80 remaining on the 26^th.

Returning spring passage of birds heading north-west continued, with 340 on the 1^st followed by two skeins of 130 and 165 over Bank Island early on the 2^nd. 300+ were recorded in several skeins during the night of the 2^nd/3^rd with 110 over during the morning of the 3^rd. 32 were at Bank Island on the 6^th.

Pink-footed Geese - Wheldrake Ings - 11/03 - DB

Greylag Goose – Wintering numbers continued to fall with 166 on the 5^th, 244 on the 13^th and 128 on the 19^th.

Tundra Bean Goose – A single flew north over Thorganby with six Whooper Swans on the 23^rd.

European White fronted Goose – Seven flew east over North Duffield Carrs on the 8^th.

Barnacle Goose – A flock of 17 arrived at North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th and were present again the next day on the 19^th – many of this flock were wearing colour-rings or neck collars, with information quickly received showing they had been marked as feral breeders moulting at Scorton Gravel Pits in North Yorkshire, with journeys further afield to Essex and Kent.

Barnacle Geese - North Duffield Carrs - 19/03 - DB

Canada Goose – 40 were recorded throughout the site on the 5^th followed by 15 on the 13^th.  

Shelduck – 120 were present early in the month with up to 45 at Bank Island daily. 170 were recorded across the site on the 12^th followed by 103 on the 19^th.

Wigeon – Numbers started to decrease as the month progressed, with waves of spring passage noted early in the month - 5401 remained on the 5^th followed by 8172 on the 13^th and 6181 on the 19^th.

Teal – 3452 were present throughout the reserve on the 5^th with 2938 remaining on the 13^th and 1927 on the 19^th.

Garganey – A single drake was reported at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th (possibly the same individual reported at North Cave Wetlands the following day). The same or another drake was at Hagg Bridge by the Pocklington Canal on the 23^rd with the same/another at Wheldrake Ings between the 24^th-26^th.  

Garganey - Wheldrake Ings - 26/03 - DB

Gadwall – 247 were recorded across the reserve on the 12^th.

Mallard – 883 were present throughout the site on the 5^th, down to 600+ by the 12^th.

Mandarin – A single drake was on the river at Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th with a pair at Bank Island on the 26^th and 29^th.

Pintail – Spring passage saw numbers increase to 712 on the 5^th, with 472 remaining on the 12^th – down to 180 by the 19^th with just 45 remaining at Wheldrake Ings on the 26^th.

Pintail - Wheldrake Ings - 11/03 - DB

Shoveler – 274 were recorded throughout the reserve on the 5^th followed by 288 on the 12^th.

Tufted Duck – 91 present early in the month increased to 122 by the 5^th with 96 recorded on the 12^th.

Scaup – A single duck was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th (different individual to the bird present there earlier in the year).

Pochard – Six remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th followed by three on the 10^th/11^th and two on the 12^th. A single drake was a Bank Island on the 22^nd with presumably the same bird at Wheldrake Ings on the 26^th.

Goldeneye – A total of 16 were present throughout the site on the 5^th, with 15 of the 16 at the usual stronghold at Wheldrake Ings. 19 were recorded on the 12^th (possibly involving some spring passage), with 11 remaining on the 19^th.

Goldeneye - Wheldrake Ings - 25/03 - DB

Smew – The redhead from February remained at Wheldrake Ings between the 1^st-9^th with an increase to three on the 6^th, four on the 10^th and three on the 11^th/12^th. A single was last recorded on the 19^th.

Common Scoter – Two flocks passed over North Duffield Carrs during the night of the 14^th followed by a single on the 17^th. Three flocks were recorded after dark on the 18^th with a single flock after dark on the 19^th. Five flocks were picked up on nocturnal recordings between 0100 and 0300hrs on the 23^rd passing over Elvington, followed by three flocks overnight on the 28^th.

Goosander – Small numbers continued to roost at Wheldrake Ings with eight there on the 4^th/5^th and 11 on the 8^th. Five were present on the 10^th/11^th followed by six on the 12^th, with up to 16 roosting there on the 16^th. Six were at Bank Island at dawn on the 21^st with three at roost at Wheldrake Ings in the evening. A single went east at Wheldrake Ings on the 26^th.

Cormorant – 44 were recorded on the 5^th with 48 on the 12^th.

Spoonbill – A single flew north at North Duffield Carrs on the morning of the 25^th, later reappearing at Wheldrake for an hour, before departing southwards again – presumable the same individual seen earlier in the morning heading north-west from North Cave Wetlands.

