Mar'

Lower Derwent Valley NNR Sightings - March 2014

Numbers of wintering waterfowl continued to be fairly high early in the month as the flood water remained. Numbers were also swelled and maintained with spring passage of wintering birds (such as Coot) and incoming breeding species (Gadwall and Shoveler). The now annual large movement of Whooper Swans returning northwards saw over 350 birds pass through and pause in the valley during the month. Highlights included the presumed returning Great White Egret which lingered for most of the month (from the 4^th), a brief re-appearance of the red-head Smew and an appearance of a Tundra Bean Goose at Bubwith on the 2^nd. Breeding waders increased in number and pairs were on territory and displaying from mid-month with the first drumming Snipe heard at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd. Up to 60+ Ruff lingered during the month and were seen lekking on several dates whilst small numbers of late wintering Dunlin attracted the first passage Ringed Plover at North Duffield Carrs from the 25^th. The first passage flock of 14 islandica Black-tailed Godwits also frequented the site around mid-month. Other notable records included a continued run of Iceland and Glaucous Gulls and the appearance of the long staying 3^rd winter Kumliens Gull on the 1^st. A Short-eared Owl at North Duffield Ings on the 4^th represented the only sighting of the winter whilst the number of Barn Owl sightings showed a welcome increase during the month. A number of early migrants made an appearance during the month with Chiffchaff from the 5^th (but with the main arrival from the 13^th), Sand Martin on the 17^th and White Wagtail on the 23^rd. A Blackcap on the 22^nd was thought to be an overwintering individual whilst a Sedge Warbler on the 26^th was the earliest to have occurred in the valley with our second earliest Swallow (24^th).

High waters remain from Swantail Hide, Wheldrake - 13/03

Some warm sunny days during the month (in contrast to last March) saw a sudden emergence of early butterflies, with  a single Comma and nine Brimstone reported on the 9^th, with a peak of nine Small Tortoiseshell throughout the valley on the 13^th and another appearance of Brimstone late in the month with the first Peacock recorded on the 31^st. The moth trap saw the expected increase in both the number of species and individuals on warmer nights during the month and the first bats of the year were present at the Bank Island NNR Base on the 13^th.

Many thanks as always to all the local birders, members of the York Ornithological Club and visitors who have frequented the NNR's throughout the month and submitted records.

BIRDS: 

Over 125 species have so far been recorded in the Lower Derwent Valley NNR and on Skipwith Common NNR throughout 2014. 

Whooper Swan – The resident wintering herd of 74 were present at Derwent Farm on the 1^st which included at least six colour-ringed birds. The herd remained until the 11^th, decreasing to 32 by the 13^th and seven on the 18^th. These remained in the valley but were more mobile being seen at Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs until the 23^rd. Four were then present at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th.

A movement of northward returning birds (possibly from sites further south such as the Ouse Washes) was noted on the 5^th with 34 at Thornton Ellers, on the 6^th herds of 39 and 22 flew north over the valley. A Large movement on the 8^th saw 44 pause at North Duffield Carrs with other herds of 17 and 21 present near Melbourne and a herd over North Duffield village after dark. A further 30+ flew north over Riccall after dark on the 9^th with 30 over the site on the 10^th.

Another movement towards the end of the month started when 68 flew north over Wheldrake Ings in three herds on the afternoon of the 24^th whilst 52 (51 adults) flew north over North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th. A total of 357 passage birds moved through the site during the month in addition to the 74 resident wintering birds, giving a total of 431 different birds noted on or over the site during the month. 

Whooper Swan - North Duffield Carrs - 20/03

Mute Swan – 107 were present throughout the site on the 1^st with 94 then counted on the 13^th. Several pairs were nest building by mid-month with the resident pair at North Duffield Carrs laying eggs by month end.

Greylag Goose – 900+ were recorded early in the month but declined as wintering birds departed, 215 remained by the 13^th, by which time many birds were pairing up. A single pair had laid 4 eggs in a nest at Thornton Ellers on the 20^th. 

Pink-footed Goose – 44 flew north at North Duffield on the 2^nd with 80+ north over Bank Island on the 3^rd and 110 there on the 4^th. A single was present at North Duffield Carrs from the 17^th-23^rd with 79 headed north over Bank Island on the 27^th. 

