Nov

Lower Derwent Valley Sightings - November 2015

An increase in rainfall throughout the month led to increased amounts of flooding throughout the valley, particularly from mid-month, which saw the numbers of returning waterfowl (wildfowl and waders) in the valley quickly increase. By month end numbers had reached 6500 Wigeon, 4000 Teal, 2000 Mallard, 80 Shoveler and up to 50-60 each of Shelduck, Pintail and Tufted Duck. An impressive 100 + Whooper Swans had also built up by the 24^th although most interest was perhaps provided in the wild goose chase around the valley. Up to 900 Pink-footed Geese were present on the deck at Bank Island on the 2^nd-4^th and up to 85 remained throughout the month. Amongst these and the 1700+ Greylag Geese, two Tundra Bean Geese were present on the 7^th along with two European White-fronted Geese from the 17^th-28^th and a single Barnacle Goose from the 22^nd onwards.

A single Red Kite at Canal Head on the 6^th was the only record received during the month, although three Peregrines no doubt enjoyed the easy feeding provided by the increasing waterfowl flocks, two Marsh Harriers also remained. Single Merlins were present at Bank Island on the 11^th and 21^st along with a Short-eared Owl early in the month. Increasing numbers of Barn Owls were seen throughout the area once again after a rather quiet summer and autumn.

Wader numbers increased with peak counts reaching 2000+ Lapwing, 1200 Golden Plover, 100 Dunlin and 30+ Ruff as well as the first handful of returning Redshank and 20 Curlew. However, a feature of the month was the large numbers of Starlings feeding around the flooded meadows with up to 3000 present on many days during the month. In sharp contrast to recent Novembers, Jay numbers were low with just a mere six records away from the local stronghold at Skipwith Common. Following last month’s Cetti’s Warbler (caught and ringed at Wheldrake Ings), another found its way into a mist net there on the 3^rd followed by a single calling in the reed bed there on the 22^nd and two there on the 24^th. A late Chiffchaff lingered on the 1^st but no records were received thereafter. Another single Common Redpoll was caught and ringed at Melbourne on the 12^th as the large passage of Lesser Redpoll continued throughout the month, finally showing signs of slowing down in the last few days. Just starting to appear towards the end of the month were a small number of Corn Buntings back at the Church Bridge roost near Melbourne on the 25^th.

Small numbers of Fallow Deer continued to be seen on Skipwith Common during the month and two Otters were, as ever, a real treat for one visitor by Bubwith Bridge on the 10^th. A Harvest Mouse nest found near Melbourne on the 11^th represents a welcome find of these elusive small mammals.

Despite the mild conditions and good numbers of invertebrates out in October things came to an abrupt end during November with just a single Red Admiral reported at North Duffield village on the 16^th.

Many thanks as always to everyone who has contributed records during November – apologies for the lack of photographs this month!

BIRDS: 

Mute Swan – Numbers increased during the month as further non-breeding birds arrived, along with young dispersing from elsewhere, no doubt in part attracted by the increasing floodwater. Numbers had increased to 70 by the 15^th and 84 by month end. 

Whooper Swan - The resident herd built up from 12 on the 1^st, to 15 on the 3^rd and 25 by the 5^th. By the 24^th, the herd had built up to a very respectable 109 which were present to month end. Passage birds moving southwards through the site included 34 which flew south on the 8^th and 42 on the 12^th – at least 185 birds involved during the month. 

Canada Goose – Numbers continued to increase during the month with 250 at Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th and 370 throughout the valley on the 17^th. 

Greylag Goose – 1200 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 11^th with 300+ at Thorganby Ings on the same date. Over 1000 were present in the Low Grounds/Wheldrake Ings area on the 24^th when a further 280 were present in fields near Canal Head – an estimated 1700+ were present throughout the site and adjacent area. 800 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 30^th. 

