Feb

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - February Sightings 2015

Several notable species were present during the month with two North American ducks recorded - last month’s drake Green-winged Teal was seen again on the River Derwent on the 4^th and a drake American Wigeon was found at North Duffield Carrs on the 14^th. Four Tundra Bean Geese at Bank Island on the 17^th showed well prior to a flock of 10 being present briefly there on the 19^th. A large north-westerly movement of Pink-footed Geese took place in the afternoon of the 9^th with 1640 moving during the last two hours of daylight. In contrast to these departing wintering visitors, the first two returning Great Crested Grebes heralded the onset of spring whilst numbers of spring passage and returning breeding waterfowl saw numbers of Cormorants, Gadwall, Shoveler and Coot increase during the month. However, overall numbers of wintering wildfowl and waders were below average, probably due to the lack of standing water outside of Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs.

Greylag Geese with Tundra Bean's - Bank Island - 17/02

The first returning Oystercatchers were four individuals between Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs on the 14^th whilst two Black-tailed Godwits were present at Wheldrake on the 21^st with seven there the following day. Increasing numbers of Redshank (22) and Curlew (92) had returned by month end with the first displaying Lapwing noted during the month. Raptors were well represented with Marsh Harriers, a Hen Harrier, several Goshawk and two further Merlin sightings, alongside the ever present Peregrines, Buzzards and increasingly encountered Red Kites. 

Redshank - Thorganby - 17/02

Single pairs of Grey Partridge at North Duffield Carrs and Bank Island were also a welcome addition to the month’s sightings, while record numbers of Barn Owls and Kestrels continued to show throughout the area and were a popular draw for visitors. Skylark numbers increased throughout the month with several flocks noted and the first singing birds from the 17^th, whilst three singing Woodlarks were back at Skipwith Common the following day. Wintering Stonechats remained at North Duffield Carrs throughout the month whilst a possible Cetti’s Warbler was reported from the Pocklington Canal near Melbourne where 139 Corn Buntings still attended the roost on the 9^th, declining to 80 on the 21^st.

Grey Partridge - Bank Island - 23/02

Aside from the birds, signs of spring were represented by an early Honey Bee at the NNR Base at on the 9^th, a Common Frog calling at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th and a Common Lizard at Skipwith Common on the 27^th.

Many thanks to those who have contributed sightings throughout the month, via the Facebook site, the hide log books or the YOC.

BIRDS: 

Mute Swan – The resident pairs became increasingly aggressive and territorial during the month and pushed off last year’s broods which had still been present in January. Up to 93 were present early in the month.

Whooper Swan – Up to 80 were present throughout the month with 60 at North Duffield Carrs, and up to 20 regularly in the refuge area at Wheldrake Ings. 21 flew north-east over Bank Island on the 19^th. 

Pink-footed Goose – 300 flew north over Bank Island on the 6^th, followed by 100 over Bubwith Ings on the morning of the 9^th. A large north-westerly movement then took place in the afternoon with 1640 moving during the last two hours of daylight. 180 flew north over Bank Island on the morning of the 11^th. Five lingered there on the 12^th with a single mixed in with the Greylags on the 14^th and two there from the 17^th -20^th. 18 flew over Wheldrake on the 22^nd. 

Tundra Bean Goose – Four were found at Bank Island on the 17^th, present with two Pink-footed Geese (LM, CSR) before flying off towards Wheldrake Ings. 10 were present briefly at Bank Island on the 19^th, again with the presumed same two Pink-footed Geese.

Tundra Bean Geese - Bank Island - 17/02

Greylag Goose – Up to 1000+ were still present early in the month although numbers decreased with 500+ remaining late in the month, by which time some early breeders were back on territory. 

Canada Goose – 400+ were at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st and 7^th with up to 350+ scattered around the valley thereafter. 

Egyptian Goose – Up to two pairs remained in the East Cottingwith area throughout the month. 

Shelduck – Good numbers remained throughout the site with 140 present on the 14^th and 147 on the 17^th. 30 new birds were caught throughout the month along with a number of darvic'd birds from previous years.

Shelduck with darvic - North Duffield - 25/02

Teal – Numbers remained high during the month with a monthly maximum of 5100 on the 12^th. A bird with a Dutch ring was caught from a whoosh net catch at North Duffield Carrs on the 11^th - the first interchange for a Teal between the LDV and the Netherlands.

Dutch ringed Teal - North Duffield - 11/02

Green-winged Teal – A single drake was still on the river at North Duffield on the 4^th (CSR). 

American Wigeon – An adult drake was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 14^th (CSR, MFJ, AB). 

Wigeon – Up to 8000+ remained throughout the month with 8100 counted on the 12^th. 

