Welcome to the LDV NNR ringing blog, this blog is designed to share the experiences, findings and tales from a group of dedicated ringers. We specialise in conservation orientated research projects, largely focusing on wildfowl, waders, owls and birds of conservation concern, in and around the Vale of York NNR's.

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Jun' 18

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - June Sightings

The focus of the month was that of the ongoing breeding season with the first hint of return wader passage towards the end. Highlights included lingering Common Cranes (at least two individuals), two Spoonbills (19th) and another or reappearing Great White Egret. Amongst the breeding birds, a pair of Black-necked Grebes were recored with three chicks, along with 10 singing male Corncrakes, two singing Spotted Crakes and two Quail. Little Egrets also had another successful year in consolidating their colonisation of the site, with 13 pairs breeding in the local heronry producing 35+ young – with the pool at Wheldrake holding 20+ Little Egrets and Grey Herons, along with a Common Crane late in the month.

Amongst the other breeding waterfowl up to seven drake and four female Wigeon remained, with a single brood of six seen, along with three or four pairs of Garganey with 17 young in two broods, a single lingering pair of Pintail, four pairs of Egyptian Geese with an additional four roaming birds and two summering Whooper Swans. On the wader front good numbers of breeding pairs remained with large numbers of broods continuing to appear throughout, with up to 18 drumming Snipe at North Duffield carrs. 

Return wader passage started with Little Ringed Plovers (13th and 23rd), Black-tailed Godwit (18th) and Green Sandpipers (from 28th) with one or two Ruff possibly lingering throughout. A single Mediterranean Gull was at North Duffield Carrs on the 3rd, with the first fledged passage Black-headed Gulls seen from the 26th. Two pairs of Common Terns remained throughout the month with one pair hatching three young by the 22nd. Other notable records included Turtle Dove on the 7th, several adult Cuckoo and fledged Nuthatch and Willow Tit young were caught and ringed in pool side Willows at Wheldrake Ings.

Two to three cream crown Marsh Harriers remained throughout the month including a wing tagged bird from the Belgium/French border, whilst Hobbies were regular throughout the site and the first returning adult Peregrine was logged.

Many thanks as always to everyone who contributed records throughout the month, in particular to regular birder and member of the YOC, Duncan Bye, also thank you to Duncan for the use of some of his photographs (credited DB).


BIRDS:

Whooper Swan - Two Whooper Swans remained at North Duffield Carrs throughout the month. 

 
Whooper Swan - NDC - 11/06



Egyptian Goose – In addition to three pairs in the East Cottingwith area a single pair was also present on ponds in Foggathorpe on the 10th. Up to four birds also frequented Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings throughout the month, along with two at North Duffield Carrs on the 6th.

Wigeon – A brood of six were present on the pool at Wheldrake on the 14th, with four drakes and a female there throughout. A further three drakes and two females were found scattered throughout the site – a minimum of seven drakes and four females.

Teal – The second brood of the year (seven ducklings) were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 8th. At least seven pairs were still present in the Bank Island, Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs areas on the 9th.

Pintail – A single pair still remained throughout the month at Wheldrake Ings.

Garganey – A single drake remained at Bank Island early in the month, and was joined most dawns and evenings by a female, thought to be incubating nearby. At least two drakes were present at Wheldrake during the first week of the month, with a single drake at North Duffield Carrs on the 6th. The first brood (seven ducklings), were present on the pool at Wheldrake on the 13th, shortly followed by a brood of 10 at Bank Island on the 18th. A single female was on the pool at Wheldrake on the 22nd.

Gadwall – Five newly hatched broods totalling 31 ducklings were present at Wheldrake on the 12th. 14 were present at Bank Island on the 18th whilst 23 were at North Duffield Carrs on the 19th. Further broods continued to appear with 100+ ducklings counted throughout the reserve on the 22nd, including several newly hatched broods.

Shoveler РUp to 30 ducklings were present at Wheldrake from the 12th with increasing numbers of newly hatched broods appearing from the 15th. 16 were recorded at Bank Island on the 18th with a cr̬che of 34 at North Duffield Carrs on the 19th, and two further newly hatched broods (19 ducklings) on the 22nd.

Tufted Duck – The first broods (of five and six) appeared at North Duffield Carrs on the 23rd.

 
Tufted Duck - Wheldrake Ings - 02/06 - DB



Pochard – A single eclipse plumage drake was at Wheldrake Ings on the 20th and 21st.

Grey Heron – Increasing numbers of juveniles continued to appear during the month with 19 between Bank Island and Wheldrake on the 24th. A single juvenile on the pool at Wheldrake on the 25th was sporting a blue colour-ring – again indicating rapid post breeding dispersal, and that the large gatherings of juvenile herons in the valley at this time may not all be local birds. 21 were recorded at Wheldrake on the 30th.

