May 23

 Lower Derwent Valley NNR - May Sightings

The highlight of the month for one lucky observer was the discovery of two Black-winged Stilts at Bank Island when they lifted out of the grass and flew south at dusk on the 22^nd. Spotted Crakes have been scarce this year with just one record earlier this spring, so an individual singing at Bank Island on the 24^th was a nice surprise for visitors on an evening bird-walk. Several passage Quail were reported throughout the month along with the first singing bird from the meadows at Ellerton on the 29^th.

A Whooper Swan and Pink-footed Goose lingered into the month, with two rather late flocks of Common Scoter noted on nocturnal passage over the area. Up to five drake and two female Garganey were present throughout, with at least two pairs thought to be breeding by month end, along with the first breeding attempt by Mandarin for the reserve. A Great White Egret appeared again along with a flock of 22 Little Egrets at North Duffield Carrs. Three passage Ospreys and up to 13 feeding Hobbies were recorded across the site on the 5^th. Wader passage continued strongly with up to 58 roosting Whimbrel and yet another Bar-tailed Godwit - joining them in the feeding fields and at roost. There was a small movement of Ruff on the 4^th which was part of a much wider movement across the country, whilst Greenshank amassed a total of 32 birds days (max four birds on the 29^th) and Wood Sandpiper 11 bird days (max four on the 6^th). A single Little Gull on the 10^th and a pair of Mediterranean Gulls on the 8^th added interest, whilst two late Redwing (10^th) followed the last two Fieldfare (4^th). The first Spotted Flycatcher was at Melbourne on the 8^th with up to seven reeling Grasshopper Warblers recorded during 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, Matt Gowney, Malcolm Richardson, Trevor Walton, Terry Weston and Andrew Woodcock for the use of their images below.

 

BIRDS:

Mute Swan – In addition to the 13 breeding pairs across the reserve and surrounding area, the usual non-breeding gathering increased with 63 at North Duffield Carrs and 21 at Wheldrake on the 8^th (total of 110 birds throughout the reserve on that date). The first brood (seven) appeared at Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th, with several others following thereafter, including a large brood of ten at Allerthorpe on the 22^nd, along with five at Wheldrake on the 27^th and nine at North Duffield Carrs on the 29^th. Numbers of non-breeders had slowly reduced by month end, moving from North Duffield Carrs along the River Derwent.

Whooper Swan – A single adult remained at North Duffield Carrs between the 1^st - 18^th.

Pink-footed Goose – A single lingered at Thornton Ellers on the 1^st with possibly the same individual at East Cottingwith on the 12^th.

Pink-footed Goose - East Cottingwith - 12/05 - D.Bye

Egyptian Goose – The first fledged brood were three goslings in the East Cottingwith area on the 8^th. Further pairs were present in Elvington with three on ponds in the Thorganby area – a sign of birds spreading from the traditional East Cottingwith stronghold. A brood of twelve were present on the River Derwent at Thorganby on the 22^nd, with regular pairs or small parties at Wheldrake throughout the month.

Wigeon – Counts on the 8^th included four drakes and two ducks at Wheldrake, along with a pair at Bank Island, two pairs and three drakes at North Duffield and a pair at Breighton Meadows. Similar numbers remained thereafter with three drakes at North Duffield and three at Wheldrake on the 29^th, with two further drakes elsewhere on that date.

Teal – Up to 33 pairs remained throughout the month, with the first brood (2+) at North Duffield Carrs on the 31^st.

Garganey – A single pair were present daily at Bank Island from the 1^st - 5^th, with a drake at Wheldrake on the 1^st and the 3^rd and an additional drake at Thornton Ellers on the latter date. Three drakes and a duck were at Bank Island on the 7^th and 8^th when a pair were also present at Wheldrake, with a drake calling at Thornton Ellers (total of five drakes and two ducks present at this time). Four drakes and two ducks were then present at Bank Island on the 10^th and 11^th with a total of five drakes and three ducks around the site on the 12^th. Birds became more elusive thereafter although sightings remained regular at Bank Island, whilst a pair lingered at Thornton Ellers to month end, with possible incubation observed.

Garganey - Bank Island - 07/05 - D.Bye

Gadwall – The first brood (11) were at Thornton Ellers on the 29^th with 34 ducklings at Wheldrake on the 30^th and several broods at both Bank Island and North Duffield Carrs the next day on the 31^st.

Mandarin – A male flew along the river from a willow tree at Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th and was reported thereafter to month end on ponds in the Thorganby area. The drake was also present in riverside willows at Wheldrake on the 19^th with a female at Bank Island on the 27^th.

Pintail – Four pairs lingered into the first week but were harder to find thereafter with increasing vegetation growth, however at least one pair remained at Wheldrake until the 8^th.

