Lower Derwent Valley NNR Sightings - September 2015
September can be an exciting time in the valley as outgoing summer visitors, incoming
winter visitors and large scale migrations/movements produce an exciting mix. Highlights
of the month came in the form of a Pied Flycatcher at North Duffield on
the 1st and a Wood Warbler at Wheldrake Ings on the 3rd,
although arguably more scarcer was a continental Great Spotted Woodpecker
of the race D. m. major, caught and
ringed at Wheldrake on the 9th (MFJ). Warblers continued to move
through the site during the month whilst the usual Meadow Pipit passage started
on the 7th, followed by a Tree Pipit over North Duffield
village on the 10th. Yellow Wagtails continued to head south
over the valley whilst Whinchats showed well with 19 birds logged during
the month. Other highlights of passage included a few roaming Mistle Thrush and
Jays, whilst record breaking movements of both Siskin and Lesser Redpoll were
logged throughout the country and the LDV. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
at Bank Island on the 9th and a Short-eared Owl at Wheldrake
Ings on the 15th were also notable records.
Returning waterfowl were also a feature of the month
with Teal increasing to a respectable 600 and Greylag Geese to 800. The first
returning Wigeon included seven on the 9th and 40 on the 19th
whilst 176 Pink-footed Geese passed south over the valley in two skeins
on the 20th. Wader passage continued with scattered Common
Sandpipers, Green Sandpipers and Greenshank. A Curlew
Sandpiper on a muck heap near Thornton on the 24th-25th
was the pick of the bunch. Snipe numbers increased with 120+ at Wheldrake Ings
on the 15th with the first returning Jack Snipe at North
Duffield Carrs on the 27th.
Away from the bird interest reptiles continued to
show well at Skipwith Common NNR, a young Adder (first for the year)
was found on the 17th confirming successful breeding, whilst Grass
Snake sightings increased as they began to return to the hibernacula.
Butterflies continued to show well with rather late records of Common Blue,
Small Skipper and Small Copper all relating to heavily worn
individuals. Fresh Wall Browns were present at the favoured site of
Thornton Ellers on the 2nd and 7th (presumably second
generation) whilst records of Painted Lady and Red Admiral
continued throughout the month. A record number of Spiked Shield Bugs
were noted around the reserve along with good numbers of Green and Gorse also
recorded. Lower numbers of Bronze and Hairy were also noted but Red-legged and
Birch were notable only by their absence. Large numbers of Kidney-spot
Ladybirds were also noted on willows around the valley.
As always many thanks to the local birders, the YOC and all the visitors who have either left records in the hide log books or e-mailed us directly.
BIRDS:
Mute Swan
– Several family parties were present throughout the
month, including the six cygnets at Wheldrake Ings which were caught and colour-ringed
on the 8th. Returning non-breeding and post-moulting birds
included two at Bank Island on the 20th increasing to five on
the 23rd.
Mute Swan cyngets - Wheldrake - 08/09
Greylag
Goose – Numbers had increased to 500 at Wheldrake Ings on
the 20th when 300 were also present on Skipwith Common, and
240 were at Elvington Water Treatments Works – c1040 were present throughout
the whole site.
Pink-footed
Goose – The first of the autumn were a skein of 56 that flew
high south-west over Bank Island on the 20th, followed later
in the day by 120 south over North Duffield Carrs. 362 headed south east over
the valley on the 26th in four separate skeins.
Egyptian
Goose – A single returned to Wheldrake Ings on the 10th
with increasing numbers of Greylags.
Shelduck – A single was present at
Wheldrake Ings on the 16th.
Wigeon – Three on the 1st increased with seven
returning birds on the 9th. A flock of 40 arrived high from the
north-east at Wheldrake Ings on the 19th
with 15 there on the 22nd.
37 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 27th
when 13 were present at Bank Island and 15 at North Duffield Carrs, a total
of 65 throughout the site.
Teal – 150 were present on the 1st with numbers increasing
to 230 by the 11th and
350+ by the 13th. Numbers
then increased further to 440 by the 16th
and 500 by the 20th. 600+
were present between Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings on the 22nd with 650+ present on the 27th. Up to 250 frequented Skipwith Common during the
month, no doubt moving between there and the LDV.