Spoonbill - Wheldrake Ings - 25/03 - DB

Great White Egret – The long staying individual remained in the Bank Island/Wheldrake and Hagg Bridge area early in the month, remaining to month end.   

Grey Heron – Numbers continued to increase during the month reflecting an increase in breeding activity, with a total of 48 recorded throughout the site on the 12^th.

Little Grebe – Numbers increased during the month with birds on spring passage and returning breeders. 19 were recorded on the 12^th followed by five at Wheldrake and seven at Bank Island on the 25^th/26^th with five at North Duffield Carrs on the latter date. At least 17 were present at Bank Island on the 27^th with 11 at Wheldrake Ings on the 30^th - total of 35 throughout the site on that date.

Great Crested Grebe – A pair were displaying at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with a pair at Bank Island on the 21^st with nest building observed there on the 30^th.

Marsh Harrier – Five remained across the reserve on the 5^th with six, (including four at North Duffield Carrs) on the 7^th and eight on the 12^th. Four roosted at North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th with more unusually, a single cream crown over Skipwith Common NNR on the 30^th.

Hen Harrier – The long staying immature remained into the month favouring the Bank Island/Wheldrake Ings area between the 1^st-3^rd, on the 4^th it was joined by another individual, with one then present daily thereafter to month end, often roosting in the reedbed at Wheldrake Ings (commuting across the reserve between Bank Island and North Duffield Carrs during the day time, and occasionally up the Pocklington Canal).

Hen Harrier - Wheldrake Ings - 02/03 - GC

Red Kite – Three were observed together at Thorganby Ings on the 5^th with four at Bank Island on the 6^th. Four were present throughout the reserve on the 12^th with two at Wheldrake and singles at Melbourne and Thorganby.

Peregrine – Up to four were present early in the month until the 12^th with three remaining at month end.

Merlin – A single adult male was at Bank Island on the 5^th with the same individual still present the following morning. A male was seen at North Duffield Carrs on the 7^th followed by an adult male at North Duffield Carrs on the 20^th. A single male headed north through Bank Island on the 26^th.

Grey Partridge – Pairs were seen regularly throughout the month at Bank Island and North Duffield Carrs.

Grey Partridge - Bank Island - 26/03 - DB

Water Rail – Up to 10 wintering birds were present throughout the reserve.

Spotted Crake – The first returning bird gave two calls after dark at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd.

Coot – 228 were recorded throughout the reserve on the 5^th followed by 211 on the 12^th. 124 remained on the 20^th.

Common Crane – Six were present on farmland at Newton on Derwent during the morning on the 11^th – heard later in the day from Bank Island and Wheldrake. One flew south through Wheldrake Ings before spending the afternoon at North Duffield Carrs on the 15^th, with two over Skipwith Common NNR on the 30^th - later seen over York.

Common Crane - North Duffield Carrs - 15/03 - CG

Oystercatcher – 17 were recorded throughout the site on the 5^th.

Avocet – A single was seen in the refuge area at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th.

Little Ringed Plover – Single at North Duffield Carrs on the 27^th (first of the year).

Ringed Plover – The first two of the year were seen over North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th.

Golden Plover – 366 were present throughout the site on the 5^th – down to 109 on the 12^th with just 33 remaining on the 19^th.

Lapwing – Numbers declined early in the month with 3058 recorded on the 5^th – by which time local breeders were displaying and hold territory. 851 remained throughout the reserve on the 12^th with 300+ on the 19^th.

Lapwing - Bank Island - 26/03 - DB

Snipe – 80 were recorded at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th and 10^th, with 123 at Wheldrake Ings on the 11^th. Smaller numbers followed on passage during the second half of the month.

Jack Snipe – Four were at North Duffield Carrs on the 2^nd followed by five on the 12^th. A single was at a re-flooding Bank Island on the 17^th with one at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st.

Ruff – 19 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd with 32 throughout the site on the 5^th and 21 on the 12^th. 32 were present again on the 19^th.

Dunlin – 125 remained on the 5^th with c200 at North Duffield Carrs on the 7^th and 156 on the 12^th. 148 remained on the 19^th.

Curlew – 35 were recorded at North Duffield Carrs on the 7^th with 30 seen regularly at Thornton Ellers - smaller flocks were noted at Bank Island and Wheldrake. A total of 115 were present throughout the site on the 13^th.

