Aug' 19

Lower Derwent Valley NNR Sightings - August

It was typically quiet on the waterfowl front, although up to five Garganey continued to appear throughout the month on the pool at Wheldrake, whilst Teal numbers built up to 50 by month end. Following the breeding season and post breeding dispersal several Little Egrets remained/passed through, and up to 12 Egyptian Geese were present in the East Cottingwith area.

It was a good month for raptors, with four Ospreys, up to five Marsh Harriers and the now usual and regular Red Kites and Hobbies present throughout. A late Quail was also heard at Wheldrake on the 11^th. Wader passage provided the usual interest, with three Avocets (an adult and two immatures), the highlight in what has been a good year for the species in the valley. Green Sandpipers were the main highlight, with numbers reaching an impressive 21 late in the month, along with small numbers of Greenshank and Common Sandpipers, in addition to the odd Ruff, Curlew, Golden Plover and Little Ringed Plovers. A Turnstone was also reported on the 15^th.

It was also a notable month for passage passerines, perhaps following on from a successful and protracted breeding season. Highlights included a passage Nightjar at Elvington on the 29^th, a single Pied Flycatcher at Storwood on the 26^th, two Redstarts (25^th and 27^th), five Wheatears and up to four Whinchats as well as a lingering Cuckoo. A small movement of Spotted Flycatchers was noted between the 21^st-25^th with large numbers of passage Sedge and Reed Warblers, Whitethroats and Blackcaps. Also encouraging was the fact that 17 different Willow Tits were logged at Wheldrake and Bank Island during the month.

Many thanks as always to everyone who contributed records throughout the month, in particular to members of the YOC and local patch birder Duncan Bye – thanks also to Duncan for the use of his photographs, credited DB.

BIRDS: 

Shelduck – A single immature was on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th.

Egyptian Goose – 12 were present in the East Cottingwith area on the 25^th following a successful breeding season.

Greylag Goose – Birds became more obvious in the valley during the month with dawn and dusk flights in the wider area. 100+ were near Elvington on the 24^th with 160 at East Cottingwith Ings on the 25^th. 

Teal – Numbers fluctuated early in the month but up to 30 were present in the area, with an increase to 50 on the pool at Wheldrake on the 26^th to month end.

Garganey – Up to five fledged juveniles and one or two adult females remained at Wheldrake early in the month, with five juveniles recorded on the 7^th and an adult female on the 10^th. Three were present on the 11^th with five juveniles seen again on the 14^th and 24^th and four on the 28^th.  

Garganey - Wheldrake - 14/08 - DB

Gadwall – The last brood of seven fledged on the 10^th.

Mallard – 109 were present at dusk on the pool at Wheldrake on the 7^th.

Shoveler – Up to 10 were recorded early in the month with occasional sightings thereafter.

Tufted Duck – Singles were present on the pool at Wheldrake on the 7^th and 10^th. Two ducklings which had been hand-reared by Jean, were ringed and released at Wheldrake on the 14^th - one of which remained to month end. 

Little Egret – Up to seven remained on the pool at Wheldrake early in the month, with eight there on the 13^th when five were also present at Bank Island. Up to seven remained thereafter with four on the 17^th, five on the 25^th/26^th and 28^th.   

Little Egret - Wheldrake - 14/08 - DB

Grey Heron – Up to 15 were still present throughout the site during the month.

Osprey – The first of the autumn flew south at Wheldrake on the 10^th (CSR) with another south there on the 17^th (DB) and again at the same location on the 20^th (CSR, LM, MFJ). A single flew south over the pool there on the 27^th (CSR).

Marsh Harrier – Single cream crowns remained at Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs early in the month, with three seen in the valley (inc an immature male) on the 17^th. A pair (both adults) were at Wheldrake on the 20^th, followed by an adult male at Bank Island on the 22^nd, and Wheldrake on the 26^th - where it was seen going into roost on the 28^th.  

Red Kite – Daily sightings of up to three individuals continued to come from the Wheldrake Ings/Bank Island area early in the month.

Hobby – Daily from Wheldrake and Bank Island early in the month, with one observed catching Swallows in front of Pool Hide on the 14^th. Two were present at Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th with scattered singles daily thereafter to month end. 

Kestrel – Seen daily and in good numbers across the reserve. On the 28^th Jean brought in a juvenile to be released on the NNR following a successful spell in rehabilitation, after it had fallen out of its nest and was unable to be put back.

Kestrel - Bank Island - 21/08 - CSR

Quail – A single calling bird was present at Wheldrake on the 11^th. 

Avocet – Three (an adult and two immatures) were present on the pool at Wheldrake on the 4^th (DB).

Little Ringed Plover – A single lingered at Wheldrake on the pool between the 1^st to 14^th.

Golden Plover – Singles were recorded from Wheldrake on the 1^st, 3^rd and 7^th.