Teal - Bank Island - 28/09
Pintail – A single drake on the 5th was the first returning
bird with another single present there on the 19th and 20th.
Mallard –
500 at Wheldrake Ings on the 16th
was the largest count, with smaller numbers scattered throughout the site –
c800+ were present throughout the whole site during the month.
Gadwall – 11 present
at Wheldrake Ings on the 27th was the largest count during
the month.
Shoveler – Up
to four were present on several dates during the month.
Grey Heron – 14
were at Wheldrake Ings on the 2nd whilst four were logged
near Thornton Ellers – smaller numbers were noted thereafter.
Little
Egret – A single was seen at Wheldrake Ings on the 2nd
whilst a single flew over North Duffield Carrs on the 10th.
Little Grebe – Three
juveniles remained at North Duffield Carrs from the 1st to
7th, with two remaining until the 20th when a
single was also present at both Wheldrake Ings and Bank Island. Five were then noted
at North Duffield Carrs on the 21st to month end.
Little Grebe - North Duffield Carrs - 27/09
Red Kite – A
single flew over Bank Island on the 1st followed by one over
Wheldrake Ings on the 24th and 26th.
Goshawk – A
single juvenile was present near Skipwith Common from the 14th
to month end.
Marsh
Harrier – A
single was seen at Melbourne on 5th
followed by an adult male at Wheldrake Ings on the 9th and a juvenile cream crown there on the 10th. An adult male was then
present at Thornton Ellers on the 15th,
with presumably the same wandering individual at North Duffield Carrs on the 21st to month
end. A second summer male was also present there on the 27th – at least four different birds involved in this
series of records.
Osprey – A single flew south over
Elvington on the 16th –
the first record of the autumn so far.
Buzzard – Birds were regularly present
throughout the area as family parties showed well – a total of nine were in the
air in the Wheldrake/Bank Island area on 10th.
Peregrine – A single was seen at Wheldrake
Ings on the 9th and 10th.
Hobby – Three were present at Wheldrake
Ings on 1st followed by two
there on the 2nd and 3rd, whilst two were also present
over North Duffield village. A single was hunting over Bank Island on the 5th and 6th with another over Melbourne village on the later
date. A single was seen chasing swallows at Wheldrake Ings on the 9th followed by three there
on the 10th along with a
single at Bank Island. A single was at Wheldrake on the 11th with sightings again there on the 17th and 26th.
Water Rail – A single was at Wheldrake Ings
on the 20th with three
showing on the ditch behind pool hide following the lowering of water levels
prior to the ditching programme on the 22nd.
A single was near the reed bed at Church Bridge Melbourne on the 25th.
Golden Plover – A single flew over Skipwith
Common calling on the 17th
whilst 35 were near Raker Lakes on the 21st.
11 flew over Wheldrake Ings on the 27th
followed by two over Aughton Ings on the same day.
Ringed Plover – Two were at Wheldrake Ings on
the 11th.
Lapwing – 250 were present at Wheldrake
Ings on the 10th with 480
at North Duffield Ings on the 25th
being the largest counts. Smaller parties, possibly on passage moved through
the site during the month.
Common Snipe – 20+ were still present at Wheldrake
Ings on the 10th,
followed by 120+ near the scrape at Swantail Ings, Wheldrake on the 15th, along with 22 at North
Duffield Carrs on the 25th
and 17 at Aughton Ings on the 27th.
Jack Snipe – The first returning bird was
flushed during management work at the top pond at North Duffield Carrs on the 27th (CSR).
Dunlin – A single at Wheldrake Ings
remained from the 1st to 4th with another on the 11th.
Curlew Sandpiper – A single spent two days on a
muck heap and pools near Thornton Ellers on the 24th and 25th.
Curlew – Five flew south over Wheldrake
Ings on the 9th followed
by a single north later in the day.
Redshank – A single immature was noted at
Wheldrake Ings on the 11th.
Greenshank – A single flew high over North
Duffield Carrs on the 7th
with another at Wheldrake Ings on the 10th
– 13th. A single was also present there on the 22nd.
Green Sandpiper – Six were present at Wheldrake
Ings on the 1st with five
there on the 2nd and 3rd and again on the 10th. Four were present on
the 13th followed by six
on the 15th and five
until the 22nd. Three remained
until month end.