Taiga Bean Goose – Following January’s four Tundra birds, two showing features of this race were seen at Bubwith Bridge on the 2^nd (OM, JAB, AW). 

Canada Goose – c300 remained early in the month with 120 by the 13^th. 

Egyptian Goose – A pair remained in the Derwent Farm/North Duffield Carrs area from the 1^st and were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th and North Duffield Carrs on the 13^th. Three birds were then present at North Duffield Carrs from the 15^th to month end.

Shelduck – Large numbers remained throughout the month with an impressive 147 counted on the 13^th with 132 on the 23^rd. The largest counts included 74 at Thorganby Ings on the 1^st, 69 at North Duffield Carrs on the 20^th and 42 at Aughton Ings on the 22^nd. 

Gadwall – Numbers increased during the month with 227 throughout the site on the 13^th. This female was caught early one morning in a whoosh net at Bank Island during the month, one of only a handful of adult birds to have been ringed in the valley.

Gadwall - Bank Island - 23/03 

Mallard – 1500 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with 2300 counted throughout the site on the 13^th.

A completed clutch of 11 eggs was found on the 12^th at Melbourne with another incomplete clutch of three found there on the same date. 

Teal - 5300+ were still present throughout the site on the 13^th with numbers declining thereafter although 2100 were still present on the 25^th. 2000+ were present on Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with 2700 at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd.

Pintail – 600 present early in the month had fallen to 489 by the 13^th as water levels dropped and further down to 172 by the 20^th and 69 by the 30^th. 

Wigeon – 10,600 still remained throughout the valley on the 13^th but had decreased to 6000+ by the 20^th and 2750 by the 30^th.

Shoveler – Numbers increased as breeding and passage birds arrived in the valley, a count of 211 was had on the 13^th with 276 by the 20^th. 

Tufted Duck – 375 present at the end of last month built up with the usual spring passage with over 500 noted in the valley on the 4^th. Numbers started to decrease quickly thereafter with falling water levels, 245 were counted throughout the site on the 13^th with 150 remaining at month end. 

Not many Tufted Ducks are ringed each year in the UK as due to their ability to dive, and preference for deep water, catching this species usually calls for specific catching methods and traps. This adult male below was caught at the Top Pond at North Duffield Carrs last week, one of 30 that had been in the area for the past week. Numbers in the LDV tend to peak in March when spring passage birds swell the wintering population, resulting in numbers of 500-700 present in the valley. Numbers have now decreased as the extensive and deep water flooding has started to recede. We tend to ring several Tufted Duck ducklings in the valley each summer but only a handful of adults have been ringed on the site. Hopefully in the future more birds can be caught which may go on to provide insights into the movements of both the wintering and spring passage populations.

Tufted Duck - North Duffield Carrs - 22/03

Scaup – A single female was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 20^th (CSR, LM, JR).

Pochard – 235 were still present throughout the site on the 1^st with 190 remaining on the 8^th. Thereafter numbers declined quickly with the receding flood levels, 42 were present throughout the site on the 13^th with just nine remaining by the 22^nd.

Goldeneye – Following a rather poor winter just a single remained on the 13^th with two on the 20^th and a single at Wheldrake Ings on the 25^th.

Smew – What was presumably the same long staying but elusive and mobile red-head re-appeared at Thorganby Ings on the 4^th (AH).

Goosander – A single drake on the river at East Cottingwith on the 13^th and presumably the same bird at North Duffield Carrs on the 19^th were the only records. 

Little Grebe - Further birds returned to the breeding sites on the Ings with a single at Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th, two pairs there from the 12^th with other pairs at Wheldrake Ings, Bank Island and Melbourne late in the month. 

Great Crested Grebe – A single at North Duffield Carrs from the 1^st with three there on the 3^rd-5^th. Three were at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th with two displaying birds there on the 13^th. 

Cormorant – Up to 27 remained in the Wheldrake Ings roost throughout the month with birds encountered regularly elsewhere around the valley. 

Water Rail – A single remained near Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 8^th with single singing birds at Thornton Ellers on the 18^th and Bank Island on the 19^th. A single was also at Seavy Carr on the 19^th. 

