Aug'

Lower Derwent Valley NNR Sightings - August 2014

The birding highlight of the month was undoubtedly the discovery of a first summer female Barred Warbler (MFJ), early on the 23^rd. A surprise find in one of Mike’s mist nets whilst he carried out his weekly ringing on Wheldrake Ings. This is the first reserve record for the species and one of less than 10 ever recorded inland in the county – a great find and just reward for local patch effort. 

As expected the first returning waterfowl appeared with Teal building up in numbers from just a handful of post breeding birds to 150+ by the 23^rd – a rather earlier appearance than in 2013. However, other wildfowl totals remained low, although work to lower the water levels and strim back the pool side vegetation at Wheldrake Ings paid off when several Water Rails showed well in front of the hide and out in the open for several days early in the month. The same management work also produced a single Spotted Crake (and possibly more for one group of lucky visitors) as well as two Kingfishers which performed in front of the hides during the month. 

Wader passage was poor throughout the majority of the month with just a maximum count of seven Green Sandpipers, three Greenshank and just single Wood and Common Sandpipers. However, a bit of movement during the last week saw a single flock of Ringed Plovers move through the site, more returning Golden Plover and 49 Common Snipe arrived high from the north in a single flock at Bank Island on the 27^th, when four Common Sandpipers also moved through Wheldrake Ings. 

The passage of passerines was much better with good numbers of common warblers moving through the site on an almost daily basis. A single Wheatear at Thorganby Ings on the 14^th, a couple of Redstarts and two Whinchats at Wheldrake Ings from the 23^rd suggested a greater movement towards the end of the month. Swifts departed en-masse early in the month with 1000+ south over Bank Island early on the 3^rd with just smaller numbers thereafter noted around the valley. 

On the bird of prey front there were the usual two or three Marsh Harriers around for most of the month although how many different passage birds were actually involved is unclear. Hobbies also appeared late in the month following a rather poor run of sightings throughout the rest of the summer whilst the increasing trend of Red Kite sightings continued. 

On the butterfly front, the highlight was the Clouded Yellow seen at Thorganby Ings on the 14^th (JR) – the first for three years but was quickly followed by another at Thornton Ellers on the 26^th. It wasn’t however a migrant month with just a single Painted Lady recorded, although a Common Blue at the base was also a noteworthy record as they are not all that common around the valley. The scabious meadow at Thornton Ellers continued to produce high counts of butterflies, dragonflies and a number of other inverts.

BIRDS: 

Mute Swan – Breeding birds were present throughout the site with several pairs and family parties caught and colour-ringed during the month. In addition, 13 birds summered and moulted in the valley. Several non-breeding birds started to return to the valley from moulting sites elsewhere with four flying over Elvington on the 24^th and five over Wheldrake Ings on the 31^st. 

Egyptian Goose – A single pair remained at East Cottingwith during the month with seven goslings. Singles were reported at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st, 24^th and 30^th.

Egyptian Geese - East Cottingwith - 20/08

Greylag Goose – Numbers increased to 250+ by the end of the month. 

Teal – A handful of local breeding birds lingered into the month both in the Lower Derwent Valley and on Skipwith Common NNR. Numbers then increased with 50 incoming wintering/passage birds arriving on the 19^th,  increasing further to 70 on the 20^th and 150+ by the 21^st. 100+ were present on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 28^th with 200+ there by the 30^th. 

Wigeon – The first returning bird was a single at Wheldrake Ings on the 28^th with three there by the 30^th. 

Gadwall – 50+ were still present at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with 40 there on the 5^th but smaller numbers thereafter. 

Shoveler – Monthly maxima of 14 on the 7^th with only small numbers thereafter. 

Garganey – A single eclipse plumage drake on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th. 

Tufted Duck – Three at Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th with a single there on the 14^th and two on the 22^nd. 

Tufted Duck - Aughton Ings - T.Weston

Coot – Up to 30 juveniles and 20 adults were present on the pool at Wheldrake Ings throughout the month. 

Water Rail – A good month with birds showing well in the first half following the lowering of water levels and clearance of the poolside vegetation. An adult and juvenile were present on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th with a single adult there on the 5^th. One or two showed daily in front of the hide with two adults and a juvenile there on the 9^th and two juveniles on the 10^th. Two birds were also heard calling in the reed bed by Swantail Hide on the 9^th – there were probably at least six birds present on the site but likely to be more. A single adult was picked up dead at Wheldrake (predated) on the 24^th. 