Common Sandpiper – Two were present on the 1st whilst a single remained
until the 4th. Another
single was present again on the 10th-
13th and again on the 15th.
Common Tern – A single adult was seen at
Wheldrake Ings for 20 mins on the 8th
before flying off high to the south.
Green Woodpecker – Still present throughout the
month on Skipwith Common.
Great Spotted Woodpecker – A single juvenile female was
caught and ringed at Wheldrake Ings on the 3rd
(MFJ, SJH), which was thought to be of the continental race D.m.major, due to the biometrics ruling
out the British race. Two of our usual looking British birds were also caught
there on the 6th and 18th (MFJ). Birds were seen
with increasing frequency throughout the month with regular birds coming to the
feeders at Bank Island.
Barn Owl – The number of sightings
increased during the month with three at Wheldrake Ings at dusk on the 15th and two there on the 27th.
Short-eared Owl – A single was hunting in the meadow
in front of Tower Hide, Wheldrake Ings towards dusk on the 15th (CSR, MFJ).
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker – A single at Bank Island on the
9th (CSR).
Woodlark – A single juvenile was present
on ‘adder heath’ at Skipwith Common on the 10th
with two juveniles (presumed second broods) there on the 17th. Away from the Common a single immature was flushed
several times during management operations at Bank Island on the 14th.
Skylark – Small numbers started moving
from the 17th with 36
south over Wheldrake Ings. Small numbers moved south daily thereafter.
Meadow Pipit – Six flew south over North
Duffield Carrs on the 7th
– the first movement of the autumn, followed by three south over Thornton Ellers
on the 8th. A larger
movement of c500 birds passed over the valley on the 13th when large numbers were also noted moving elsewhere
in the county. 250+ went south over Wheldrake on the 14th with 300+ on the 17th, 200 on the 18th
and 300+ on the 19th.
Tree Pipit – One flew south over North
Duffield village on the 10th (AW).
Yellow Wagtail – Five flew south over Wheldrake
early in the morning of the 7th
followed by 14 over North Duffield Carrs throughout the day. Two headed south
over Wheldrake Ings on 10th,
followed by four there on 14th
and three on the 15th. Five
flew over Thornton Ellers on the 17th
and three went south over Bank Island on the 26th.
Grey Wagtail – Three were seen near Melbourne
Ings on the 9th followed
by one at Bank Island on the 14th
and three there on the 17th
to month end. A single was at Melbourne on the 25th.
Kingfisher – Three were present at Thornton
Ellers on the 5th with up
to two daily at Wheldrake Ings during the first half of the month. Three were
present again there on the 20th
when a single was also present at Bank Island. One was also reported from
nearby Skipwith Common on the 20th
– a more unusual location for the species and presumably a dispersing immature.
Three were noted at Wheldrake Ings on the 22nd
with one on the River Derwent by the Bailey Bridge there on the 23rd.
Swift – A single was noted at
Wheldrake Ings on the 10th.
Swallow – Up to 500 were present at
Wheldrake Ings on the 14th
with 150+ at Bank Island on the same date. Small numbers continued to pass
through the valley thereafter to month end.
Whinchat – Three were noted at Wheldrake
Ings on the 1st followed
by a single on a roadside hedge near Sutton on Derwent on the 2nd. Five were then present
at Wheldrake Ings on the 10th
with two remaining on the 11th-14th
– another single was also present at Bank Island on the 14th and 15th.
Stonechat – A single was present at
Wheldrake Ings on the 11th-14th.
Mistle Thrush – Two flew west over Wheldrake
Ings on the 15th followed
by three there on the 18th
and two at Skipwith Common on the 23rd.
Jay – Four were present on Skipwith
Common on the 17th when
two were also seen near Thorganby Ings. Three were present at Wheldrake Ings at
dusk on the 27th.
Spotted Flycatcher – Up to five were present in mix
warbler and tit flocks at Skipwith Common during the first week of the month. A
single was later present with a mixed warbler and tit flock between Bank Island
and Wheldrake Ings on the 13th.
Pied Flycatcher – A single was seen near North Duffield
village on the 1st (AW).
Wood Warbler – A single was seen by the wind pump
at Wheldrake Ings on the 3rd
(CSR, MFJ, SJH).
