Mar' 26

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - March Sightings

The month was marked with a large passage of Whooper Swans, which appears to increase year on year. A total of 2,420+ moved through the site with 527 counted on the ground on the 2^nd being a notable count. Two Bewick’s Swans were also recorded on the 2^nd, (first, and only records of the winter). White-fronted Geese peaked at 1,810 on the 4^th and 36 Tundra Bean Geese remained early in the month, with one then lingering throughout. The nocturnal overnight spring passage of Common Scoter is increasing annually, with almost nightly movements, and a total of ten grounded birds noted. Up to three Cattle Egrets were recorded between the 9-12^th, with at least eight Great White Egrets and a total of 28 Common Cranes logged during the month – although some may have been lingering/returning birds.

White-fronted Geese - East Cottingwith - 15/04 - DB

The spring passage of Black-tailed Godwits built up to 1,207 on the 9^th with a single Bar-tailed Godwit also present on the same day. A Spotted Redshank lingered, and the return spring passage of Snipe was evident with 17 Jack Snipe also involved on 16^th. The first returning Garganey was noted (21^st), with Sand Martin following (6^th), Willow Warbler (23^rd) and Swallow and House Martin (29^th), whilst a Hawfinch was picked up on noc-mig over Skipwith Common on the 21^st.

A total of 150 species have now been recorded in the Lower Derwent Valley and surrounding area since the new year.

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, Mark Fewster, Chris Gomersall, Tony Jenkins, Jono Leadley, Andy Massey and Trevor Walton for the use of their images below. 

 

BIRDS:

Mute Swan – A total of 90 individuals were recorded throughout the site on the 14^th and 15^th, when several pairs were observed copulating and starting to nest build.

Whooper Swan – The month opened with a considerable increase in the number of birds present in the wintering herd, with 400+ recorded on the 1^st and 527 on the 2^nd. A large movement and onward migration to the north-west took place on the 3^rd, with the first herds of 12 and 26 departing over Bank Island at 17:20, followed by another 24 at 18:00 and several further herds totalling over 210 birds by 21:00. Five flew over Melbourne and Thornton Ings on the 4^th with 11 over Bank Island on the same morning. A total of 55 flew north at Bank Island on the evening of the 4^th, followed by seven over on the 5^th. Eight paused at Wheldrake and 20 were at Seavy Carr on the 6^th, before a large movement on the 8^th included a minimum of 259 through Wheldrake with another 306 at Thorganby. A total of 41 were at Thornton Ings on the 9^th, with herds of ten, nine and 28 departing north off Wheldrake later in the day at dusk – 14 also arrived and roosted overnight at Bank Island. A further 103 passed north over the NNR Base in darkness and were followed by 68 north at dawn on the 10^th, with 33 north over Stamford Bridge later the same morning, whilst 21 arrived at Wheldrake Ings at dusk. Two were near Barmby Moor on the 13^th and 17 were at North Duffield Carrs. A total of 217 were present on the ground on the 15^th – presumably the local wintering herd, whilst another 55 flew north-west over North Duffield Carrs. Nine flocks passed through Elvington overnight on the 17^th/18^th whilst 418 followed during the morning of the 18^th – 163 also paused for the day at Wheldrake Ings before continuing northwards at 18:00. At least 95 passed overhead after dusk on the 18^th, with 71 recorded at Wheldrake Ings the following morning with herds of 157, 33 and 27 observed heading north at 18:00 that evening. A flock of 24 were present at Wheldrake Ings at dawn on the 20^th with herds of 24 pausing at North Duffield and nine (including one sat-tagged bird) at Wheldrake on the 21^st. A total of 58 then flew north early morning at Wheldrake on the 22^nd with 33 at North Duffield Carrs on the 23^rd and 31 on the 29^th. A total of 2,420 birds were recorded on passage.

Whooper Swans - North Duffield Carrs - 21/03 - MF

Bewick’s Swan – Two adults were present in the Whooper Swan herd on the 2^nd.

Greylag Goose – A total of 218 recorded on the 15^th was the peak count for the month.

