Mar' 24

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - March Sightings

As usual the month was a mix of departing wintering birds, spring passage and incoming arrivals of breeding birds and migrants. The now annual large passage of Whoopers Swans saw a total of 2,150 stage over or through the site, with a single European White-fronted Goose present on the 20^th and 25^th. The drake American Wigeon remained (2^nd-19^th) with a drake Green -winged Teal also recorded (2^nd). A new record count of 1,120 Pintail took place (10^th) with 502 Tufted Duck, two Scaup and a single red-head Smew. A Red-breasted Merganser (19^th/20^th) was more, unusual whilst the now annual nocturnal passage of Common Scoter was recorded and brought three grounded birds onto the floods. Little Egrets increased to 33 by mid-month whilst two Great White Egrets remained throughout with a Cattle Egret also present on the 14^th.

Another pair of Common Cranes toured the reserve whilst a Black-necked Grebe was present at Bank Island on the 21^st. The first returning Osprey was logged (19^th) whilst a ringtail Hen Harrier (22^nd) re-appeared at month end. The first Avocet appeared on the 5^th whilst Black-tailed Godwits reached a minimum of 865 on the 24^th – a new reserve count. A Little Gull at Bubwith and Wheldrake on the 7^th was notable, with a Black Redstart present near Wheldrake village on the 18^th. The first singing Chiffchaffs were present from the 8^th (with a notable arrival on the 17^th and 24^th). The first eleven Sand Martins were recorded on the 21^st with three late Waxwings at Elvington on the 21^st.

Since the turn of the year a total of 143 species had been recorded on the site by the end of the month.

Many thanks as always to everyone who contributed records and counts throughout the month, in particular to the members of York Birding, and regular patch birder Duncan Bye. Thanks also to Duncan Bye, Chris Gomersall, Geraldine Gray and Trevor Walton for the use of their images below.

 

BIRDS:

Mute Swan – A total of 97 were counted throughout the site on the 2^nd followed by 94 on the 10^th. By month end 88 remained, by which time several pairs had completed nest building.

Bewick’s Swan – A single remained in the Whooper Swan herd on the 2^nd but appeared to depart thereafter.

Whooper Swan – The resident herd remained early in the month with 126 present on the 2^nd followed by 121 on the 10^th, 87 on the 17^th, decreasing further to just 26 by the 29^th.

In addition spring passage started with 170 birds grounded throughout the site on the 2^nd, followed by several herds totalling 440 moving through Wheldrake and Bank Island on the 4^th. Several herds followed of 38 on the 5^th, 136 on the 6^th, six on the 7^th and 17 on the 9^th. Six also flew north on the 11^th. A herd of 40 departed Wheldrake Ings at dawn on the 13^th with 102 following the next morning. A flock of 47 followed on the 15^th when 21 were also present in fields at Bank Island, with another 26 at Melbourne Ings. Six were then present at Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th and 17^th. 171 departed Wheldrake at dusk on the 18^th with 29 remaining there after dark, whilst a further 70 birds headed north-west over Stamford Bridge at dusk on the same date. A herd of 42 followed the next morning on the 19^th whilst two herds (possibly numbering over 200) then passed northwards during the night. Herds of 80 at Barmby on the Moor and ten near Wilberfoss paused on the 20^th with 57 passing over North Duffield village after dark on that date. Ten lingered at Bank Island on the 21^st and 22^nd with 55 at Thornton Ellers on the 22^nd and 12 at Thorganby on the 24^th. 190 paused at Wheldrake Ings on the morning of the 25^th whilst a herd of 30 flew west at Foggathorpe followed by 47 at Ellerton in the evening. These birds all departed Wheldrake that evening, whilst a total of 147 departed the reserve in three herds the following morning on the 27^th having arrived during the night. On the same day herds of 32 and 54 followed that evening. 160 were at North Duffield Carrs on the morning of the 27^th when 124 departed northwards. Five flew north-west at Thorganby on the 30^th with 10 north-west over Wheldrake Ings on the 31^st.

A total of 2,474 passage birds were recorded during the month although numerous herds were also detected by noc-mig, so the true number of birds involved is likely to be significantly larger, with perhaps over 3,000 individuals involved during the month.

