Nov' 20

 Lower Derwent Valley NNR - November Sightings

As expected, the month was dominated by the increasing number of waterfowl. 134 passage Whooper Swans were logged, and the wintering herd built up to 104 individuals. Seven species of geese were recorded, including a record 3600 Greylag Geese, whilst between 2000-5000 Pink-footed Geese were present in and around the area, with up to 2000 using North Duffield Carrs for part of the month. 25 Tundra Beans (four flocks), 14 White-fronted Geese and a single Barnacle were also recorded. Wigeon numbered 4600 late in the month with 3000 Teal, and an impressive early count of 196 Pintail. Two lingering Great White Egrets and a single Common Crane were logged, whilst raptors included Goshawk (21^st and 30^th), eight Marsh Harrier, four Peregrines, Merlin (5^th, 22^nd and 24^th) and a ring-tailed Hen Harrier on the 27^th.

Increasing wintering waders included 23 Dunlin, 29 Ruff, 2 Grey Plover (7^th and 15^th), 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Green Sandpiper and several Jack Snipe, whilst increasing numbers of Woodcock were located in the wider area.

Best of the rest included a single Short-eared Owl, a late Swallow (21^st/22^nd), a Bearded Tit (3^rd), whilst six wintering Cetti’s Warblers remained across the site. Two female Blackcaps were recorded along with a total of 25 Crossbill in what has been a record autumn for the species.

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

 

BIRDS: 

Mute Swan – Monthly maximum of 89 on the 15^th.

Whooper Swan – 24 flew south at Bank Island on the 1^st with seven there on the 2^nd and nine on the 8^th. 43 flew south after pausing for a while on the 11^th, with herds arriving at Bank Island during the night and departing at dawn, including twelve on the 17^th (six juveniles) and eight on the 18^th including four juveniles. It is interesting to note these later herds contained a higher proportion of young. Four flew over Melbourne on the 16^th. A single at Bank Island and nine at Wheldrake Ings were recorded on the 19^th, with five at Bank Island on the 20^th and four on the 25^th.  A group of 12 were observed at Bank Island on the 27^th with two there on the 30^th – a total of 134+ passage birds during the month.

94 were present in the herd at North Duffield Carrs on the 3^rd, with 55 there on the 8^th and 61 on the 11^th and 15^th - increasing to 73 on the 21^st, 83 on the 24^th and 104 on the 30^th.

Whooper Swans - Bank Island - 08/11 - DB

Greylag Goose – c2000 were present at Bank Island at dawn on 1^st and 2^nd, with an additional 600+ birds present in fields near Elvington Lane at dawn on the 2^nd. Large numbers were also reported from several areas in the valley flying over towards dusk later that day, with c3000 roosting at Bank Island. 3600 were present throughout the site on the 11^th with 2400 still present on the 22^nd. Up to 1300 roosted at Wheldrake thereafter with up to 2500 lingering throughout the reserve.

Pink-footed Goose – Up to 109 lingered at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st/2^nd, whilst 56 flew over Bank Island on the 1^st. 300 flew over Ellerton Ings at dusk with another mixed flock of Greylags and Pink-footed Geese at dark on the 2^nd, whilst flocks of 120 and 80 present at Bank Island at first light had presumably roosted there. 400+ flew to the east of Bank Island heading north at dawn on the 3^rd, whilst 470 flew west over Thorganby village. 530 were present on North Duffield Carrs on the 3^rd/4^th, with 75 over Bank Island on the 4^th and 350 over Melbourne. 800 passed north-west during the day over Bank Island on the 5^th, with 1000+ over in fog on the 6^th. 900 were at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th-7^th, in addition to 2000+ there on the 8^th/9^th. 300 were in the Bank Island area on the 9^th, with 100+ on the 10^th. 1500 were still present in the North Duffield area on the 11^th with 1735 recorded on the WeBS count on the 14^th. 380 passed over Bank Island in two skeins on the 16^th with 1000 at Wheldrake/Storwood Ings on that date. 250 passed over Bank Island heading south-east on the 19^th with 200 over North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd. 300 flew over Melbourne on the 24^th. 500 roosted at Wheldrake on the 25^th, with 65 over on the 26^th and 140 south on the 27^th.

