Apr'

Lower Derwent Valley NNR Sightings - April 2014

As the month progressed and the water levels receded the number of wintering waterfowl decreased as birds departed for the breeding grounds. A single Whooper Swan remained throughout the month and a late Smew was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 6th, the same site also held a Common Scoter on the rather typical date of the 13th. An influx of Garganey saw five arrive in the valley on the 5th whilst breeding numbers of Shoveler and Gadwall were high throughout the month. A Black-necked Grebe at Bank Island on the 19th was another noteworthy record, along with two Ospreys that passed north through the valley on the 5th and 12th. Up to three different Marsh Harriers were present during the month and a Red Kite lingered in the Wheldrake Ings area. A wandering pair of Common Cranes were also present in the valley between the 10th and 13th.

April typically sees the start of northward bound wader passage although numbers were rather low during the month. First dates included Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper on the 7th, Green Sandpiper on the 15th, Greenshank and Ringed Plover on the 17th, on which date numbers of the spring passage of Islandic Black-tailed Godwits peaked at 45. Out-going wintering waders included two late Jack Snipe on the 27th and 29th, whilst two passage Bar-tailed Godwits on the 20th and 26th were noteworthy. A late Iceland Gull at North Duffield Carrs on the 5th and two adult Mediterranean Gulls at Bank Island on the 16th were the pick of the gulls during the month.

It appears to have been a good month for returning warblers with a number of many species arriving back during the month, with noteworthy numbers of Cuckoos also present and a welcome upturn in numbers over recent years from the first on the 12th. Four Grasshopper Warblers from the 26th represents a good start to the year for them.

BIRDS: 

By the end of April 147 different species had been recorded in the Lower Derwent Valley NNR and Skipwith Common NNR throughout 2014, many thanks as always to all those who have contributed records during the month.

Whooper Swan – A single bird was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th - 6^th with four there on the 7^th and a lone bird lingering thereafter throughout the month. 

Mute Swan – 100+ non-breeders were present throughout the site with 62 concentrated on Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th. A total of seven breeding pairs are present around the site with one pair at North Duffield Carrs incubating a clutch of nine by mid-month. 

Mute Swans - North Duffield Carrs - 10/04

Greylag Goose – The first brood, of seven, was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd with five broods, totalling 37 goslings, at Wheldrake Ings on the 25^th. 

Canada Goose – Up to 50 remained throughout the month, including one pair nesting on Bank Island.

Egyptian Goose – Four at Wheldrake Ings from the 1^st - 5^th with at least one pair present throughout the month. 

Shelduck – Up to 120 birds remained throughout the month. 

Mallard – A single female was accompanied by 13 newly hatched ducklings on Bank Island on the 1^st - first of the year. A brood of three were at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th with broods of three at Melbourne and eight at Thorganby Ings appearing on the 17^th. A brood of 11 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 19^th with a steady appearance of broods throughout the site thereafter. 

Teal - c2300 were present on the 1^st with 1770 still remaining on the 5^th although a large scale departure occurred soon after with just 800+ remaining on the 8^th, down to 400+ by the 10^th. 80+ were still present at Wheldrake Ings on the 28^th, with just 50 on the 29^th. Scattered pairs were present throughout the site at month end.

Pintail – 80+ were still present on the 1^st with 65 on the 5^th and 31 on the 10^th. 13 were still present on the 14^th with three on the 19^th and a single on the 21^st. 

Wigeon – c2127 were still present throughout the valley on the 5^th although a large scale departure happened soon after leaving c1000 on the 8^th, down to 500+ by the 10^th. Numbers further dropped to 210 by the 15^th and 60 by the 21^st. Seven were present at Bank Island and twelve at Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th with up to eleven scattered birds elsewhere. 

Gadwall – Large numbers were present throughout the site with 320 present on the 5^th and 410 on the 8^th. Breeding pairs were well scattered throughout the site and were often one of the most commonly encountered ducks. During the month a pair were caught and colour-ringed at North Duffield Carrs, taking the total adults caught to three for the year - which is unusual with it being mostly ducklings that make up our ringing totals.

Gadwall - North Duffield Carrs - 05/04

Shoveler – 180 were present throughout the valley on the 5^th with large numbers remaining to month end. 

Garganey – Two pairs were at Wheldrake Ings and a drake at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th (CSR, AC et al) with the drake at North Duffield remaining on the 8^th. A female and two drakes were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th with a single drake at Bank Island on the 30^th. 

Tufted Duck – 200+ present early in the month declined to 120 by the 10^th and up to 40 pairs remained at month end. 

Common Scoter – A single female on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th. 

