May 26

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - May Sightings

The highlight of the month for many was the first-summer Red-footed Falcon that held temporary residency on the riverbank at North Duffield Carrs/Bubwith Ings between the 8^th-21^st, attracting a steady stream of admirers watching on as it fed on the mayflies alongside several Hobbies. A second first-summer male was also reported by several observers between the 11^th-17^th. A Spoonbill (9^th), Glossy Ibis (23^rd) and lingering Common Crane added further interest, with the usual spring wader passage attracting several Ringed Plover, Dunlin, six Sanderling (13^th), Bar-tailed Godwit (2^nd) and two further Spotted Redshank, in what has been a great year for the species so far. However, a notable passage of Wood Sandpiper in the first half of the month stole the wader show with a maximum count of ten on the 1^st.

Red-footed Falcon - North Duffield Carrs - 20/05 - OM

Other notable records included six or seven singing Corncrakes (following on from the first year of the reintroduction project in 2025), four singing Quail (in addition to several nocturnal migrants), two further Ospreys, a Turtle Dove (3^rd) and 29 calling Cuckoos.

A total of 179 Species have now been recorded on the reserve and surrounding area since the start of the 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, Ebor Birder, Tony Jenkins, Jeremy Pierson, Roxanne Vassie, Trevor Walton and Terry Weston for the use of their images below.

BIRDS:

Mute Swan – At least 62 non-breeding birds were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 13^th with six at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th (when the first brood of six hatched on the pool). Several further clutches hatched off thereafter with broods of four at Bank Island and Wheldrake, and six on the Pocklington Canal. Additional broods of three and six appeared at Wheldrake by the 22^nd. A total of 103 non-breeders were recorded across the whole site on the 16^th in additional to the 13 breeding pairs.

Mute Swans - North Duffield Carrs - 17/05 - DB

Whooper Swan – Two adults remained at North Duffield Carrs between the 1^st-6^th with an injured bird (but capable of flight) observed at Wheldrake Ings during the same time. Individuals remained at both sites until the 12^th with two seen together at North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th until month end.

Greylag Goose – A total of 137 adults were at North Duffield Carrs on the 23^rd. Seven broods had a total 47 goslings between them at East Cottingwith on the 29^th, with 76 (goslings) recorded at North Duffield Carrs on the 30^th. At least 80 were also present at Wheldrake Ings during the month.

European White-fronted – A single remained at North Duffield Carrs until the 19^th.

White-fronted Goose - North Duffield Carrs - 01/05 - DB

Pink-footed Goose – One remained at Wheldrake Ings until the 5^th with another/the same bird seen at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th.

Canada Goose – Several pairs were scattered throughout the Ings and various adjacent waterbodies during the month.

Egyptian Goose – Up to eight pairs remained throughout the month with regular sightings at East Cottingwith, Wheldrake, Bank Island, North Duffield Carrs and Thornton Ellers. Two of the three pairs at North Duffield Carrs had broods totalling three and four young on the 18^th.

Mandarin – Drakes were recorded at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st and Bank Island on the 3^rd and 11^th, and two were seen on the Pocklington Canal on the 16^th, with at least one duckling appearing there on the 29^th.

Mandarin - Pocklington Canal - 16/05 - JP

Mallard – Good numbers of broods continued to appear throughout the month.

Pintail – Four pairs remained during the first week of the month when one pair at Wheldrake Ings were thought to be incubating and lingered thereafter (re-appearing as a pair on the 15^th) presumably having failed – still present on the 23^rd and 29^th.

Garganey – A drake at North Duffield Carrs was heard after dark on the 8^th and another was present at Melbourne on the Pocklington Canal on the 14^th, with others at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th and 22^nd.

Teal – At least 60 birds remained early in the month with several scattered pairs remaining thereafter.

Wigeon – Up to 30 remained early in the month with just five drakes and three ducks present at month end. One pair were thought to be incubating from mid-month.

Shoveler – Good numbers remained throughout with the first brood of nine appearing at Wheldrake Ings on the 25^th and further broods (of eight) at Bank Island and two (of eleven and seven) at North Duffield Carrs on the 30^th.

Gadwall – Widespread throughout the month with broods of 9 and 10 appearing on the 30^th (the first of the year).

Gadwall - Wheldrake - 31/05 - DB

Tufted Duck – Ten pairs remained scattered across the site.

Pochard – A single drake was at Wheldrake Ings between the 4^th-12^th.

Spoonbill – A single at Thornton Ellers circled and left high to the east on the 9^th.

Grey Heron – Young birds continued to fledge onto the Ings during the month, with at least 45 present throughout the site on the 21^st.

Little Egret – Present across the reserve during the month.

Great White Egret – Two or three birds remained and were present throughout the month.

Great White Egret - Wheldrake - 02/05 - DB

Glossy Ibis – A single was present at first light at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd before departing southeast at 08:00 and then appearing at North Cave Gravel pits 20 minutes later – moving on to Spurn Point later in the afternoon.

