Nov'

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - November Sightings 2014

Despite low coverage at times during the month due to a combination of factors, there were still a number of reports coming in to keep the interest going and plenty of activity particularly towards the end of the month. 

Following a relatively dry autumn mirrored by low waterfowl numbers, the valley began to finally wet up from the first half of the month. This lead to the usual influx of wintering wildfowl and waders and by late in the month notable counts included 66 Whooper Swans, 2000+ Greylag Geese, 5000+ Wigeon and 4000+ Teal, with smaller numbers of Shoveler, Gadwall, Pintail and Tufted Duck all building up. One of the highlights included an apparently ‘lost’ Tundra Bean Goose that circled Wheldrake Ings calling loudly for over an hour on the 7^th. The first returning Goldeneye of the winter appeared on the 19^th and the second Goosander of the winter on the 5^th. Good numbers of Water Rails and Little Grebes were also scattered throughout the valley. 

Bank Island - 17/11

Waders, appearing as if by magic alongside the floods, built up to an impressive early winter tally of 3300 Lapwing, 2100 Golden Plover and 50 Dunlin, although the count of 140 Ruff was the undoubtedly the highlight – a great count, especially so early in the winter and bucking the species trend over recent years. This could be one of the biggest UK wintering counts this winter. Other interesting records included a single Greenshank over Bank Island on the 21^st followed by a late (or really early) Black-tailed Godwit on the 22^nd whilst more surprising was a very late Whimbrel calling over Bank Island at dusk on the 25^th. 

A good showing of Kingfishers from around the reserve was an encouraging recovery following hard times in recent years whilst Grey Wagtails were also reported from a number of locations, including the Bank Island car park where one was present daily attacking wing mirrors of the parked vehicles. Three Stonechats present during the month were also a pleasing return to form following a rather scarce wintering presence after two or three cold winters, and likewise a good scattering of records came in for Willow Tits, suggesting they are at least maintaining a toe hold in the area in the face of large national declines. An apparent wintering male Blackcap at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th was also noteworthy although not all together surprising these days.

Kingfisher - Thornton Ellers - 24/11

Many thanks as always to all who have contributed records this month, either by writing in the hide log books or sending them in via the YOC.

BIRDS: 

Mute Swan – 27 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd. 

Whooper Swan – Birds were mobile during the early part of the month between Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs. The resident herd numbered 18 at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st increasing to 27 there on the 3^rd. A further arrival saw the herd increase to 66 on the 7^th, remaining to month end although spending more time on Ellerton and Aughton with flooding there during the month. 

Whooper Swans - North Duffield Carrs - 07/11

Pink-footed Goose – 200+ flew east over Bank Island on the 4^th. 300 went south over the valley on the 7^th with 60 north-west over Church Bridge on the Pocklington Canal on the 16^th. Ten were present at Bank Island on the 20^th. 

Tundra Bean Goose – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th (CSR, MFJ et al).

Greylag Goose – Numbers increased during the month with 2000+ present by the 22^nd, most in the northern half of the valley. 

Canada Goose – 500 at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st was the monthly maxima.

Shelduck – Two at Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th and 5^th, four at Wheldrake Ings on 7^th with 11 at Ellerton on the 16^th. 

Teal – Numbers remained low early in the month with 1500 having built up with small scale flooding by the 15^th. Numbers then increased quickly to 4300 throughout the valley on the 22^nd. 

Teal - Bank Island - 03/11

Wigeon – Up to 700 birds were present throughout the site early in the month, increasing to 1000+ by the 15^th and then rapidly to 5100 by the 22^nd.

Pintail – 30 at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd increased with further flooding with 44 present throughout the valley on the 22^nd.

Gadwall – 19 at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with 61 throughout the valley on the 22^nd. 

Shoveler – Up to 30 were present at Wheldrake Ings early in the month, with numbers increasing to 60 by the 22^nd when birds were scattered throughout the site. 

Tufted Duck – Single figure counts were made occasionally early in the month increasing to 10 at Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th and 21 at Bank Island on the 21^st, with 32 then present throughout the site on the 23^rd.

Pochard – A single female was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 19^th - the first returning bird, with six later at Bank Island on the 22^nd.

Goldeneye – A single ‘red-head’ at North Duffield Carrs on the 19^th was the first of the winter.

Goosander – A single red-head on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th.   

Water Rail – Three were still present at Wheldrake Ings early in the month with a single calling at Thornton Ellers on the 5^th. Two were calling at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th, with three at Thornton Ellers on the 18^th and one at Church Bridge on the 19^th. Three were at Wheldrake Ings again on the 21^st and one at Bank Island on the 27^th. At least eight individuals were present throughout the site but presumably more were scattered elsewhere across the reserve. 

Little Grebe – Up to four remained on the Pocklington Canal at Melbourne during the month, where two were also caught. Four were on the river at North Duffield Carrs on the 20^th when one was also present on the Top Pond. 

Little Grebe - Pocklington Canal - 13/11

Grey Heron – Small numbers were scattered throughout the site with a monthly maxima of eight on the 11^th. 

Little Egret – A single was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th. 

Cormorant – Up to nine were present throughout the month. 

Red Kite – A single flew over Church Bridge on the Pocklington Canal on the 16^th. 

Marsh Harrier – Up to two cream crowns remained in the valley throughout the month. 

Peregrine – Two females and a male were present throughout the month. 

