Aug

Lower Derwent Valley NNR Sightings - August 2015

The highlight of the month was no doubt the amazing record of an Aquatic Warbler caught and ringed by Mike at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th. This represents the first record of the species in the valley and wider York area, and a notable Yorkshire record with most coming from the coast in the wider Spurn area. Mid-august is a prime time for the species to appear in the UK, this year two birds were present in Suffolk and Guernsey on the 9^th. Also notable, another Corncrake was discovered at Bank Island on the 24^th, this time seen as it was flushed by a tractor mowing there.

As Teal numbers increased to 180+ by month end, along with the first two returning Wigeon, it was a Garganey that became the waterfowl highlight of the month. A single showed well on the pool at Wheldrake Ings from the 1^st to 26^th, along with three there on the 21^st – 25^th. More raptors continued to put on a good showing with several Red Kites, and at least three different Marsh Harriers present during the month. Hobbies were however the stars of the show with regular sightings throughout the month, up to three showed well daily at Wheldrake towards month end. A trickle of wader passage continued, with up to seven Black-tailed Godwit, six Green Sandpiper, three Greenshank, two Common Sandpipers and a single Ruff and Dunlin. A single Wood Sandpiper on the 24^th was part of the large movement throughout the UK at this time. 

Garganey - Wheldrake Ings - 23/08

As expected there was a large movement of migrants during the month, with a Turtle Dove at Sutton on Derwent on the 25^th being the pick of the bunch. Twelve Whinchats and five Wheatears were logged whilst the first returning (and rather early) Fieldfare flew west over Wheldrake Ings early on the 29^th. A good run of family parties of Spotted Flycatchers was a welcome upturn for this species locally, and a single Nuthatch near the Wheldrake car park on the 21^st was also noteworthy (although now almost typical in date and location). 

Aside from the birds, it's also been a fantastic month for invertebrate records, with four new species of ladybird found, bringing the total to 17 different species recorded so far this year (read on to the invertebrate section below for more details). New shield bugs, beetles and hoverflies have also been recorded at Thornton Ellers - which has again been a hot spot for butterflies and dragonflies.

Migrant Hawker - Thornton Ellers - 25/08

As always, many thanks to the local birders, the YOC and all the visitors who have either left records in the hide log books or e-mailed us directly throughout the month. Thanks also to local birder Duncan Bye for the use of his photographs - all credited (DB) - all other photographs taken by the LDV NNR team.

BIRDS: 

Mute Swan – Several family parties remained throughout the month along with a handful of non-breeders. 

Greylag Goose – Numbers were lower than expected but roosting numbers at Wheldrake Ings increased to 200 by month end. Up to 400 were also present on ponds at Skipwith Common throughout the month. 

Shelduck – A single was present on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st – a rather un-seasonal record. 

Wigeon – A single drake remained on the pool at Wheldrake Ings throughout the month, with a single drake also at North Duffield Carrs on the 9^th and a female at Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th. Two drakes were at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st onwards. 

Teal – Following only a handful of birds being present after the breeding season, the first ‘returning’ birds included a count of 19 on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th, followed by 26 there on the 9^th and 30 from the 12^th – 21^st. 57 present on the 23^rd increased quickly to 180+ by the 24^th and 150+ thereafter. Up to 50 were also recorded from Skipwith Common NNR. 

Garganey – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th – 17^th gave many visitors the opportunity to catch up with this species in eclipse plumage. Three were then present from the 21^st to 25^th with a single on the 24^th and 26^th. 

Garganey - Wheldrake Ings - 23/08 - DB

Mallard – Up to 150 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the evening flight early in the month, with 230 there on the 24^th. 

Gadwall – 20 were present on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th - the monthly maxima. 

Shoveler – Up to 10 were at Wheldrake Ings during the first ten days of the month with smaller numbers thereafter until the 18^th. Two were at North Duffield Carrs on the 27^th. 

Tufted Duck – Three pairs with a total of 11 young were present at Wheldrake Ings early in the month with two juveniles released there on the 7^th - these were then present until the 24^th with one to the 26^th. 

Tufted Duck ducklings - Wheldrake Ings - 07/08

Grey Heron – Birds were scattered throughout the site with 11 at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th as receding water levels concentrated feeding birds, 15 were there on the 29^th. 

Little Egret – Up to five birds were present daily on the pool at Wheldrake Ings early in the month, with regular sightings reported from elsewhere in the valley. One or two lingered until month end. 

Little Egrets - Wheldrake Ings - 06/08 - DB

Little Grebe – A single at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th was probably a young dispersing bird, as were three juveniles at North Duffield Carrs on the 27^th-29^th.   