Lapwing – Small numbers were present early in the month with 250 building up at Bank Island on the 22^nd. Single figure flocks thereafter. 

Snipe – Numbers on the pool increased during the month with 22 by the 28^th with others scattered throughout the site – an estimated site maximum of 50 at month end. 

Snipe - Wheldrake - 22/08 - DB

Woodcock – A single flushed at the Blackwood side of Skipwith Common NNR on the 22^nd. 

Curlew – Singles were at Wheldrake on the 3^rd and 10^th with three south there on the 20^th. 

Ruff – One at Wheldrake on the 26^th.

Greenshank – One at Wheldrake on the 3^rd with another there between the 20^th – 25^th, followed by two on the 26^th and three on the 27^th to month end.

Greenshank - Wheldrake - 26/08 - DB

Green Sandpiper – Up to seven were present in the Wheldrake area from the 1^st – 10^th with eight on the 11^th and nine on the 13^th/14^th. Seven were present on the 15^th with up to 10 recorded from the 17^th - 20^th, followed by 11 on the 21^st – 23^rd. Nine present thereafter until numbers increased to an impressive 21 on the 27^th. 15 remained the following day with 18 on the 30^th/31^st. Occasional sightings of singles from Bank Island with three there on the 26^th.  

Common Sandpiper – A single at Wheldrake on the 11^th with another there on the 28^th/29^th.

Turnstone – A single reported from the pool at Wheldrake on the 15^th. 

Lesser Black-backed Gull – Five were loafing on newly cut hay at Wheldrake on the 1^st with seven at North Duffield Carrs on the 4^th. Up to 60 were present in harvested fields opposite the Bank Island car park on the 24^th – 26^th.

Yellow-legged Gull – A single adult with Lesser Black-backed Gulls in fields opposite Bank Island on the 24^th. 

Tawny Owl – A single was caught and ringed after being found roosting in the Wheldrake Ings swan pipe on the 11^th. Several calling birds were present nightly at Bank Island throughout the month. 

Tawny Owl - Wheldrake - 11/08 - CSR

Cuckoo – A single juvenile was in the Wheldrake Ings car park area on the 3^rd with another between Pool and Swantail Hides on the 11^th. A single juvenile was then present on the tern/kingfisher rails in front of Pool Hide on the 15^th. 

Nightjar – A single passage bird was seen at Elvington on the 29^th (AF). 

Swift – 30+ flew south at Bank Island between heavy rain showers on the 16^th, followed by four south over North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th and two over the pool at Wheldrake on the 20^th. 

Kingfisher – Birds remained active in the Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings area throughout the month – often seen and heard along the river but also sitting on the perches in front of Pool Hide and showing well. Juveniles were caught and ringed at Wheldrake on the 26^th and 28^th – the seventh and eighth juveniles ringed during the year.

Kingfisher - Wheldrake - 26/08 - LJM

Great Spotted Woodpecker – Daily records of birds flying over and around the pool at Wheldrake Ings. 

Green Woodpecker – A single in pool side willows on the 17^th. 

Sand Martin – The last unfledged young (a brood of two) were ringed in the colony at Bank Island on the 28^th. Small numbers moved south and roosted at Wheldrake during the month with Swallows. 

Swallow – Up to 200+ roosted most evenings during the month at the Wheldrake reed bed, with birds caught towards month end noted to be carrying fat.

Yellow Wagtail – Five were at North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th with three south over Wheldrake on the 20^th. 11 went south on the 25^th and seven on the 26^th, with smaller numbers heard on most days. 

Meadow Pipit – One or two headed south most days from mid-month with 15 grounded birds at Wheldrake on the 21^st and 32 on the 28^th.  

Tree Pipit – One flew south at Wheldrake over the pool on the 19^th (CSR) with another by Tower Hide on the 25^th (DB) and again on the 27^th. 

Whinchat – The first birds of the autumn were a single at Wheldrake on the 10^th with two also present at North Duffield Carrs on the same date (DB, CSR). Two were present at Wheldrake on the 17^th followed by two at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th. Singles at Wheldrake Ings and Storwood on the 26^th with two at Wheldrake on the 27^th and three on the 28^th when one was also caught and ringed during the mornings mist netting session (MFJ). Four were present there on the 29^th with one remaining on the 30^th. 

Whinchat - Wheldrake Ings - 28/08 - LJM

Wheatear – One at Wheldrake on the 1^st with a female seen on Swantail Ings on the 20^th/21^st and three at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th. 

Redstart – A single female was present at Wheldrake on the 25^th (DB) whilst a juvenile male was caught and ringed at Wheldrake on the 27^th (MFJ).

Pied Flycatcher – A single female at Storwood Ings on the 26^th (CSR).

Skylark – Up to 25-30 recorded daily at Wheldrake – presumably moulting post breeding individuals, rather than passage movements.