Spotted Crake – A single adult in full wing moult was present in front of Pool Hide on the 6^th (CSR). Three adults and a juvenile were reported earlier in the day but no further details. 

Little Grebe – A single at Wheldrake Ings from the 1^st to the 12^th. 

Grey Heron – Up to 10 daily at Wheldrake Ings with scattered singles elsewhere throughout the site – monthly maximum of 18 on the 15^th. 

Little Egret – Four were present from the 1^st to the 5^th with two remaining until the 10^th and a single thereafter until the 20^th. A single was at Hagg Bridge on the 25^th. The number of Little Egrets visiting the LDV continues to increase year on year as elsewhere in Yorkshire and following national trends. A single was taken into care for rehabilitation with Jean Thorpe during the month, a first for Jean but probably with more to follow if present trends continue.

Little Egret - NNR Base - 13/08

Red Kite – A single was present over Thorganby Ings on the 1^st and 2^nd with two at Wressle on the 3^rd and a single at Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th. A single at Bank Island on the 24^th. 

Sparrowhawk – Increasing numbers of records received during the month as broods started to spread out on the wing. 

Marsh Harrier – Up to two were birds present daily at Wheldrake Ings during the month with singles at North Duffield Carrs on the 14^th and Thornton Ellers on the 20^th. 

Hobby – A single at Thornton Ellers on the 20^th (FM, CSR) with another showing well there on the 26^th (LM, CSR) catching dragonflies. A single was at Wheldrake Ings on the 28^th and again on the 30^th. 

Distant Hobby catching dragonflies - Thornton - 26/08

Peregrine – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th and Bank Island on the 22^nd. 

Ringed Plover – Eight flew south with seven Snipe over Wheldrake Ings on the 25^th. 

Golden Plover – The first autumn birds involved a flock of 35 at Ellerton Ings on the 20^th with 25 back on arable fields by Raker Lakes on the 28^th. 

Whimbrel – Four at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th and nine south and high calling over Bank Island on the 23^rd. 

Redshank – A single remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st to the 13^th with two there on the 6^th and again on the 21^st. 

Greenshank – A single flew south over Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th, with two there on the 17^th/18^th, a single at Thornton Ellers on the 20^th and two there on 21^st. A single was at Wheldrake Ings on the 25^th, with singles at Thornton Ellers and Bank Island on the 26^th and then three at Wheldrake Ings on the 31^st. 

Dunlin – Two at Wheldrake Ings on the 31^st. 

Ruff – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 31^st. 

Common Snipe - 49 arrived high from the north-east into Bank Island on the 27^th with 23 at Wheldrake Ings on the 30^th. 

Wood Sandpiper – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th. 

Green Sandpiper – Five were present daily at Wheldrake Ings from the 1^st increasing to six on the 6^th and seven on the 8^th. Five remained thereafter until the 15^th with three thereafter to month end with an isolated peak of six on the 27^th. Two were at Melbourne Ings on the 11^th and three at Thornton Ellers on the 20^th. 

Green Sandpiper - Wheldrake Ings - 08/08

Common Sandpiper – Singles at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st and 8^th with four there on the 27^th. 

Common Tern – Present early in the month with daily sightings coming from Wheldrake Ings. Two adults and two juveniles settled there from the 10^th, being joined by a third adult on the 12^th, the two juveniles lingered until the 13^th. 

Little Owl - A single was perched on a telegraph pole near Hagg Bridge on the 23^th (NC). 

Turtle Dove – A single flew west over Wheldrake Ings on the 31^st (CSR, JR). 

Kingfisher – A family party of four remained around the Melbourne area of the Pocklington Canal during the month. One or two birds were seen daily and showed well in front of Pool Hide at Wheldrake Ings with three there on the 22^nd. Two calling along the river at Bank Island on the 19^th and a single at Thornton Ellers on the 26^th – a welcome return after several cold winters and summer flooding. 

Woodlark – Present during the month at Skipwith Common with three juveniles at Blackwood Corner on the 7^th. 

Grey Wagtail – A single pair with three young remained at the Bank Island Water Treatment Works throughout the month, with three juveniles at Church Bridge on the Pocklington Canal early in the month - presumed to be of local breeding origin. 

Yellow Wagtail – A movement noted late in the month with 12 south over Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th and 20+ south there on the 25^th when five also flew south over Bank Island. Five at Wheldrake Ings on the 28^th. 

Wheatear – A single female was on the floodbank at Thorganby Ings on the 14^th (CSR, JR) and a male at North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th. 