Tundra Bean Goose – The month opened with at least 36 individuals lingering around the reserve on the 1^st and 2^nd, although there were few sightings thereafter suggesting a sudden departure. Two flew south-east over Bank Island on the 7^th. A single first-winter was present at East Cottingwith between the 10^th-15^th and presumably the same lingering bird was seen with Pink-feet at Low Grounds on the 22^nd and 23^rd. What was possibly the same bird, was then seen at North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th before moving to Wheldrake Ings where it stayed until month end.

Tundra Bean Goose - North Duffield Carrs - 26/03 - CG

European White-fronted Goose – At least 602 remained throughout the reserve on the 1^st with 436 recorded on the 3^rd. A total of 48 flew south over Bank Island on the afternoon of the 4^th, whilst at 17:00 150 were located in feeding fields at East Cottingwith. A huge number then arrived from the north and north-west with 690 joining the flock on the ground, and another 320 south-east with a further 150 over the same area before slowly heading off in the same direction. At the same time another observer was watching a conservative 500+ on the water at North Duffield Carrs, giving a total count of 1,810 in the area at the time (new reserve and Yorkshire record count). A total of 243 were recorded in the area on the 5^th, followed by 150+ on the 6^th and a minimum of 78 on the 7^th. Twelve were at Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th with 80 at North Duffield Carrs on the 9^th. Five were present at East Cottingwith on the 10^th followed by 52 there between the 11^th-14^th and 90 were recorded throughout the reserve on the 15^th. Eight were at Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th and 19^th with 20 at East Cottingwith also on the latter date. At least 16 remained until the 22^nd, with seven recorded on the 23^rd followed by ten on the 25^th. A total of 17 were present on the 27^th with eight remaining on the 30^th.

Pink-footed Goose – Over 2,000 remained across the site on the 1^st. 400 went north-west on the 2^nd with 730 following in the same direction on the 3^rd, whilst 800 remained at East Cottingwith between the 4^th-8^th. However, daily movements of skeins were recorded headed north-west including 500+ on the 7^th and 1,100 on the 8^th. 400 roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th and 10^th, and 250 were at the East Cottingwith ponds between the 11^th-13^th. Over 200 were nearby between the 15^th-20^th and 220 were on the Low Grounds between the 21^st -27^th, with at least 337 remaining there to month end.

Pink-footed Geese - East Cottingwith - 07/03 - DB

Canada Goose – Only a handful of breeding birds remained throughout the month with 33 being the peak count on the 15^th.

Barnacle Goose – A single was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th with several 'lesser' Canada Goose hybrids (most probably of a Dutch origin) and was seen again on the 22^nd.

Egyptian Goose – Several local breeding pairs remained in the usual locations across the area.

Shelduck – Up to 100 birds remained throughout the month but most had dispersed into pairs and were holding territory by mid-month.

Mallard – At least 613 remained on the 15^th with many forming pairs and nest building by month end. A female was observed sitting on a clutch of 12 eggs in Elvington on the 23^rd.

Pintail – A count of 291 was had at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st followed by 206 on the 7^th and 275 on the 8^th. A full reserve count on the 15^th produced 659, including an impressive 512 at North Duffield Carrs.

Garganey – The first returning bird of the year was a drake reported at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st.

Teal – Numbers reduced as expected as birds started to depart, with 3,174 remaining on the 15^th.

Wigeon – As with Teal, numbers started to decrease with 7,561 remaining on the 15^th.

Wigeon - North Duffield Carrs - 31/03 - TW

Shoveler – At least 200 were present around the reserve on the 1^st with a notable increase noted in the wider area. On the 15^th 296 were recorded throughout the site and 120 were at North Duffield Carrs on the 29^th.

Gadwall – A total of 71 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th with 214 recorded throughout the site on the 15^th. A peak count of 94 was recorded on the 21^st.  

Tufted Duck – Numbers increased dramatically early in the month, presumably as floodwater receded elsewhere in the wider area. A total of 301 were recorded on the 1^st with 152 then present at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th followed by 161 on the 8^th. At least 176 were present throughout the site on the 15^th.