Great Crested Grebe – Two remained at Wheldrake Ings until the 4^th.  

Water Rail – Up to twelve singing males were recorded at Wheldrake Ings early in the month with three at Bank Island and four at North Duffield Carrs. Three were also present on Melbourne and Thornton Ings with scattered singles elsewhere.

Corncrake – A singing bird was calling briefly during the afternoon of the 5^th at Thornton Ellers and was followed by a single at Hagg Bride on 6^th and 7^th with one again at Thornton Ellers on the 11^th. A single was heard calling intermittently at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th, with others at Bubwith Ings on the 17^th, Melbourne Ings on the 22^nd (two) and singles on the 23^rd, 26^th and 28^th. One was also reported at Barmby Moor on the 25^th with another near Ellerton on the 30^th.

Common Crane – A single was back at Wheldrake Ings between the 6^th-10^th and was also noted roosting at Thornton Ellers over this period. The same individual was then present at Wheldrake Ings again on the 22^nd-23^rd. A total of 74 ‘bird-days’ have been recorded so far in 2026 (new reserve record).

Common Crane - Wheldrake Ings - 06/05 - EB

Coot – The first hatched young were seen at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th and North Duffield Carrs on the 11^th.

Quail – The first spring passage bird of the year was recorded over Elvington on noc-mig at 04:00 on the 6^th. Another was later picked up there on noc-mig on the 20^th, 21^st and 23^rd – with one also at Breighton Meadows on this date. A passage bird was noted at Thornton Ellers on the 21^st and 22^nd and at Seavy Carr on audio-recording on the 22^nd and 24^th with another over Elvington on the 27^th. A single was singing well on arable fields adjacent to Skipwith Common NNR on the 29^th and 30^th with another at Elvington on the latter date.

Osprey – A single was at Melbourne on the 8^th and one circled over North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th.

Marsh Harrier – At least one breeding pair remained throughout the month with regular food passes noted, with an additional cream-crown also observed.

Marsh Harrier - Wheldrake Ings - 22/05 - DB

Hobby – Numbers increased early in the month with six recorded at both Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with regular sightings from those sites thereafter. Singles were at North Duffield Carrs and Thornton Ellers on the 5^th, and up to four were then seen regularly at North Duffield Carrs during the month. Due to increased coverage by falcon watchers, more records followed including four at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th, two at Melbourne on the 16^th and eleven along the river between Ellerton and Bubwith on the 17^th. Thereafter (as usual) birds started to disperse to territories becoming more elusive and up to three pairs were located across the area.

Red-footed Falcon – A first-summer male was found along riverside willows on the 8^th and remained there until the 21^st (giving good views to many visiting admirers) – representing the sixth reserve record and the second at North Duffield Carrs. This is also the second earliest record following one at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th May 2020, with most others coming in late May/early June. A second first-summer male was also reported between the 11^th-17^th.

Oystercatcher – A pair appeared to be incubating a clutch on the tern raft (shared with Common Terns) on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 11^th.

Oystercatcher pair - Wheldrake Ings - 01/05 - DB

Little Ringed Plover – A pair remained at Thornton Ellers throughout the month.

Ringed Plover – One was at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd. A single dropped into Wheldrake on the 19^th with eight seen the next day at North Duffield Carrs on the 20^th. Three were at Thornton Ellers on the 28^th.

Golden Plover – A summer plumaged individual flew north over Bank Island on the 2^nd.

Lapwing – The first brood appeared at North Duffield Carrs on the 11^th followed by another at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th – several broods continued to appear as the month progressed and the first fledged young were at Thornton Ellers on the 30^th. Small flocks of presumed failed breeders (but perhaps also including the first fledged young) started to appear at month end with 33 recorded at North Duffield Carrs on the 29^th followed by 30 at Wheldrake Ings and 17 at Thornton on the 30^th.

Lapwing - Bank Island - 07/05 - TWE

Dunlin – Seven were at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd.

Sanderling – A flock of six were at North Duffield Carrs on the 13^th.

Ruff – Two lingered at North Duffield Carrs until the 21^st.

Black-tailed Godwit – A single flew over Bank Island on the 12^th.

Bar-tailed Godwit – A summer plumaged individual was at Thornton Ellers on the 2^nd.

Snipe – On the 14^th six were recorded drumming at North Duffield Carrs along with three at Bubwith Ings, and two at Bank Island and Bubwith Ings after dark. Ten drummers were present at Wheldrake Ings on several dates with up to 25 recorded along Melbourne and Thornton Ings during the month. Later in the month 13 were at North Duffield Carrs and a total of 69 ‘drummers’ were recorded during the month.

Redshank – c20 pairs were present throughout the site with the first brood appearing at North Duffield Carrs on the 21^st.

Redshank - Bank Island - 07/05 - TWE

Spotted Redshank – A single remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st and 2^nd with another summer plumaged bird recorded at North Duffield Carrs on the 10^th and 11^th.