It would appear that between 2000-5000 birds roosting on the Humber were heading into the southern end of the valley to feed during the day, seemingly using the north of Howden/Spaldington area, with smaller numbers heading further into the core valley, and up to the north of Stamford Bridge and the Melbourne area.

Pink-footed Geese - North Duffield Carrs - 01/12 - DB

Tundra Bean Goose – Three flew over South Duffield on the 6^th (MS) with 10 over Ellerton (south down the river Derwent - TJ, JAB), whilst five were also present at Bank Island on the same date (CSR, DW). Eight flew east over Bank Island on the 12^th (CSR).

White-fronted Goose – 14 flew over Bank Island on the 4^th with a single juvenile present amongst the Pink-footed Geese flocks at North Duffield Carrs from the 5^th to 14^th.  

Canada Goose – 278 were present throughout on the 14^th with 230 leaving the roost there at dawn on the 25^th. 311 were present across the whole site on the 27^th.

Barnacle Goose – A single was present in the North Duffield area with the Pink-footed Geese flocks from the 5^th to 15^th.

Egyptian Goose – Two were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 11^th, with six in the East Cottingwith area on the 14^th.

Shelduck – 35 were present across the site on the 1^st, increasing to 69 by the 15^th. 36 were recorded at Bank Island on the 17^th/18^th, with 50+ on the 24^th/25^th. A total of 63 individual birds were caught and colour-ringed at Bank Island during the month.

Wigeon – 1000+ were present at Bank Island on the 7^th with 1500 at Bubwith Ings on the 8^th, when an estimated 3500 were recorded across the whole site - increasing to 4000+ by the 12^th. 4680 were counted on the monthly WeBS on the 14^th, with 3500+ at Bank Island on the 16^th.

Teal – 2355 were recorded on the WeBS count on the 14^th with 3000+ at Thorganby on the 30^th.

Pintail – 196 were still present at Bank Island on the 1^st with 120 there on the 3^rd and 147 on the 14^th.

Shoveler – Numbers increased to 63 by the 14^th.

Gadwall – 42 were recorded on the 14^th.

Gadwall - Wheldrake Ings - 21/11 - DB

Tufted Duck – Three individuals, two drakes and a female, were at Bank Island on the 6^th. Scattered singles were present thereafter until the 15^th.

Pochard – The first returning birds, a drake and two females, were present at Bank Island on the 6^th.

Goosander – A single red-head continued to roost at Bank Island, and was recorded from the 1^st – 22^nd.

Goosander - Bank Island - 04/11 - DB

Goldeneye – Two drakes and a red-head were present across the site on the 14^th, with a drake regularly on the pool at Wheldrake thereafter.

Little Egret – Two at Bank Island on the 4^th with singles at Thorganby on the 12^th and East Cottingwith on the 13^th. Regular singles were recorded at Bank Island/Wheldrake thereafter.

Great White Egret – A single remained in the Wheldrake area from the 1^st and North Duffield Carrs from the 2^nd – 7^th. One was present at Hagg Bridge until the 15^th. Two flew over Wheldrake towards Elvington on the 23^rd, with a single over East Cottingwith on the 26^th.

Common Crane – A single flew north-west over Bank Island, calling, on the 6^th.

Goshawk – A single was hunting between Ellerton and Aughton on the 21^st (OM) with one at Thorganby on the 30^th (CSR).  

Marsh Harrier – Two were present at Bank Island on the 1^st when three were also at Bank Island, where yet another new wing-tagged bird (D3) was seen on the 2^nd - remaining until at least the 10^th. Three at Bank Island and two at North Duffield Carrs were still present on the 11^th, with at least four recorded during the WeBS count on the 14^th. At least eight were recorded throughout the site on the 19^th (six at Wheldrake), whilst four/five were observed at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd. Five were present there again on the 24^th when two were also at Bank Island.