Pintail – 33 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 10^th, with 168 at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th and 192 on the 22^nd. 

Mallard – Up to 2000 remained throughout the month. 

Mallard - NNR Base - 23/02

Gadwall – Numbers started to increase following the thaw with 99 at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th and 121 on the 27^th. A pair on the Pocklington Canal near Melbourne on the 18^th might be suggestive of early birds beginning to pair up and starting to look for suitable breeding sites. 

Shoveler – Numbers increased during the month with 120+ at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th representing the highest count during the month. 

Tufted Duck – Two were on North Duffield Carrs Top Pond on the 9^th followed by three on the river at Thorganby on the 10^th. 11 were at Bank Island on the 11^th when five were present at North Duffield Carrs. 35 were counted at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th and present until month end. 

Pochard – A single drake at North Duffield Carrs on the 10^th was followed by nine at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th and five there on the 14^th. 15 were present there on the 17^th with ten remaining by the 28^th. 

Goldeneye – Three remained at Wheldrake Ings throughout the month with singles also present on the River Derwent. Five were at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th when three were also present in the southern part of the valley on the river – at least eight birds and perhaps signs of spring passage. Three were on the Pocklington Canal at Storwood on the 22^nd with up to four remaining at Wheldrake Ings until month end. 

Goosander – A single red head flew north over Bank Island on the 6^th with two redheads at Wheldrake Ings on the 28^th. 

Water Rail – Up to five birds remained around the pool and reed bed at Wheldrake Ings throughout the month. Elsewhere up to five remained in the Melbourne area with three at Thornton Ellers and scattered singles elsewhere – at least 16 wintering birds involved. 

Great Crested Grebe – Two at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st were the first returning birds of spring – on time as usual (DB). 

Cormorant – An increase in sightings and numbers during the month with the onset of spring passage and returning summering/potential breeding birds. Birds were widely spread out and encountered across the site, including five at the Top Pond at North Duffield Carrs on the 15^th, where one was caught and ringed. 29 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th – many in full breeding plumage. 

Red Kite – A single was present at Canal Head on the 18^th, followed by one over North Duffield Carrs on the 21^st, with presumably the same bird over the site on the 25^th. 

Marsh Harrier – Up to three cream-crowns remained throughout the site during the month. 

Hen Harrier – The long staying ‘ring-tail’ remained at Skipwith during the month until at least the 21^st. 

Goshawk – A single was present on Skipwith Common on the 17^th with a pair nearby on several dates. 

Peregrine – Two were present in the Melbourne area throughout the month, with evidence that local breeding birds were starting to return to the breeding territories. Up to four birds were recorded regularly at Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs. 

Merlin – A single female at North Duffield Carrs on the 12^th and a male at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd. 

Kestrel – Good numbers remained throughout the month with five at North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th and three at Wheldrake Ings and two at Bank Island on the 17^th – typical of the sort of numbers present throughout the whole area. 

Grey Partridge – A pair were present in front of the Geoff Smith Hide at North Duffield Carrs on several dates during the month, and a pair at Bank Island on the 23^rd were a welcome find. 

Grey Partridge - Bank Island - 23/02

Coot – Numbers increased quickly with 76 at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th, 103 on the 17^th and 198 on the 27^th. 

Oystercatcher – Three at Wheldrake Ings (DB) and a single at North Duffield Carrs (MFJ) on the 14^th heralded the start of spring passage and the return of local breeding birds. One or two remained thereafter to month end. 

Lapwing – Numbers were variable during the month as birds moved round the area depending upon the freezing conditions. 2620 were present on Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th with 1600 there again on the 14^th, when a total of c3400 were present throughout the valley. Up to 1800 remained at month end. The first displaying birds were at North Duffield Carrs and Wheldrake on the 24^th and Bank Island on the 25^th. 

Golden Plover – Patterns of counts mirrored the above species with higher counts being provided by 2000+ on the 12^th and 2340 on the 14^th. 

Curlew – Numbers started to increase as the month progressed with birds becoming more and more vocal. 22 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st with 56 throughout the valley on the 22^nd. The first returning birds to Melbourne and Thornton Ings were recorded on the 21^st and the first ‘singing/bubbling’ birds were heard at North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th. 67 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 28^th when a minimum of 92 were present throughout the valley. 

Jack Snipe – A single reported from Cheesecake Hide at Bank Island on the 8^th. 

Woodcock – A single was present at Skipwith Common on the 1^st with three flushed from Adder Heath there on the 2^nd, when another was present near Church Bridge, Melbourne. Two flew over the road by the Oak’s golf course near Aughton on the 4^th towards dusk, and a single was seen at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th. 