Sedge Warbler – Numbers continued to pass
through the valley during the month with five at Wheldrake Ings on the 7th whilst a single was
still present at North Duffield Carrs. Three were caught and ringed at
Wheldrake on 13th (MFJ),
followed by a single there on the 17th
and 18th and two on the 19th. A single was caught
and ringed there on the 22nd
(MFJ), with two then seen at Melbourne on the 25th followed by a single at Bank Island on the 27th.
Sedge Warbler - Wheldrake Ings - 22/09
Reed Warbler – Small numbers continued to
pass through the valley early in the month with two at Wheldrake Ings on the 11th and one on the 14th. Three were then caught
and ringed on the 19th (MFJ)
with two seen there on the 20th.
Lesser Whitethroat – A single was caught and ringed
at Wheldrake Ings on the 3rd (MFJ), followed by two there on the 7th and four on the 9th. A single was also
present there on the 10th
followed by two on the 11th
and rather late individuals near Melbourne on the 19th and Thornton Ellers on the 25th.
Common Whitethroat – A single was seen at Wheldrake
Ings on the 20th and four
juveniles (a late brood) were present near Church Bridge Melbourne on the 24th and 26th.
Garden Warbler – A single rather late bird was caught
and ringed at Wheldrake Ings on the 7th
(MFJ).
Blackcap – A small movement was noted at
Wheldrake Ings on the 8th,
eight were noted whilst on the same day four were also present at Thornton
Ellers. Three were present again at Thornton Ellers on the 17th followed by two there on 18th. Four were seen at Bank Island on the 25th and 26th.
Nuthatch – At least two calling birds
were present at Thornton Ellers on the 8th
with one there on the 17th.
Willow Tit – Two were at the Bank Island
feeders on the 18th whilst
four were at Wheldrake Ings on the 20th
along with four by Church Bridge Melbourne on the 24th.
Marsh Tit – Two were seen in the Wheldrake
Ings car park lane on the 25th.
Chaffinch – 120 were present in a post
breeding flock near Sutton on Derwent on the 26th.
Siskin – Up to 20 were present at
Thornton Ellers on the 5th with
four over Wheldrake Ings on the 6th,
a single at North Duffield Carrs on the 7th
continued the recent run of noticeable passage. Six were at Wheldrake Ings on
the 10th with 30 south
there on the 17th and
three at Bank Island on the 20th.
c50 were noted at the Escrick Duck decoy on the 22nd.
Lesser Redpoll – 10 were present in poolside
willows at Wheldrake Ings on the 9th
and 10th followed by two there
on the 11th and 13th. 20+ were present at
Wheldrake Ings on the 15th
with two caught and ringed there on 19th
and 30+ there on 20th
(MFJ). 39 were caught and ringed at this site on the 22nd with a single ringed at Bank Island on the 26th.
Lesser Redpoll - Wheldrake Ings - 22/09
Linnet – A flock of 30 were present at
Bank Island on the 10th.
Goldfinch – Up to 30 were present at
feeders at the NNR base garden at Bank Island from the 5th, with c120 at North Duffield Carrs on the 6th. 62 birds were caught
and ringed at the Bank Island feeders on the 26th/27th (CSR), including 55 juveniles.
Reed Bunting – The usual autumn passage was
noted to be building up through the valley from the 11th.
MAMMALS:
Brown Hare – Six at
Thornton Ellers on the 2nd followed by seven on the 5th
and three at Wheldrake Ings on the 7th. Five at Thornton
Ellers on the 8th, followed by two at Bank Island on the 14th.
16 at Thornton Ellers on the 15th and two on the 17th.
Hedgehog
– A single immature at Thorganby on the 10th.
Stoat – A
single at Thorganby Ings on the 18th.
Roe Deer – Two
at Thornton Ellers on the 8th followed by four at Wheldrake
Ings on the 15th, on the same date two were also present at
Bank Island.
Fallow
Deer – Up to six were reported at Skipwith Common on the
23rd, 25th and 26th.
Otter – Three
juveniles were present in the Pocklington Canal by Melbourne Arm on the morning
of the 24th – always a welcome sight! (NC).
Bank Vole – One
at Thornton Ellers on the 28th.
