May 22

 Lower Derwent Valley NNR - May Sightings

May started off largely where April had ended, with Garganey continuing to show well, with four or five birds in the Bank Island/Wheldrake area on an almost daily basis, with a total of 14 drakes and five ducks reported across the whole site. Three Garganey broods (20 young) were also recoded during the month. The continued presence of the Spotted Crakes from early in the season gave hope for suspected breeding, with the first Quail and Corncrake also heard. A single Glossy Ibis appeared at Wheldrake Ings and Bank Island on the 8^th, with two or three then present until the 16^th. Two lingering Common Cranes put in occasional appearances throughout the month.

Wader passage continued, albeit at a reduced pace, with a peak of 65 Whimbrel on the 2^nd, whilst a late individual on the 23^rd/24^th was the last to be reported. A single Bar-tailed Godwit (1^st) and Spotted Redshank (13^th) were notable, with a Turnstone at North Duffield Carrs and Wheldrake on the 2^nd. A small and concentrated passage of Jack Snipe was had early in the month, with the last spring record on the 5^th.

Barn Owls appear to be having a bumper season, with plenty of pairs well underway now with breeding. Cuckoo activity was apparent, including the long staying hepatic female at Wheldrake Ings. Three sightings of Turtle Dove in the area were encouraging, with a Green Woodpecker at Bank Island on the 1^st being a notable record. Up to eight singing Cetti’s Warblers remained.

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 for the use of his images below.

 

BIRDS: 

Whooper Swan – A single was at North Duffield Carrs on the 2^nd - presumably a late passage bird and possibly the one that appeared at East Heslington on the 5^th. One paused at Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th whilst another remained on the canal at Storwood. Two individuals were at North Duffield Carrs between the 17^th – 23^rd.

Mute Swan – In addition to 20 pairs present throughout the area, a total of 88 non-breeding birds were recorded across the site on the 1^st – 126 in total. 68 were at North Duffield Carrs on the 11^th, with numbers declining thereafter as water levels reduced and birds presumably started to move off towards moulting sites – 27 remained on the 31^st.

The first hatched brood (five) were present at Wheldrake on the 3^rd, with a brood of six seen on the canal near Hagg Bridge on the 5^th. Broods continued to appear with four cygnets at Bank Island on the 15^th and eight at North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th. A total of 11 broods were recorded during the month.

Mute Swan brood - North Duffield Carrs - 30/05

Greylag Goose – 30 Goslings were at Thornton Ellers on the 12^th, with 21 at Bank Island, 61 at Wheldrake and 32 at North Duffield Carrs. Numbers increased to 69 goslings at Thornton Ellers on the 26^th with a further 29 throughout water bodies in the surrounding area. A total of 242 goslings were recorded throughout the area.

Egyptian Goose – Broods of seven and three remained at East Cottingwith early in the month, with 10 adults on the Low Grounds on the 3^rd. Another brood of five were found on pools at Elvington Airfield on the 4^th, with five adults at Bank Island on the 9^th and eight on the Low Grounds on the 15^th. A further brood of five newly hatched goslings appeared at East Cottingwith on the 26^th.

It would appear the adult population reached a minimum of 17 during the month with a further 23 goslings joining the local population.

Shelduck – The first brood (eight) were seen at Thornton Ellers on the 12^th. Good numbers remained throughout.

Mandarin – A drake was noted on the River Derwent near Stamford Bridge on the 7^th with, more surprisingly, a pair with five ducklings at Breighton Meadows on the 17^th – the first confirmed breeding for the reserve.

Wood Duck – A single drake was present on the Pocklington Canal on the 6^th with either the same one, or another, on the River Derwent near Stamford Bridge on the 7^th.

Wigeon – 21 were at Wheldrake and 19 at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st, but quickly declined thereafter, leaving two pairs and two drakes at Wheldrake, three pairs at North Duffield Carrs and two drakes and a duck elsewhere.

Teal – Up to 30 pairs remained widely scattered throughout the month.

Gadwall – The first brood (nine), were present at Bank Island on the 18^th with several appearing thereafter. A total of 72 drakes were located around the reserve on the 30^th.