Merlin - A single was seen flying alongside the road from Skipwith to Thorganby on the 26^th (SH).

Lapwing – As with many wader species numbers increased quickly following the flooding from mid-month. 200 were at North Duffield Carrs on the 15^th, a full count of the valley later revealed that c3300 were present from the 22^nd. 

Golden Plover – 100 at North Duffield Carrs on the 15^th increased with 800 on the Low Grounds at Sutton-upon- Derwent on the 18^th and c2100 throughout the valley on the 22^nd. 

Curlew – Three were at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th with four there on the 7^th and 11 on the 15^th. 21 were present throughout the site on the 22^nd. 

Common Snipe – 50 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with smaller numbers scattered elsewhere. The largest numbers remained in the Melbourne and Thornton Ings area where up to 200 were present on the 25^th. 

Jack Snipe – Two were present on the regular wintering site at Skipwith Common NNR during the month (DT). 

Woodcock – A single was seen flying across the heath at Skipwith Common on the 17^th.

Dunlin – The first returning birds were 11 seen at Ellerton on the 15^th, followed by 33 on the 18^th and 50 on the 22^nd. 

Ruff – Four returned to Aughton Ings on the 16^th (DB) following the first of the autumn’s flooding, numbers increasing quickly thereafter to an impressive 140 at Ellerton on the 22^nd (OM, CG). 

Black-tailed Godwit – A single bird was present at Ellerton Ings on the 22^nd (OM, CG).

Redshank – Two at Bubwith Ings on the 16^th were the first returning wintering birds.

Greenshank – A single flew over Bank Island calling on the 21^st (TD).

Whimbrel – A single flew over Bank Island at dusk on the 25^th calling loudly (FM, CSR). 

Herring Gull – Numbers started to increase during the month with birds commuting between Harewood Whin Tip and Wheldrake Ings – with up to 7000 by month end. 

Greater Black-backed Gull – As with the above species numbers had increased to 3000 roosting birds by the end of the month. 

Greater Spotted Woodpecker – Up to three different birds were present at the Bank Island feeding station during the month with others also noted in the car park area at Wheldrake Ings, one was also caught and ringed at the Escrick Duck decoy on 23^rd (MFJ). 

Great Spotted Woodpecker - Bank Island - 25/11

Green Woodpecker – Two or three were present almost daily on Skipwith Common NNR during the month. 

Grey Wagtail – A single was present throughout the month at Bank Island where it spent hours attacking its own reflection in visitor’s wing mirrors. A single was also present at Sutton Weir on the 10^th and Melbourne Arm on the 19^th. 

 

Grey Wagtail - Bank Island - 17/11

Kingfisher – A good showing with birds recorded early in the month at Wheldrake Ings and Bank Island. A single was present almost daily on the small pool at Thornton Ellers during the month with two caught and ringed there on the 25^th. Other birds were also reported during the month from Church Bridge Melbourne and Melbourne Arm (NC). 

Kingfisher - Thornton Ellers - 24/11

Jay – Widespread throughout the area during the month, in particular at Wheldrake Ings, Thornton Ellers and Skipwith Common NNR.

Stonechat – A single male at North Duffield Carrs was caught and colour-ringed on the 3^rd (MFJ). Another first winter male was present at Seavy Carr on the 4^th while two, an adult male and colour-ringed first winter male were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 6^th-9^th.

Blackcap – A male was seen amongst a mixed tit flock at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th (DB). 

Nuthatch - A single was caught and ringed in the Escrick Duck decoy on the 23^rd (MFJ). 

Willow Tit – Up to three were present throughout the month at the Bank Island feeding station, along with three at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th. Other records during the month included three ringed at feeding stations at Thornton Ellers and two ringed at Church Bridge, with two seen at Melbourne Arm on the 15^th. A good showing following what appears to have been a better breeding season. 

Lesser Redpoll – Two were caught and ringed at Thornton Ellers from a group of four there on the 5^th. Seven were at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th whilst birds were regularly recorded flying over Skipwith Common during the month (DT).

Lesser Redpoll - Thornton Ellers - 05/11

Siskin – A flock of 25 flew over Thornton Ellers on the 5^th. 

Tree Sparrow – Up to 200 were present throughout the month on the arable to the north of Thornton Ellers whilst 150 were feeding in a game cover strip near Seavy Carr later in the month – this area still remains a stronghold in the area with c400 present in the area. Up to 60 were present at the Bank Island feeding station throughout the month with small scattered flocks elsewhere.

MAMMALS: 

Roe Deer – Two at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th, and two at Skipwith Common on the 26^th.

Brown Hare – Three at Thornton Ellers on the 5^th, with a single at Skipwith Common on the 13^th.

BUTTERFLIES: 

Red Admiral – A single was sunning itself on the wall of the NNR base on the 7^th – the last of the year perhaps.

DRAGONFLIES: 

Common Darter – Two individuals, presumably the last for the year were seen at Thornton Ellers on the 18^th. 

OTHER INVERTS:

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.

Orange Ladybird - Skipwith Common - 18/11

FUNGI:

Several new species for the year were found throughout November on Skipwith Common such as: Common Inkcap, Common Jellyspot, Coral Spot, Fairy Inkcap and Small Stagshorn. Plenty of Jelly Ear was also found!

Common Inkcap - 17/11

Jelly Ear - 17/11