Mar

Lower Derwent Valley NNR Sightings - March 2015

March is typically a month of changing seasons when incoming summer migrants overlap with our departing wintering visitors, and with the added thrill of passage birds moving through the site - some unexpected and some in large numbers. Some species were also well underway with breeding and others were showing signs of the forthcoming breeding season, such as the local Mute Swans at North Duffield Carrs which had completed their nest by the 22^nd. Grey Herons also breed early and had a high presence in the valley with 37 throughout the site including up to 27 daily at Wheldrake Ings. The ‘resident wintering herd’ of Whooper Swans decreased in numbers as expected and the now ‘usual’ spring staging movement took place at the beginning of the month with 761 birds moving through the valley, including a staggering herd of 362 on the flood water at Wheldrake Ings. Although waterfowl numbers were generally low with the limited and declining floodwaters, spring passage numbers of Pintail reached 242 while breeding numbers increased as birds returned to the valley bringing higher counts of 231 Gadwall, 201 Shoveler, and 322 Coot. The first Little Egret of the year arrived on the 13^th with the first returning Garganey on the 20^th.

 

Grey Heron - North Duffield Carrs - 04/03 

Raptors continued to feature strongly during the month with up to four Peregrines and three Marsh Harriers daily. Red Kites showed well with six present in the area. The long staying juvenile female Hen Harrier remained on Skipwith Common throughout the month and a pair of Goshawk were seen displaying (un-disclosed site). Breeding wader numbers increased with Curlew reaching 170+, and over 300 Common Snipe which included the first ‘chipping’ birds on the 21^st. Passage birds included 2 Jack Snipe, 24 Black-tailed Godwits and a Greenshank on the 22^nd, with 31 Ruff lingering and lekking towards the end of the month.

 

Barn Owl - Bank Island - 30/03 

Other notable sightings included the usual overland spring passage of Common Scoter and Kittiwake which brought birds into the valley on the 20^th/21^st, and the second record of a Raven in the area for the year – surely reflecting the spread of this species. It was a rather poor month for incoming migrants (in contrast with 2014), a single Wheatear arrived on the 6^th, Sand Martins on the 6^th and 12^th, and following a presumed wintering Chiffchaff on the 9^th a small arrival took place on the 13^th/14^th but were slow to build up further until the 25^th.

The warmer days during the month accounted for the appearance of Grass Snake, Adder and Common Lizard at Skipwith Common NNR, while a scattering of butterflies and bees in the second half of the month reflected the relatively slow start to the year. Gorse Shield Bugs seemed a bit hardier with over 30+ present at Skipwith Common on the 25^th.

 

Common Lizard - Skipwith Common - 30/03 

As always, many thanks to all concerned for the records throughout the month, in particular to the YOC members and the regular valley birders. Thanks also to all the visiting birders who continue to the leave their sightings in the hide log books.

BIRDS: 

Mute Swan – The first nest building pair were seen moving nesting material at North Duffield Carrs on the 4^th and had completed their nest by the 22^nd, on which date 79 were present throughout the site - including a non-breeding herd of 32 at Wheldrake Ings. 10 non breeding birds had built up on the Pocklington Canal near Melbourne by 27^th. 

 

Mute Swan - North Duffield Carrs - 04/03 

Whooper Swan – The wintering herd at North Duffield Carrs began to decrease quickly during the month with 20 remaining on the 14^th, ten on the 15^th with just three lingering to the 21^st. In line with this rather early departure, a herd of 62 passage birds paused in the refuge area at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st, with a further 22 north through the valley on the 6^th and 12 on the 8^th. 60+ flew north in the early hours on the 11^th whilst an incredible 362 arrived at Wheldrake Ings later that morning, remaining throughout the day and departing prior to dusk. A further 200+ flew north-west over Elvington on the 12^th. An amazing 718 passage birds moved through or over the site during the month, including a big clear out of birds from the Ouse Washes on the 11^th and 12^th. Further passage birds included eight at North Duffield Carrs on the 14^th and 35 at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st, with a single lingering there from the 22^nd to month end, bringing the passage total for the month to 761. 

