Water’s Edge monthly report May 2006

For five days in early May it seemed like summer had arrived early with temperatures in 20’s and glorious sunshine butterflies and damselflies emerged en masse and then it all turned back to winter as a series of depressions brought daily rain with frequent thunder storms and decidedly cool evenings. Breeding bird and insect activity was severely depressed along with the human residents!

May is usually the best month of the spring for finding a scarce migrant amongst the incoming summer visitors but the westerly air-stream and wet weather failed to produce any unusual species with the exception of a Wood Sandpiper which landed for just two minutes on the morning of the 5th before flying off eastwards calling constantly no doubt en route for its Scandinavian breeding grounds. It was one of only four waders seen on the park during the month but the four were of different species; a single Redshank on the 14th was no doubt a left over wintering bird while a Greenshank which flew east on the 19th was certainly a newly arrived summer visitor heading for the northern bogs. A Common Sandpiper on the 21st with presumably the same bird on the 28th completed the grounded wader set but a party of five Avocets flew west over the adjacent estuary on the 11th.

There were no great wildfowl developments but the pond B Mute Swans hatched their brood of eight cygnets on the 10th a day before the first two broods of Mallard were seen. This is particularly late for Mallard which usually have a few broods in early to mid April and is probably a reflection of the very cool weather in late March. The goose flock increased with two broods of five and four Canada Geese hatching on the 3rd and 11th while the herd of Greylag goslings grew at the predictably frantic rate. Most unusual wildfowl occurrence was the brief appearance of a pair of Wigeon on the 1st on pond B. Up to 12 Pochard and 28 Tufted Duck remained along with three pairs of Ruddy Duck but Gadwall numbers fell away rapidly leaving less than ten birds by mid month. Coot broods were small and limited in number and there had been no young Little Grebes by the month end; the Great Crested Grebes produce a confusing scenario with their erratic appearances but proof of successful breeding was apparent on the 26th when two stripy headed juveniles were visible on the back of one of the adults on pond B. This is the second successive year that this species has bred on the park; hopefully the weather will improve and give the youngsters a better chance of survival.

One of the highlights of the month was the brief passage of a female Osprey over the northern park on the afternoon of the 3rd. This bird came in from the east and had a look at the ponds but failed to do any fishing before moving off north-west across the Humber. Following a good passage of Wheatears in late April there were three on the park meadows on the 3rd and one on the 5th. A pair of Common Terns quickly settled on the raft and laid a clutch of eggs which were still being incubated at the end of the month.

Summer migrants were still arriving at the month end with Reed Warblers possibly still below their usual numbers. A lone Turtle Dove appeared on the 23rd and 24th on the northern park. This species was a common breeding bird around the clay pits until the early 1980’s with 30-40 pairs in summer since when a disastrous decline has been noted. This has been linked to shooting in the Mediterranean, droughts in their wintering areas and agricultural intensification destroying their favoured foods in Britain. Only three males were found around the pits in May 2006 so the Waters’ Edge bird was exceptional. While most of the summer warblers were settled into breeding by mid-month a lone male Lesser Whitethroat arrived and remained in the area through to May 23rd proclaiming his adopted territory with vibrant song but as in previous years this male seemed to fail to attract a mate. Blackcaps would be somewhat elusive visitors were it not for the males’ distinctive song but once nesting commences the males go quiet and the species can be easily overlooked. In 2006 there are a total of nine occupied territories on the park, the highest ever, by two, and this probably reflects the developing secondary woodland within the park, a habitat favoured by this species. As usual not all of the males appeared to attract mates with at least three continuing to sing into late May suggesting that they were singletons when the first fledged youngster was seen out of the nest on the 31st. Disappointingly Willow Tits did not nest on the park this year following a successful season in 2005 but a single bird was seen on the 26th.

It has been a very good spring for Orange-tip butterflies with several individuals appearing even in short spells of sun and warmth. The first individuals appeared on the 3rd along with the first of several Holly Blues and Green-veined Whites. Orange-tips increased with at least ten being seen on some days in the first week and it was also a bumper year for Holly Blues a species which varies in numbers over a four year cycle. Also seen on the glorious 3rd were Speckled Wood, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and a male Brimstone making it a seven butterfly species day. The following day the first Comma was located and Blue-tailed Damselflies started appearing on the 11th when there were at least five Holly Blues on the wing. From mid-month cold and wet weather destroyed insect activity on most days.

Graham Catley

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