Pink-footed Goose – 900 were present at Bank Island on the 2^nd - 4^th with 120 from the 5^th onwards, birds roosted on the floods at Bank Island and fed on nearby arable fields with the ‘local’ Greylag Geese. 300+ were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 11^th when a further 90 arrived high from the north at Bank Island. 70+ remained there thereafter until at least the 15^th with 85 still present at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd, and 79+ to month end. A single was also present with Greylags at Ellerton Ings on the 24^th. 

Tundra Bean Goose – Two were present amongst the Greylag and Pink-footed Goose flocks at Bank Island on the 7^th (CSR, FM). 

European White-fronted Goose – Two adults were present amongst the numerous Greylag Flocks at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th (CSR, FM) and again there on the 28^th (DB). 

Barnacle Goose – A single was present amongst the goose flocks at Wheldrake Ings from the 22^nd to month end. 

Shelduck – Just two were present at Thorganby on the 16^th but had increased to 15 at Wheldrake Ings by 22^nd. 46 were scattered throughout the valley on a full count on the 24^th. 

Wigeon – Numbers increased quickly early in the month and furthermore from the 7^th with increased flash flooding throughout the site, 3700 were present near Thorganby on the 9^th. Numbers increased further due to rising water levels, with counts of 1200 in the Wheldrake/Bank Island area on the 15^th, when 1500 were also present at Bubwith – an estimated 5000+ were present throughout the site on the 17^th followed by 6500+ by the 30^th. 

Teal – 800+ were present early in the month with 1050 present throughout the site by the 9^th, increasing rapidly to 4000+ by the 17^th. On the 24^th c4600 were counted across the whole site. 

Pintail – One or two birds were present from the 4^th following an increase in the amount of flooding on the site. Nine were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th with 16 on the 15^th and 22 on the 22^nd. A total of 77 were present throughout the valley on the 24^th. 

Mallard – Up to 1800 were present throughout the site towards month end. 

Gadwall – 12 were still present at Wheldrake Ings/Bank Island on the 15^th with 29 on the 24^th being the monthly maximum. 

Tufted Duck – Following a handful of autumn records to date numbers increased quickly as usual following the appearance of the floods and deeper water. 60+ were present at Bubwith Ings on the 16^th. 

Goldeneye – A single drake at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th to month end was the only record. 

Goosander – Four red-heads and a drake were present at Bank Island on the 22^nd followed by a single flying over on the 27^th. 

Shoveler – Numbers increased quickly following the onset of flooding with a fine November count of 61 on the 14^th, which had reached 86 by the 16^th. A whole valley count later on the 24^th produced 115 individuals. 

Cormorant – Regular throughout the month at Wheldrake Ings with up to 15 roosting towards month end. Birds were also encountered on the River Derwent and along the Pocklington Canal in small numbers – no doubt the same birds that were roosting at Wheldrake. 

Grey Heron – Birds were scattered throughout the site with flooding, a peak of 11 was had on the 7^th. 

Little Grebe – Three on the Pocklington Canal at Melbourne on the 8^th were present throughout the month, with one or two additional birds scattered along the River Derwent. 

Red Kite – A single at Canal Head on the 6^th. 

Marsh Harrier – Two were present early in the month and were still present at Wheldrake Ings to the end of the month. 

Peregrine – Up to three birds were present throughout the month enjoying the increasing numbers of waterfowl that built up with additional flooding. 

Water Rail – Up to three were regularly reported in the reed bed at Swantail Hide, Wheldrake Ings throughout the month. 

Golden Plover – 200+ were present at Bank Island on the 22^nd whilst 430 were noted at Thorganby Ings on the 24^th - up to 500 were reported from here on several occasions later in the month. 1000+ were in fields north of Kexby on the 29^th – an estimated 1600 present throughout the area at this time. 

Lapwing – 850 were present at Bank Island on the 5^th, with 1000+ throughout the valley (and surrounding arable) on the 9^th, which had reached 1160 on the 24^th and increased to 2000+ by the 30^th. 

Common Snipe – Always difficult to achieve full counts but 200+ were present early in the month with up to 50 also scattered over Skipwith Common. 