Greenshank – Three were at Thornton Ings on the 2^nd and one was at Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th.

Green Sandpiper – One was heard calling after dark at Skipwith Common NNR on the 21^st.

Wood Sandpiper – A total of ten individuals were present between Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings with groups of five recorded at each site (new reserve record count following nine in late July 2019). Four were present at Bank Island on the 2^nd with singles at Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs on the 3^rd, Thorganby Ings on the 4^th, Thornton Ellers on the 5^th, Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th and North Duffield Carrs on the 8^th. Two were then at Thornton Ellers on the 9^th with a single at North Duffield Carrs on the 14^th. A total of 26 bird-days were recorded, making it the third highest annual total for the species and the best spring passage period.

Curlew – A flock of 27 were seen near Foggathorpe (feeding with four Whimbrel) and may have been spring passage birds rather than local breeders. The first large hatching of clutches started from the 21^st with three broods at North Duffield Ings and four at Wheldrakle Ings on the 22^nd.

Whimbrel – Two or three were feeding at North Duffield Carrs early in the month with 17 recorded at the Wheldrake roost on the 3^rd followed by 14 there on the 4^th. Four were found feeding at Foggathorpe on the 5^th. One was at Thornton Ellers on the 11^th and was followed by a late individual calling over Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st.

Common Tern – A pair were incubating a clutch on the tern raft at Wheldrake Ings by the 11^th.

Common Tern - Wheldrake Ings - 01/05 - DB

Arctic Tern – One was at Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th with another seen over Bank Island on the 13^th.

Turtle Dove – A single was at North Duffield Carrs on the 3^rd and Bank Island on the 30^th.

Green Woodpecker – One was in the East Cottingwith/Storwood area on the 10^th with individuals seen regularly throughout the month on Skipwith Common NNR.

Cuckoo – Up to eight were located along the Pocklington Canal during the month with four at Wheldrake Ings, three at East Cottingwith Ings/North Duffield Carrs/Aughton Ings, and singles at Elvington, Bank Island, Thorganby, Bubwith and Skipwith. One was present at White Carr Meadow on the 16^th and Newton on Derwent and Elvington on the 20^th. A total of 29 singing males and a minimum of six females were noted, and very few (if any) records came away from the river and canal corridors as birds continue to contract back to the core reserve.

Little Owl – One was at Thornton Ellers on several dates with two pairs seen there on the 11^th and a pair at Thorganby Village Hall were present throughout the month. Another bird was present along Broad Highway at Wheldrake on the 27^th and a brood of four were ringed at Loftsome Bridge (south of Wressle) on the 29^th.

Little Owl - Thorganby - 24/05 - RV

Long-eared Owl – A pair remained at one site.

Swift – At least 120 were at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th with 100+ over Bank Island on the same date (first large arrival) with 500+ over Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th.

Nightjar – A single at Thornton Ellers on the 11^th was churring briefly but was presumed to be a passage bird. A churring bird was then present at Skipwith Common NNR between the 26^th-29^th.

Tree Pipit – One was at Blackwood Corner at Skipwith Common NNR on the 14^th.

Wheatear – A single was at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th and 26^th.

Whinchat – One was observed moving along the riverbank fencing at North Duffield Carrs on the 13^th.

Stonechat – A single pair remained at North Duffield Carrs during the month with a fledged brood seen there on the 27^th.

Spotted Flycatcher – One was at Skipwith Common NNR on the 8^th and 11^th with another at the Melbourne Arm from the 29^th.

Raven – Two were at Elvington on the 4^th.

Cetti’s Warbler – Numbers increased during the second half of the month with 12 singing males located in the core valley and three at Barmby on the Marsh.

Garden Warbler – Another good year for the species with above average numbers present.

Garden Warbler - Wheldrake Ings - 27/05 - TW

                  

Whitethroat – A total of 47 singing males were recorded along the Pocklington Canal on the 16^th.

Sedge Warbler – A total of 79 singing males were recorded along the Pocklington Canal on the 16^th, with additional survey work during the month producing a total of 113 along the length of the canal. Other sample counts included 28 singing males at North Duffield Carrs, 14 at Thornton Ellers, 47 across Melbourne/Thornton Ings and 11 at Bank Island.

Sedge Warbler - Wheldrake Ings - 25/05 - DB

Reed Warbler – A total of 66 singing males were counted along the Pocklington on the 16^th with 92 recorded throughout the month in the same area. Good numbers were present at Wheldrake Ings with scattered singles elsewhere, including one singing male in the new reedbed area at Bank Island.

Grasshopper Warbler – Two reeling birds remained at Melbourne early in the month.

Corn Bunting – During the month four singing males were present at Wheldrake Ings with an additional four on the Low Grounds and three in the area surrounding the Bank Island car park. Fifteen were also recorded in the Thornton area during the month, with another eleven at Hagg Lane, East Cottingwith and scattered pairs elsewhere.

Corn Bunting - Wheldrake Ings - 17/05 - DB