Whooper Swans - Wheldrake Ings - 26/03 - DB

Pink-footed Goose – The long remaining wintering flock of 400 were still present on the reserve at East Cottingwith on the 2^nd, when a passage skein of 700 headed north-east over Wheldrake Ings. The wintering flock of 400 were present again at Storwood on the 17^th but had reduced to 200 by the 23^rd-25^th. 600 flew into Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th with up to 432 remaining across the site thereafter to month end.

White-fronted Goose – A single European race bird was present with Whooper Swans in fields adjacent to Bank Island on the 20^th. Presumably the same bird then flew north over North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th and was present again there on the 26^th. By the 29^th it had relocated to Hagg Bridge before it moved Wheldrake Ings where it was recorded on the 30^th and 31^st.

White-fronted Goose - Wheldrake Ings - 31/03 - TW

Greylag Goose – Numbers fell quickly with 795 on the 2^nd reducing to just 125 by the 10^th. A total of 118 were counted throughout the site on the 29^th.

Canada Goose – Numbers fell further with 84 on the 2^nd down to just 20 by the 10^th, with breeding birds dispersing off the site and onto adjacent water bodies.

Egyptian Goose – Seven were located around the site on both the 2^nd and 10^th, whilst the first brood (seven quite large young), appeared on the 29^th at East Cottingwith.

Shelduck – 123 were counted on 2^nd but dispersed widely around the site thereafter as they returned to local territories. 100+ were still present at month end but were widely scattered throughout the reserve as pairs took up breeding territories.

Mandarin – A single drake was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd.

American Wigeon – The adult drake remained in the Bubwith area and was seen there on the 2^nd/3^rd, 8^th-10^th and 15^th-19^th. 

American Wigeon - North Duffield Ings - 17/03 - DB

Wigeon – A total of 9,290 were present throughout the site on the 2^nd with a spring passage movement noted at the time, however, numbers had fallen to 6,989 by the 10^th with birds beginning to depart. At least 3,080 remained on the 29^th.

Teal – Numbers increased early in the month in line with other waterfowl species as return spring passage was noted after dark by local noc-mig recorders. A total of 6,750 were present throughout the site on the 2^nd decreasing to 3,286 by the 10^th and further to 3,070 by month end.

Green-winged Teal – A drake was present north of Bubwith Ings on the 2^nd – the first of the winter.

Pintail – Following two previous record counts this winter numbers further increased on the 2^nd to 1,038 with presumed spring passage involved, and further still to yet another record count of 1,120 on the 10^th. Thereafter numbers started to decline as birds departed with 511 remaining on the 18^th and just 331 by the 29^th.

Shoveler – Numbers increased early in the month when 273 were recorded on the 2^nd with 448 then present across the site by the end of the month.

Gadwall – 271 were counted throughout the site on the 2^nd followed by 214 on the 10^th.

Pochard – Numbers remained largely stable early in the month although birds relocated from Bubwith to Aughton Ings at that time, with 257 on the 2^nd and 246 on the 10^th. Numbers started to fall as water levels receded and birds departed with 33 remaining on 29^th (including several displaying birds at Wheldrake Ings.

Tufted Duck – Numbers increased during the month as continued extensive flooding coincided with spring passage with 379 recorded on the 2^nd increasing to 422 by the 10^th and 502 by the 17^th. Numbers started to fall thereafter with 326 on the 29^th.

Smew – A red-head was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th and 17^th.

Scaup – The presence of two ‘hybrids’ confused the totals but at least one pair of apparently genuine Scaup remained between the 1^st-11^th at Wheldrake Ings, before relocating to North Duffield Carrs by the 15^th with a single drake remaining to month end.

Scaup - North Duffield Carrs - 21/03 - TW

Common Scoter – Two flocks were noted over Bank Island after dark on the 14^th with flocks also recorded over Bank Island on the 15^th, 17^th and 18^th, with several flocks also over Elvington on the 17^th and Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th. A drake was present on the floodwater at Wheldrake Ings during the day on the 22^nd with a female present there the following day. A single female was also recorded at North Duffield Carrs on the 29^th following several flocks heard on overnight passage on the 28^th/29^th.

Goldeneye – A total of 27 were counted throughout the site on the 2^nd followed by 30 on the 9^th and 33 on the 17^th. At least 25 remained on the 29^th.