Wheatear - North Duffield - 25/08

Whinchat – A single immature at Wheldrake Ings was present on Swantail on the 23^rd (AW) with two there on the 24^th (CSR) when two were also present at North Duffield Carrs and a single near Hagg Bridge. Two then remained at Wheldrake Ings until the 30^th with one on the 31^st. 

Redstart – A single adult male at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th with one caught and ringed on Skipwith Common on the 15^th (DT) and another by the canal at Melbourne on the 22^nd (NC). 

Jay – Several remained on Skipwith during the month, although birds were as usual noted elsewhere as they started to disperse. Two at Thorganby Ings on the 11^th and two at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd. 

Blackcap - Following good numbers present throughout the site during the breeding season, large numbers moved through during the first week of the month - being presumed local breeders. A more modest passage was noted later in the month, these birds were presumably originating from a more northerly location.

Blackcap - Wheldrake Ings - 23/08

Lesser Whitethroat – A single still remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 25^th following a good passage during the month with two there on the 28^th. One at Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 30^th. 

Common Whitethroat - As with most Sylvia warblers a good month following a productive breeding season. Common throughout the month and recorded daily as local breeders and passage birds moved through the valley.

Spotted Flycatcher – Three in a mixed warbler flock on Skipwith Common on the 18^th and a single in a mixed tit flock at Melbourne on the 22^nd. One at Church Bridge Melbourne on the 30^th. 

Sedge Warbler - Large numbers of young birds were present throughout the month, particularly at Wheldrake Ings where 100+ were caught and ringed during august (MFJ), presumably a mix of local and passage birds.

Sedge Warbler - Wheldrake Ings - 23/08

Reed Warbler - Present throughout the month especially at Wheldrake Ings and along the Pocklington Canal where Common Reed is present. The majority of records involved juvenile birds with only a few late adults moving through the site after the first half of the month. 80+ birds were ringed at Wheldrake Ings during the month (MFJ).

Barred Warbler – A single was caught and ringed in the poolside willows at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd (MFJ) – the first reserve record. What may have been the same bird was seen in a mixed warbler flock at Melbourne on the 22^nd (NC). 

 Barred Warbler - Wheldrake - 23/08

Willow Tit – One or two were reported regularly from Wheldrake Ings during the month with four there on the 28^th. Reported from Melbourne on the 1^st and 17^th. 

Marsh Tit – A single on the feeders at Bank Island on the 26^th. 

Tree Sparrow – A flock of 50+ were present at South Duffield on the 15^th whilst numbers at the Bank Island feeding station built up to 30+ by month end.


MAMMALS: 

Roe Deer – A single on Skipwith Common on the 2^nd and one on Wheldrake Ings on the 28^th. 

Brown Hare – Two at Thornton Ellers on the 7^th and one on Skipwith Common. Two at Thorganby on the 18^th and five at Thornton Ellers on the 26^th. 

Red Fox – One on the main track at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th. 

Mole – One at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th – one of very few daytime sightings.


REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS: 

Common Lizard – Present throughout the month across the heath and around the bomb bay loop on warm sunny days – however far less sightings than in July. 

Grass Snake – A single was seen on the 7^th and 18^th on Skipwith Common. 

Adder – A single was seen on Skipwith Common near the bomb bay loop on the 16^th. 

Common Frog – Recorded at Thornton Ellers, Bank Island and Skipwith Common, present in double figures in areas where the meadows had been cut. 

Common Frog - Thornton Ellers - 07/08

Common Toad – Recorded at Thornton Ellers and Bank Island on a number of days throughout the month.


BUTTERFLIES: 

Small Copper – Just a handful of records for the month, with a single in the NNR Base Garden on the 3^rd, Thornton Ellers on the 7^th and one in the NNR Base Garden on the 14^th. A high count of 10 followed on the 20^th in the scabious meadow at Thornton Ellers with two there on the 26^th. 

Small Copper - NNR Base Garden - 08/08

Comma – Recorded throughout the first two weeks of the month, with the majority of records coming from the NNR Base Garden, with a maximum of three there together on the 4^th. A high count of seven was had on Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd. The last records for the month came on the 14^th with two in the NNR Base Garden and two at Bank Island (all seen during the butterfly transect). 

Peacock – The most recorded butterfly throughout the month with a total of 163 records, with the majority coming during the first seven days. The third week of the month then brought a flurry of records with high counts coming from the scabious meadow at Thornton Ellers – 40 were there on the 20^th and 18 on the 26^th. 