Gadwall - Wheldrake Ings - 06/05 - DB

Shoveler – The first brood (eleven), were present at Bank Island on the 24^th, with a different brood of nine there on the 25^th. Three broods were at Wheldrake (21 ducklings), on the 30^th, with three broods (18) at North Duffield Carrs on the same date,

Garganey – Drakes remained at Bank Island, North Duffield Carrs, Thornton Ellers and Wheldrake Ings (three) on the 1^st, with the colour-ringed drake still present at Bank Island on the 2^nd. Four drakes were still in the Bank Island/Wheldrake area on the 3^rd, with three at Bank Island on the 4^th. Seven drakes were counted across both sites (BKI/WI) on the 6^th, with two at North Duffield Carrs and a single at Thornton Ellers on the same date. Four were at Bank Island on the 10^th with seven drakes still on the reserve on the 15^th. The first brood (nine), appeared at Bank Island on the 13^th, with a brood of at least four on the Pocklington Canal at Storwood on the 15^th. Up to four drakes remained at Bank Island thereafter with two at Wheldrake, whilst an amazing flock of nine drakes were present at North Duffield Carrs - a record total of 15 drakes present across the reserve on that date. Up to five drakes remained in the Bank Island/Wheldrake area to month end, with four drakes and two ducks at Wheldrake on the 24^th when two drakes were also present at Bank Island. Another brood of seven were located at North Duffield Carrs on the 30^th.

Pintail – A single drake remained at Wheldrake Ings between the 1^st - 6^th - possibly with an incubating female nearby. However, only a single drake remained thereafter until the 18^th with no further sign of breeding.

Cormorant – Up to 15 remained at the Wheldrake roost.

Little Grebe – Up to six pairs remained on the Ings to month end with four pairs in the surrounding area.

Great Crested Grebe – A pair were on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th and again on the 25^th. Four pairs were on water bodies surrounding the reserve during the month.

Grey Heron – Three fledged young were on Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with six there on the 5^th and more appearing thereafter.

Little Egret – Numbers of feeding birds on the reserve increased from mid-month as young started to hatch in the heronry – a total of 17 were present across Wheldrake and Bank Island on the 15^th with 21 there on the 16^th.

Little Egret - Bank Island - 14/05 - DB

Great White Egret – One flew north of Low Catton Ings on the 5^th with one at Bank Island on the 11^th.

Glossy Ibis – A single was present at both Wheldrake Ings and Bank Island on the 8^th - reappearing at Wheldrake and Storwood Ings on the 9^th. Three (two adults and an immature) were then remarkably located on the 10^th with two roosting in the heronry. Two remained on the 11^th, roosting again in the heronry, before leaving the roost and flying onto Wheldrake at 05:40hrs on the 12^th. Three birds were present again on the 14^th with two remaining on the 15^th and early morning on the 16^th, before relocating to Alkborough Flats on the Humber, where all three joined up several days later.

Glossy Ibis - Wheldrake Ings - 10/05 - DB

Common Crane – A single was on farmland adjacent to Melbourne and Thornton Ings on the 1^st - 6^th with a pair at Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th - reappearing at Ellerton on the 15^th and Thornton Ings on the 17^th. One was heard calling from Bank Island on the 23^rd with one near Escrick on the 27^th.

Common Cranes - Wheldrake Ings - 09/05

Osprey – A single showed well fishing on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the afternoon of the 8^th with either the same individual or another, seen heading towards Melbourne on the 10^th.  

Marsh Harrier – A single female remained on Wheldrake between the 1^st - 3^rd and Bank Island/Wheldrake between the 5^th - 16^th. Two females were present on the 17^th and regularly thereafter.  

Red Kite – Up to five pairs were recorded throughout the wider area during the month.

Peregrine – What was presumably last month's ‘brown’ immature male was present again at North Duffield Carrs on the 11^th, the same day an adult male was present over Bank Island.

Hobby – Numbers increased with five at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st, six on the 2^nd and five again on the 3^rd - with one caught and ringed whilst wader ringing after dark. Numbers increased to nine hawking over the site between the 6^th - 9^th, with one chasing Swifts at North Duffield on the 11^th. Scattered records came from across the site for the remainder of the month with up to five daily at Wheldrake thereafter. Birds were also reported from Skipwith Common NNR and Thorganby Ings during the second half of the month. Singles were at North Duffield Carrs and Sutton on Derwent on the 25^th and Bank Island and North Duffield village on the 30^th.

Hobby - Wheldrake Ings - 03/05 - GD

Coot – A brood of eight were present at Bank Island on the 20^th with up to 19 broods recorded by month end.  

Spotted Crake – A single was heard during the day-time at Bank Island on the 1^st with one seen briefly in flight at North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th. A single individual gave some brief song at Wheldrake Ings on the 30^th.

Corncrake – A singing male was reported at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th with one singing and another seen elsewhere on the same site on the 16^th. A singing male was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th and heard again on the 24^th.