Smew – A single red-head was present on Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th (DB) – this is the fourth latest record for the LDV with previous birds at Wheldrake on the 10^th April 1989, and the 7^th April in 1990 and 2001. This may have been the same long staying individual seen occasionally since January. 

Goldeneye – A single at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st and 5^th were the only records. 

Little Grebe - A pair were present at North Duffield Carrs Top Pond from the 1^st with two pairs at Wheldrake Ings from the 4^th and three pairs there on the 5^th. Three pairs were also present at Bank Island on the 5^th. 

Little Grebe - Wheldrake Ings - 15/04

Great Crested Grebe – Singles were present at Bank Island, Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th with a pair at Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th. A single remained at Bank Island from the 15^th to the 26^th. 

Black-necked Grebe – A single in summer plumage at Bank Island on the 19^th. 

Cormorant – Up to 12 birds continued to roost at Wheldrake Ings with scattered birds regularly encountered elsewhere throughout the site. 

Water Rail – Two were singing at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th with three in the reedbed there on the 5^th and two singing males there on the 8^th. Up to four calling birds were present there late in the month with other calling birds at Melbourne and North Duffield Carrs. 

Coot – 300+ were present throughout the site on the 5^th with smaller numbers remaining thereafter. A single pair in the refuge area at Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th were incubating nine eggs. 

Moorhen – A pair with three newly hatched young were near Melbourne on the 17^th. 

Grey Heron – The annual monitoring of the heronry took place on the 23^rd. A total of 28 active nests were present with a sample of 30 young colour-ringed. The average brood size was three, with two broods of five also present. Three pairs were still incubating eggs on that date. It looks a productive season for the species in the valley with perhaps 80+ young potentially available to fledge. 

Grey Heron - Thorganby - 23/04

Little Egret – A single flew into North Duffield Carrs from the east on the 5^th. 

Red Kite – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th with another or the same untagged bird there on the 11^th and again daily between the 18^th and 23^rd. 

Osprey – The first of the year spent two hours at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th (JL, AW, AC) with another north over Bank Island on the 12^th. 

Marsh Harrier – Singles were at Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th and at North Duffield Carrs on the 11^th, 13^th and 17^th, with another at Aughton Ings on the 21^st and a different cream crown at Bubwith Ings on the 22^nd. At least three cream crowns were present during the last week of the month. 

Peregrine – Singles were present at both Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th with a small adult male at Bank Island on the 6^th and 11^th. A female was present at Aughton on the 15^th with a male also there on the 21^st. 

Common Crane – A single flew north at Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th with a pair in the Kexby/Newton-on-Derwent area on the 12^th (CH) before visiting both Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs later in the day. Presumably the same birds roosted over night at Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve before returning northwards to the valley on the 13^th. 

Oystercatcher – Up to seven pairs were present throughout the site. 

Lapwing - Widespread throughout the valley with a number of pairs found on eggs throughout the month.

 Lapwing nest - North Duffield Carrs - 10/04

Golden Plover – 13 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th. 

Little Ringed Plover – A single, and the first returning bird, was at Elvington on the 7^th (FM) with a pair at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd and 26^th. A single was also there on the 29^th. 

Ringed Plover – A single was at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th – 19^th with two there on the 20^th and a single on the 21^st and 22^nd. 

Dunlin – 10 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th with a single on the 27^th. 

Ruff – 65 were still present in the valley on the 5^th. 

Whimbrel – The first of the year were a group of 11 in fields near Storwood on the 19^th (CSR, DT) which included birds colour-ringed at the Wheldrake Ings roost in 2009 and 2010. Numbers built up to 65 on the 26^th, 101 on the 27^th and 109 on the 29^th. A catch of birds attending the roost on the 29^th saw six new birds caught and colour-ringed with single birds re-trapped from the roost in 2009 and 2010 . 

Whimbrel - Wheldrake Ings - 29/04

Black-tailed Godwit – A group of 26 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd - 8^th along with a single at North Duffield Carrs. 15 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th with 18 then present there on the 14^th – 17^th - presumably the same long staying flock. A new flock of 45 migrants flew into Bank Island on the 17^th with a group of eight present there between the 18^th – 20^th and six thereafter to month end.

In addition to the above, one, and possibly two pairs were thought to have attempted breeding. 

Bar-tailed Godwit – A single flew north over Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th with another appearing following a heavy shower towards dusk on the 26^th (CSR, JW).

Jack Snipe – A single at Melbourne Ings on the 27^th (DT) and at Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th (CSR, FM).

Greenshank – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th was the first of the year and the first spring passage bird. It remained to month end and was joined by a second bird on the 22^nd – 23^rd and again on the 27^th to month end. 