Jay – Birds were regular at dusk around the pool at Wheldrake with two over there at dawn on the 27^th. 

Spotted Flycatcher – A single was present in pool side willows at Wheldrake on the 21^st with three at Thornton Ings on the same date, followed by three at Wheldrake on the 22^nd and two in the car park area there on the 25^th. Four (two adults and two young) were at Melbourne on the 27^th. 

Willow Tit – Another two were caught and ringed early in the month from the Bank Island and Wheldrake area – making a total of 11 juveniles ringed at those sites since late June. A single ringed at Bank Island on the 3^rd August was re-trapped at the pool at Wheldrake on the 13^th, whilst a single adult caught at Wheldrake on the 23^rd had been ringed there seven years earlier. Five un-ringed birds were present around the pool at Wheldrake on the 14^th – giving a minimum of 17 birds in this area during the month. 

Nuthatch – A single at Wheldrake on the 3^rd with two there on the 25^th. 

Willow Warbler – An increase in records and the number of birds ringed indicated an increase in passage early in the month with 21 counted at Wheldrake on the 3^rd. Another wave, largely adults having finished moult, passed through between the 23^rd-26^th. 15 were caught and ringed on the 27^th.

Blackcap – A large movement took place on the 25^th with 22 caught and ringed at dawn at Wheldrake. 10 were at Bank Island on the 26^th whilst 21 were caught and ringed at the pool at Wheldrake on the 27^th followed by 20 on the 28^th. 

Lesser Whitethroat – Two were caught and ringed at Wheldrake on the 27^th followed by one at Bank Island on the 29^th. 

Sedge Warbler – A noticeable movement of passage birds on the 3^rd was noted at Wheldrake with another larger movement following on the 13^th when 26 were ringed, with eight caught and ringed the following morning. 26 were caught and ringed on the 20^th which were followed by 41 on the 21^st, 30 on the 26^th and 21 on the 27^th. 

Garden Warbler – Small numbers passed through the site during the month with two caught and ringed at Wheldrake on the 27^th with one at Melbourne on the same date.  

Reed Warbler – Passage was underway early in the month with 13 at Wheldrake on the 3^rd and an increase in birds ringed also noted at this time. A noticeable passage then took place with 20 caught and ringed on the 20^th. 

Linnet – Up to 50 roosted in the reed bed at Wheldrake throughout the month with good numbers present elsewhere on the reserve. 

Reed Bunting – Up to 150 were present in the Wheldrake reed bed at month end. 

MAMMALS:

Roe Deer – Present throughout the site during the month, including an adult and two fawns at Wheldrake on the 14^th. 

Hedgehog – Up to three were reported regularly from the Wheldrake riverside path during the month.

Otter – Fresh spraints were present in refuge area at Wheldrake on the 19^th. 

Mink – A single was caught on camera traps on the 24^th at Wheldrake. 

Red Fox – Singles were present around the pool at Wheldrake on the 15^th and 19^th with two cubs there on the 20^th. Two adults were seen heading across the meadows at Wheldrake on the 25^th.

BUTTERFLIES:

Comma – Present in the NNR base garden, Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings throughout the month, with the highest count of 9 at Wheldrake on the 3^rd.  

Small Tortoiseshell – 14 freshly emerged individuals were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th with 12 recorded in the NNR base garden on the 19^th, and 18 there on the 24^th. 

Red Admiral – Present throughout the month across the site, with a count of 11 at Wheldrake on the 4^th followed by 7 there on the 17^th, and another count of 11 on the 25^th. 21 at Wheldrake on the 31^st finished the month on a high. 

Painted Lady – 40 were present along the riverside track at Wheldrake on the 3^rd with 100+ there on the 9^th and 10^th. Between 5-10 were recorded daily from then until month end at Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings, with good numbers present throughout the remainder of the site. 

Peacock – A staggering 127 were counted along the Wheldrake riverside track on the 3^rd with 54 also present at Bank Island. 162 were then recorded the following day at Wheldrake on the 4^th followed by 48 at Bank Island on the 8^th. 

Small Copper – Single at Bank Island on the 3^rd. 

Meadow Brown – Two were still on the wing at North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th.

Speckled Wood – High count of 22 was had at Wheldrake on the 3^rd, followed by 17 there on the 4^th. 

Gatekeeper – Small counts were obtained between Bank Island and Wheldrake throughout the month. 

Holly Blue – One at the NNR base garden on the 17^th and 19^th. 

Common Blue – Two at Wheldrake on the 18^th and 24^th, five at Bank Island on the 25^th and two on the 26^th.

Brown Argus – Six in the NNR base garden on the 13^th – the first of the year with to up four seen thereafter.

Small White – Present in good numbers throughout the month. 

Large White – Present throughout the month.

Small Skipper – Single at Bank Island on the 3^rd.