Red Kite – Singles were present at Melbourne on the 3^rd, Canal Head on the 5^th, Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th and Melbourne on the 8^th. Another single flew over Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th. Sightings continued into the second half of the month when a single was seen over Melbourne on 14^th, Sutton on Derwent on the 18^th and Thorganby on the 21^st. 

Marsh Harrier – An adult male was present on Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th while a similar bird arrived at North Duffield Carrs from the south on the 21^st. A cream-crown was seen at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd, 24^th and 29^th. A second year male was also present on Skipwith Common NNR mid-month. 

Peregrine – A single flew west along the Pocklington Canal on the 7^th and an immature flew over the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th.  Four (two adults and two juveniles) were moving along pylons near Sutton on Derwent on the 26^th. 

Hobby – A single was seen over North Duffield village on the 2^nd with another at Bank Island on the 8^th and North Duffield Carrs on the 9^th. Singles were at Wheldrake Ings on the 19^th, Sutton on Derwent on the 20^th and Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd, with one over the nearby village of Wheldrake on the 25^th and again at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th. Two were present there on the 29^th with three on 30^th. 

WaterRail – Singles appeared after lowering water levels on the pool at Wheldrake, with adults seen regularly from mid-month to month end, and at least two adults and one juvenile were present from the 29^th. 

Corncrake – A single bird was flushed by a tractor at Bank Island on the 24^th. 

Golden Plover – A single flew south over Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th followed by 12 over on the 25^th. A flock of 80 were present in the regular feeding fields by Raker Lakes from the 26^th onwards. 

Lapwing – Up to 100 were present in fields around North Duffield/Skipwith on the 1^st – 4^th. Small numbers moved through the site thereafter with 103 at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th. 

Curlew – A single flew south west over Skipwith Common NNR calling on the 11^th with another over Wheldrake Ings on the 28^th. 

Common Snipe – The pool at Wheldrake Ings held up to six early in the month, increasing to 15+ by the 27^th. Elsewhere, numbers increased with 15 at Seavy Carr on the 23^rd and 14 at Melbourne Ings on the 24^th with scattered singles elsewhere. 30 were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 31^st. 

Ruff – A single immature was present on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th. 

Black-tailed Godwit – Seven were present during the morning of the 31^st before departing south. 

Dunlin – A single was present at Wheldrake Ings from the 26^th to month end. 

Redshank – A single immature lingered at Wheldrake Ings until the 6^th. 

Greenshank –A single flew south over Thornton Ellers on the 10^th with another at Wheldrake on the 16^th – 25^th. Three arrived at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th and remained to month end. 

Greenshank - Wheldrake Ings - 27/08 - DB

Wood Sandpiper – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th was part of a large movement through the country. 

Green Sandpiper – Up to three were present daily at Wheldrake Ings from the 1^st with six on the 3^rd, five on the 4^th and three on the 6^th. A single was at Melbourne on the 7^th followed by one at Bank Island on the 8^th. Five were at Wheldrake Ings again on the 9^th – 11^th with seven there on the 12^th. Up to five lingered thereafter with six on the 29^th and 30^th. 

Common Sandpiper – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th with another there on the 24^th to month end, followed by two there on the 29^th. 

Common Sandpiper - Wheldrake Ings - 31/08 - DB

Common Tern – Two adults and a single juvenile at Melbourne on the 11^th were the last record. 

Green Woodpecker – A single was heard at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st and 3^rd, Bank Island on the 5^th, East Cottingwith on the 7^th and Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th. 

Turtle Dove – A single at Sutton on Derwent on the 25^th. 

Yellow Wagtail – Two flew over Thornton Ellers on the 11^th with one over the base at Bank Island on the same date, followed by five there on the 12^th. Passage birds were regularly reported heading over the valley with six over Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th and four there on the 31^st. 

Grey Wagtail – A single juvenile at Canal Head on the 9^th, with regular singles reported from Bank Island and one at the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st. 

Kingfisher – Two or three were present daily at Wheldrake Ings on the pool early in the month. A single juvenile was seen flying along the Wheldrake – Elvington Road by Raker Lakes on the 5^th. A juvenile was caught and ringed at Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th (MFJ), with an adult seen carrying food there on the 12^th. Two were there on the 16^th/17^th and regularly seen thereafter to month end. Up to three were at Thornton Ellers on the 26^th. 

Kingfisher - Wheldrake Ings - 29/08 - DB

Swift – A major clear out of local breeding birds took place on the 2^nd/3^rd leaving a scattering of presumed late breeding individuals around the area. Just a handful of birds remained at month end with six at Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th. 