Scaup – Two first-winter drakes present at Thorganby on the 1^st were then reported from Aughton on the 9^th. One remained at North Duffield Carrs thereafter with two appearing on the 22^nd whilst a female was also present on the pool at Wheldrake Ings between the 27^th-29^th.

Pochard – 100+ remained at Bubwith Ings on the 1^st with 240 at Aughton Ings on the 9^th. 200+ were still present at North Duffield Carrs on the 12^th but had dropped to 58 by the 15^th.

Red-crested Pochard – A female was at Skipwith Common NNR on the 6^th followed by another/same individual at Hemingbrough between the 15^th-18^th.

Goldeneye – A total of 13 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th with numbers reaching 17 by the 8^th.

Goosander – Three were at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with 12 there on the 2^nd. Two roosted at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th with a single drake there on the 13^th.

Common Scoter – The first nocturnal movements were noted over Wheldrake Ings on the 11^th with 11 flocks recorded after dark on the 12^th. A drake was then present at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th with almost daily nocturnal movements around this time. A female was present at Bank Island on the 22^nd, and another female (found grounded nearby) was ringed and released back onto Bank Island on the evening of the 24^th (departed by the following morning). Spring passage ramped up with large numbers reported between the 26^th-30^th which resulted in several exhausted birds found grounded. A single was picked up and taken into care in Elvington on the 28^th with two found at North Duffield on the same day. A drake and two ducks were then present there on the 29^th with another female at Bank Island.

Common Scoter - Bank Island - 29/03 - DB

Cattle Egret – A single at Hagg Bridge on the 9^th was later seen at Wheldrake Ings, and was then back at Hagg Bridge on the 10^th before three were reported there on the 12^th.

Cattle Egret - Wheldrake Ings - 13/03 - AM

Little Egret – Numbers increased early in the month with 21 back at Wheldrake Ings by the 8^th with numbers up to 32 there by the 9^th.

Great White Egret – Two were at Ellerton Ings and a single was at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st. At least four were present on the 3^rd (including some acquiring breeding plumes) whilst two roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th, followed by three there on the 7^th and four on the 8^th and 9^th, with one at Ellerton also on the 9^th. Five were at Hagg Bridge on the 10^th with six throughout the site on the 15^th – including five together at Wheldrake which had breeding plumes and legs starting to colour-up. A total of eight were present on the reserve on the 17^th.

Great White Egrets - Wheldrake Ings - 15/03 - DB

Great Crested Grebe – A single was still present at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with one at North Duffield Carrs between the 2^nd-5^th. Two were at Bank Island on the 7^th and 8^th and one was at Wheldrake Ings between the 15^th-18^th – with a pair seen displaying there on the 22^nd.

Water Rail – Up to 12 singing males were present at Wheldrake Ings early in the month.  

Common Crane – Five passed low over the NNR Base at Bank Island at 11:06 on the 3^rd with much calling before continuing south-east. Three reported at Seaton Ross at 11:05 were presumably different birds given the direction of travel and timings of the sightings. Two went north-east over Bank Island on the 17^th with four south there on the 18^th. One was heard calling from Thorganby Ings on the 21^st with seven south down the valley on the 22^nd – after being seen earlier at Skipwith Common NNR, before turning over Aughton and seen later passing along Melbourne and Thornton Ings. Two presumed separate birds were also present at Wheldrake on the same day, and may have remained on the reserve overnight before being seen over York the following morning. A single was heard from Bank Island on the 26^th, with four reported from Thornton Ings on the 27^th.

Common Cranes - Aughton - 22/03 - JL

Coot – A total of 57 were at Melbourne Ings on the 2^nd and 41 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th. 207 were present throughout the site on the 15^th including 189 at Wheldrake Ings.

Goshawk – A pair were reported at one site in the area throughout the month, with a single also seen at Aughton Ings on the 11^th and 24^th.

Buzzard – Eleven were recorded over Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st.