Shoveler – The first female with a brood of 12 ducklings appeared at Thornton Ellers on the 17^th with a brood of 10 found a week later at Thornton Ellers on the 27^th. Two broods were at North Duffield Carrs on the 31^st.

Shoveler - Wheldrake Ings - 07/05 - D.Bye

Pochard – A single drake remained in the Wheldrake Ings and Bank Island area until the 10^th.

Common Scoter – A flock was recorded over Elvington on noc-mig on the 7^th/8^th overnight followed by another on the 9^th/10^th.

Little Egret – Numbers continued to build with 23 throughout the site on the 8^th in addition to the birds present in the heronry. 13 were at Thornton Ellers on the 16^th, with 11 at Bank Island on several dates and 22 at North Duffield Carrs on the 29^th.

Little Egret - Bank Island - 25/05 - A.Woodcock

Great White Egret – A single was at Bank Island on the 25^th/26^th with another/the same at North Duffield Carrs on the 29^th.

Grey Heron – 24 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th with numbers up to 28 by the 14^th. Good numbers were recorded throughout the site as young birds fledged from the Heronry.

Osprey – A single flew north over Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th with another north-west over Bank Island at 0600hrs on the 11^th. One flew north at North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th.

Marsh Harrier – Two cream-crowns were still at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd with one remaining there on the 7^th. An immature male was also at Wheldrake on the 20^th. Two cream-crowns lingered to month end.

Red Kite – Regular throughout the month across the reserve with an estimated 7-8 pairs recorded. Five were over Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th with a pair observed collecting wool at Thorganby on the 8^th.

Peregrine – Single at Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st, with others at Storwood on the 2^nd and Melbourne on the 4^th and 28^th.

Hobby – At least seven individuals were seen over Wheldrake on the 2^nd followed by 13 there on the 5^th, with singles reported elsewhere throughout the site during the first week of the month. Seven were at Wheldrake again on the 7^th with a pair showing well at North Duffield Carrs on the 9^th and 10^th. Single at East Cottingwith on the 12^th. Birds showed well throughout the wider site and surrounding area thereafter with regular sightings.

Hobby - Bank Island - 20/05 - M.Richardson

Water Rail – Three calling birds were recorded from Bank Island with eight at Wheldrake Ings and five pairs elsewhere.

Spotted Crake – A single was heard singing at Bank Island at dusk on the 24^th.

Coot – A brood of six were at East Cottingwith on the 12^th with several further broods appearing before month end.  

Quail – A single (first of the year), was picked up on noc-mig over Elvington on the night of the 9^th/10^th. Migrant birds were seen at Bank Island at 2250hrs on the 10^th and 0030hrs on the 11^th. Another was recorded over Elvington around 2245hrs on the 26^th with two reported from a field near Wheldrake village on the 27^th. A single was singing at Ellerton Ings on the 29^th to month end.

Black-winged Stilt – Two birds flew out of the flooded vegetation at Bank Island late on the 22^nd before heading south-east – only the second record for the reserve.

Little Ringed Plover – A pair were breeding on a flooded turf field near Escrick on the 7^th with an incubating bird seen there on the 8^th - followed by at least two young appearing on the 29^th. Two were at Bank Island on the 26^th with another two at Thornton Ellers on the 31^st when one was also present at North Duffield Carrs.

Ringed Plover – A small movement took place on the 4^th with a single at Aughton followed by 14 (three flocks) through Bank Island late afternoon - all flying north-east. One was picked up over Elvington after dark on noc-mig on the 15^th. 14 ‘tundra’ birds were present at Thornton Ellers on the 23^rd with just three remaining on the 24^th.

Ruff – Flocks of eleven and two flew through Bank Island and Wheldrake on the 4^th as part of a large national movement, with larger numbers confined toward the east coast. Two were at Thornton Ellers on the 6^th and 7^th.

Dunlin – One was seen and heard flying over Bank Island on the 2^nd with another at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th. Six were at North Duffield Carrs on the 4^th.

Whimbrel – At least 58 roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with 49 on the 2^nd decreasing to 24+ by the 4^th. Smaller numbers were encountered on the Ings elsewhere during the day with four at Wheldrake on the 3^rd and six at North Duffield Carrs on the 4^th. Small numbers lingered throughout the site thereafter with a single over Elvington on the 12^th being the last.

Curlew – A total of 25 clutches were found during the month with good numbers present throughout the site. A flock of 12+ were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 31^st - presumably non-breeders.

Curlew - Bank Island - 25/05 - T.Weston

Woodcock – Up to 12 birds were observed roding/displaying on Skipwith Common NNR during the month.