Peacock - Skipwith Common - 18/08

Small Tortoiseshell – Tied with Speckled Wood for the second most recorded butterfly throughout the month, with a total of 80 records. Seen almost daily in the NNR Base Garden – apart from the run of colder, damp weather days. The highest count came on the 7^th when 12 were counted on the lavender, towards the end of the month numbers in the garden were down to five on the 31^st. 

Red Admiral – Records continued from the beginning of the month, with singles in the NNR Base Garden and Thornton Ellers. By the third week of the month (20^th and 24^th) we had four individuals feeding on the last few remaining buddleia flowers in the garden. The odd single was also seen on Skipwith Common on warm sunny days and one individual remained in the NNR Base Garden until the 31^st. 

Red Admiral - Thornton Ellers - 26/08

Green-veined White – After last month’s extremely high total (770), numbers (as expected) were much lower throughout august. Recorded occasionally across a number of sites – Skipwith Common, Bank Island, Wheldrake Ings and the NNR Base Garden, with a total of 32 for the month. 

Small White – Similar to above, Small Whites were recorded occasionally throughout the month, with a day count no higher than 7 (on the 3^rd). A total of 36 were recorded during the month. 

Large White – A quiet month for the species with no records until the middle of the month when a single was seen on Skipwith Common on the 12^th, the NNR Base Garden on the 13^th and 14^th, on the same date two were also seen at Bank Island. The last record for the month (and year possibly) came on the 19^th with a single on Skipwith Common. 

Clouded Yellow – The first for the year was a single at Thorganby on the 14^th, followed by another at Thornton Ellers on the 26^th. 

Brimstone – A single flew past the main track along Skipwith Common on the 26^th. 

Common Blue – A very worn female was seen in the NNR Base Garden on the 14^th, one of very few records this year. 

Common Blue - NNR Base Garden - 14/08

Gatekeeper – Present during the first few days of the month with a number of records coming from the NNR Base Garden, Skipwith Common and Bank Island. On the 5^th (three) and 7^th (six) were recorded. Only two other records were then had with a single on Skipwith Common on the 7^th and a single at North Duffield Carrs on the 12^th. 

Meadow Brown – Recorded in the valley throughout the beginning of the month, with records coming from the NNR Base Garden, Bank Island and Thornton Ellers, with a high count there of 14 on the 5^th. Five were then present in the meadow there on the 7^th, with singles then at North Duffield Carrs on the 13^th and the last records for the year the following day with a single in the NNR Base Garden and Bank Island. 

Wall Brown – Just a single record on the 5^th with one at Thornton Ellers. 

Speckled Wood – Coming joint second with Small Tortoiseshell, 80 were recorded throughout the month (behind Peacock in first place with 163 records). Skipwith Common produced the most records for this species, with a high count of 17 coming on the 19^th from around the bomb bay loop. Thornton Ellers also produced good counts from the hedgerow and woodland edge, and towards the end of the month on the 28^th seven were recorded on the butterfly transect around Bank Island. 

Speckled Wood - Skipwith Common - 18/08

Small Skipper – A handful of records during the first week of the month, with singles in the NNR Base Garden on the 3^rd and 4^th, followed by two in the scabious meadow at Thornton Ellers on the 5^th. On the 7^th the last records of the year came when two were seen in the meadow at Thornton Ellers and a single at Wheldrake Ings.


MOTHS: 

Not a great month for moths as the weather (unpredictable rain storms) put paid to many potential evenings trapping. Sallow Kittens continued to be more numerous than in previous years early in the month and a run of Gold-spots continued from the NNR Base Garden at Bank Island. Several Copper Underwings were found on Skipwith Common NNR in the leaflet boxes on the 12^th whilst trapping late in the month produced a new species for the year in the form of the Sallow.

Sallow Kitten - NNR Base - 07/08

DRAGONFLIES: 

Southern Hawker – Present on the wing throughout the month, with the first record on the 2^nd at the Escrick Duck Decoy. Not recorded then until the 12^th when several individuals were seen at North Duffield Carrs. Skipwith Common and Thornton Ellers also produced a number of records, and fantastic close views early one morning on the 26^th. 

Southern Hawker - Thornton Ellers - 26/08

Common Hawker – Not as common as the name may suggest, with only three records throughout the month – a single at Melbourne/Thornton Ings on the 4^th, eight around Blackwood Corner (SC) on the 7^th and nine at Thornton Ellers on the 20^th. 

Brown Hawker – The most recorded dragonfly species throughout the month with 63 records, coming mainly from North Duffield Carrs, Thornton Ellers and Skipwith Common. Thornton Ellers produced the highest counts with nine there on the 5^th, eight on the 20^th and six on the 26^th. 

