Raptors were well represented with at least six different Peregrine Falcons reported, alongside three or four Marsh Harriers and an amazing nine Red Kites on Christmas Eve. Waders were also well represented with 4000 Lapwing and 2500 Golden Plover, however the highlight was provided by the ongoing high numbers of Ruff with 131 still present on the 3rd. A single Jack Snipe at Bank Island on the same date and a Black-tailed Godwit at North Duffield Carrs on the 14th provided additional variety. The first Iceland Gull of the winter flew past Melbourne on the 19th.
BIRDS:
BIRDS:
Unsurprisingly a quiet month with few records, however one mild day on the Common saw this Orange Ladybird making its way down a Silver Birch tree.
FUNGI:
SEPTEMBER
Good numbers of warblers were present throughout the month with several late Reed Warblers presents towards month end, and 11 Chiffchaff caught and ringed at Wheldrake Ings on the 25th (MFJ) were probably just a fraction of the total present on site that day. The highlight of the month was undoubtedly the appearance of a flock of 14 erupting Bearded Tits at Wheldrake Ings on the 27th – the first in the LDV for three years and the joint largest flock on record.
Butterflies, dragonflies and other invertebrates continued to be recorded throughout the month (see below for full species write ups), with a pleasing number of new species found, in particular eight new spiders and a number new beetles were added to the 2014 'pan'. Shield Bugs continued to be found in good numbers across the site, with Skipwith Common being a particular hot-spot.
Mute Swan – The family parties remained throughout the month with some cygnets starting their first flights late in the month.
Egyptian Goose – A single adult flew east over Bank Island on the 23rd.
Pink-footed Goose – The first of the autumn, a skein of 120 flew south over Bank Island on the 21st.
Greylag Goose – 600+ flew over Sutton-upon-Derwent on the 1st when 300 were present at Melbourne.
Canada Goose – Numbers started to build up slowly from the leftover summering flock of 11 at Wheldrake on the 1st and 2nd, to 35 at Thornton Ings on the 14th and 78 by the 26th.
Teal – The month opened with 230+ at Wheldrake Ings on the 1st, 350 on the 2nd, 380 on the 4th and 450+ on the 5th. 550+ were present at Wheldrake on the 9th with 530 there on the 21st, on the same date 200+ were also present on Skipwith Common, with 1000+ in the valley by the 24th.
Wigeon – Numbers at Wheldrake Ings increased to 10 on the 1st with scattered small numbers thereafter including 12 on the 21st. Larger numbers were present on the nearby Skipwith Common NNR with 200 there on the 19th.
Gadwall – 10 at Wheldrake Ings on the 20th with 28 throughout the valley on the 22nd.
Shoveler – Four at Wheldrake Ings on the 20th with 12 there on 26th.
Tufted Duck – Two on the Top Pond at North Duffield Carrs on the 1st.
Coot – Up to 20 remained at Wheldrake Ings early in the month with just five remaining at month end.
Water Rail – Three were at Wheldrake Ings on the 1st and 4th with five there on the 11th and one or two regularly thereafter. Numbers and sightings increased late in the month with three there on 25th and six on the 28th.
Little Grebe – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 1st-4th.
Grey Heron – Ten at Wheldrake Ings on the 4th with 11 on the 14th and up to eight regularly thereafter, whilst small numbers were scattered throughout the month elsewhere. Monthly maximum of 21 on the 14th.
Little Egret – A rather quiet month with a single at Wheldrake Ings on the 11th.
Red Kite – A single seen well at Thornton Ellers on the 11th (LM, CSR, FM).
Hen Harrier – A single adult male flew south east over Wheldrake Ings on the 21st (CSR).
Marsh Harrier – Single cream crowns were at Thornton Ellers and Wheldrake Ings on the 1st, with two at Wheldrake Ings on the 3rd. An adult male was at North Duffield Ings on the 5th along with a single cream crown at North Duffield Carrs and two at Wheldrake Ings. A juvenile was at Bank Island on the 9th and 11th, with a single at Wheldrake Ings on the latter date. A single adult female still lingered at Wheldrake Ings on the 20th with three birds (including a single green wing-tagged bird there on the 21st – 28th). This tagged bird had originally been ringed in the nest at Cantley, near Norwich on the 1st July 2014 and had been re-sighted at Fairburn Ings RSPB reserve in late August. Four were at Wheldrake Ings on the 28th.