Black-tailed Godwit – Two remained on the reserve but were rather mobile during the first week of the month, presumably the same two individuals which appeared at Bank Island on the 17^th before flying off north.

Bar-tailed Godwit – A single was feeding with Whimbrel during the day on the 2^nd in the Storwood/Hagg Bridge area – later coming into roost at Wheldrake that evening and again on the 4^th.

Greenshank – A single record at Bank Island on the 1^st was followed by singles at Wheldrake on the 5^th and 7^th and Thornton Ellers on the 6^th and 7^th. Four were then present at Thornton Ellers on the 8^th with one remaining there on the 10^th and two on the 11^th and 12^th. A single appeared at Wheldrake Ings again on the 20^th and was present on the 21^st, 24^th and 28^th, whilst three remained at Thornton Ellers on the 23^rd and 24^th. Numbers increased to four at Thornton Ellers on the 29^th with two remaining on the 30^th and 31^st.

Greenshank - Thornton Ellers - 08/05 - D.Bye

Green Sandpiper – Single at Bank Island on the 21^st.

Common Sandpiper – A single was present on the canal at Melbourne on the 1^st.

Wood Sandpiper – Four were at Thornton Ellers on the 6^th with one remaining on the 10^th, increasing to two the next day on the 11^th and back to one by the 12^th. A single was at Wheldrake on the 19^th with another/same individual at Thornton Ellers on the 23^rd and 24^th.

Wood Sandpiper - Thornton Ellers - 12/05 - D.Bye

Little Gull – A single was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 10^th.

Mediterranean Gull – Two adults flew north-west over Bank Island on the 8^th.

Common Tern – Up to four remained at Wheldrake Ings early in the month with occasional pairs elsewhere along the River Derwent and Pocklington Canal during this time. The pair at Wheldrake were incubating a clutch on the tern raft by the 12^th.

Cuckoo – Further birds continued to arrive early in the month with one at Bank Island on the 4^th and four at Wheldrake on the 5^th. Further birds then arrived with a hepatic female at Melbourne on the 9^th. Three individuals were located along the Pocklington Canal on the 12^th, whilst a hepatic female frequented Wheldrake and Bank Island throughout the month. A total of 21 calling males were recorded throughout the month.

Cuckoo - Bank Island - 20/05 - M.Richardson

Swift – Large numbers appeared early in the month with peak counts of 200 over Bank Island on the 2^nd followed by c300 on the 5^th, although many more than that presumably moved through on these days. 150 were recorded at Bank Island on the 6^th with 80 also present at Wheldrake on the same date.

Tree Pipit – A singing male was at Skipwith Common NNR on the 3^rd with two singing there on the 13^th.

Wheatear – A pair were at Thornton Ellers on the 1^st with another near Escrick on the 9^th.

Sand Martin – c300 at Bank Island on the 2^nd and 3^rd.

Swallow – 500+ were recorded in the Bank Island/Wheldrake area on the 2^nd and 3^rd with 600 at Bank Island on the 5^th - part of a movement through the site at this time.

Swallows - Wheldrake Ings - 23/05 - M.Gowney

House Martin – Up to 100 were present at Bank Island early in the month with 200 at North Duffield Carrs on the 8^th. 150 were recorded at Thornton Ellers on the 12^th.

Fieldfare – Two at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th were the last of the spring.

Redwing – Two at Wheldrake on the 10^th were the only records during the month.

Chiffchaff – 86 singing males were recorded along the Pocklington Canal on the 12^th.

Willow Warbler – 58 singing males were recorded along the Pocklington Canal on the 12^th.

Common Whitethroat – 44 singing males were noted along the Pocklington Canal on the 12^th.

Common Whitethroat - Bank Island - 24/05 - T.Weston

Garden Warbler – Nine were recorded along the riverside track at Wheldrake on the 14^th.

Sedge Warbler – 68 singing males were recorded along the Pocklington Canal on the 12^th.

Reed Warbler – 44 singing males were recorded along the Pocklington Canal on the 12^th.

Grasshopper Warbler – Reeling birds were heard in Wheldrake village on the 1^st, Melbourne on the 1^st - 4^th and at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th. A single was singing at Bank Island on the 24^th - remaining to month end. Other reeling birds followed with singles at Ellerton on the 29^th and Melbourne on the 30^th, by which time three reeling males were present in the Melbourne area.

Spotted Flycatcher – The first returning bird was back at the Melbourne Arm on the 8^th.

Cetti’s Warbler – Two singing males remained at Wheldrake Ings during the month with a single on the Pocklington Canal at Melbourne.

Corn Bunting – Two singing males were recorded at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th and were still present at month end.

Corn Bunting - Wheldrake Ings - 03/05 - T.Walton