Welcome to the LDV NNR ringing blog, this blog is designed to share the experiences, findings and tales from a group of dedicated ringers. We specialise in conservation orientated research projects, largely focusing on wildfowl, waders, owls and birds of conservation concern, in and around the Vale of York NNR's.

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Jan

Lower Derwent Valley NNR Sightings - January 2015

An interesting month with several ‘hard to connect with’ species seen getting the years totals off to a flying start. At least one Bewick’s Swan continued to winter in the valley amongst the Whooper Swan herd which numbered up to 112 at North Duffield Carrs. Other ‘goodies’ included a long staying juvenile Hen Harrier in the Skipwith Common/North Duffield area during the month, a Kittiwake at Wheldrake Ings on the 12th, four Tundra Bean Geese at North Duffield Carrs on the 13th and a Rough-legged Buzzard over Duffield on the 14th. A Short-eared Owl was also seen there on the 17th, on which date a Raven flew west over Skipwith Common, while a drake Green-winged Teal at North Duffield Carrs on the 24th-25th was a great find in the vast flocks of Eurasian Teal.



With only limited flooding in the valley during the month, most interest was concentrated to Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs where water can be retained and levels manipulated. Up to 156+ Shelduck at North Duffield Carrs represented a good January count whilst 14 Egyptian Geese at East Cottingwith reflected the recent colonisation of the valley and upwards trend. It was a good month for local gull enthusiasts with a Kumlien’s Gull on the 3rd, along with one or two Caspian Gulls and various Iceland and Glaucous Gulls all present at the Wheldrake roost during the month - although they could often be easier to observe on or around the landfill site at Harewood Whin near Rufforth during the day.



Up to four Stonechats continued to winter at North Duffield Carrs along with one near Hagg Bridge, whilst a Chiffchaff was present at Bank Island on the 5th, on the same date a Nuthatch was heard calling from Thicket Priory opposite Wheldrake Ings.  A welcome return to form was noted for Corn Buntings with up to 100 near Elvington during the month, and a large roost built up in the reedbed at Melbourne with up to 170+ birds present on the 29th. Kestrels and Barn Owls both showed well and in good numbers throughout the month, particularly around Bank Island and North Duffield Carrs.



A total of 121 bird species were recorded during the month, this compares with 95 species last January. Many thanks for all the contributions throughout, particularly via the hide log books and the YOC.

BIRDS: 

Mute Swan – 41 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 6th with 38 present at Thorganby Ings on the 7th, along with a further 56 at Wheldrake Ings and 14 along the Pocklington Canal – a total of 152 were present around this time.

Whooper Swan – Good numbers remained from last year with 90+ still present at North Duffield Carrs on the 4th with 112 there on the 6th and 103 on the 11th. Towards the end of the month 101 were present on the 24th.


Whooper Swan - North Duffield Carrs - 06/01

Bewick’s Swan – A single adult was present amongst the Whooper Swan herd at North Duffield Carrs on the 4th, 5th and 6th

Pink-footed Goose – 35+ flew over Bank Island on the 6th, 27 were there on the 7th and 200 flew south west over North Duffield Carrs on the same date. 60 flew into Wheldrake Ings on the 8th with 120 north over Bank Island on the 14th and 300 north on the 17th.

Tundra Bean Goose – Four landed at North Duffield Carrs on the 13th (MFJ).

Greylag Goose – 353 were present at the Elvington Water Treatment Works on the 6th with 350 at Wheldrake Ings on the 8th and 220 at North Duffield Carrs on the same date - smaller numbers were scattered elsewhere especially in the Melbourne and Thornton Ings area. c1000+ were present across the reserve throughout the month.

Canada Goose – Up to 450-500 remained throughout the month.

Egyptian Goose – Following last year’s two successful breeding attempts, a total of 14 were present on a pond at East Cottingwith during the month – two adult pairs and 10 juveniles. Seven were seen flying over nearby on the 11th.