Goldeneye - Wheldrake Ings - 24/03 - DB

Goosander – A single drake flew over Bank Island and onto Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th with a red-head seen there on the 30^th.

Red-breasted Merganser – A single drake was found at North Duffield Carrs during the afternoon of the 19^th before flying off north towards Wheldrake early evening. It was then re-found the following day at North Duffield Carrs.

Cormorant – 28 roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with 43 present there on the 9^th.

Little Egret – Small single figure counts were recorded early in the month with an increase to 13 by the 9^th. A large arrival then brought 33 to the site on the 17^th and 18^th with 40+ present on the 29^th/30^th.

Great White Egret – A single re-appeared at Wheldrake Ings roosting in pool side willows on the 3^rd and was present daily thereafter until the 24^th. Three were then present across the site increasing to four on the 25^th and 26^th. A single was at Thornton Ellers on the 22^nd with four then present on the site to month end. Birds were recorded at both Thornton and Ellerton Ings on the 29^th.

Cattle Egret – A single was recorded by the Pocklington Canal at Storwood on the 14^th whilst a single flew north over Thorganby Ings on the 29^th.

Little Grebe – Birds were returning to breeding territories on the Ings early in the month with a single pair nest building at North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th.

Great Crested Grebe – Singles were present at North Duffield Carrs and Wheldrake Ings from the 1^st with two at Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th whilst a new bird arrived at Bank Island on the 12^th. A pair were present at Wheldrake Ings from the 23^rd.

Great Crested Grebe - Wheldrake Ings - 23/03 - DB

Black-necked Grebe – Following the appearance of two near Hemingbrough on the 21^st a single also appeared at Bank Island on the same date.

Grey Partridge – Two pairs remained in fields around Bank Island throughout the month and were regularly recorded in the NNR Base garden.

Common Crane – A pair were present at East Cottingwith Ings on the 12^th before being seen flying off towards Skipwith. The same pair (presumably) were seen flying over Escrick on the 15^th whilst five flew south over North Duffield Carrs on the 27^th.

Common Cranes - North Duffield Carrs - 26/03 - CG

Osprey – A single flew north at Bank Island on the 19^th with two further singles north there on the 30^th.

Marsh Harrier – Up to eight individuals were present early in the month with five cream-crowns and a male remaining at month end.

Goshawk – A single female flew over Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th.

Red Kite – Up to seven pairs were present in the area with nest building observed late in the month. Usually seen in groups of two to four, seven were present from Wheldrake Ings on the 31^st.

Hen Harrier – The presumed same lingering ringtail was last reported at Skipwith Common NNR on the 8^th with one at Bank Island on the 22^nd. It or another was present there again on the 30^th before appearing at Wheldrake Ings on the 31^st.

Peregrine – Up to four or five birds remained across the site early in the month with three at North Duffield Carrs on the 29^th.

Merlin – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 30^th.

Little Ringed Plover – The first of the year was recorded on nocturnal passage after dark over Elvington on the 27^th. Two were in fields near Barmby on the Marsh on the 31^st.

Ringed Plover – One flew through North Duffield Carrs on the 26^th.

Avocet – The first returning bird was at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th, on which date the first returning birds also appeared at the breeding site at North Cave Wetlands. Another was picked up on noc-mig over Elvington during the night of the 30^th/31^st.

Oystercatcher – Numbers had increased to 23 on the 2^nd and 28 by the 9^th.

Lapwing – At least 2,921 were present throughout the site on the 2^nd with numbers then falling to 847 by the 9^th and to fewer than 250 by month end.

Golden Plover – A flock of 39 flew north over Bank Island on the 19^th which were possibly spring migrants. 157 followed on the 22^nd and 23^rd with a further 48 on the 24^th. 76 flew north at Bank Island on the 28^th.

Dunlin – 1,000+ remained early in the month with 522 recorded on the 9^th and 10^th. 420+ remained on the 17^th with at least 150 present throughout the site on the 24^th. Just 31 remained on the 29^th.  

Knot – One was recorded on noc-mig over Elvington on the 31^st.

Ruff – Numbers increased to 45 early in the month with 20+ remaining at North Duffield Carrs late in the month. Scattered birds were also reported elsewhere throughout the site.