Coot – Following the poor numbers present early in the year, numbers increased with spring passage with 200+ on the 3^rd building up to 502 by the 13^th. 300+ were still present at month end suggesting some degree of spring passage through the site. 

Grey Heron – A visit to the heronry on the 31^st produced at least 30 adults and the first broods were heard to have hatched with several egg shells below the large nests. 

Little Egret – Singles were reported from Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st and 6^th, North Duffield Carrs on the 9^th and Melbourne on the 18^th. 

Great White Egret – A rather mobile individual was found on the Pocklington Canal near Melbourne on the 4^th (NC et al) and was seen again there (between Hagg Bridge and Storwood) on the 5^th and 8^th and Thornton Ings on the 9^th-12^th. This may well be the bird that spent time in the valley last spring and again late summer/autumn. It was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th-17^th and again on the 20^th-23^rd. It was then present again near Thornton on the 26^th. 

Bittern – A single at North Duffield Carrs at dusk on the 22^nd (CSR, JR). 

Red Kite – A single flew high east over North Duffield village on the 9^th with another at Seavy Carr on the 12^th. A single was at Canal Head on the 19^th with an immature over Aughton Ings on the 21^st. 

Marsh Harrier – A single female was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with another at Melbourne on the 8^th and 9^th. A single, presumed passage or returning bird was near Loftsome Bridge on the 19^th with a single at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd-27^th. 

Peregrine – Up to four different birds were present during the month, with four different birds still present and recorded at North Duffield Carrs on the 23^rd. 

Merlin – A single adult male at East Cottingwith on the 4^th. 

Sparrowhawk – A single caught (and then lost) a feral pigeon at Canal Head on the 22^nd. 

Common Crane – Three flew low over Elvington on the 18^th (CSR) and a pair flew into North Duffield Carrs on the evening of the 25^th (DT, AW).

Oystercatcher – Up to 13 pairs were well scattered throughout the site during the month. 

Golden Plover – 32 were at Thorganby on the 13^th, with 5 at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd. 

Ringed Plover – A single was at North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th, present to month end.

Dunlin – 90+ were still present in the valley on the 13^th with a flock of 43 at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd and 35 still present to month end. 

Ruff – A total of 61 birds were present throughout the valley on the 13^th which included a group of 35 (22 males) lekking at one site – the first lekking behaviour of the year. 40+ were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th. 40+ were still present at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd with 40+ at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th when 17 were present at North Duffield Carrs – a total of 57+ still present in the valley. 63 were at North Duffield Carrs on the 30^th. 

Curlew – Numbers continued to increase during the month with returning breeding birds and probably some additional passage birds moving through the site. The WeBS count on the 13^th recorded 110 throughout the valley with birds largely dispersing onto territories thereafter and singing during the second half of the month. 

Black-tailed Godwit – Two were at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with the same at Aughton Ings on the 13^th. A flock of 14 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th and remained in the valley, albeit mobile until at least the 22^nd. This flock contained a single colour-ringed bird – please look out for colour-ringed birds in the valley and enter any sightings into the hide log books or report sightings to Natural England staff/volunteers. 

Common Snipe – Falling water levels and returning passage birds saw numbers increase during the month. 110 were present on North Duffield Ings on the 1^st with 70+ at North Duffield Carrs on the 3^rd and 80+ at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th. Up to 150+ were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th and 22^nd. 40 were present at Breighton Meadows on the 26^th. 

Jack Snipe – A single was caught and colour-ringed after dark on Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd. 

Woodcock – A single bird was flushed from a ditch side near Aughton Ings on the 8^th.

Redshank – Numbers increased to 60 birds by month end – a rather poor showing. 

Green Sandpiper – A single bird was present near Hagg Bridge on the 8^th. 

Lesser Black-backed Gull – An increase in birds with the onset of returning spring passage movement saw seven at the Wheldrake Ings roost on the 3^rd, 11 on the 5^th and 23 on the 14^th.

Glaucous Gull – Three first winter birds were present at the Wheldrake Ings roost on the 3^rd with singles there on the 7^th and 14^th. Two first winter birds (including at least one ‘new’ bird) were seen at Wheldrake Ings on the 19^th and 20^th, whilst a first winter flew south through North Duffield Carrs on the 23^rd. 