Shelduck – Large numbers remained early in the month with a high count of 66 at North Duffield Carrs and 31 at Wheldrake Ings on the 4th – a minimum of 97 present in the valley. 75 were at North Duffield Carrs on the 6th when two were also present near Elvington and 28 at Thorganby – making a total of 105 present. 101 were counted at North Duffield Carrs on the 8th when a total of 112 were present throughout the site. 124 were present there on the 11th (AW) and 155 there on the 15th (CG). 156+ were present throughout the site on the 19th (including five darvic’d birds), with 139 on the 24th.


Shelduck - North Duffield Carrs - 19/01

Teal – 350 were present at the Elvington Water Treatment Works on the 6th with 250 at Seavy Carr on the 8th. 2000+ at Wheldrake Ings on the 10th and 2000+ at North Duffield Carrs on the 11th estimated that at least 5000 were present. Freezing conditions and ice then concentrated birds into small areas on the 19th with c4750. On the 24th an impressive minimum of 8500+ were counted – however true numbers could have been closer to 10,000+. A single bird with an almost completely white head was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 24th (DB).

Green-winged Teal – A single drake was found at North Duffield Carrs on the 24th (JL), showing well at times and allowing a few visitors to connect with this North American vagrant. It was present again on the 25th (AW, DB). 


Green-winged Teal - North Duffield Carrs - 24/01 - T.Jones

Wigeon – At least 9000 were present early in the month with 5100 at Wheldrake Ings on the 8th along with 3000 at North Duffield Carrs.

Pintail – 193 throughout the site on the 19th was the monthly maxima.

Mallard- 2220 were counted during the WeBS on the 19th. 

Gadwall – On the 8th 121 were present throughout the valley.

Shoveler – 111 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 8th when 45 were also at North Duffield Carrs – a total of 156 present.

Tufted Duck – On the 6th 33 were counted at the Elvington Water Treatment Works (AW). Elsewhere only shallow flooding suppressed numbers on the Ings with just three at Wheldrake on the 8th and a single at North Duffield Carrs on the 11th. Three were back at Wheldrake on the 24th.

Pochard – Nine were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 4th with two there on the 11th along with a single drake at North Duffield Carrs. Three were at Wheldrake Ings on the 24th.

Goldeneye – Only small numbers were present early in the month with three at Wheldrake Ings between the 1st-4th and four on the 5th and 8th. A single female was at North Duffield Carrs on the 6th. Six were at Wheldrake Ings on the 11th and two redheads at North Duffield on the 13th.

Goosander – A single red-head flew over Bank Island on the 20th

Water Rail – Up to three were present in the reed bed at Swantail Ings at Wheldrake on the 3rd with two calling from Church Bridge on the Pocklington Canal on the same date, with the latter site holding three on the 21st. Two were also recorded from the Wheldrake Ings car park area, and singles at Thornton Ellers, Storwood and North Duffield Carrs during the month.

Little Grebe – Up to four birds were seen on the Pocklington Canal, Melbourne during the first week with another on the River Derwent at North Duffield Carrs on the 6th. Six birds were present on the canal near Melbourne on the 19th

Grey Heron – Small numbers were scattered throughout the site during the month with eight at North Duffield Carrs on the 3rd - the largest count.

Cormorant – On the 8th 15 were at Wheldrake Ings. Reported elsewhere along the River Derwent in small numbers and also along the Pocklington Canal. Nine flew north up the River Derwent past North Duffield on the 13th.

Red Kite – Singles were seen over Wheldrake Ings on the 3rd, 11th and 18th - presumably referring to the same lingering bird. 

Rough-legged Buzzard – A single juvenile flew east over North Duffield village on the 14th and towards Skipwith Common (CSR, DK, AB).