Pink-footed Goose – 35 flew north-west over North Duffield Carrs on the morning of the 4^th with 2000+ moving over in the first two hours after dawn on the 5^th. 350+ flew over Melbourne on the 9^th with 200+ over on the 10^th.

Greylag Goose – Birds were back on territory and scattered throughout the reserve by the third week of the month. 

Canada Goose – Similar to the Greylags, birds were back on territory and scattered throughout the reserve by the third week of the month.

Shelduck – The largest concentrations were at North Duffield Carrs where 62 were present on the 4^th. Birds then became more widespread and pairs started to reoccupy breeding territories with 67 present throughout the valley on the 22^nd. 

Teal – 5000+ early in the month started to decrease thereafter as water levels dropped and mild conditions saw an early departure from the valley. 3000+ remained on the 20^th, no doubt a mixture of wintering birds and return spring passage from sites further south and west. 

Wigeon – 7500+ early in the month decreased to around 4500+ by the 20^th/21^st further dropping to 1700 by the 27^th.

Pintail – 134 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with 242 there on the 22^nd - the total valley count for the day.

Garganey – The first returning birds were a pair at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th with a male calling at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd (CSR). 

Mallard – Up to 1000+ remained throughout the month with many pairs looking for breeding sites during the month.

Gadwall – 121 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with 198 there on the 22^nd, when 231 were present throughout the reserve. 

Shoveler – 110 at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st had increased to 166 by the 22^nd, when a total valley count of 201 was made. 

Tufted Duck – 41 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd when 65 were present throughout the site.

Pochard – 30 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd with numbers decreasing to just six by the 26^th.

Goldeneye – Three remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st-3^rd with four still present at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th. Two drakes and three females on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th was the peak count.

Goosander – A pair and a single red head were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with another red head there on the 3^rd. A drake flew north up the River Derwent at Bank Island on the 16^th with possibly the same drake at North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th. 

Common Scoter – A single drake was at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th. 

Water Rail – Up to five were present around the pool at Wheldrake Ings during the month, with singles at Thornton Ellers on the 8^th, North Duffield Carrs on the 10^th and Melbourne on the 13^th.  Three were recorded from the Melbourne area during the month along with three at Thornton Ellers, giving a minimum population of 12 wintering birds – although no doubt a huge underestimate as ever.  

Little Grebe – Three were present on the River Derwent at North Duffield Carrs from the 4^th. Two were back on breeding territory at Wheldrake Ings on the 25^th with up to eight birds wintering on the Pocklington Canal during the month. 

Cormorant – 17 were on the pool at Wheldrake on the 3^rd. Seven flew over Melbourne on the 15^th and a total of 39 were present at the Wheldrake Ings roost on several dates during the month. 

Grey Heron – A good spring showing - eight were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 11^th with 21 there on the 13^th. 27 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd when 37 were counted throughout the valley. 12 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 25^th with 14 there on the 27^th. A total of 25 active nests were counted in the heronry on the 30^th, with nine egg shells found. 

 

 

Newly hatched heron eggs - Thorganby - 30/03

Little Egret – A single at Bank Island on the 13^th (CSR) was the first of the year with the same or another at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd (DB). A single was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 29^th (EB). 

Red Kite – A single was at Thornton Ellers on the 9^th - starting a good run of records with another at Bank Island on the 10^th, and another or the same seen at both North Duffield and Thorganby on the 12^th. Two were present at Thornton Ings on the 13^th with singles at Thorganby on the 14^th, 15^th and 16^th and four over Wheldrake also on the 16^th. A single was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th with four thereafter until month end, with others at Melbourne on the 16^th and 21^st along with two on the 20^th and singles on 23^rd and 25^th. 

Marsh Harrier – At least three cream crowns remained in the valley throughout the month. 

Hen Harrier – The wintering ringtail at Skipwith Common was still present until at least the 22^nd. 

Goshawk – A single male was seen displaying on an undisclosed site on the 17^th with a pair nearby on several dates. 