Whinchat – A single was at North Duffield Carrs on the 9^th followed by four on Swantail Ings, Wheldrake, on the 16^th. Two were at North Duffield Carrs on the 26^th. Five were present at Swantail Ings, Wheldrake on the 29^th and 30^th. 

Wheatear – Three were on the river bank at Ellerton Ings on the 9^th followed by two at North Duffield Carrs on the 13^th. 

Wheatear - North Duffield Carrs - 09/08

Fieldfare – A rather early bird flew west over Wheldrake Ings on the morning of the 29^th – the first of the autumn. 

Aquatic Warbler – A single juvenile was caught and ringed by the pool at Wheldrake Ings on 12^th (MFJ, CSR) - the first record for the reserve, and follows two other birds caught and ringed in the country, in Suffolk and Guernsey on the 9^th. 

Grasshopper Warbler – A single reeling male was heard at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th. 

Spotted Flycatcher – A single adult was seen feeding two juveniles by the Pocklington Canal at Melbourne where at least two pairs were present until the 17^th. Another was near riverside hide on the Wheldrake riverside track on the 16^th, with seven there on the 21^st, four on the 22^nd and two on the 30^th. 

Nuthatch – A single near the favoured location of the Wheldrake Ings car park area on the 21^st. 

Willow Tit – Four were present on Wheldrake Ings on the 30^th – a total of six individuals were caught and ringed during the month (MFJ). 

Siskin – Up to 10 had built up in canal-side alders by Melbourne Arm on the 5^th. Up to 25 were present on Skipwith Common throughout the month and 15 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th.

MAMMALS: 

Brown Hare – Ten were seen across Wheldrake Ings on the 4^th, followed by four at Bank Island on the 5^th, on the same date three were also seen across Wheldrake Ings. Six were present by the Top Pond field at North Duffield Carrs on the 8^th followed by seven at Wheldrake Ings on the 11^th. 

Roe Deer – Two were seen at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th followed by four there on the 30^th. 

Roe Deer - Wheldrake Ings - 16/08

Hedgehog – One at Bank Island on the 17^th. 

Stoat – Singles were seen at Bank Island on the 17^th and Elvington on the 19^th.

AMPHIBIANS/REPTILES: 

Common Frog – Single in the meadow at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th. 

Common Toad – Three were found inside a half used bag of compost at the NNR base on the 3^rd. Two 'toadlets' were seen in the meadow at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th. 

Common Toad - NNR Base - 03/08

Common Lizard – Singles were seen on Skipwith Common on the 3^rd and 4^th. 

Adder – Three females were seen on the Common on the 3^rd, followed by two on the 4^th, one on the 11^th and two on the 24^th (all female). 

Adder - Skipwith Common - 24/08

Grass Snake – One was seen at Skipwith on the 24^th.

BUTTERFLIES: 

Brimstone – A female was seen at Thornton Ellers on the 11^th, on which date a male was also present at Skipwith Common. Two were present near North Duffield village on the 21^st. 

Brimstone - Thornton Ellers - 11/08

Large White – Very few were seen throughout the month with the end of the season fast approaching - singles were noted at Skipwith on the 11^th and 24^th. 

Small White – Similar to the above, few appeared on the wing throughout the month, with just three at Skipwith on the 24^th and three at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th. 

Green-veined White – One at Skipwith on the 3^rd and 24^th, followed by two at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th. 

Marbled White – A single individual was present near North Duffield on the 9^th (AW). 

Painted Lady – A single was present at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th, followed by four feeding on Water Mint on Swantail Ings, Wheldrake on the 16^th. Three were present in the NNR base garden daily from the 17^th to 27^th. Singles were also seen at Skipwith Common on the 19^th and 24^th, followed by one at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th. Singles were at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st and 29^th, with three there on the 23^rd.   

 

 

Painted Lady - Thornton Ellers - 10/08

Red Admiral – Three were seen in the NNR base garden at Bank Island on the 9^th followed by one at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th and 11^th, on the same date one was seen at Skipwith Common. A single was in the meadow at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th. Two were at Wheldrake on the 30^th. 

Small Tortoiseshell – A quiet month with just two seen around the NNR base on the 3^rd and three at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th. 

Peacock – The highest count during the month came on the 16^th when up to 40 were seen feeding on Water Mint at Wheldrake Ings. Other records throughout the month were two at the NNR base on the 3^rd, one at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th, one at Skipwith on the 24^th and three at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th. 

 

Peacock - Thornton Ellers - 24/08 

Comma – Two at Wheldrake on the 2^nd, followed by a single at the NNR base on the 3^rd. One at Wheldrake on the 9^th and again there on the 23^rd. 