Buzzard – A single took a Teal off the water at North Duffield Carrs on the 13th with 12 counted throughout the valley on the 19th

Marsh Harrier – Birds were reported regularly from North Duffield Carrs where two cream-crowns were present on the 3rd and 4th and again on the 8th. A single was at Wheldrake Ings on the 11th and singles at North Duffield Carrs on the 12th, 16th and 18th. Three cream crowns were again at North Duffield Carrs on the 25th.

Hen Harrier – A single juvenile ringtail was seen during the afternoon of the 8th at North Duffield Carrs (MF, CH et al) – possibly the same bird present in late December and perhaps the bird that was first seen at Skipwith in late November. It was then present again on Skipwith Common on the 17th and 24th where it appears to have been present throughout.

Peregrine – A single flying over Church Bridge on the Pocklington Canal on the 4th was the first record of the year, followed by singles over Bank Island on the 7th and Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs on the 8th. A single immature female was at North Duffield Carrs on the 9th and 11th, followed by an adult female on the 17th, immature male on the 18th and an adult male on the 24th. A single was at Wheldrake Ings on the 19th. Elsewhere, a single was present along the Pocklington Canal at East Cottingwith on the 22nd.

Merlin – The year started well with a single seen at North Duffield Carrs on the 1st followed by one at Bank Island on the 8th with another on the same date at Seavy Carr (NC) and a single at Wheldrake Ings on the 14th. The following day one was at Bank Island on the 15th and Melbourne on the 29th

Kestrel – Common throughout the area in good numbers - no doubt following on from last year's successful breeding season. Seven seen on the 21st between Bank Island and North Duffield Carrs were typical of the numbers present throughout the site.


Kestrel - Escrick - 08/01

Grey Partridge – 12 at Melbourne Ings on the 15th represented a nice covey (NC). Two coveys of up to 12 birds were also present in the Thorganby area during the month. Nine were near Thornton Ings on the 29th.

Oystercatcher – A single at North Duffield Carrs on the 15th. 

Lapwing – 3000 were present throughout the site early in the month. 

Golden Plover – 1870 were present throughout the site early in the month with 1100 at Wheldrake Ings on the 12th. A large clear out was had on the 18th following freezing conditions, by the 21st birds had returned following a slight thaw - one seen at North Duffield Carrs was in full breeding plumage. 

Curlew – Numbers increased as the month progressed with up to 25 by the 8th. 

Common Snipe – 100+ at North Duffield Carrs on the 17th. 

Jack Snipe – Three at North Duffield Carrs on the 17th. 

Knot – On the 2nd a flock of 11 were present at North Duffield Carrs with one there on the 13th

Dunlin – Up to 80 were present at North Duffield Carrs from the 1st - 4th with 120+ on the 6th and 130 throughout the site on the 8th. Numbers increased further with 180 at North Duffield Carrs on the 15th and 225 by the 17th, but only three remained after a heavy freeze on the 19th. 

Ruff – Good numbers were present at North Duffield Carrs early in the month with up to 60 recorded on several dates. On the 6th 71 at Wheldrake Ings and 73 at North Duffield Carrs produced an overall count of 144. Freezing conditions from the 18th caused birds to depart en-masse with none counted on the WeBS on the 19th.


Ruff - North Duffield Carrs - 06/01


Black-tailed Godwit – Four were at North Duffield Carrs from the 5th and again on the 8th with a single there briefly on the 18th before flying north back up the valley. 

Redshank – Up to 28 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 4th. Only a single remained on a rather frozen WeBS on the 19th, three were back at North Duffield Carrs by the 24th. 

Iceland Gull – An adult left the Wheldrake Ings roost at 0830hrs on the 4th (DB) returning to roost in the evening with a first winter bird. An adult was again present at the roost on the 8th and again on the 9th with a first winter bird on the 16th. 

Caspian Gull – A single adult was at the Wheldrake Ings roost on the 9th. 

Glaucous Gull – An adult was present at the Wheldrake Ings roost on the 4th. A single was at Melbourne on the 6th. 