Black-tailed Godwit – Up to 200 reappeared early in the month before numbers then increased again with c374 at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th followed by 425 at North Duffield Ings on the 9^th. Birds became increasingly mobile thereafter, however, 121 remained throughout the site on the 17^th with 200+ at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st followed by 300 on the 22^nd.  A staggering 865 were present on the 23^rd with a minimum of 617 there and on the Low Grounds on the 24^th. 800+ remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 25^th and 26^th whilst a new record count of 1,018 was recorded at Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th – remaining thereafter to month end.

Black-tailed Godwit flock - Wheldrake Ings - 24/03 - GG

Jack Snipe – Two were present by the River Foulness at Foggathorpe on the 1^st and 6^th. At least 10 remained at Elvington on the 8^th with up to six present in the Hemingbrough area around the same time.

Snipe – The number of drumming and chipping birds continued to increase during the month.

Woodcock – 19 were recorded on a farm holding at Foggathorpe by the River Foulness on the 1^st although only eight remained on the 6^th. At least twelve remained on fields after dark in Elvington on the 8^th. Only two were left at the Foggathorpe site by the 14^th.

Curlew – 183 were recorded on the 2^nd followed by 213 on the 21^st.

Curlew - Wheldrake Ings - 31/03 - TW

Whimbrel – A small early group were recorded by noc-mig over Elvington on the 18^th.

Redshank – At least 40 remained at North Duffield Carrs throughout the month with scattered pairs back on territories throughout the site from mid-month – a total of approximately 65 birds were thought to be present.

Greenshank – A single flew through Bank Island on the 28^th.

Spotted Redshank – A single winter plumaged bird was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 26^th and 27^th.

Green Sandpiper – Two were at Bank Island on the 28^th.

Common Sandpiper – The first returning bird was present at Melbourne on the 11^th.

Mediterranean Gull – A single adult was present in the Wheldrake roost on the 7^th.

Little Gull – A single was seen at Bubwith Ings and later at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th.

Black-headed Gull – Numbers fell quickly early in the month with 10,000 recorded on the 9^th declining to 4,000 on the 17^th. By the 19^th just 700 were recorded roosting after dark.

Common Gull – 5,000 recorded on the 9^th at the Wheldrake roost had fallen to around 1,000 by the 17^th and further to just 200 by the 19^th. 800 were roosting on the Elvington Water Treatment Works and adjacent fields on the 29^th.

Short-eared Owl – Three or four were present in the Foggathorpe area early in the month.

Sand Martin – Four at Bank Island and seven at North Duffield Carrs on the 21^st were the first returning birds of the year. Two were then at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd and 23^rd followed by five there on the 26^th. 14 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 27^th.

House Martin – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th was the third earliest returning bird for the area, with the other two earliest on record falling on the 21^st March 2009 and 23^rd March 2011.

Woodlark – Up to eight singing males at Skipwith Common NNR remained but became increasingly quieter as the month progressed.

Waxwing – Three returning spring passage birds were seen near Elvington on the 21^st.

Black Redstart – A male was present by farm buildings just outside Wheldrake village on the 18^th.

Chiffchaff – Three singing birds were present at Bank Island on the 8^th with singles also heard at Skipwith Common NNR on the 12^th and 13^th followed by three at Bank Island on the 14^th and Melbourne on the 15^th. A total of 32 were present throughout the area on the 17^th with further arrivals taking place on the 23^rd/24^th.

Chiffchaff - Wheldrake Ings - 24/03 - DB

Willow Warbler – The first returning bird was at Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th with three there by the 30^th.

Blackcap – The first returning bird was at Bank Island on the 26^th with another at Wheldrake Ings on the 28^th and four there on the 31^st.

Marsh Tit – Single at Bank Island on the 29^th.

Willow Tit – A pair were present around the NNR Base at Bank Island throughout the month with additional pairs at Melbourne and North Duffield Carrs.

Cetti’s Warbler – One was singing at Bank Island on the 8^th and was present again on the 11^th and 18^th. Two remained in Melbourne during the month with other birds recorded in the car park area at Wheldrake Ings, Tower Hide and at East Cottingwith on the 17^th, with one also recorded at Bubwith bridge throughout the month – a total of seven singing males.

Linnet – 30 roosting at Bank Island early in the month increased to 90 by the 15^th and further to 130+ by the 18^th.

Brambling – Two were at Thornton Ellers on the 18^th.