Peregrine – Present daily throughout the month – an adult male was at Hagg Bridge on the 4^th with an immature male at North Duffield Carrs the following day. A pair were hunting over Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th when the female took a Starling – no doubt a small ‘snack’ for a large female. Present throughout the month with at least four individuals present during the month. 

Merlin – Another good showing with a single female was at North Duffield Carrs on the 16^th (EB) and again on the 18^th, with a male at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th and a single at Melbourne on the 27^th. 

Kestrel – High numbers were present throughout the area, with the good winter showing continuing throughout the month. 

  

 

Kestrel - North Duffield - 25/03

Common Crane – A pair were heard calling after dark from North Duffield Carrs on the 19^th (AW) and were present again there the next morning (CSR). 

Grey Partridge – Two were calling at Bank Island on the 16^th with two seen there on the 22^nd. Two were present at Thornton Ellers on the 30^th. 

Coot – Numbers increased during the month with 301 at Wheldrake Ings by the 22^nd, on which date 322 were present throughout the reserve.

Oystercatcher – 13 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st when a single was present at North Duffield Carrs. Nine were on the pool at Wheldrake on the 3^rd followed by two at Thorganby Ings on the 4^th. 

Lapwing – 1800 were present early in the month with numbers falling quickly thereafter. 1020 remained on the 20^th with 700+ on the 25^th, by which time many local birds were displaying on territory. 

Golden Plover – 1500 were present throughout the valley on the 1^st with 1045 on the 4^th and 400+ remaining on the 11^th. Birds then quickly departed the site with just occasional passage flocks noted during the second half of the month including 120+ over Wheldrake Ings on the 26^th. 

Curlew – 55 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st when 22 were also seen at North Duffield Carrs. Birds were back on breeding sites throughout the valley from early in the month with two pairs displaying at Bank Island on the 3^rd. 20+ were present on Melbourne Ings on the 9^th with 100+ present throughout the valley. 109 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd when 170+ were present throughout the whole valley. 

Jack Snipe – A single was flushed from Melbourne and Thornton Ings on the 20^th and 23^rd (NC), along with one at North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th (LM, CSR). 

Common Snipe – 60+ were at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th followed by 250+ at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd. The first ‘chipping’ birds were heard there on the 21^st with 30+ at Seavy Carr on the 23^rd. 

Woodcock – A single was at Breighton Meadows on the 12^th.

Dunlin – A group of eight were at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with 50+ there on the 8^th. 80+ were still present at North Duffield Carrs on the 20^th with 38 there on the 26^th. 

Ruff – 17 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with 48 there on the 3^rd. 12 still remained at Wheldrake on the 22^nd with 35 birds lekking there on the 27^th (including 27 males). 

Black-tailed Godwit – Eight were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st – 5^th. A flock of 24 then arrived there on the 13^th (TD), with 12 remaining on the 16^th and 13 on the 29^th.

Redshank – Small numbers continued to be present throughout the site. A single caught at North Duffield Carrs on the 28^th had been originally ringed at Aughton Ings on the 15^th August 2004 (please report any colour-ringed birds seen on the reserve via the hide log books).

 

Redshank - North Duffield - 04/03

Greenshank – A single flew south calling over Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd. 

Iceland Gull – An adult was at North Duffield Carrs on the 12^th.

Glaucous Gull – Two first winter birds were present at the Wheldrake roost on the 5^th.

Kittiwake – A single adult was at Wheldrake Ings on the the 20^th (CSR), with two adults and a first winter there briefly on the 21^st. 

Barn Owl – Birds continued to show well during the month, and throughout the whole area with up to three at Bank Island and four at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd. 

 

Barn Owl - North Duffield - 25/03

Little Owl – A single was at North Duffield Carrs again on the 11^th. 

Green Woodpecker – A single was on Skipwith Common on the 3^rd, with four calling there on the 15^th and three on the 17^th. A single was calling at Bank Island on the 18^th. 

Skylark – Birds were widespread throughout the reserve and vocal from early in the month.