Quail – The first singing bird of the year was at Melbourne Ings on the 14^th with another at Ellerton Ings on the 18^th. An individual was logged on nocturnal passage and on the ground at Elvington at 03:00hrs on the 26^th.

Water Rail – 11 singing males were located on Wheldrake early in the month, with two in reed/fen between East Cottingwith and Hagg Bridge on the Pocklington Canal on the 5^th. Up to eight continued to call at North Duffield Carrs during the month with four at Bank Island. Two were also recorded on nocturnal recorders during the night of the 22^nd flying over Elvington.

Little Ringed Plover – A pair were present at Bank Island from the 1^st with two pairs on the 2^nd and 3^rd. A single was present at Thornton Ings on the 12^th and Bank Island on the 13^th and 23^rd. A pair were at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th with singles at Bank Island from the 27^th to month end. A single pair were thought to have bred, or attempted breeding, on the Low Grounds.

Little Ringed Plover - Thornton Ellers - 25/05

Avocet – A single was on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd.

Oystercatcher – Breeding was underway with most birds breeding on adjacent sites and flying onto the Ings to roost and feed. Six came into roost at Bank Island after dark on the 23^rd.

Lapwing – The first hatched young were present at Seavy Carr on the 1^st and Bank Island on the 2^nd, with a brood on the Low Grounds on the 3^rd, Wheldrake on the 4^th and Melbourne on the 5^th. Two broods (eight young) were at Bank Island on the 9^th with another pair incubating on the same date. A brood were present on Storwood Ings on the 10^th with another hatching at Bank Island on the 23^rd. Several broods were at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th including the first fledged brood of two.

Snipe – 130+ were still present at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with c40 there on the 5^th. A completed clutch of four eggs were found at Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th when three were drumming at Bank Island. A drumming male at Bank Island was caught on the 23^rd - found to be a chick hatched and ringed at Wheldrake Ings in 2020.

Jack Snipe – Four were present and caught and ringed at Wheldrake Ings after dark on the 2^nd, with three at Bank Island on the 3^rd and three at Wheldrake on the 5^th.

Curlew – 21 roosted at Bank Island on the 24^th - perhaps early failed breeders, non breeders or late passage birds. A similar flock of 12 were at North Duffield Carrs on the 30^th when six roosted at Bank Island. Small numbers of broods followed from the first at North Duffield Ings on the 21^st.

Whimbrel – Two were present at Bank Island on the 1^st whilst the Wheldrake roost increased to 65 after dark on the 2^nd. 39 roosted on the 3^rd with 25 recorded on the 5^th. Several birds were captured on nocturnal passage over Elvington, with one over Bank Island on the 8^th/9^th and four into roost at Wheldrake on the latter date. Singles were heard over the Low Grounds and Wheldrake on the 10^th and 11^th. Singles recorded over Elvington on nocturnal passage on the 12^th and the Low Grounds during the day on the 15^th. A late individual passed over Bank Island during the night of the 23^rd/24^th.

Whimbrel - Wheldrake Ings - 03/05 - RV

Dunlin – Three passage birds were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 2^nd with one there until the 8^th. Two were at Bank Island on the 16^th.

Turnstone – One was heard over North Duffield Carrs on the afternoon of the 2^nd with possibly the same bird at Wheldrake that evening.  

Ruff – Three were at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st and 2^nd, with three (two males and a female), on the Low Grounds on the 2^nd and North Duffield Carrs between the 7^th - 17^th.

Redshank – A pair were incubating four eggs at Bank Island on the 24^th. Two pairs were present at Bank Island, with five at North Duffield Carrs, five at Wheldrake Ings and a handful throughout the rest of the reserve.

Spotted Redshank – A single bird coming into summer plumage was present at Thornton Ings on the 13^th.

Greenshank – One at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st - 2^nd with another at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd.

Black-tailed Godwit – A single was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st and Bank Island on the 2^nd when a passage flock of 17 were at Thornton Ellers.

Bar-tailed Godwit – A single was present at Thornton Ellers on the 1^st.

Common Sandpiper – Two were heard calling after dark at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with one on the riverbank at Thorganby on the 3^rd. One flew into the Melbourne Arm on the 6^th, with one on the riverbank at Thorganby again on the 18^th.

Wood Sandpiper – A single was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st and 2^nd, with one at Thornton Ings briefly on the 13^th and Bank Island on the 18^th.

Common Tern – Two remained on the tern rafts at Wheldrake Ings from the 1^st with a pair on the river at Thorganby on the 3^rd. A pair were at North Duffield Carrs between the 11^th - 17^th. Up to four pairs remained on the reserve to month end, with six at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th.