Iceland Gull – A single third winter bird was present at the Wheldrake Ings roost on the 1^st, with a second winter bird there on the 3^rd and an adult on the 5^th. A first winter was present on the 14^th with an adult and first winter on the 15^th.

Kumliens Gull – The long staying 3^rd winter bird was present in the Wheldrake Ings roost on the 1^st. 

Herring Gull – 10,000+ early in the month decreased thereafter with the presumed departure of ‘northern’ breeding birds. 4000+ were still present at the roost at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th, comprising largely of immature and sub-adults. 

Greater Black-backed Gull – 3500 were present at the Wheldrake Ings roost on the 7^th with 2800 by the 30^th. 

Common Gull – 5000 were present at the Elvington Water Treatment works on the 8^th when a total of 17,000 roosted at Wheldrake Ings. 

Barn Owl – Sightings increased during the month with a number of birds appearing around known nesting areas, with several individuals also observed carrying food back to the nest. Birds were seen regularly at the usual favoured haunts of Wheldrake Ings, North Duffield Carrs, Bank Island and along the Pocklington Canal. 

Short-eared Owl – A single hunting at North Duffield Ings on the 13^th (DT) represents the only record during the winter. 

Jackdaw - Throughout the month activity and numbers increased in the usual haunt of the Ash tree outside the NNR Base at Bank Island, with up to thirteen birds involved. The tree holds a number of nests with many broods ringed there over the last few years. Last year as well as ringing a few of the young an adult was also caught and ringed, hopefully we may get some re-trap data this year as a bird with a metal ring on was seen last week, photo below.

Jackdaw - Bank Island - 23/03

Jay - Two were seen in Thorganby on the 13^th with a single in the same place on the 31^st.

Green Woodpecker – Singles were seen near Elvington on the 8^th with another at Melbourne on the same date. One was heard at Elvington on the 20^th. Up to two pairs were regularly seen and heard on Skipwith Common NNR throughout the month.

Great Spotted Woodpecker - A single bird frequented the Bank Island feeding station throughout the month with birds also heard on Skipwith Common and the Thicket Priory, Thorganby. A pair were also seen mating at Bank Island during the month.

Fieldfare – 30 flew north over Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st, with 80 west over North Duffield Carrs on the 3^rd and 230 there on the 5^th. 70+ flew north east over Bank Island on the 14^th. 200 were present near Ellerton on the 18^th, whilst 8 were seen at North Duffield Carrs on the 20^th. On the 22^nd 30+ flew over Bank Island and 10 were at East Cottingwith. 30 went over Bank Island on the 25^th.

Redwing – Two remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th. 25 flew north east over Bank Island on the 14^th with Fieldfares and 20 flew north over North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th. 200 were present with Fieldfares at Ellerton on the 22^nd and 100+ flew over Bank Island during the day on the 22^nd. 

Sand Martin – Three at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th were the first of the year and were followed by 17 on the 22^nd and five on the 26^th. Two were at North Duffield Carrs on the 31^st. 

Swallow – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th - this is the second earliest on record following a single on the 20^th March 1989.

Woodlark – Up to four singing birds were present on Skipwith Common NNR from early in the month with four at another site during the month.

Stonechat – A single was present on Skipwith Common from the 4^th (DT). 

Kingfisher – A single was seen near Church Bridge on the 6^th and Bank Island on the 13^th. 

Grey Wagtail – A single at the Church Bridge reedbed on the 3^rd and 5^th and at Elvington lock on the 20^th. 

White Wagtail – Three at North Duffield Carrs on the 23^rd with a number of Pied Wagtails. 

Pied Wagtail – 15 were on the floodline at North Duffield Carrs on the 23^rd. 

Chiffchaff – A single, possibly an over-wintering bird was present at the Melbourne Arms on the 5^th with another bird present in Elvington Churchyard on the 9^th. Likewise two were present in the Wheldrake Ings car park lane on the 13^th. A single was however singing at Pocklington on the 14^th with two singing at Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th and three there on the 17^th following a widespread arrival throughout the county. Five were present at Bank Island on the 19^th with eight at the Wheldrake car park/Bank Island area on the 20^th.  A single was caught and ringed at Bank Island on the 22^nd (CB) weighing only 7.2g suggesting it to be newly arrived.