Kumlien’s Gull – A third winter bird roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 3rd (OM, TJ). A probable adult was at North Duffield Carrs on the 10th but was too distant to provide definitive views (MS).

Kittiwake – A single adult was seen at Wheldrake Ings on the 12th.  

Woodcock – A single flew over the car park at Wheldrake Ings on the 4th (DB) with another near Elvington on the 6th. Two were seen near Bielby on the 18th (EB). 

Barn Owl – Singles were hunting at dusk at Bank Island on the 3rd and the 6th-9th with up to four seen there to month end. Other birds were seen at Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs on the 11th. Five different birds were at North Duffield Carrs on the 12th with one near Raker Lakes at Wheldrake on the 13th and Storwood on the same date. Other sightings came from Skipwith, Ellerton and East Cottingwith with one at Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 19th. Two were near Bielby and Seaton Ross on the 18th and five along the lower sections of the Pocklington Canal between Hagg Bridge and the River Derwent on the 22nd. Overall a great showing throughout the month. 

Little Owl – A single was seen near Thorganby village on the 23rd (JR). 

Short-eared Owl – A single was hunting from the fence posts at North Duffield Carrs on the 17th and again on the 24th (CSR). 

Long-eared Owl – A single was seen in the Wheldrake Ings car park on the 4th and reported there again on the 19th. The same bird was also present in late December 2014. 

Green Woodpecker – Present throughout the month on Skipwith Common NNR. 

Greater Spotted Woodpecker – Two were caught and ringed at Bank Island on the 4th (MFJ), where up to four birds were present at the feeding station during the month. Two were also caught and ringed at Forge Valley Woods NNR - the first for the 'site'.


Great Spotted Woodpecker - Forge Valley - 05/01

Skylark – Scarce early in the month but snow cover on the 19th presumably accounted for a small movement and arrival during the day as birds may have been forced from higher land outside of the valley – 25+ were present at North Duffield with 51 moving in two flocks over Melbourne. 70 flew over Melbourne Ings in several flocks on the 30th when 120 moved west over Canal Head – a notable movement. 

Grey Wagtail – A single male remained in the Bank Island area throughout the month while two roosted near the beck at Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 5th and 19th. Two were at Bank Island on the 20th. 

Kingfisher – Two at Melbourne on the Pocklington Canal on the 4th with one at North Duffield Carrs on the 5th and 11th. One or two were then reported regularly along the Pocklington Canal during the remainder of the month. 

Jay – A single was heard at Thornton Ellers on the 17th. 

Raven – A single flew west over Skipwith Common on the 17th (AW, MS). 

Chiffchaff – A single was heard calling by the water treatment works at Bank Island on the 5th (DB).

Stonechat – The two presumed wintering birds were again present in front of the Geoff Smith Hide at North Duffield Carrs on the 5th, with a single seen there on the 15th. Three were present there on the 19th (two males and a female), with a pair and a female there on the 25th – at least four birds involved. Elsewhere, a single was near Hagg Bridge on the 22nd (JW). 

Fieldfare – Scarce early in the month but an influx on the 19th may have reflected snowfall overnight – up to 1000 birds were scattered throughout the area in several flocks of 1-300 birds. 

Nuthatch - A single was calling from Thicket Priory opposite Wheldrake Ings on the 5th (DB). Seven different birds were caught and ringed at Forge Valley Woods NNR during the month.



 
Nuthatch - Forge Valley Woods - 05/01

Bearded Tit – Three were at Church Bridge near Melbourne on the 29th. 

Siskin – Up to 100 had built up along the canal side Alders near Melbourne late in the month. 

Lesser Redpoll – Nine along the Pocklington Canal near Melbourne on the 19th with up to six at Elvington during the month. 

Yellowhammer – A large flock of 150 were present throughout the month in a mixed flock of finches feeding in an un-harvested field near Elvington – one of the largest concentrations recorded for several years. 15 roosted with Corn Buntings near Melbourne on the 19th. 

