Welcome to the LDV NNR ringing blog, this blog is designed to share the experiences, findings and tales from a group of dedicated ringers. We specialise in conservation orientated research projects, largely focusing on wildfowl, waders, owls and birds of conservation concern, in and around the Vale of York NNR's.

NB - Whilst the purpose of this blog was initially designed to cover our nationally important wildfowl ringing activities, it now also features wildlife and work posts, explaining how we manage the NNR for both wildlife and people.

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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 22nd. Spotted Crakes have been scarce this year with just one record earlier this spring, so an individual singing at Bank Island on the 24th 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 29th.

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 5th. 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 4th 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 29th) and Wood Sandpiper 11 bird days (max four on the 6th). A single Little Gull on the 10th and a pair of Mediterranean Gulls on the 8th added interest, whilst two late Redwing (10th) followed the last two Fieldfare (4th). The first Spotted Flycatcher was at Melbourne on the 8th 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 8th (total of 110 birds throughout the reserve on that date). The first brood (seven) appeared at Wheldrake Ings on the 10th, with several others following thereafter, including a large brood of ten at Allerthorpe on the 22nd, along with five at Wheldrake on the 27th and nine at North Duffield Carrs on the 29th. 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 1st - 18th.

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

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 8th. 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 22nd, with regular pairs or small parties at Wheldrake throughout the month.

Wigeon – Counts on the 8th 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 29th, 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 31st.

Garganey – A single pair were present daily at Bank Island from the 1st - 5th, with a drake at Wheldrake on the 1st and the 3rd and an additional drake at Thornton Ellers on the latter date. Three drakes and a duck were at Bank Island on the 7th and 8th 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 10th and 11th with a total of five drakes and three ducks around the site on the 12th. 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 29th with 34 ducklings at Wheldrake on the 30th and several broods at both Bank Island and North Duffield Carrs the next day on the 31st.

Mandarin – A male flew along the river from a willow tree at Wheldrake Ings on the 8th 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 19th with a female at Bank Island on the 27th.

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 8th.

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

Marsh Harrier – Two cream-crowns were still at Wheldrake Ings on the 3rd with one remaining there on the 7th. An immature male was also at Wheldrake on the 20th. 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 7th with a pair observed collecting wool at Thorganby on the 8th.

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

Hobby – At least seven individuals were seen over Wheldrake on the 2nd followed by 13 there on the 5th, with singles reported elsewhere throughout the site during the first week of the month. Seven were at Wheldrake again on the 7th with a pair showing well at North Duffield Carrs on the 9th and 10th. Single at East Cottingwith on the 12th. 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 24th.

Coot – A brood of six were at East Cottingwith on the 12th 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 9th/10th. Migrant birds were seen at Bank Island at 2250hrs on the 10th and 0030hrs on the 11th. Another was recorded over Elvington around 2245hrs on the 26th with two reported from a field near Wheldrake village on the 27th. A single was singing at Ellerton Ings on the 29th to month end.

Black-winged Stilt – Two birds flew out of the flooded vegetation at Bank Island late on the 22nd 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 7th with an incubating bird seen there on the 8th - followed by at least two young appearing on the 29th. Two were at Bank Island on the 26th with another two at Thornton Ellers on the 31st when one was also present at North Duffield Carrs.

Ringed Plover – A small movement took place on the 4th 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 15th. 14 ‘tundra’ birds were present at Thornton Ellers on the 23rd with just three remaining on the 24th.

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

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

Whimbrel – At least 58 roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 1st with 49 on the 2nd decreasing to 24+ by the 4th. Smaller numbers were encountered on the Ings elsewhere during the day with four at Wheldrake on the 3rd and six at North Duffield Carrs on the 4th. Small numbers lingered throughout the site thereafter with a single over Elvington on the 12th 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 31st - 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 17th before flying off north.

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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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 12th.

Cuckoo – Further birds continued to arrive early in the month with one at Bank Island on the 4th and four at Wheldrake on the 5th. Further birds then arrived with a hepatic female at Melbourne on the 9th. Three individuals were located along the Pocklington Canal on the 12th, 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 2nd followed by c300 on the 5th, although many more than that presumably moved through on these days. 150 were recorded at Bank Island on the 6th with 80 also present at Wheldrake on the same date.

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

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

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

Swallow – 500+ were recorded in the Bank Island/Wheldrake area on the 2nd and 3rd with 600 at Bank Island on the 5th - 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 8th. 150 were recorded at Thornton Ellers on the 12th.

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

Grasshopper Warbler – Reeling birds were heard in Wheldrake village on the 1st, Melbourne on the 1st - 4th and at Wheldrake Ings on the 5th. A single was singing at Bank Island on the 24th - remaining to month end. Other reeling birds followed with singles at Ellerton on the 29th and Melbourne on the 30th, 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 8th.

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 14th and were still present at month end.

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

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