 
Grey Heron - Wheldrake Ings - 25/06 - DB



Little Egret – Still present in good numbers and widespread throughout the site. 13 were recorded at East Cottingwith on the 7th, with seven between Bank Island and Wheldrake on the 9th, 14 at Thorganby Ings on the 18th and five at Melbourne on the 21st. At least 13 pairs are known to have bred in the heronry with an estimated 35 young reared there, with birds starting to fledge at month end. Up to 20 built up on the pool at Wheldrake at month end.

Great White Egret – A least one bird remained early in the month in the Bank Island/Wheldrake area until the 6th, reappearing there again briefly on the 22nd.

Spoonbill – Two were seen circling over Skipwith Common NNR on the 19th before drifting off towards the River Derwent, arriving later at North Duffield Carrs (CSR et al).

Little Grebe – Several pairs remained throughout the month.

Black -necked Grebe – A single pair bred producing three chicks at North Duffield Carrs during the month – the first successful breeding since 2004.

Great Crested Grebe – A single pair remained at Wheldrake throughout the month.

Common Crane – A single sub adult was present over Wheldrake on the 7th whilst a single flew south over Bank Island and the Low Grounds on the 16th (CSR). What was considered to be a full adult was present on the scrape at Aughton on the 21st (FM) with another there on the 27th (NC) and at Wheldrake on the 30th (DB). 

 
Common Crane - Wheldrake Ings - 30/06 - DB



Coot – Several pairs were present at most sites throughout the valley.

Red Kite – A single was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 11th and 15th with two over East Cottingwith on the 19th and a single over the Low Grounds on the 21st. A single was present at North Duffield Ings on the 25th/26th, on the same dates two individuals were following hay cutting operations at Wheldrake and Bank Island.

Marsh Harrier – A single male lingered early in the month at North Duffield Carrs. Two untagged cream crowns remained thereafter to month end. Three cream crowns were recorded during the 19th at North Duffield Carrs, with up to two birds present at North Duffield Ings on the 25th and 26th. The immature bird present at Wheldrake from late May wearing two green wing tags (X8), was ringed in a nest, one of four chicks, in Belgium the previous year.

Peregrine – At least one pair fledged two young on a plyon in the wider area by the 11th. The first sighting for a few weeks was an adult at Bank Island on the 16th. Four pairs were in the wider area.

Hobby – Still present throughout the site in good numbers although increasingly secretive with the onset of nesting. Away from the well watched sites of Bank Island, Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs, singles were present at East Cottingwith on the 7th, Aughton on the 8th, Skipwith on the 9th and Thorganby on the 12th. Two were present over East Cottingwith on the 19th whilst one was seen chasing Swifts in Elvington village on the 22nd.

Water Rail – Up to eight pairs remained throughout. A single pair were seen with four young at Wheldrake on the 12th.

Spotted Crake – Two were present at Swantail, Wheldrake on the 8th – calling against each other in a presumed territorial dispute (TH).

Corncrake – Up to ten singing birds were present in total, inc. five singing males located during survey work in the North Duffield Carrs/Bubwith area on the 15th-16th. Amazingly during the NE long term monitoring network week, two were seen at North Duffield Carrs on the 19th. Late hay cuts and friendly mowing practices were put in place at the month end to protect these birds, with at least one bird at Bubwith calling to month end.

Quail – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the evening of the 22nd was only the second record of the year, shortly followed by another individual heard on the 24th near the Pocklington Canal.

Oystercatcher – Bred throughout the area with a single pair raising two young on the roof of buildings at Pocklington Industrial Unit - one chick was rescued by the fire service having fallen down a drain pipe.

Little Ringed Plover – A single was present at Bank Island on the 13th (DB) followed by two there on the 23rd – possibly early returning failed breeders from elsewhere.

Lapwing – It continued to be a productive breeding season with two fledged broods (five young) at North Duffield Carrs on the 11th, when a single newly hatched brood was also present. Two unfledged broods were still present there on the 24th

 
Lapwing chick - NDC - 11/06



Dunlin – Four were present at Bank Island before flying off south east on the 13th.

Ruff – A single female lingered at Wheldrake on the 1st and 3rd with a male at Aughton Ings on the 11th. A single male was present at Wheldrake on the 30th.

Common Snipe – Five drumming males were still present at North Duffield Carrs on the 11th with 13 drumming/chipping there on the 19th and 18 there on the 22nd – possibly failed birds from other sites having second or third attempts at this wetter site. Good numbers remained elsewhere with drumming and chipping heard throughout. 14 post breeding birds were at Bank Island on the 28th.

Woodcock – Up to six roding birds were present at Skipwith Common at dusk on the 20th.

Black-tailed Godwit – A single was present at Bank Island on the 18th.

Curlew – Up to 60 pairs were present throughout, on and adjacent to the reserve. Breeding success was high with several broods noted included newly hatched broods and broods of about a week old on the 22nd.

Redshank – Up to 15 pairs were located with young throughout the site.

Green Sandpiper – A single at Bank Island on the 28th when two were also present at Skipwith Common. Singles daily thereafter at Wheldrake Ings.