Red Kite – Eight were present over Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with ten over Bank Island on the 29^th – on the same date eight were in the Bubwith/North Duffield Ings areas.

Marsh Harrier – A pair were seen copulating at Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th with at least six still lingering across the reserve at this time. Three cream-crowns were at Melbourne Ings on the 9^th with up to ten roosting at Wheldrake mid-month, and two displaying pairs were reported in the northern half of the valley on the 23^rd.

Marsh Harrier - Wheldrake Ings - 15/03 - DB

Peregrine – A pair were displaying at White Carr Meadow, Bielby, on the 9^th, with another pair observed hunting at North Duffield Carrs on the 15^th – where an unfortunate Black-tailed Godwit was taken from the flock.

Merlin – A male flew across the road at Sutton upon Derwent on the 7^th with another at North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th.

Avocet – The first of the year were two individuals at North Duffield Carrs on the 3^rd.

Little Ringed Plover – The first of the year was seen at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th with the next following there on the 19^th. A single was at Bank Island on the 22^nd.

Ringed Plover – Three were at North Duffield Carrs between the 19^th-22^nd with two there on the 23^rd.

Oystercatcher – At least 22 were present throughout the site on the 15^th.

Oystercatcher - Storwood - 11/03 - DB

Golden Plover – A flock of 56 were recorded on the Low Grounds on the 6^th with 238 at Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th. Seventeen remained at Wheldrake on the 29^th.

Lapwing – Numbers decreased quickly with the departure of wintering birds, leaving 240 present by mid-month.

Dunlin – 200+ were at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st but just a handful remained at month end.

Ruff – Up to 20 were present early in the month with seven remaining at month end.

Black-tailed Godwit – Numbers continued to increase with 673 at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with 531 recorded there on the 8^th. 860+ were at Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th when another 347 were reported from Thornton Ellers – a total of 1,207 (second highest count on record after 1,270 in March 2023). 450+ were present on the 12^th, whilst 300 were at North Duffield Carrs on the 15^th. 400 were still at North Duffield on the 19^th and 150 were at Wheldrake Ings. 575 were at Wheldrake on the 20^th and 22^nd, with 200 at North Duffield Carrs on the latter date. 484 were reported from Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th with 500 at North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th.

Black-tailed Godwits - Wheldrake Ings - 24/03 - DB

Bar-tailed Godwit – A single was feeding with several Ruff at Ellerton on the 9^th – presumably the same individual present now for several weeks along the riverbank.

Snipe – At least 100 were present on Wheldrake Ings after dark on the 3^rd with c100 recorded in the Melbourne and Thornton Ings area during the first week of the month – along with one heard drumming on the 6^th. A chipping bird was at Ellerton Ings on the 9^th and was followed by 45 at Melbourne Ings on 11^th. Four drumming birds were recorded from Aughton Ings on the 19^th and 100+ were present at Bank Island on the 24^th. Five were chipping/drumming at North Duffield Carrs on the 26^th when over 150+ were recorded.

Jack Snipe – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th was followed by seven at Skipwith Common NNR on the 16^th with ten recorded at Elvington on the same date. A single was present at Seavy Carr on the 20^th with at least three at Bank Island on the 24^th.

Woodcock – Five were at Wheldrake Ings after dark on the 3^rd with three roading males observed chasing a female at Allerthorpe Common on the 6^th. Three were seen again there after dark on the 10^th including one which was re-caught and found to be ringed at the same site in January 2019.

Redshank – Up to 25 remained across the site throughout the month.

Redshank - North Duffield Carrs - 23/03 - TJ

Spotted Redshank – The long staying individual was still at North Duffield Carrs on the 29^th.

Curlew – Numbers continued to increase with 22 at Melbourne Ings on the 1^st followed by 62 there on the 9^th. At least 82 were present throughout the site on the 16^th with numbers up to 101 by the 19^th.

Curlew - North Duffield - 15/03 - DB

Black-headed Gull – Numbers quickly declined from early in the month with only 1,700 remaining at the Wheldrake roost on the 3^rd.