Buzzard – Good numbers present throughout the month and throughout the area following a good breeding season. Ten were present in the air at once at Wheldrake Ings on the 27th (DB), when 19 were counted in total across the valley. Jean Thorpe received a phone call about an injured Buzzard near Escrick, which was presumed to have been hit by a motorist. Jean gave it the once over, and luckily it was just a bit stunned, the following day it was ready to head off back into the wild, released where it was found.
Hobby – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 1st, 3rd and 4th with a single at Thornton Ellers on the 3rd. Two were at Wheldrake Ings on the 10th with a single on the 11th and 14th, and two there again on the 18th. A single at Melbourne on the 7th and 16th. Singles were still present at Wheldrake Ings on the 27th and 28th.
Peregrine Falcon – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 7th, 13th and 21st (DB).
Barn Owl - Several adults were seen throughout the month, along with pairs still present at nesting sites. On the 11th another six chicks were ringed near Bubwith.
Whimbrel – A single over Bank Island on the 19th.
Curlew – Four over Bank Island on the 2nd with single overheard on the 19th and 21st.
Redshank – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 3rd and 4th.
Greenshank – Three at Wheldrake Ings on the 1st and 2nd with two there on the 3rd and 4th. A juvenile on the pool there on the 21st with another there on 27th and 28th.
Dunlin – The month opened with a single at Wheldrake Ings on the 1st-4th.
Ruff – Three at Wheldrake Ings on the 10th.
Common Snipe – 150+ were present on Melbourne Ings on the 1st with 50+ on Wheldrake Ings on the 3rd and 4th. 25 were present at Skipwith Common on the 3rd with 50+ at Melbourne Ings on the 16th.
Green Sandpiper – Wheldrake Ings was (as usual) the favoured site with three there on the 1st, increasing to five on the 3rd and 4th. Three remained until the 20th with a single then present to month end.
Common Sandpiper – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 4th, 7th, 10th and 11th.
Green Woodpecker – One at the NNR Base at Bank Island on the 2nd when three were present on Skipwith Common. A single at Skipwith Common on the 11th.
Great Spotted Woodpecker – A single at the Bank Island feeders on the 1st and 2nd with three at Wheldrake Ings on the 4th. Singles reported regularly at Wheldrake Ings during the rest of the month.
Kingfisher – One at Wheldrake Ings on the 1st with two there on the 2nd and 4th, and two at Bank Island on the 3rd. Three near Melbourne on the 1st, with two there on the 2nd and a single through the Bank Island car park on the 11th – a more unusual location. A single near Canal Head, Pocklington on the 11th with up to three reported at Wheldrake Ings during the remainder of the month. A single at Sutton-upon-Derwent on the 21st.
Tree Pipit – A single at Skipwith Common on the 11th with a passage bird south over Wheldrake Ings on the 21st.
Meadow Pipit – Autumn passage started with 50+ south at Wheldrake Ings on the 5th, followed by 60 at North Duffield Carrs on the 9th and 20+ at Skipwith Common on the 11th. Small numbers moved south thereafter.
Grey Wagtail – A single pair lingered at the Water Treatment Works at Bank Island during the month with another at Elvington on the 22nd.
Yellow Wagtail – Two flew south over Bank Island on the 2nd with two over Skipwith Common on the 3rd and five over Wheldrake Ings on the 4th. 10+ flew over Thornton Ellers on the 10th. Four at Wheldrake Ings on the 21st with three there on the 27th and two at Ellerton on the 28th.
Whinchat – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 1st with another at Bank Island on the 3rd – 5th. Three rather late passage birds at North Duffield Carrs on the 20th.
Jay – Two at Melbourne on the 1st with a single there the next day. Two at Skipwith Common on the 2nd with five there on the 3rd and three on the 5th. Three at Wheldrake Ings on the 4th with three at Storwood on the 9th when two were also present at Bank Island. Two were present at Skipwith Common on the 11th with one at Thorganby on the same date. Two at Wheldrake Ings on the 14th with three there on the 29th.
Chiffchaff – Increasing numbers of passage birds were reported during the month, many singing throughout. 11 were caught and ringed at Wheldrake Ings on the 25th (MFJ), up to six were reported daily at this site thereafter with 11 on the 28th.
Common Whitethroat – A single at Bank Island on the 4th with three in the Wheldrake car park lane on the 5th and a single at Melbourne on the 16th.
Spotted Flycatcher – A single juvenile was caught and ringed at Skipwith Common on the 1st (DT) with a single at Wheldrake Ings on the 4th. Two at Skipwith Common on the 5th.