Green Sandpiper – Two were at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th. 

Common Sandpiper – The first returning bird was at Elvington on the 7^th (FM).

Mediterranean Gull – Two adults in summer plumage at Bank Island on the 16^th. 

Iceland Gull – A single first winter bird flew south towards dusk at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th (CSR, MFJ, PF). 

Arctic Tern – Twelve at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd and seven at Wheldrake Ings on the 26^th. 

Barn Owl – Birds became increasingly obvious again during the month as males were feeding incubating females. Birds were reported regularly from the hides at Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs. 

Green Woodpecker – A single was at Rossmoor on the 18^th with up to two pairs on Skipwith Common throughout the month. 

Cuckoo – The first of the year was along the Pocklington Canal near Melbourne (seen and heard) on the 12^th (NC) with another by the canal at East Cottingwith on the 15^th. A single was near Rossmoor on the 18^th and Bank Island and Thorganby on the 19^th. One was heard at Bubwith on the 21^st, Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd and Seavy Carr on the 28^th. Birds were subsequently reported from South Duffield and Breighton Meadows on the 29^th, when singles were also present near Melbourne, Storwood, Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings. Overall a good month for the species with birds widespread throughout the site.  

Swift – The first returning bird was at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th.

Fieldfare – Seven flew north calling over Bank Island on the 3^rd.

Wheatear – A single male at North Duffield Carrs on the 9^th was the first of the year with two then present on arable near Bubwith on the 10^th. A single was at Thornton on the 17^th and a male near East Cottingwith on the 18^th with two then present there on the 19^th. A single was at Aughton Ings on the 21^st with three near Seavy Carr on the 28^th. 

Sand Martin – 40+ were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th with a widespread arrival on the 8^th. 150+ were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th. 

Swallow – Two flew over Bank Island on the 3^rd with one the next day at Wheldrake Ings and two at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th. A widespread arrival then brought 10+ to Wheldrake Ings, Bank Island and North Duffield Carrs on the 8^th. 50+ were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th along with 30 at Bank Island and 100+ at North Duffield Carrs. 

House Martin – Three at Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th were the first returnees with birds also returning to local nest sites in adjacent villages on the same date. Seven were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th with 25+ on the 13^th. 

Tree Pipit – Three singing males were on Skipwith Common on the 22^nd (DT) with five there on the 29^th.

Redstart – A male returned to Skipwith Common on the 29^th (DT) – the third year in a row that a male has held territory here. 

Kingfisher – A single was at Bank Island on the river on the 1^st and Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th with a pair near Bubwith Ings on the 10^th. 

White Wagtail – A single was on the arable fields near Bubwith on the 10^th with three near Thornton on the 17^th. Three were near Seavy Carr on the 28^th. 

Yellow Wagtail – A single over North Duffield village on the 5^th was the first returning bird. The 17^th then saw the first major arrival with twelve at Thornton and two at Wheldrake Ings with 20+ near Seavy Carr on the 28^th. 

Willow Warbler – The first returning bird was singing at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with one still singing there on the 4^th, up to three by the 5^th, on the same date three were also present on Skipwith Common. A further arrival then took place on the 8^th bringing a spread of birds throughout the whole of the valley, with another increase in singing birds again from the 14^th.

Blackcap – Three at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st were the first returning migrants of the year with four there on the 5^th and two at Bank Island on the 6^th. Six were between Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th. 

Garden Warbler – The first returning bird was present on Skipwith Common on the 8^th with a single at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th.

Whitethroat – A single was at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th with another in the car park area on the 14^th and three at Bank Island on the 19^th. 

Lesser Whitethroat – The first of the year was at North Duffield Carrs and Bank Island on the 15^th. 

Sedge Warbler – A single singing bird remained behind the NNR Base at Bank Island having first been heard on the 26^th March, it was then heard again between the 1^st and the 8^th – the earliest ever to have been recorded in the valley. One was at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th with 10+ there by the 15^th. 

Reed Warbler – The first returning bird was at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th with six on the 23^rd, up to twelve by the 27^th. 

Grasshopper Warbler – The first returning bird was a reeling male at Wheldrake Ings on the 26^th (CSR, JW), followed by singles at North Duffield and Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 28^th. Another individual was at Storwood on the 29^th. 

Nuthatch – A single at Thicket Priory on the 23^rd. 

Marsh Tit – Two at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th and a single on Skipwith Common on the 29^th. 

Willow Tit – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th with two pairs there on the 14^th and a single on the 21^st. 

Linnet – A flock of c50 were near Breighton on the 9^th. 

Yellowhammer – 17 were present on the Bubwith railtrail on the 9^th with 30+ there on the 10^th. 