Reed Bunting – The Melbourne roost held up to 150 birds throughout the month with 150+ also found feeding during the day near Elvington. Smaller scattered numbers elsewhere with up to 50+ at the Wheldrake reed bed roost – resulting in a wintering population of around 500 birds in the valley. 

Corn Bunting – Numbers at the Church Bridge roost built up slowly during the month with 37 there on the 4th with 60 there by the 6th. Numbers then increased quickly with freezing weather conditions and snow cover on the Wolds, with 150 there on the 19th when 32 were caught and ringed. 40 were also present in a larger mixed finch flock near Elvington throughout the month with 100+ there on the 21st (AF). 121 were at the Church Bridge roost on the 20th with 133 there on the 21st and an impressive 170+ there on the 29th (NC). 

Corn Bunting - Bank Island - 19/01

MAMMALS:

Roe Deer – Five were present at Bank Island on the 5th with three on the Low Grounds, Sutton on the 7th. Four were near Thorganby on the 8th when a single was present at Bank Island and three at North Duffield Carrs. Two were at the Escrick Duck Decoy on the 13th, four at Bank Island on the 14th and 15th when two were also present at North Duffield Carrs. Two were at Wheldrake Ings on the 19th when a single was also seen on Skipwith Common. Three were seen at Seavy Carr regularly throughout the month.


Roe Deer - Skipwith Common - 19/01


Fallow Deer – A herd of 15-20 seen in Thorganby included 3 stags. Two stags were present at Crook Moor, Thorganby on the 23rd - possibly wanders from the same herd. 

Stoat – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 5th and another on Melbourne and Thornton Ings on the 30th. 

Red Fox – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 5th, Bank Island on the 6th and North Duffield Carrs on the 12th. Sadly a single road casualty was found in Thornton on the 20th. 

Brown Hare – Two at Wheldrake Ings on the 8th with two after dark at North Duffield Carrs on the same date, and a single at Thornton Ellers on the 9th. One was at North Duffield Carrs on the 12th with one near Melbourne on the 13th. A single was at Bank Island on the 15th and three at Thornton Ellers on the same date. Four were at North Duffield Carrs on the 28th and three at Seavy Carr on the 29th. 

Otter – Two were seen on the Top Pond at North Duffield Carrs on the 2nd and 4th while tracks were found on the riverbank at Wheldrake Ings on the 9th. Tracks and spraints were found at three locations along the beck at Wheldrake Ings/Storwood on the 13th. Recorded daily on camera traps at Thornton Ellers from the 10th - 14th. A single was seen in the Pocklington Canal near Storwood on the 22nd (JW). 

Mink – A single, possibly two were recorded on camera traps at Thornton Ellers during the month. 

Field Vole – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 9th ran across the path by the wind pump. 

Water Vole – Several latrines were found on the wash dykes at Skipwith Common on the 17th. 

Wood Mouse – A single at Bank Island on the 3rd ran across the car park after dark, with another at Elvington Lane on the same date.


MOTHS:

Winter Moth/Northern Winter Moth – One was seen at Elvington on the 7th with another at Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 19th

OTHERS:

Seven-spot Ladybird – A single was found at the NNR Base at Bank Island on the 17th.

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for an excellent website, which I find very useful before visiting the area. (for birding purposes) When is the February update to be published?
    Stewart Firth - Craven and pendle RSPB group

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Stewart, many thanks for your comment, and apologies for the late reply and lack of February sightings so far, we've been a bit snowed under during the last few weeks but it should be finished this weekend. To get instant news about recent sightings then our Facebook page is the best place for that, with updates usually going on every other day, see here - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lower-Derwent-Valley-Skipwith-Common-NNR/388893537806896. Thanks again, and feel free to post any of your own sightings/photographs on the Facebook page.

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