Reed Warbler – A single adult was still feeding two juveniles at Melbourne on the 8th with five still at Wheldrake Ings on the 20th and four caught and ringed there on the 23rd with another on the 25th (MFJ). Singles were still present there on the 27th and 28th.
Sedge Warbler – A late bird remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 27th and 28th (DB).
Nuthatch – Two calling birds at Skipwith Common on the 4th when a single was present at Wheldrake Ings, and again on the 27th.
Goldcrest – Three at Wheldrake Ings on the 4th were the first of the autumn.
Willow Tit – Four at Wheldrake Ings on the 1st with two there on the 14th and up to five regularly thereafter.
Bearded Tit – A flock of 14 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 27th (DB).
Tree Sparrow – Up to 45 built up at the feeding station at Bank Island during the month.
Linnet – 40 at Wheldrake Ings on the 4th.
Bullfinch – 14 at Wheldrake Ings on the 4th.
Reed Bunting – A large increase in numbers was noted from the 20th when 100+ were present at Wheldrake Ings and 50+ were at North Duffield Carrs with smaller numbers scattered throughout the site. Ongoing ringing work at both Skipwith and the Lower Derwent Valley also picked up a noticeable increase in numbers with c250 ringed in the final week of the month (MFJ, DT).
MAMMALS:
Otter – A male was seen well at Wheldrake Ings between Pool and Swantail Hide on the 10th.
Weasel – A single at North Duffield Carrs on the 1st.
Brown Hare – Seven at Thornton Ellers on the 1st included four leverets, with four there on the 3rd, two on the 4th and two on the 18th.
Roe Deer – Singles at Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings on the 3rd, two at Wheldrake Ings and Skipwith Common on the 4th and a single on the Common on the 5th. Two at North Duffield Ings on the 20th.
Red Fox – A single on the pool at Wheldrake Ings after dark on the 3rd.
Wood Mouse – A female in a nest with five young at Skipwith Common on the 5th and again on the 11th and 25th.
Field Vole – Five at Thornton Ellers on the 1st with 30+ on the 3rd and four on the 4th.
Bank Vole – A single at North Duffield Carrs on the 1st.
Pygmy Shrew - One was found whilst log turning on Skipwith Common on the 25th.
Whiskered Bat – 12+ at Wheldrake Ings on the 3rd.
Noctule Bat – Three at Wheldrake Ings on the 3rd and two there on the 4th and four on the 5th.
REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS:
Common Lizard – Three at Skipwith Common on the 1st, four on the 2nd, two on the 4th, two on the 6th, four on the 11th and three on the 25th.
Grass Snake – A single at Skipwith Common on the 1st and 25th.
Adder – A single on Skipwith Common on the 1st and 2nd.
Common Frog – Four were seen at the Top Pond, North Duffield Carrs on the 1st, a single on Skipwith Common on the 2nd, and at least 20 in the meadow at Thornton Ellers on the 3rd followed by a single there on the 8th. On the 25th a single was found on the Common whilst log turning.
Common Toad – A single was found whilst log turning on Skipwith Common on the 25th.
BUTTERFLIES:
Small Copper – Just a single record for the month with one seen on Skipwith Common on the 2nd.
Comma – Three sightings throughout the course of the month, with a single in the NNR Base Garden on the 3rd, Thornton Ellers on the 11th and Skipwith on the 25th.
Peacock – Recorded early on during the month between the 1st-4th, on Skipwith Common, Wheldrake Ings and the NNR Base Garden. No records were had then until the 25th when a warm sunny day brought out two individuals, a single on Skipwith and a single in the NNR Base Garden.
Red Admiral – A good month for this species, with a total of 23 records collected, the sightings were well spread throughout the month, coming from a number of sites – the scabious meadow at Thornton Ellers producing the most records, with a count of 4 seen together there on the 4th.
Small Tortoiseshell – The third most recorded species throughout the month (37 records in total), with the highest day count coming on the 11th from the meadow at Thornton Ellers when six were seen feeding on the scabious.
Brimstone - A single was in the meadow at Thornton Ellers on the 11th .
Green-veined White – After a fairly quiet end to August, September brought a flurry of records with a handful recorded throughout the first few days, from the NNR Base Garden and Bank Island. No records were obtained then until the middle of the month (20th), when three joint highest counts were had – 11 on the 20th at Wheldrake Ings, followed by 11 on the 21st and 24th at Bank Island.
Small White - A handful (10) of scattered records throughout the month, largely singles other than four on the 20th at North Duffield Carrs.