Small Copper – A single was at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th with two there on the 11^th and 25^th. One was at Wheldrake on the 30^th. 

Common Blue – An un-common species in the valley, with only the second record for the year coming this month when a single female was seen in the scabious meadow at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th.

Holly Blue – A single on the riverside track at Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th (DB) was the second record of the year. 

Speckled Wood – Fairly quiet month for this species, with just two at Skipwith on the 11^th and 24^th, followed by two at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th. 

Meadow Brown – Five were seen in the scabious meadow at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th, followed by two at Skipwith on the 11^th and on the 24^th. Three were feeding on scabious at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th. 

Gatekeeper – Seen throughout the month with five on Skipwith on the 3^rd, seven at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th, thirteen at Skipwith on the 11^th, ten at Skipwith on the 24^th and seven at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th. 

Small Skipper – Numbers dwindled quickly with very few remaining on the wing, two were in the scabious meadow at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th, followed by one on the 11^th and six on the 25^th.

MOTHS: 

Humming-bird Hawk-moth – A single was present in the NNR base garden on the 11^th with another there on the 19^th, followed by one in Elvington on the 24^th.

Humming-bird Hawk-moth - NNR Base - 11/08

DRAGONFLIES: 

Ruddy Darter – A high count of 17 was had at Skipwith on the 11^th, followed by four there on the 24^th. 

Common Darter – One at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th, followed by two at Skipwith on the 11^th and five at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th.

Common Darter - Thornton Ellers - 24/08 

Southern Hawker – One at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th. 

Migrant Hawker – Singles at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th and 25^th. 

Migrant Hawker - Thornton Ellers - 25/08

Brown Hawker – Two at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th and 11^th, followed by one at Wheldrake on the 24^th and one at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th. 

Emerald – 20+ were seen near the pools adjacent to the bomb bay loop, Skipwith on the 11^th and 24^th. 

Emperor – One at Skipwith on the 24^th.

OTHER INVERTS: 

Water Ladybird – A single was found at Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th, with 30+ later found on the 26^th whilst flailing the meadow by Swantail Hide, Wheldrake - new site record.

Water Ladybird - Wheldrake Ings - 10/08

Pine Ladybird – A single was found at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th – another new species for the site. 

Kidney-spot Ladybird – Single on Skipwith on the 3^rd. 

Hieroglyphic Ladybird – Two were spotted at Skipwith Common on the 11^th – new record for the site, bringing us to 17 different species recorded so far this year. 

 

 

Hieroglyphic Ladybird - Skipwith Common - 11/08

Harlequin Ladybird (H.axyridis succinea) – Six were recorded on Skipwith on the 3^rd, followed by five there on the 11^th and two on the 24^th. 

Harlequin Ladybird (H.axyridis spectabilis) – One at Skipwith on the 11^th. 

Eyed Ladybird – A single on Skipwith on the 3^rd was a new species for the year and site. 

Eyed Ladybird - Skipwith Common - 03/08

22-spot Ladybird – Single at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th – first for the year. 

14-spot Ladybird – One at Skipwith on the 11^th. 

2-spot Ladybird – Single at Wheldrake on the 10^th – first for the year. 

Cream-spot Ladybird – Singles on Skipwith on the 4^th and 11^th. 

Cream-spot Ladybird - Skipwith Common - 04/08

Heather Shield Bug – Singles were seen on Skipwith Common on the 11^th and 24^th. 

Bronze Shield Bug – Two nymphs were seen on Skipwith on the 3^rd, followed by a single on the 11^th. 

Bronze Shield Bug nymph - Skipwith Common - 03/08

Green Shield Bug – A single nymph was found on Skipwith on the 4^th, followed by four there on the 11^th and one on the 24^th. 

Spiked Shield Bug – A single found at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th was the first record for the reserve.

Spiked Shield Bug - Thornton Ellers - 10/08 

Gorse Shield Bug – 50+ nymphs were counted on Skipwith on the 3^rd, followed by two there on the 11^th and eight on the 24^th. Six were recorded at Thornton Ellers on the 25^th. 

Spotted Longhorn – One on Skipwith on the 11^th. 

Four-banded Longhorn – One on Skipwith on the 4^th and 11^th. 

Four-banded Longhorn - Skipwith Common - 11/08

Wasp mimic (Chrysotoxum bicinctum) – One on Skipwith on the 3^rd was the first for the year. 

Wasp mimic – (Sericomyia silentis) – One on Skipwith on the 11^th. 

Yellow & Black Froghopper – A single at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th was a new species for the year.

NOTABLE PLANTS: 

Marsh Gentians were recorded on the 24^th when 18 were counted on Skipwith Common.