AMPHIBIANS/REPTILES:
Common
Lizard – Two were present on Skipwith Common on the 10th
followed by three there on the 19th and one on the
23rd. A single was seen in an unusual place on the
28th - four foot off the ground in a gorse bush!
Common Lizard - Skipwith Common - 10/09
Grass
Snake – A single adult was seen on the heath on the 17th
with another there on the 22nd and 23rd.
Adder – A
single was seen crossing the road near Skipwith village on the 10th,
followed by one of this year’s young on the Common on the
17th. Two different individuals were present there on the
28th.
Adder - Skipwith Common - 17/09
BUTTERFLIES:
Painted
Lady – Eight were present on the Devil’s-bit Scabious at
Thornton Ellers on the 2nd, followed by a single at Wheldrake
Ings and Thornton Ellers on the 3rd. One was present in the NNR
base garden at Bank Island on the 10th with another by the
hides at Bank Island on the 22nd.
Red
Admiral – 11 at Thornton Ellers on the 2nd
were followed by three there on the 3rd and five on the 11th.
One was in the NNR base garden on 11th. Two were recorded
at Skipwith Common on the 17th along with one at Thornton
Ellers on the same date. Three at Wheldrake Ings on the 18th
followed by two there on the 22nd and a single on the 23rd.
Two at Bank Island on the 26th.
Red Admiral - Thornton Ellers - 02/09
Small
Tortoiseshell – 17 at Thornton Ellers on the 2nd
followed by four on the 17th. 11 at North Duffield Carrs on
the 18th followed by 18 at Thornton Ellers on the 19th.
Peacock – 26
at Thornton Ellers on the 2nd followed by two at Skipwith
Common on the 10th. A single at Thornton Ellers on the 17th
with two there on the 19th, on the same date three were also present
at Skipwith Common. The last of the month was recorded on the Common on the 28th.
Comma – Two
at Thornton Ellers on the 2nd along with one there on the 17th
and 19th. A single was present at the NNR base garden on the 20th.
One in the Wheldrake Ings car park area on the 23rd and two
at Bank Island on the 26th.
Comma - Thornton Ellers - 02/09
Small
Copper – Four were present at Thornton Ellers on the 2nd
with a rather worn individual seen at Skipwith Common on the 22nd.
Brimstone
– A single male and female were present on Skipwith
Common on the 19th.
Small
White – Three were noted at Thornton Ellers on the 2nd,
followed by four there on the 17th.
Green-veined
White – A single at Skipwith Common on the 19th.
Common
Blue – A single rather worn individual was seen at
Thornton Ellers on the 19th, presumably the last of the year.
Speckled
Wood – Four at Thornton Ellers on the 2nd
followed by two on the 8th. Seven were present on the Common
on the 10th, with 14 noted there on the 17th,
on the same day 12 were also present at Thornton Ellers. Seven were recorded at
both Skipwith Common and Thornton Ellers on the 19th. Five
were seen at Wheldrake Ings on the 22nd, on the same date
five were also noted on the Common. Seven were on Skipwith Common on the 23rd
followed by seven at Thornton Ellers on the 28th.
Speckled Wood - Thornton Ellers - 02/09
Wall
Brown – A single at Thornton Ellers on the 2nd
and 7th.
Meadow Brown – Two
rather worn individuals were still on the wing at Thornton Ellers on the 2nd.
Gatekeeper
- Two at Thornton Ellers on the 2nd.
Small
Skipper – Two late individuals were still present at
Thornton Ellers on the 2nd.
DRAGONFLIES:
Emerald –
20+ were noted at Skipwith Common on the 10th
and 17th.
Common
Darter – 25 at Skipwith Common on the 10th,
followed by 10 there on the 17th. Five were still on the wing
at Skipwith Common on the 19th. Six at Bank Island on the 22nd,
followed by five at Skipwith Common on the 23rd and one at
Thornton Ellers on the 28th.
Black
Darter – A single at North Duffield Carrs on the 7th
with five at Skipwith Common on the 10th.
Ruddy
Darter – Two at Skipwith Common on the 10th
followed by three there on the 17th.
Southern
Hawker – One at Thornton Ellers on the 2nd
and 8th. One at Skipwith Common on the 10th,
followed by four at the Ellers on the 17th and one at
Skipwith on the 19th.