Large White – Four were seen in the NNR Base Garden on the 3rd, followed by singles at Thornton Ellers on the 18th and Wheldrake on the 28th – making it six records for the month.
Speckled Wood – The most recorded species throughout the month, with a total of 72 individuals seen. The track which runs alongside the hedgerow at Thornton Ellers produced the most records, with a high count of 10 there on the 11th. Skipwith Common saw the highest day total, with 11 there on the 21st.
DRAGONFLIES:
Southern Hawker – Recorded throughout the month, with the last record coming on the 28th from Wheldrake Ings when two were seen near the pool side vegetation. Individuals continued to be seen at Thornton Ellers, with a high count of five there on the 11th.
Migrant Hawker – The most recorded hawker throughout September, with a total of 22 records collected. A number of individuals were seen during the first week of the month at Thornton Ellers, with a lull then until the last two weeks of the month when records came from Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs.
Brown Hawker – Recorded throughout the whole of the month, with the all the records being singles, bar seven that were seen together hawking over the Top Pond at North Duffield Carrs on the 1st.
Black Darter – Present throughout September, and recorded on three days from Skipwith Common, one on the 2nd, three on the 11th and two on the 25th.
Ruddy Darter – The second most recorded species throughout the month with a total of 36 records collected, largely coming from Thornton Ellers and Skipwith Common. The last record for the month came on the 18th with a single at Thornton Ellers.
Common Darter – As expected the most recorded species throughout the month, with a total of 58 seen, which involved three high day counts – 16 on the Common on the 2nd, 9 there on the 11th and 12 there on the 25th.
Emerald – Recorded on just four days, three on Skipwith Common the 2nd and six at Bank Island on the 3rd, followed by two on the Common on the 11th and two on the 25th.
Common Blue Damselfly – Five were seen at North Duffield Carrs on the 1st.
Azure Damselfly – A single was seen at North Duffield Carrs on the 1st.
Blue-tailed Damselfly – A single was seen at North Duffield Carrs on the 1st.
MOTHS:
Due to a busy month on the work front, staff holidays and working elsewhere on the site, the moth trap was only run on two occasions from the NNR Base. A total of 97 moths were caught including 27 species, 9 of which were new for the year – Beaded Chestnut, Brown-spot Pinion, Brown-veined Wainscot, Sallow, Autumnal Rustic, Bulrush Wainscot, Centre-barred Sallow, Dark Sword Grass and Green Brindled Crescent.
On Skipwith Common a new caterpillar was also found and added to the moth species list - Grey Dagger.
A Humming-bird Hawk-moth was found in the NNR Base Garden on the 5th, the second reserve record following one in 2012 - particularly pleasing as the garden was designed as a nectar rich demonstration butterfly and bee garden.
OTHER INVERTS:
Throughout the month several days were spent on Skipwith Common, where a number of new species were added to the invertebrate list. The Common is a really good place to look for spiders, particularly amongst the Juncus in the wetter areas, here species such as the Four-spot Orb Weaver Araneus quadratus, Furrow Spider Larinioides cornutus, Invisible Spider Drapetisca socialis, Lesser Garden Spider Metellina segmentata, Marbled Orb Weaver Araneus marmoreus and Walnut Orb Weaver Nuctenea umbratica were found.
Also new for the year from the Common were: Ground Beetle Carabus arvensis, Marsh Damselbug Nabis limbatus, Orange Ladybird Halyzia sedecimguttata and a Staphylinid Beetle Platydracus latebricola, a 14-spot Ladybird Propylea 14-punctata was also found on Wheldrake Ings. The first adult Green Shield Bug was found on Skipwith Common, a pleasing find after seeing numerous nymphs across the site over the last few weeks.
PLANTS:
Skipwith Common produced the goods on the plant front as well, with 26 new species of wildflowers and grasses/sedges/rushes found. Some were completely new to us such as Oval Sedge and Long-stalked Yellow Sedge.
Some of the other new species for the year were, Pill Sedge, Common Yellow Sedge, Purple Moor-grass, Wood-small Reed, Narrow-leaved Buckler Fern, Jointed Rush and Early Hair Grass. Three types of the Polytrichum moss were seen: P.formosum, P.commune, P.juniperinum, along with three types of Sphagnum: S.fimbriatum, S.squarrosum, S.palustre.
FUNGI:
During September several visits were had to Skipwith Common (the local fungi hotspot in the area), where a number of new species for the year were seen. Species such as Common Earthball, Common Puffball, Spiny Puffball, Tawny Grissette, Ochre Brittlegill and Fly Agaric are just a few that have been found recently. Fly Agaric is probably the best known mushroom species due to its distinctive look and bright red colours, making it instantly recognisable.