Reed Bunting – 50+ were at Bubwith on the 10^th. 

Corn Bunting – 30+ were at Bubwith on the 10^th.

MAMMALS: 

Roe Deer – A single on Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th, Skipwith Common on the 10^th, East Cottingwith Ings on the 11^th, Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd and Skipwith Common on the 29^th. 

Brown Hare - Singles on Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th and Bank Island on the 21^st.

Red Fox – A single at Bank Island on the 23^rd and Storwood on the 27^th. 

Red Fox - Storwood - 27/04

Mink – A single seen on the path by the Wind Pump at Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th. 

Otter – Three were seen behind Pool Hide at Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th. 

Weasel – A single near Thorganby on the 8^th. 

Stoat – A single near Thorganby on the 13^th. 

Field Vole – A single was caught by a Barn Owl in front of the Geoff Smith Hide at North Duffield Carrs on the 13^th.

Noctule Bat – An early single near Thornton on the 2^nd and at dusk at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th.

Daubenton’s Bat – Two near Canal Head on the 10^th.

Harbour Porpoise – A single was seen and photographed in the Ouse, having passed the mouth of the Derwent, at Hemmingbrough on the 3^rd (CG).

REPTILES: 

Common Lizard – Eight were present on Skipwith Common on the 8^th with five on the 10^th and two on the 13^th. 10 were present on the 15^th. 

Grass Snake – An adult was sunning itself on Skipwith Common on the 8^th with another nearby on the 10^th when a very small first year was also present. Two were present on the 15^th. 

Adder – Two adult males and a small first year were present on Skipwith Common on the 10^th with two there on the 15^th.

Adder - Skipwith Common - 10/04

BUTTERFLIES: 

Comma – Following three early records in March, April saw a total of 12 scattered throughout the month coming from a number of sites – Wheldrake Ings, Bank Island, Skipwith Common, Storwood and East Cottingwith. 

Peacock – After no records in March the 1^st of April saw the start of a large emergence with a total of 187 recorded throughout the month. The highest counts of the month came from Wheldrake Ings with 26 on the 10^th, 23 on the 11^th, 21 on the 15^th and 31 on the 24^th. 

Red Admiral – The first for the year was recorded at Storwood on the 10^th, followed by a single at East Cottingwith on the 15^th along with one in the NNR Base Garden on the same date. 

Small Tortoiseshell – After Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells were the second most recorded species throughout the month with a total of 142 records, starting from the 1^st of the month. The highest counts came mid-month with 16 at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th, 25 at East Cottingwith on the same date followed by 15 there the next day. A warm day towards the end of the month saw 15 counted at Ellerton on the 28^th. 

Green-veined White – The first of the whites to be recorded with three on the 14^th at East Cottingwith, two at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th and a single at East Cottingwith on the same date. Five were counted throughout the butterfly transect at Bank Island on the 23^rd along with one along the riverbank trail to Wheldrake Ings. 

Small White – The first for the year came on the 23^rd during the butterfly transect around Bank Island, with three individuals seen. The only other records for the month were three at Ellerton on the 28^th and one at Bank Island on the 29^th.

Orange Tip – The first for the year was seen flying across Skipwith Common on the 10^th. A warm day on the 15^th then saw a flurry of records with six on Skipwith Common, five on Wheldrake Ings and four at East Cottingwith. The 24^th then saw an extremely high count across a large area of Wheldrake Ings with a total of 72 counted. 

Brimstone – Recorded from the 1^st with a total of 20 records throughout the month, with the majority of these coming from Skipwith Common, including a high count of seven on the 15^th. 

Holly Blue – A single by the Wheldrake Allotments opposite Bank Island on the 19^th. 

Speckled Wood – A warm day on the 15^th saw the first records for the year, with two on Skipwith Common around the bomb bay loop, three on Wheldrake Ings and one at Bank Island. Other individuals were then seen on the last two butterfly transects of the month, a total of 15 were recorded throughout the month.

BEES/WASPS: 

Hornet – A single at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st. 

Honey Bee – A single in the NNR Base Garden on the 2^nd. 

Common Wasp – A single in the NNR Base Garden on the 2^nd. 

Common Carder – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th with two at Bank Island on the 10^th. 

Tree Bumblebee – A single in the NNR Base Garden on the 5^th with another at Thorganby Ings on the 10^th and at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th. 

Red-tailed Bumblebee – A single at Bubwith Ings on the 9^th was the first of the year with a widespread appearance thereafter. 

Tawny Mining Bee – A single in the NNR Base Garden on the 10^th with another by the roadside entrance there on the same date and one near Elvington on the 13^th.