Southern Hawker - Thornton Ellers - 17/09
Common
Hawker – A single at Skipwith Common on the 17th.
Migrant Hawker – Four
were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 8th.
Brown Hawker
– Three were still on the wing at North Duffield
Carrs on the 7th with two at Melbourne on the 27th.
MOTHS:
The list recorded during the month started to take
on a more autumnal feel with the aptly named Autumnal Rustic, Lunar Underwing,
Red Underwing, Feathered Thorn, Beaded Chestnut, and Rosy Rustic all being
caught.
OTHER
INVERTS:
2-spot Ladybird
– One at Skipwith Common on the 19th.
14-spot
Ladybird – A single at Skipwith Common on the 10th.
22-spot
Ladybird – One at Thornton Ellers on the 19th.
Harlequin
Ladybird (H.a.succinea)
– Five at Skipwith Common on the 17th, followed by one at
Thornton Ellers on the 17th. On the 19th,
five were noted at Thornton Ellers along with five on the Common, followed by a
single there on the 22nd.
Kidney-spot
Ladybird – Up to 30+ were present on willows at North
Duffield Carrs on the 7th, with six then seen at
Skipwith Common on the 10th. 50+ were noted on the willows at
Wheldrake on the 20th.
Four-banded
Longhorn Beetle – A rather late individual was recorded on Skipwith
on the 28th.
Gorse
Shield Bug – Present throughout the month, with eight adults at
Thornton Ellers on the 2nd, plus five nymphs, followed by one
nymph and 34 adults at Skipwith on the 10th. On the 17th
52 adults and five nymphs were seen on Skipwith followed by 13 nymphs and 41 adults
on the 19th. The last of the month were a group of six
individuals seen at Thornton Ellers on the 28th.
Gorse Shield Bug nymph - Skipwith Common - 17/09
Spiked Shield
Bug – A single was found on the Common on the 17th,
followed by two at Thornton Ellers on the 17th.
A mating pair were recorded on the Common on the 19th,
followed by six on the 22nd and a single on the 23rd.
Hawthorn Shield
Bug – A single and the first for the year was found in the
form of a nymph on the 22nd at Bank Island.
Green
Shield Bug – Two nymphs and one adult were recorded on Skipwith
on the 10th, followed by 3 adults and 1 nymph on the 17th,
on the same date two nymphs were seen at Thornton Ellers. Skipwith continued to
produce the records with 11 ad 1 nymph on the 19th, three adults
on the 22nd, two adults 1 nymph on the 23rd
and five adults on the 28th. The record for the month came on
the 28th when five nymphs were seen at Thornton Ellers.
Green Shield Bug adult - Skipwith Common - 17/09
Bronze
Shield Bug – A good month for this species, with the first adults
of the year recorded. On the 10th three nymphs were seen on
Skipwith Common, followed by another three on the 17th, and four
on the 19th along with one adult. On the 22nd
another adult was noted and three nymphs, an adult and four nymphs were present
the next day on the 23rd. The last record for the month came
on the 28th when a single adult and nymph were recorded on
the Common.
Hairy
Shield Bug – The first for the year was found on Skipwith on the 19th
followed by another on the 28th.
Four-spotted
Orb Weaver – A single at Skipwith Common on the 17th.
Marbled
Orb Weaver – The first for the year was noted on Skipwith on
the 28th, on the same date a single was also found at
Thornton Ellers – new species for the site.
Marbled Orb Weaver - Skipwith Common - 28/09
Hornet –
Three were at Skipwith Common on the 10th with two at
Wheldrake Ings on the 11th and 14th. Four
were seen at Thornton Ellers on the 17th and 19th.
Two were at North Duffield Carrs on the 21st
followed by one in Wheldrake Ings car park on the 23rd, and
one at Thornton Ellers on the 28th – a species which is definitely
becoming increasingly numerous and widespread.
FUNGI:
Throughout the month new species were noted as the
year progressed further into the autumn, with species such as: Brown Birch Bolete,
Tawny Grisette, Birch Milkcap, Common Puffball, Orange Cup, Fly Agaric and
Sulphur Tuft all noted.
Tawny Grisette - Skipwith Common - 19/09
Fly Agaric - Skipwith Common - 22/09
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