Woodlark – Five singing males were present on Skipwith Common on the 5^th, with singing birds present thereafter and a total of six singing males on the 18^th to month end. 

 

 

Woodlark - Skipwith Common - 17/03

Grey Wagtail – A pair remained in the Bank Island area during the month at the water treatment works next to the NNR Base. 

Kingfisher – A single flew under the Bailey Bridge at Wheldrake Ings on the 11^th, followed by a single at Melbourne on the Pocklington Canal on the 13^th and 15^th. Two males were chasing a female at Melbourne Ings on the 20^th (NC) with singles at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th and 21^st.

Wheatear – A single was seen briefly at Bank Island on the 6^th (FM). 

Sand Martin – A rather early bird was at Bank Island on the 8^th (CSR) followed by another single there on the 12^th.

Fieldfare – A large passage took place through the area from the 14^th/15^th with as many as 2500 birds recorded in the valley on these dates. 70 went over North Duffield on the 17^th, small parties continued to pass over on an almost daily basis until the end of the month. 30+ were near Wheldrake on the 30^th.

Redwing – As with the previous species, birds were recorded moving through the area from the 14^th/15^th, albeit in smaller numbers. 21 were at Bank Island on the 27^th. 

Raven – A single over Hagg Bridge on the 5^th represented the second record of the year (CSR). 

Jay – A single at Bank Island on the 5^th was the first there for some time, along with a single at North Duffield Carrs on the same date. Two were at the latter site on the 8^th when a single was present near Thorganby. A single was at North Duffield Carrs on the 11^th followed by two at Breighton Meadows on the 18^th and a single at Bank Island on the 19^th. A single was seen at Bank Island on the 31^st. One or two were reported regularly from Skipwith Common NNR during the month.

Chiffchaff – A single (non-singing) bird was seen in the NNR Base Garden on the 9^th (CSR, LM, FM) - presumably an over-wintering bird, and possibly the bird seen there in early January. A single was singing at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th (CSR) when three also arrived in the Melbourne area (NC). A single bird was caught and ringed at the Bank Island feeding station on the 14^th (MFJ). Singles were at Wheldrake Ings and Bank Island on the 16^th with one at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd. A single was heard at Wheldrake on the 25^th.

Stonechat – A pair were still present at North Duffield Carrs on the 7^th (reported carrying nesting material), with four there the following day and a single female at Skipwith Common on the 16^th to month end. 

Lesser Redpoll – Two were near Melbourne on the 15^th with a male singing on the 17^th with two singing males on 25^th. 

Linnet – 74 were present in Melbourne on the 13^th. 

Reed Bunting – Up to 70 were present in a game cover crop near Melbourne on the 9^th. 

Corn Bunting – 45 were present at the Melbourne roost on the 1^st decreasing quickly thereafter with 10+ present on the 8^th.

MAMMALS: 

Roe Deer – Five were at Bank Island on the 2^nd with three there on the 3^rd. Three were at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th with seven at North Duffield Ings on the 5^th and two at Sutton Ings. Three were at Bank Island on the 6^th, followed by two at North Duffield Carrs on the 8^th and two at Sutton Ings on the 9^th. Three were present at North Duffield Carrs, Wheldrake Ings and Bank Island from the 10^th to month end, with two at Thornton Ellers on the 11^th and 13^th. Five were at Bank Island on the 19^th. Seven were at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st with five again at Bank Island on the 22^nd. Three were at Skipwith Common on the 22^nd, followed by three at Wheldrake on the 25^th. 

 

Roe Deer - Wheldrake Ings - 04/03

Fallow Deer – Up to 26 were reported from Wheldrake Woods and fields behind Wheldrake village, with 26 photographed there on the 30^th.

Fallow Deer - Wheldrake - 30/03

Stoat – A single was at Wheldrake on the 4^th, with other singles at Thorganby on the 10^th, Bank Island on the 11^th and Wheldrake on the 20^th. One was at Thornton Ellers on the 31^st. 

Weasel – A single was at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th. 

Red Fox – One was at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th. 