Wigeon – The first returning bird was a single at Wheldrake Ings on the 28th with three there by the 30th.
Gadwall – 50+ were still present at Wheldrake Ings on the 1st with 40 there on the 5th but smaller numbers thereafter.
Shoveler – Monthly maxima of 14 on the 7th with only small numbers thereafter.
Garganey – A single eclipse plumage drake on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 14th.
Tufted Duck – Three at Wheldrake Ings on the 8th with a single there on the 14th and two on the 22nd.
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 4th with a single adult there on the 5th. One or two showed daily in front of the hide with two adults and a juvenile there on the 9th and two juveniles on the 10th. Two birds were also heard calling in the reed bed by Swantail Hide on the 9th – 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 24th.
Spotted Crake – A single adult in full wing moult was present in front of Pool Hide on the 6th (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 1st to the 12th.
Grey Heron – Up to 10 daily at Wheldrake Ings with scattered singles elsewhere throughout the site – monthly maximum of 18 on the 15th.
Little Egret – Four were present from the 1st to the 5th with two remaining until the 10th and a single thereafter until the 20th. A single was at Hagg Bridge on the 25th. 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.
Red Kite – A single was present over Thorganby Ings on the 1st and 2nd with two at Wressle on the 3rd and a single at Wheldrake Ings on the 8th. A single at Bank Island on the 24th.
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 14th and Thornton Ellers on the 20th.
Hobby – A single at Thornton Ellers on the 20th (FM, CSR) with another showing well there on the 26th (LM, CSR) catching dragonflies. A single was at Wheldrake Ings on the 28th and again on the 30th.
Peregrine – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 12th and Bank Island on the 22nd.
Ringed Plover – Eight flew south with seven Snipe over Wheldrake Ings on the 25th.
Golden Plover – The first autumn birds involved a flock of 35 at Ellerton Ings on the 20th with 25 back on arable fields by Raker Lakes on the 28th.
Whimbrel – Four at Wheldrake Ings on the 5th and nine south and high calling over Bank Island on the 23rd.
Redshank – A single remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 1st to the 13th with two there on the 6th and again on the 21st.
Greenshank – A single flew south over Wheldrake Ings on the 6th, with two there on the 17th/18th, a single at Thornton Ellers on the 20th and two there on 21st. A single was at Wheldrake Ings on the 25th, with singles at Thornton Ellers and Bank Island on the 26th and then three at Wheldrake Ings on the 31st.
Dunlin – Two at Wheldrake Ings on the 31st.
Ruff – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 31st.
Common Snipe - 49 arrived high from the north-east into Bank Island on the 27th with 23 at Wheldrake Ings on the 30th.
Wood Sandpiper – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 5th.
Green Sandpiper – Five were present daily at Wheldrake Ings from the 1st increasing to six on the 6th and seven on the 8th. Five remained thereafter until the 15th with three thereafter to month end with an isolated peak of six on the 27th. Two were at Melbourne Ings on the 11th and three at Thornton Ellers on the 20th.
Common Sandpiper – Singles at Wheldrake Ings on the 1st and 8th with four there on the 27th.
Common Tern – Present early in the month with daily sightings coming from Wheldrake Ings. Two adults and two juveniles settled there from the 10th, being joined by a third adult on the 12th, the two juveniles lingered until the 13th.
Little Owl - A single was perched on a telegraph pole near Hagg Bridge on the 23th (NC).
Turtle Dove – A single flew west over Wheldrake Ings on the 31st (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 22nd. Two calling along the river at Bank Island on the 19th and a single at Thornton Ellers on the 26th – 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 7th.
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 24th and 20+ south there on the 25th when five also flew south over Bank Island. Five at Wheldrake Ings on the 28th.
Wheatear – A single female was on the floodbank at Thorganby Ings on the 14th (CSR, JR) and a male at North Duffield Carrs on the 25th.
Whinchat – A single immature at Wheldrake Ings was present on Swantail on the 23rd (AW) with two there on the 24th (CSR) when two were also present at North Duffield Carrs and a single near Hagg Bridge. Two then remained at Wheldrake Ings until the 30th with one on the 31st.
Redstart – A single adult male at Wheldrake Ings on the 13th with one caught and ringed on Skipwith Common on the 15th (DT) and another by the canal at Melbourne on the 22nd (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 11th and two at Wheldrake Ings on the 23rd.