Marsh Harrier - Bank Island - 08/11 - DB

Peregrine – An adult female at Bank Island on the 1^st with an adult pair at North Duffield Carrs on the 4^th. Single at Melbourne on the 10^th with a juvenile at Bank Island on the 11^th.  An adult female caught and ate a Lapwing at Wheldrake on the 14^th, with an adult female and an immature at North Duffield Carrs on the 15^th and an adult there on the 17^th. Two were present at North Duffield on the 18^th followed by two at Wheldrake and a single over Bank Island on the 19^th, whilst three were calling and interacting at North Duffield Carrs on the 30^th.  

Merlin – A single was present at Bank Island on the 5^th with one at North Duffield Carrs between the 22^nd - 24^th.

Red Kite – Singles were present at Skipwith Common NNR on the 3^rd and 4^th, with one at Bank Island on the 4^th and 10^th. A single was seen over Thorganby village on the 24^th with three near Skipwith Common NNR on the 26^th-29^th.  

Hen Harrier – A ringtail was observed at Skipwith Common NNR on the 27^th.

Grey Partridge – A small covey of eight were found on farmland near Wheldrake after dark on the 12^th, with three caught and ringed (GD).

Water Rail – Up to four were wintering at both Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs during the month, with two at Church Bridge Melbourne, and two at Bank Island along the river bank. A single at Thornton Ellers on the 27^th.

Golden Plover – Up to 1000+ were present in the Elvington area early in the month. As with last winter, birds were found after dark feeding in fields along the Escrick Moraine, with one caught and ringed there on the 9^th and 30+ present on the 12^th. Up to 800 were recorded in the Bubwith Ings area from the 11^th to 15^th.

Golden Plover - Escrick - 09/11 - GD

Grey Plover – A single flew north over Bank Island in fog on the 7^th (CSR), with another found at North Duffield Carrs on the 15^th (GC).

Lapwing – Numbers increased during the month with 1300 across the site by the 8^th, with 2200 recorded on the 11^th followed by 2097 on the WeBS count on the 14^th. 1000+ were at Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th.

Snipe – 50 at Bank Island on the 8^th with 100+ feeding after dark at Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th. 290 were scattered throughout the site on the 14^th. 100+ were still present at Wheldrake on the 16^th, with up to 100 on Melbourne and Thornton Ings throughout the month.

Jack Snipe – Five were recorded at Skipwith Common NNR on the 5^th, with two after dark at Wheldrake on the 16^th.

Woodcock – The first returning bird was caught and ringed on farmland at Wheldrake after dark on the 9^th, with another ringed in the same field on the 11^th (GD). Four were feeding after dark near Wheldrake Woods on the 23^rd whilst three were present in woodland at Back Common, Thorganby on the 24^th.

Woodcock - Wheldrake - 20/11 - GD

Curlew – Six were observed on the Low Grounds on the 8^th, with a single at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th followed by nine on the 28^th.

Black-tailed Godwit – A single at Bank Island on the 1^st was followed by 22 flying over towards Wheldrake on the 10^th. Single at North Duffield Carrs on the 14^th, with two at Wheldrake on the 15^th and one at Bank Island on the 26^th. Two were at Wheldrake Ings on the 26^th to month end.

Redshank – Three were recorded at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st and 2^nd, with one at Bank Island on the 5^th. Five were present throughout the whole site on the 8^th with 30 arriving at Bubwith Ings on the 9^th. Five were at Bank Island on the 26^th.

Dunlin – Six were at Bank Island on the 1^st with one at North Duffield Carrs on the 8^th and eight on the 12^th. Numbers increased to 43 by the 13^th and remained to month end.  

Ruff – 11 remained at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st with 15 there on the 8^th – on the same date three were also present at Bank Island and the Low Grounds. 16 were at North Duffield Carrs on the 11^th with the same numbers at Bubwith Ings on the 12^th - increasing to 26 by the 14^th. 29 were present on North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th.

Green Sandpiper – Two vocal birds were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th with a single bird at Bank Island on the 27^th.  