Black-headed Gull – The first dispersing immatures (two) were noted at Bank Island on the 26th.

Common Tern –Two pairs were incubating on the tern rafts with single pairs at both Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs.  This later pair had hatched three young by 22nd.

Long-eared Owl – An adult was heard calling on Skipwith Common on the 4th.

Nightjar – A single was heard alarming on Skipwith Common on the 5th (DB/JL).

Turtle Dove – A single was present by the hides at North Duffield Carrs on the 7th.

Great Spotted Woodpecker – Pair feeding young on Skipwith Common on the 7th, fledged young present around the nest site on the 11th

 
GSW chick - Skipwith Common - 07/06



Cuckoo – Up to five males and three females remained during the month along the Pocklington Canal near Melbourne, with two singing males at North Duffield Carrs, Skipwith Common and Storwood. A single adult was present at Wheldrake on the 25th.

Jay – A single was present in the pool side scrub at Wheldrake on the 24th. Birds were also present around the Thicket Priory during the month with up to three pairs on Skipwith Common NNR.

Kingfisher – Two pairs were found breeding on the River Derwent at Wheldrake during the month with one pair still feeding young at month end. A single fledged juvenile was caught and ringed there on the 25th (MFJ), with several appearing on the pool at that site late in the month, and showing well on the rails in front of the hides.

Reed Warbler – Present in good numbers throughout the month although a late breeding season with only adults caught and ringed up to month end.

Sedge Warbler – The first fledged juvenile was caught and ringed at Wheldrake Ings on 22nd (MFJ).

Cetti’s Warbler – One was present near Thornton Lock on the 15th (NC).

Nuthatch – A single newly fledged juvenile was caught and ringed in pool side willows at Wheldrake on the 25th (MFJ).

Spotted Flycatcher – Two pairs were still present in Skipwith village during the month, with a single at Bank Island on the 18th. A pair were also recorded during the month at Thornton.

Corn Bunting – Good numbers were present throughout the wider area with perhaps as many as 100 singing males scattered throughout the wider valley on surrounding farmland, many on the eastern side of the valley. As usual in recent years several pairs also appeared on the Ings during the month, with a single pair at Wheldrake Ings, six pairs at Bubwith Ings and twelve pairs on Melbourne and Thornton Ings.


MAMMALS:

Weasel – A pair were breeding in the reserve base garden during the month with a single between Bank Island and Wheldrake on the riverside path on the 21st.

Brown Hare – Present in small numbers.

Fallow Deer – Three were again present at Bank Island on the 7th with two in the area on the 8th and single there on the 12th. Regular sightings of a female continued thereafter with a single fawn accompanying her from the 22nd – the first breeding record for the reserve.

Roe Deer – A female with two fawns were present at North Duffield Carrs from the 1st.


BUTTERFLIES:

Small Tortoiseshell – Single at North Duffield on the 11th.

Small Copper – Two at North Duffield on the 11th.

Meadow Brown – Two at Bank Island on the 7th, five at North Duffield Carrs on the 11th and a single at Skipwith, followed by five at Skipwith on the 21st.

Ringlet – Single at Skipwith on the 21st.

Speckled Wood – Four at Skipwith Common on the 5th, six on the 7th, and twelve on the 11th - on the same date two were recorded at North Duffield Carrs, followed by twelve at Skipwith on the 21st.

Large Skipper – The first of the year was present at Bank Island on the 5th, followed by three at Skipwith on the 7th and twenty three on the 21st

 
Large Skipper - Skipwith Common - 05/06



Marbled White – A single at East Cottingwith Ings on the 25th.


DRAGONFLIES:

Broad-bodied Chaser – Single at Bank Island on the 11th.

Four-spotted Chaser – Four at Skipwith on the 21st.

Hairy Dragonfly – Two were present on the Low Grounds on the 21st with three at North Duffield Carrs and two at Wheldrake Ings on the 22nd.

Brown Hawker – The first of the year involved a large emergence on the 22nd with 10+ at Wheldrake Ings and seven at North Duffield Carrs.

Common Darter – The first of the year were two at Skipwith and a single at Bank Island on the 21st.

 
Common Darter - Bank Island - 23/06 - DB



Ruddy Darter – A single at Wheldrake on the 22nd was the first for the year.

Large Red Damselfly – Single at Skipwith on the 11th and 21st.

Emerald – Single at Skipwith on the 11th, followed by six there on the 21st.

Banded Demoiselle – Four at Bank Island on the 7th. 
 
  
OTHERS:

Longhorn Beetle – Four-banded, Spotted & Black all noted on Skipwith on the 11th


Orange Ladybird – Single at Skipwith on the 11th.

Red-legged Shield Bug – Nymph on Skipwith on the 11th.


Gorse Shield Bug – Single adult at Skipwith on the 21st

Green Shield BugPair found mating at Bank Island on the 21st


Rosemary Beetle – The first of the year was present at Bank Island on the 26th with three there on the 29th.

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