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.
Lesser Whitethroat – A single still remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 25th following a good passage during the month with two there on the 28th. One at Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 30th.
Spotted Flycatcher – Three in a mixed warbler flock on Skipwith Common on the 18th and a single in a mixed tit flock at Melbourne on the 22nd. One at Church Bridge Melbourne on the 30th.
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.
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 23rd (MFJ) – the first reserve record. What may have been the same bird was seen in a mixed warbler flock at Melbourne on the 22nd (NC).
Willow Tit – One or two were reported regularly from Wheldrake Ings during the month with four there on the 28th. Reported from Melbourne on the 1st and 17th.
Marsh Tit – A single on the feeders at Bank Island on the 26th.
Tree Sparrow – A flock of 50+ were present at South Duffield on the 15th 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 2nd and one on Wheldrake Ings on the 28th.
Brown Hare – Two at Thornton Ellers on the 7th and one on Skipwith Common. Two at Thorganby on the 18th and five at Thornton Ellers on the 26th.
Red Fox – One on the main track at Wheldrake Ings on the 27th.
Mole – One at Wheldrake Ings on the 17th – 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 7th and 18th on Skipwith Common.
Adder – A single was seen on Skipwith Common near the bomb bay loop on the 16th.
Common Frog – Recorded at Thornton Ellers, Bank Island and Skipwith Common, present in double figures in areas where the meadows had been cut.
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 3rd, Thornton Ellers on the 7th and one in the NNR Base Garden on the 14th. A high count of 10 followed on the 20th in the scabious meadow at Thornton Ellers with two there on the 26th.
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 4th. A high count of seven was had on Wheldrake Ings on the 3rd. The last records for the month came on the 14th 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 20th and 18 on the 26th.
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 7th when 12 were counted on the lavender, towards the end of the month numbers in the garden were down to five on the 31st.
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 (20th and 24th) 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 31st.
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 3rd). 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 12th, the NNR Base Garden on the 13th and 14th, on the same date two were also seen at Bank Island. The last record for the month (and year possibly) came on the 19th with a single on Skipwith Common.
Clouded Yellow – The first for the year was a single at Thorganby on the 14th, followed by another at Thornton Ellers on the 26th.
Brimstone – A single flew past the main track along Skipwith Common on the 26th.
Common Blue – A very worn female was seen in the NNR Base Garden on the 14th, one of very few records this year.
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 5th (three) and 7th (six) were recorded. Only two other records were then had with a single on Skipwith Common on the 7th and a single at North Duffield Carrs on the 12th.
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 5th. Five were then present in the meadow there on the 7th, with singles then at North Duffield Carrs on the 13th 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 5th 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 19th 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 28th seven were recorded on the butterfly transect around Bank Island.
Small Skipper – A handful of records during the first week of the month, with singles in the NNR Base Garden on the 3rd and 4th, followed by two in the scabious meadow at Thornton Ellers on the 5th. On the 7th 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 12th whilst trapping late in the month produced a new species for the year in the form of the Sallow.
DRAGONFLIES:
Southern Hawker – Present on the wing throughout the month, with the first record on the 2nd at the Escrick Duck Decoy. Not recorded then until the 12th 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 26th.
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 4th, eight around Blackwood Corner (SC) on the 7th and nine at Thornton Ellers on the 20th.
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 5th, eight on the 20th and six on the 26th.
Migrant Hawker – The first record for the year came on the 20th when one was seen on the 14th in the NNR Base Garden. Three other records were then had throughout the remainder of the month including three at Thornton Ellers on the 20th and two on the 26th.
Emperor – Just a single record throughout the month with one individual at North Duffield Carrs on the 4th.
Black Darter – Present throughout the month with the first record coming from Skipwith Common on the 4th with a mating pair seen, and the last record for the month again coming from the Common on the 26th when at least six were recorded.
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 26th.
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 18th and seven on the 26th, pairs were also seen here egg-laying.
Banded Demoiselle – Just two records coming early in the month on the 5th, 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 4th, 20 on the 18th and 10 on the 26th – 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 13th.
Azure Damselfly – On the 13th 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 7th, and two at North Duffield Carrs on the 13th.
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.
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.
July can be a quiet month, and often one of great change on the Ings as the hay meadows are cut and the hay crop removed. As the last of the breeding waders fledge, July can often result in the final duck broods appearing as water levels recede and assessments of other breeding birds being made as family parties start to appear or disperse. July can also see the start of autumn passage as the first, presumably failed breeders from further north head southwards.
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