Blackcap – A single singing bird at Bank Island on the 22^nd was a presumed overwintering bird and possibly the male seen there in mid November 2013. 

Sedge Warbler – A single singing bird was behind the NNR Base at Bank Island on the 26^th – the earliest ever to have been recorded in the valley. 

Nuthatch – Two singing males at Thicket Priory on the 31^st. 

Marsh Tit – An un-ringed bird was caught and ringed at Bank Island on the 22^nd (CB). 

Willow Tit – Four were at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with three at Thornton Ellers on the 19^th.

Brambling – Four remained present near Melbourne on the 5^th.

MAMMALS: 

Fallow Deer – Eight were seen on Skipwith Common on the 19^th. 

Roe Deer – A pair were at Thornton on the 3^rd, with three near Thorganby on the 19^th and five along the Pocklington Canal, Melbourne on the 9^th. 

Red Fox – A single was at Thorganby Ings on the 5^th, with other singles at Thornton Ellers on the 15^th and 19^th. 

Mink – A single was near Church Bridge on the Pocklington Canal on the 5^th. 

Otter – Prints and spraints were found regularly during the month at Wheldrake Ings and Thornton Ellers, with camera traps at the latter site recording animals on a daily/nightly basis. 

Weasel – A single at Elvington on the 21^st. 

Brown Hare – A single was seen at Bank Island on the 7^th, three were boxing at Thornton Ellers on the 9^th and three were at Bubwith Ings on the same day. On the 13^th six were seen at Derwent Farm, two were at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd and one at Bank Island on the same date. 

Soprano Pipistrelle – Two were at the NNR Base at Bank Island on 13^th.

REPTILES: 

Common Lizard – A single was seen on Skipwith Common on the 30^th with five there on the 31^st.

MOTHS: 

March Moth – A single at Bank Island on the 11^th.

Dotted Border – One at Bank Island on the 3^rd and three on the 6^th.

Hebrew Character – One at Bank Island on the 6^th with three on the 13^th, fifteen on the 18^th, eighteen on the 20^th, four on the 22^nd and five on the 26^th.

Common Quaker – Four at Bank Island on the 13^th, seven on the 18^th, fourteen on the 20^th, sixteen on the 22^nd and eight on the 26^th.

Small Quaker – Eleven at Bank Island on the 18^th, fifteen on the 20^th, three on the 22^nd and three on the 26^th.

Twin Spot Quaker – Two at Bank Island on the 18^th and two on the 20^th.

Clouded Drab – Thirty at Bank Island on the 18^th, twenty nine on the 20^th and three on the 22^nd.

Shoulder Stripe – A single was caught at light at Bank Island on the 18^th with another on the 20^th.

Red Chestnut – Three at Bank Island on the 18^th.

Chestnut - Three on the 20^th and one on the 26^th. 

Grey Shoulder-knot – A single at Bank Island on the 13^th and again on the 22^nd.

Oak Beauty – A single at Bank Island on the 8^th.

Agonopterix alstromeriana – A single at Bank Island on the 18^th.

BUTTERFLIES: 

Small Tortoiseshell – Two were present at Elvington and Skipwith on the 9^th, with six at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th along with singles at Bank Island, North Duffield Carrs and Ellerton. One was seen at Melbourne on the Pocklington Canal on the 14^th with a single at Bank Island on the 23^rd and in the NNR Base Garden on the 31^st. 

Brimstone – Five were present at Elvington on the 9^th, when two were also seen at North Duffield Carrs along with singles near Skipwith and North Duffield village (at least 9 on that date). A single was seen on Skipwith Common on the 30^th with a male at Thicket Priory, Thorganby on the 31^st. 

Comma – Singles at Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield village on the 9^th were the first of the year. On the 30^th a single was seen flying over Skipwith Common. 

Peacock – Singles were present on Skipwith Common and in Thorganby on the 31^st.

BEES: 

Buff-tailed Bumblebee – A single at Bank Island on the 7^th and again on the 8^th.

White-tailed Bumblebee – A single at Bank Island on the 8^th with three at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th.

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