Curlew - North Duffield Carrs - 25/03 - MF

Woodcock – After a large clear out early in the month a single was caught and ringed after dark on Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th. Single over Bank Island before dawn on the 30^th.

Black-tailed Godwit – A flock of 90 on the 2^nd increased to 109 on the 5^th – down to 87 on the 12^th – with one unfortunate individual taken by a Peregrine. A minimum of 91 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th followed by 157 on the 19^th, 167 on the 21^st and 203 on the 23^rd. 187 were recorded a few days later on the 26^th, with a total of 257 counted throughout the site on the 28^th. There then appeared to be some kind of turnover, with 60 at North Duffield Carrs on the 29^th and 30^th – a different flock containing colour-ringed birds from the Wash and France.

Black-tailed Godwit flock - Wheldrake Ings - 27/03 - TW

Redshank – 19 at North Duffield Carrs on the 7^th.

Green Sandpiper – Three were seen at the Gravel Pits at Hemingbrough on the 3^rd.

Black-headed Gull – c1200 were recorded at the Wheldrake roost on the 12^th.

Common Gull – Numbers had dropped to just 300 by the 12^th.

Lesser Black-backed Gull – One or two were present daily at the Wheldrake Ings roost from early in the month.

Herring Gull – 80 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th.

Great-spotted Woodpecker – Three drumming birds were at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th.

Green Woodpecker – Single at Wheldrake Ings on the 26^th.

Barn Owl – Several individuals showed well at Bank Island during the month.

Barn Owl - Bank Island - 03/03 - GC

Short-eared Owl – A single was reported at North Duffield Carrs on the 8^th.

Woodlark – Singing birds were present throughout the month at Skipwith Common NNR, albeit in lower numbers and with reduced activity than in recent weeks. Up to eight pairs remained in the area with six seen feeding in adjacent arable fields towards month end.

Wheatear – The first of the year was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd.

Sand Martin – Three at Bank Island on the 17^th were the first for the year, with two at North Duffield Carrs on the 20^th. A single at Wheldrake Ings followed on the 23^rd, with small numbers daily thereafter. 20 at Bank Island on the 30^th.

Swallow – The first of the year at North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th was followed by one at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th and one at Bank Island on the 28^th. Five were at Bank Island on the 30^th.

Starling – Up to 80,000 were still present at Aughton on the 2^nd with numbers decreasing quickly thereafter.

Blackbird – There was some evidence of return passage with a notable increase bringing 18 to the car park lane at Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th, with 17 at Bank Island on the same day. 23 passed over Bank Island (north-east with Starlings) on the 23^rd - a movement involving other thrush species.

Fieldfare – Some return passage was noted early in the month with numerous small flocks passing through the site (20-40 birds). c500 appeared during heavy rain in a rather dramatic fall around the Wheldrake/Bank Island area on the 18^th. 50 flew over Bank Island on the 22^nd followed by 300 on the 23^rd and 120 on the 24^th, with 140 at Wheldrake Ings on the 26^th.

Redwing - Some return passage was noted early in the month with numerous small flocks passing through the site (20-40 birds). Approximately 500 appeared at Bank Island in heavy rain on the 19^th. Nocturnal passage was noted overnight on the 22^nd/23^rd with ongoing passage involving 300 birds on the morning of the 23^rd. 200 went east at Bank Island on the 28^th.

Raven – Single at Stamford Bridge on the 4^th.

Stonechat – Two pairs remained at North Duffield Ings with pairs at both East Cottingwith and Melbourne on the 5^th, followed by a pair at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th.

Stonechat - Hagg Lane - 05/03 - DB

Chiffchaff – A singing bird (first of the year), was present at Melbourne on the 3^rd when another, non-singing bird, was feeding in the NNR base garden at Bank Island. Two singing birds at Bank Island and four at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th heralded the first major arrival, with 11 in the Bank Island/Wheldrake area on the 19^th when 17 were present at Skipwith Common NNR.

Blackcap – A single non-singing and possibly over-wintering bird was at Bank Island on the 17^th.

Cetti’s Warbler – Two remained at Melbourne throughout the month with another at Wheldrake Ings, followed by two there later in the month. Another calling bird was at Bank Island on the 11^th and 21^st.

Brambling – Single in the Wheldrake allotments on the 18^th.

Corn Bunting – 55 were still present at the Melbourne reedbed roost on the 20^th.

Corn Bunting - Hagg Lane - 12/03 - DB