Dunlin – Four were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd with 46 at Thorganby Ings on the 24^th, later in the month (30^th) the flock had reached 100+. 

Ruff – The first returning birds were 14 at Thorganby Ings on the 24^th. 

Curlew – Numbers in the Wheldrake area increased to 20+ by mid-month. 

Redshank – The first two returning wintering birds were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd with presumably the same two at Thorganby on the 24^th. 

Short-eared Owl – A single at Bank Island on the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th with another at North Duffield Carrs on the 7^th. 

Wood Pigeon – A large scale movement of birds was reported in the wider Yorkshire area, presumably involving continental migrants. The valley had its share of this with an increase in birds noted in the Melbourne and Thornton Ings area from the 6^th, whilst an estimated 7000+ moved south over the valley on the 9^th. Large numbers were noted thereafter with 3000+ moving off the Wolds and into the Melbourne area from the 21^st following the arrival of colder weather and the first snow falls. 950 moved over Bank Island in the first hour after dawn on the 22^nd. 

Grey Wagtail – Birds were still present in the favoured locations of Bank Island and by Church Bridge, Melbourne during the month. 

Kingfisher – A single was present at Bank Island on the 1^st and 4^th, followed by singles on the River Derwent at North Duffield Carrs on the 9^th, 13^th and 24^th. 

Starling – 1000+ were at Sutton on Derwent on the 3^rd and 4^th, with 1300 at North Duffield Carrs on the 9^th and up to 3000 throughout the site on the 11^th. 1000+ were still present there on the 26^th with 2000+ in the Wheldrake/Bank Island area on the 30^th. 1500 were at Thorganby Ings on the 24^th. 

Fieldfare – A steady and noticeable influx took place from the 5^th with up to 2000 birds noted moving west through Bank Island by the 9^th. 

Jay – A single was present at Bank Island on the 6^th, 9^th and 11^th, followed by one at Wheldrake Ings on the same day. Two were at Church Bridge Melbourne on the 22^nd whilst five were noted at Skipwith Common on the 30^th – a rather quiet month in comparison to the recent November influxes witnessed in recent years. 

Cetti’s Warbler – Following last month’s capture in the poolside scrub at Wheldrake Ings yet another appeared there on the 3^rd (MFJ), whilst one was calling in the reed bed by Swantail Hide on the 22^nd (JL) with two there on the 24^th (CSR, LM, FM). 

Chiffchaff – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st. 

Willow Tit – Up to five were present in the Church Bridge area of Melbourne on the 22^nd, with four at Bank Island and up to four at Wheldrake Ings during the month. 

Siskin – Small numbers were recorded passing over the valley during the first half of the month – large numbers were recorded moving through other sites in Yorkshire with record numbers logged heading south at Spurn. 30 were present at Melbourne Arm on the 8^th. 

Lesser Redpoll – Large numbers continued to pass through the site with 150 caught and ringed at Melbourne, Church Bridge on the 12^th, followed by another 40 on the 14^th - a total of 500 during the month (MFJ). However, the passage finally showed signs of slowing down towards the last few days of the month. 

Common Redpoll – A single was caught and ringed at Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 12^th (MFJ). 

Tree Sparrow – Up to 100 were present at the Bank Island feeding station during the month, with 60 at Thornton Ellers and 30 at Church Bridge Melbourne. 

Corn Bunting – Four over the Ings at Thorganby/Ellerton on the 24^th were unusual whilst birds appeared at the Melbourne, Church Bridge roost with 15 there on the 25^th (NC).

MAMMALS: 

Fallow Deer – Three were present at Skipwith Common NNR on the 4^th with four there the next day. 

Otter – Two were reported near Bubwith Bridge on the 10^th. 

Harvest Mouse – A single nest was found near Melbourne on the 11^th (NC). 

BUTTERFLIES: 

Red Admiral – A single and perhaps the last for the year, was seen at North Duffield village on the 16^th.