Field trip to the Lower Derwent Valley – 8th February 2026

A great turn out, with 28 members meeting at the car park at Bank Island. The weather also held for the whole day & a great days birding in the LDV.

With the flooding we were unable to get onto Wheldrake Ings, so we did the circular route round the valley.

Bank Island was fairly quiet, so we soon headed off toward Thorganby, stopping off on route to see the 30 White-fronted Geese which were still present in the fields along Ferry Lane at Thorganby.

At the viewing platform at Thorganby village hall, 12 Goldeneye were distantly on the floods over toward east Cottingwith, while 8 Curlew were present on the river bank & single Oystercatcher & Black-tailed Godwit flew down the river.

Next up was North Duffield Carrs, which provided the main highlights of the day. The group split into two here.

A Slavonian Grebe gave great views for both groups from the Garganey Hide & giving less great views were around 20 Tundra Bean Geese with Greylags at the back of the Carrs. The 3 drake Scaup were also still present along with a distant Great Egret.

Several Whooper Swan passed over the site, heading for the fields at Derwent Cottage Farm, & 2 Stonechat were by the viewing platform. There was also 11 Ruff along with several Pochard, a Cetti’s Warbler & a Marsh Harrier.

We did miss an adult Little Gull which was seen briefly while we were there.

Due to limited park only a few cars stopped at Bubwith Bridge to view North Duffield Ings, where more Ruff were present along with the over wintering Spotted Redshank.

Lunch was taken at Aughton church, with many of the group making us of open church for refreshments. A welcome new feature fornthe LDV. The ings here were faily quiet although we did have closer views of 6 Goldeneye, a hunting Marsh Harrier as well as 3 passing Egyptian Geese & 26 Pink-footed Geese. There was also a Little Egret & 87 Black-tailed Godwit passed south.

At Ellerton, the Whooper Swan were in there usual field with 3 Pink-footed Geese. In total 102 Whooper Swan were present here & on the Ings. Clouds of Lapwings featured all through the trip with around 3000 just around Ellerton, with 200 Golden Plover mixed in. There were also 9 Curlew on the river bank at Ellerton Landing & a flock of 22 Meadow Pipit were in a sheep field.

Last up was East Cottingwith, heading to the field which over looks the back of Wheldrake Ings. The canal was totally flooded. A mixed flock of Linnet, Greenfinch & Chaffinch were present in the field along with 5 Roe Deer. A Cetti’s Warbler called from the reeds & 2 Egyptian Geese flew over. Another 6 Goldeneye were on the refuge & a Marsh Harrier was present.

A great days birding, although a distant drake Smew at Thorganby which had been found late afternoon was a good way to end the day for a few of us. 

Thanks to all the members who attended & car shared.