Migrant Hawker – The first record for the year came on the 20^th when one was seen on the 14^th in the NNR Base Garden. Three other records were then had throughout the remainder of the month including three at Thornton Ellers on the 20^th and two on the 26^th. 

Migrant Hawker - Thornton Ellers - 26/08

Emperor – Just a single record throughout the month with one individual at North Duffield Carrs on the 4^th. 

Black Darter – Present throughout the month with the first record coming from Skipwith Common on the 4^th with a mating pair seen, and the last record for the month again coming from the Common on the 26^th when at least six were recorded. 

Black Darter - Skipwith Common - 18/08

Common Darter – Fewer records than the similar Ruddy Darter above, singles were seen occasionally throughout the month, with the highest count being that of seven individuals at Thornton Ellers on the 26^th. 

Ruddy Darter – The most recorded of the darter species throughout august, with a total of 46 records collected, with the majority coming from North Duffield Carrs and Skipwith Common. Skipwith produced the highest counts with twelve on the 18^th and seven on the 26^th, pairs were also seen here egg-laying. 

Ruddy Darter - Skipwith Common - 18/08

Banded Demoiselle – Just two records coming early in the month on the 5^th, a single female at Thornton Ellers and five males by the Pocklington Canal, Church Bridge on the same date. 

Emerald – The second most recorded species throughout august, with Skipwith Common producing high counts – 19 on the 4^th, 20 on the 18^th and 10 on the 26^th – all by the small pool at the end of the boardwalk adjacent to the bomb bay loop. 

Common Blue Damselfly – Just a single record for the month with one at the Top Pond at North Duffield Carrs on the 13^th. 

Azure Damselfly – On the 13^th three were seen at the Top Pond at North Duffield Carrs. 

Blue-tailed Damselfly – Just two records for the month – two were in the meadow at Thornton Ellers on the 7^th, and two at North Duffield Carrs on the 13^th.


OTHER INVERTS: 

Throughout august a number of new invertebrate species were added to the ‘PAN’, including six species of ladybird and five species of shield bug. A number of new hoverflies, digger wasps, froghoppers, wasp mimics, tachinid flies and grasshoppers also made the list, with a total of 32 new species added. A few highlights are listed below: 

Harlequin Ladybird (forms succinea & spectabilis), Kidney-spot Ladybird Chilocorus renipustulatus, Cream-spot Ladybird Calvia quatuordecimguttata, Wasp mimic Chrystotoxum bicinctum, Sloe/Hairy Shield Bug Dolycoris baccarum, Gorse Shield Bug Piezodorus lituratus, & Birch Shield Bug Elasmostethus interstinctus, Tree Damsel Bug Himacerus apterus, Devil’s Coach-horse Ocypus olens, Tachinid Fly Tachina fera, Red-breasted Carrion Beetle Oieceoptoma thoracicum.

 Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis spectabilis - Wheldrake - 05/08

 Kidney Spot Ladybird Chilocorus renipustulatus - Skipwith - 18/08

 Wasp mimic Chrystotoxum bicinctum - Skipwith - 18/08

 Birch Shield Bug Elasmostethus interstinctus - Skipwith - 18/08

 Gorse Shield Bug Piezodorus lituratus - Skipwith - 18/08

 Tachinid Fly Tachina fera - Skipwith Common - 18/08

Cream Spot Ladybird Calvia quatuordecimgutta - Skipwith - 18/08

NOTABLE PLANTS: 

Throughout august we continued to look for new species whilst out on site and added a total of 96 new species to the ‘PAN’ including sixty wildflowers, thirty grasses/sedges/rushes/mosses and six trees, such as: 

Corn Spurrey Spergula arvensis, Creeping Soft Grass Holcus mollis, Enchanter’s Nightshade Ciraea lutetiana, Equal-leaved Knotgrass Polygonum areanstrum, False Fox-sedge, Fen Bedstraw Galium uliginosum, Greater Bird’s-foot Trefoil Lotus uliginosus, Hairy Tare Vicia hircuta, Harebell Campanula rotundifolia, Lesser Water-parsnip Berula erecta, Marsh Gentian Gentiana pneumonanthe, Slender Tufted Sedge Carex acuta, Sticky Mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum, Velvet Bent Agrostis canina and Yellow Pimpernel Lysimachia nemorum.

 False-fox Sedge Carex otrubae - Bank Island - 07/08

Marsh Gentian Gentiana pneumonanthe - Skipwith - 31/08