Otter – A single was seen well and photographed as it fished on the river at North Duffield Carrs on the 4^th. 

 

Otter - North Duffield Carrs - 04/03

Bank Vole – A single was caught during small mammal trapping at the NNR Base at Bank Island on the 3^rd, with four caught there on the 9^th and five on the 17^th. 

 

Bank Vole - Bank Island - 17/03

Field Vole – A single, and the first sighting of the year, was seen running through the NNR Base Garden on the 31^st. 

Wood Mouse – Two were caught at the NNR Base at Bank Island on the 3^rd with six caught there on the 9^th, seven on the 17^th and five on the 19^th. 

 

Wood Mouse - Bank Island - 17/03

Common Shrew – A single was seen on Skipwith Common on the 17^th followed by one in the NNR Base Garden on the 19^th. 

Brown Hare – One was at Wheldrake on the 4^th, with a single at North Duffield on the 11^th followed by three there on the 12^th, and up to four on the 13^th. Singles were seen on the 25^th at North Duffield Carrs and Wheldrake Ings. 

 

Brown Hare - Bank Island - 30/03

Hedgehog – The first of the year was present at Thorganby on the 19^th.

AMPHIBIANS/REPTILES: 

Common Frog – The first frogspawn of the year appeared in a garden pond in North Duffield village on the 22^nd (EB) with spawn noted at Bank Island and North Duffield Carrs on the 30^th. 

Common Lizard – Two were at Skipwith Common on the 6^th with another on the 8^th and a single on the 20^th. Four were present on the 25^th with one of last year’s young found underneath a log on the 30^th. 

Grass Snake – The first of the year was reported from Skipwith Common on the 10^th, followed by another there on the 11^th and the same individual there on the 17^th. A single (different individual) was present on the 25^th. 

 

Grass Snake - Skipwith Common - 11/03

Adder – Three (two males and a female) were present on Skipwith Common on the 25^th – the first for the year (LM, CSR), followed by a male found basking on the 30^th.

 

Adder - Skipwith Common - 25/03

BUTTERFLIES: 

Peacock – A single in the NNR Base Garden on the 10^th (FM) was the first butterfly for the year and was followed by another at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th. 

Small Tortoiseshell – Singles were seen at Wheldrake Ings on the 25^th, North Duffield on the 26^th and Thornton Ellers on the 30^th. 

Comma – A single was seen on Skipwith Common on the 26^th. 

Brimstone – One was reported from the village at North Duffield on the 21^st.

MOTHS: 

March Moth – Two were seen at first light at the NNR Base on the 9^th. 

Orange Underwing – Two of this day flying species were present at Skipwith Common NNR on the 17^th followed by a single there on the 25^th. 

Hebrew Character – A single was attracted to light at the NNR Base on the 26^th.

OTHER INVERTS: 

Honey Bee – Two were seen at Skipwith Common NNR on the 17^th. 

White-tailed Bumblebee – The first of the year was present at Skipwith Common on the 17^th with another there on the 25^th. 

Red-tailed Bumblebee – A single was at Melbourne on the 22^nd followed by one at the NNR Base on the 26^th. 

Gorse Shield Bug – Seven individuals were seen on the Gorse at Skipwith Common on the 17^th followed by 30+ on the 25^th. 

 

Gorse Shield Bug - Skipwith Common - 25/03

Minotaur Beetle – One was present on the heath at Skipwith Common on the 17^th. 

 

Minotaur Beetle - Skipwith Common - 17/03

7-spot Ladybird – Recorded from mid-month on Skipwith Common.

NOTABLE PLANTS: 

Lesser Celandine – Seen in flower from the 15^th at North Duffield Carrs – much later than last year. 

Wild Onion – New shoots could be seen in the meadows at Wheldrake on the 25^th. 

Wild Garlic – Fresh leaves were seen alongside the track down to Wheldrake on the 25^th. 

Lords & Ladies – New leaves were present on the 25^th at Bank Island. 

Common Dog-violet – Seen flowering at Bank Island on the 25^th.