Arctic Tern – Two flew high over Bank Island on the 1^st with another in the Wheldrake Ings/Pocklington Canal area on the 10^th.

Barn Owl – Activity continued to increase during the month with day hunting males carrying food to feed incubating females and broods. The pair at Bank Island had a brood of five on the 20^th with cached food present in the nest site.

Cuckoo – Birds continued to arrive with two at Skipwith on the 2^nd when a hepatic phase individual was at Wheldrake Ings. Two calling males were heard on Skipwith Common NNR on the 3^rd with a pair also at Melbourne. Three calling males were at Melbourne on the 4^th when three calling males and the hepatic female were present at Wheldrake Ings. Other individuals were at Thorganby and Bank Island on the 4^th. Birds were then present at Low Catton on the 5^th with seven male birds along the Pocklington Canal on the same date. One was calling at Thorganby on the 6^th with two at North Duffield Carrs on 7^th and a single at Elvington on the 9^th. Three males and the hepatic female remained at Wheldrake on the 10^th. One was at Sutton on Derwent on the 11^th. Sightings continued thereafter until 3-5 birds were present daily at Wheldrake Ings, including the hepatic individual. Singles at Foggathorpe on the 24^th and Ellerton on the 25^th.

Cuckoo - Wheldrake Ings - 04/05 - DB

Green Woodpecker – Single at Bank Island on the 1^st.

Swift – 15 were recorded at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd with six on the 4^th. Small numbers continued to move through the site daily, with the first breeding birds back in low numbers in local villages from the 7^th. 100+ passed through Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th and 8^th, followed by 300+ on the 10^th. 300+ were also present at North Duffield Carrs on the 11^th. 150+ were again at North Duffield Carrs and Wheldrake Ings on the 30^th in another notable arrival or movement.

Turtle Dove – Single at Hagg Bridge on the 11^th with one at Foggathorpe on the 17^th. One then flew over Wheldrake Ings towards Sutton on Derwent on the 22^nd – an encouraging series of records.

Grey Wagtail – Single on the riverbank at Thorganby Ings on the 4^th.

Pied Wagtail – Up to 40 roosted in the Wheldrake reed bed early in the month with 50-60 there on the 10^th.  

White Wagtail – One at Bank Island on the 1^st.

Sand Martin – A worrying showing with very few recorded during the month and no breeding attempts in the banks.

Swallow – 200+ were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd when 130+ were at North Duffield Carrs. The pair nesting under Tower Hide laid the first egg on the 10^th.

Swallow - Wheldrake Ings - 08/05 - DB

Whinchat – A single at North Duffield Carrs on the 3^rd.

Wheatear – One at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th.

Chiffchaff – 52 were counted along the Pocklington Canal on the 5^th.

Willow Warbler – 53 singing males were recorded along the Pocklington Canal on the 5^th.

Blackcap – 21 were present along the Pocklington Canal on the 5^th.

Garden Warbler – A large, widespread arrival on the 1^st/2^nd brought six to Wheldrake, seven to Skipwith and smaller numbers throughout the site.

Cetti’s Warbler – Up to four were present daily at Bank Island with two at Wheldrake Ings early in the month. A single was still being heard on the canal at Storwood on the 10^th with three at Bank Island, one at Wheldrake, two on the Pocklington Canal and two further singing males remaining to month end (total of eight present). Another individual took up residency around the Wheldrake Ings car park area from the 20^th to month end.

Sedge Warbler – 23 singing males were recorded at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd. 33 singing males were present along the Pocklington Canal between Hagg Bridge and East Cottingwith on the 5^th, with 75 along the whole length of the canal on that date.

Sedge Warbler - Storwood - 05/05 - DB

Reed Warbler – Numbers at Wheldrake increased to seven on the 2^nd with 32 along the Pocklington Canal on the 5^th.

Grasshopper Warbler – Two reeling males were still present at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st with one at Seavy Carr between the 1^st - 8^th.

Spotted Flycatcher – The first returning birds were a pair at Melbourne on the 13^th, with one at Wheldrake Ings on the riverside track on the 16^th.

Bearded Tit – Two females were reported from Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd.

Marsh Tit – One at Bank Island on the 1^st.

Willow Tit – A single adult was seen carrying food at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th.

Corn Bunting – The first singing bird on the Ings was an early individual at Tower Hide on the 6^th. Up to 15 pairs were present in the Hagg Lane area of East Cottingwith, with five pairs at Thornton Ellers and scattered pairs elsewhere. Three singing males were on the Ings at East Cottingwith from the 22^nd.