Dunlin – Up to 120 were present at North Duffield Carrs from the 1^st - 4^th with up to 80 remaining thereafter. 

Ruff – 41 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd when 72 were also present at North Duffield Carrs. Numbers decreased to around 80+ at month end. 

Black-tailed Godwit – Two at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st were followed by seven there on the 22^nd (DB), remaining until month end. 

Redshank – Numbers remained low during the month with a peak of 24 on the 17^th. 

Redshank - Thorganby - 17/02

Green Sandpiper – A single wintering bird remained beyond the valley in the Foggathorpe area during the month. 

Iceland Gull – An adult was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th and 19^th, followed by two on the 21^st and a second winter on the 27^th. 

Caspian Gull – An adult was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th. 

Glaucous Gull – Two adults were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th with a single on the 15^th. 

Kumlien’s Gull – An adult was present at the Wheldrake roost on the 15^th. Two adults and a first winter were present during the month at Harewood Whin tip near Rufforth.

Herring Gull – Up to 10,000+ roosted between North Duffield Carrs and Wheldrake Ings throughout the month with 13,500 on the 12^th. 

Greater Black-backed Gull – Numbers were lower than average although 4000+ roosted in the valley most evenings with 4300 on the 12^th. 

Lesser Black-backed Gull – Spring passage started with three over Bank Island on the 25^th and seven over and down to roost on Wheldrake Ings on the 28^th. 

Barn Owl – The good showing continued with two or three daily at Bank Island during the month and four at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th. Eight were seen on a drive at dusk between Bank Island/Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs on the 19^th – once again giving an indication of the numbers present. Three road causalities were reported from the A1079 during the month with singles also found dead at Wheldrake Ings and Bank Island. 

Barn Owl - Wheldrake Ings - 23/02

Little Owl – A single after dark at North Duffield Carrs on the 24^th. 

Stock Dove – Small numbers were scattered throughout the area with a single notable flock of 40+ near Skipwith Common on the 3^rd. 

Green Woodpecker – Present throughout the month at Skipwith Common NNR, with more unusually a single calling at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd. 

Skylark – Numbers increased as the month progressed and up to 20 birds were singing around North Duffield Carrs/Bubwith Ings on the 17^th. 62 were present as a flock on Melbourne Ings on the 12^th and 50+ were in fields adjacent to North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd. 

Woodlark – The first three singing birds were present at Skipwith Common on the 18^th with a single there on the 27^th. 

Grey Wagtail –Two remained in the Bank Island area throughout the month. 

Kingfisher – A single flew over the ice at Bank Island on the 9^th with occasional sightings coming from the Pocklington Canal during the month. 

Cetti’s Warbler – A possible seen near Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 3^rd (NC). 

Stonechat – Up to four remained at North Duffield Carrs during the month. 

Siskin – Up to 50+ were in the Melbourne area on the 12^th. 

Lesser Redpoll – Up to 21 were in the Melbourne area on the 12^th. 

Linnet – 50+ were present near Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 21^st with 20 near Escrick on the 26^th. Small scattered numbers were elsewhere as breeding birds start to return to the area from wintering sites. 

Corn Bunting – Numbers at the Church Bridge reed bed roost remained high early in the month with 138 on the 9^th, although numbers had fallen (as expected) later in the month to 80 on the 21^st.

MAMMALS: 

Roe Deer – Four were at North Duffield Ings on the 10^th, on the same date one was sadly reported as a road casualty near Wheldrake Ings. Three were at Bank Island on the 11^th, followed by seven there on the 12^th and five at Wheldrake Ings. A single was at Church Bridge on the 9^th, while four were at North Duffield Ings again on the 17^th and up to six at Bank Island thereafter. 

Roe Deer - Bank Island - 17/02

Stoat – A single at North Duffield Carrs on the 10^th and at Thorganby on 13^th. 

Weasel – A single at the NNR Base at Bank Island on the 4^th. 

Red Fox – A single was seen in the fields adjacent to North Duffield Ings on the 10^th with singles also at North Duffield Carrs on the 16^th and 18^th. 

Otter – Spraints were found at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th. 

Mink – Signs of recent activity were recorded at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th. 

Bank Vole – A single was seen sitting out in the open on the boardwalk near Swantail Hide, Wheldrake on the 17^th.

AMPHIBIANS/REPTILES: 

Common Frog – A calling male was heard at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th. 

Common Lizard – A single seen near the bomb bays at Skipwith Common on the 27^th was the first of the year.

MOTHS: 

Winter Moth/Northern Winter Moth – One was seen at Bank Island on the 5^th with five there on the 6^th and four at Thornton on the 8^th.

OTHERS: 

Honey Bee – A single was seen at the NNR Base at Bank Island on the 9^th.