Mediterranean Gull – An adult was seen near Allerthorpe Common on the 1^st.

Herring Gull – Thirty were recorded at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd.

Caspian Gull – A single first-winter was at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd.

Green Woodpecker – Two were recorded at Skipwith Common NNR on the 1^st.

Green Woodpecker - Skipwith Common NNR - 01/03 - DB

Long-eared Owl – Two birds were reported from one site during the month.

Woodlark – Three were present at Skipwith Common NNR on the 1^st.  

White Wagtail – One at Melbourne Ings on the 3^rd was the first of the year.

Raven – Three flew over Wheldrake village on the 5^th with one at Melbourne and Wheldrake on the 13^th. One flew over Bank Island on the 17^th by which time it became clear a pair were present in the area and possibly breeding. Singles were at Skipwith Common NNR on the 19^th, Stamford Bridge on the 20^th and Melbourne on the 22^nd and 23^rd.

Fieldfare – Fifty at Wheldrake Ings at dusk on the 10^th were followed by 300 near Kexby, 100 at Allerthorpe and 80 at Hagg Bridge on the 11^th as spring passage commenced. Small numbers continued daily until the 22^nd. 150 were then present near North Duffield village on the 29^th with 17 at Wheldrake Ings on the same date.

Redwing – As with Fieldfares, over 100 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th with 250 scattered around the reserve the following day.

Sand Martin – Two at North Duffield Carrs on the 6^th were the earliest yet on record (following birds on the 10^th March 2021). The two early individuals were then followed by two at Bank Island and a single near Allerthorpe on the 8^th. Two were present at East Cottingwith on the 11^th, followed by seven at North Duffield Carrs on the 19^th and one at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th. A single was at North Duffield Carrs and Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd and four were at Wheldrake on the 24^th.

Swallow – The first returning bird was at North Duffield Carrs on the 29^th.

House Martin – The first returning bird was at Bank Island on the 29^th – third earliest on record.

Stonechat – A singing male was present at Seavy Carr on the 2^nd.

Cetti’s Warbler – Several calling birds remained along the Pocklington Canal and Wheldrake Ings, with a singing male returning to the NNR Base at Bank Island on the 23^rd.

Blackcap – One was singing at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th with another at Melbourne on the 18^th and Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th.

Chiffchaff – Singing birds were present at both North Duffield Carrs and Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st – both presumed to be overwintering birds, with another at Bank Island on the 2^nd and 3^rd. A notable influx started on the 4^th with four at East Cottingwith, followed by two at Bielby on the 5^th and 12 at Wheldrake Ings, and six at Bank Island and four at Skipwith Common on the 7^th. Birds were then widespread by the 19^th with 13 at Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th.

Chiffchaff - North Duffield Carrs - 03/03 - TJ

Willow Warbler – The first singing bird was at Bank Island on the 23^rd – the second earliest record (following one on the 22^nd March 2021).

Willow Tit – A singing bird was heard at Melbourne on the 18^th.

Marsh Tit – Between three and four singing males were present at Skipwith Common NNR on the 1^st.

Lesser Redpoll – Up to 100 remained early in the month along the Pocklington Canal at Melbourne, with a single ‘mealy’ also present. A single was at Skipwith Common NNR on the 23^rd.

Siskin – Numbers increased to 200 at Melbourne in canal side alders, whilst numbers also started to build up on Skipwith Common NNR with 150+ there on the 3^rd as return passage started – 130 remained on the 11^th.

Crossbill – Three were at Skipwith Common NNR on the 6^th followed by three at Bank Island and a single at Melbourne on the 13^th. Two were at Skipwith again on the 19^th and 21^st, with groups of five and seven south over there on the 25^th – possibly local breeders/family groups.  

Hawfinch – A single was recorded at Skipwith Common NNR on the 21^st at 21:50 via noc-mig.

Corn Bunting – The first singing male appeared in front of Tower Hide on the 12^th and remained thereafter.

Corn Bunting - Hagg Lane - 15/03 - DB