Mediterranean Gull – A single adult was present on the river at North Duffield Carrs on the 4^th with a first-winter present at North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th/6^th (DW).

Lesser Black-backed Gull – 500+ were present near Skipwith Common NNR on the 4^th with c100 remaining on the 26^th.

Yellow-legged Gull – Singles present with a large gull flock near Skipwith Common NNR on the 3^rd and 4^th.

Short-eared Owl – One present near North Duffield on the 2^nd with another in the same area on the 14^th/15^th.

Wood Pigeon – Numbers appearing on the reserve and moving overhead increased, with 1200 at Bank Island on the 2^nd and 2500 over on the 3^rd. 5500+ flew south over Bank Island early morning on the 4^th.

Kingfisher – Birds were regular on the River Derwent around Bank Island and Wheldrake, with two at North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th and Aughton on the 26^th. Reported regularly at several sites along the Pocklington Canal and from Sutton Lock throughout the month.

Skylark – Large numbers present throughout the reserve with 500+ in stubble fields near Wheldrake Woods on the 6^th.

Swallow – Singles were present at Wheldrake Ings and Thorganby Ings on the 21^st, with possibly the same individual at Wheldrake again on the 22^nd (DB).

Fieldfare – 600+ arrived at Bank Island during the morning of the 3^rd, with 1000+ throughout the site on the 5^th. 50+ were observed roosting over the meadow at Wheldrake Ings after dark on the 10^th. 1000+ moved through Bank Island on the 16^th.

Blackbird – A noticeable arrival took place on the 3^rd with 40 present in the Bank Island area, with birds seen arriving from the east. Another notable arrival was noted at Bank Island and Thorganby on the 26^th.

Mistle Thrush – A single was singing at Melbourne on the 24^th.

Stonechat – Three at Bank Island on the 4^th with a pair at Melbourne on the 6^th. Three at Bank Island again on the 8^th and five at Wheldrake Ings. Four were still present at North Duffield Carrs on the 14^th, with five at Wheldrake on the 14^th/15^th. Four were at Bank Island again on the 26^th with one at Melbourne to month end.  

Stonechat - Wheldrake Ings - 08/11 - DB

Starling – c1000 at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st, with 5000+ there on the 3^rd. 800+ flew south over Bank Island towards dusk on the 9^th/10^th – presumably heading towards an evening roost.

Willow Tit – Two were caught and ringed at the North Duffield Carrs feeding station by the car park on the 5^th, with calling birds heard on the 17^th and 24^th. Two calling birds were also present at Back Common Thorganby on the 24^th, with one at Church Bridge Melbourne at month end.

Willow Tits - North Duffield - 05/11 

Bearded Tit – A single vocal bird at Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd.

Blackcap – A female was present in the NNR base garden on the 3^rd with one caught and ringed at North Duffield Carrs on the 22^nd.

Cetti’s Warbler – A single was still singing by the Geoff Smith Hide at North Duffield Carrs on the 4^th with two there on the 11^th. Three singing birds at Wheldrake on the 8^th/9^th with one at Melbourne on the 9^th onwards to month end.  

Lesser Redpoll – c50 in Back Common Thorganby on the 24^th with up to 70 at Skipwith Common NNR late in the month.

Tree Sparrow – 50 were present on Hagg Lane East Cottingwith on the 14^th, with up to 50 at the NNR base feeding stations.

Brambling – Singles were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 8^th/9^th with four at Bank Island on the same date. One in the car park at North Duffield Carrs on the 17^th.

Crossbill – A single over Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th with 12 east on the 15^th. 12 were present in the Seaton Ross area on the 22^nd.

 

BUTTERFLIES:

Small Tortoiseshell – One at the NNR base on the 3^rd.

Peacock – Singles at North Duffield Carrs on the 4^th and Bank Island on the 17^th.

 

DRAGONFLIES:

Migrant Hawker – One still on the wing at Thorganby on the 4^th.

 

MAMMALS:

Otter – A female with a cub was present by the reed bed at Church Bridge on the 18^th.

Harvest Mouse – A nest was found at Church Bridge Melbourne during the month.