Oct' 18

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - October Sightings

Although the ongoing dry conditions and the lack of water around the reserve meant there was little in the way of numbers of returning waterfowl and waders recorded, there was an interesting and varied roll call of species available for the local birders. A Rock Pipit at Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th (with presumably the same bird again there on the 14^th) started things off, followed by a Raven on the 8^th, six Bearded Tits (10^th), a Twite (16^th) and yet another Great White Egret (22^nd). Whilst any of those could have been up there as the highlight, it was the 27^th that produced the star of the show – two adult Pomarine Skua’s seen flying over Wheldrake by a lone observer. These are only the second and third birds recorded in the valley following a single adult with ‘full spoons’ in March 1999, due to a large displacement in the North Sea at this time.

The first four returning Whooper Swans were noted on the 4^th followed by 27 (inc. 11 immatures) in the local herd by the 26^th. An impressive 3250 Pink-footed Geese were logged, although there was some duplication as birds were seen moving over the valley from the Humber roost sites to feeding locations. Teal numbers built up to 600 but were hard to locate on a regular basis whilst 50 Wigeon was a disappointing total. Up to four Green Sandpipers remained early in the month although just one stayed to the end of the month, whilst eight or nine Curlew roosted in the second half of the month with three returning Redshank and a single Dunlin over. The first returning Jack Snipe was logged on the 18^th.  200 Lapwing and 350 Golden Plover were recorded as well below average counts. Incoming winter migrants include the first Redwing (3^rd), Stonechat (4^th), Fieldfare (7^th) and Brambling (27^th). Last dates for outward bound migrants included a late Yellow Wagtail (2^nd), Blackcap (7^th), Swallow (15^th) and Chiffchaff (21^st).  

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

BIRDS: 

Mute Swan – The usual post moulting build-up of returning non-breeding birds continued with 21 on the river at Thorganby on the 23^rd and 11 over Bank Island on the 25^th.

Whooper Swan – Four over Bank Island on the 4^th were followed by nine on the pool at Wheldrake on the 6^th, including colour-ringed bird ZXG, before they flew off to north. Three arrived at Wheldrake on the 18^th with four still remaining on the 20^th. 12 including a yellow colour-ringed adult were present back in the wintering herd at North Duffield Carrs on the 23^rd, with 15 at Thorganby a few days later on the 25^th – up to 27 (including 11 immatures) on the 26^th.

 

Whooper Swans - North Duffield - 27/10

Greylag Goose – 170 passed over Thorganby on the 18^th with 280 at Wheldrake on the 22^nd.

Pink-footed Goose – 170 headed over Bank Island on the 1^st with a small group of 12 at Wheldrake on the 3^rd. 200+ flew south early morning over North Duffield Carrs on the 5^th, while a further 500+ were logged moving through Wheldrake later in the day in several groups. A further 200 flew south-east over Melbourne on the 5^th. 21 flew east over Wheldrake on the 6^th followed by 400 over Bank Island on the 7^th – some of these may have been local movements of birds roosting on the Humber and feeding on the Wolds and in fields nearby the valley – a change seen over recent years. 37 flew south over North Duffield Carrs on the 9^th. 300 passed north-east over North Duffield and Bank Island on the 10^th with 45 over Wheldrake later in the day. 500 birds flew north east in the distance from Bank Island on the 13^th – again presumably birds from the Humber moving up onto the Wolds. 250+ flew south west during the day over Wheldrake on the 17^th with 150 south over Bank Island and 30 over Skipwith Common on the 18^th, before 37 flew north over Bank Island on the 19^th. 100+ went south on the 20^th with 150 north over Thorganby on the 22^nd. 150 flew over the pool on the 26^th – a total of 3250 during the month.

Canada Goose – 175 were present over Thorganby on the 6^th – the largest count of the month.

Wigeon – 29 flew west at Wheldrake on the 6^th with 49 circling the pool there on the 11^th. 35 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 12^th with 50+ there on the 23^rd.

Teal – 300 were present in the valley on the 1^st with 500 on the pool at Wheldrake on the 6^th and 600 on the 26^th/27^th.

Mallard – As with other waterfowl species, numbers remained low with the continuing dry autumn. Up to 300 were present throughout the month.

Gadwall – Three were at Wheldrake on the 12^th with five at North Duffield Carrs on the 13^th.

Grey Heron – Small numbers remained throughout with 14 on the 25^th the monthly maximum.

Great White Egret – A single circled Wheldrake on the morning of the 22^nd.

Little Egret – A single pitched in briefly at Bank Island on the 18^th.

Red Kite – Singles were present at Wheldrake on the 1^st and 2^nd, Bank Island on the 4^th and Wheldrake and Thorganby on the 6^th.

Marsh Harrier – An adult female was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 10^th with an adult male and female into roost at Wheldrake on the 12^th. A single cream crown was present at Bank Island on the 18^th with singles at Wheldrake on the 19^th, 23^rd, 25^th and 27^th.

Peregrine – Singles were logged over both Bank Island and Thorganby on the 13^th with one at Wheldrake on the 17^th.  

Hobby – A single near Escrick on the 5^th.

Sparrowhawk – Increasing numbers were recorded during the month.

Water Rail – Up to three birds were present throughout the month at Wheldrake Ings.

Golden Plover – 60 were still in the Raker Lakes area at Wheldrake on the 3^rd and 6^th, with 350+ near Low Catton on the latter date. 162 were present in the Wheldrake area on the 8^th with 123 at Raker Lakes on the 10^th. 210 were present there on the 26^th.

Lapwing – 130 were present at Wheldrake on the 18^th with 200 there on the 25^th.

Common Snipe – 12 were recorded flying over Bank Island on the 6^th, with 11 also going north – following reports of small flocks in off the Yorkshire coast earlier in the day, these were possibly incoming migrants. 20+ were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 23^rd.

Jack Snipe – The first returning birds were present at Wheldrake on the 18^th.

Dunlin – A single flew over Bank Island calling on the 21^st.

Curlew – A single at Bank Island on the 7^th was followed by nine into roost at Wheldrake on the 10^th. Four were present at the roost on the 13^th whilst eight came in at dusk onto the pool on the 24^th.

Redshank – Three were present on the Swantail scrape, Wheldrake on the 30^th.

Green Sandpiper – Four were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th with three there on the 7^th and again on the 13^th/14^th. A single was present at Bank Island on the 19^th, 23^rd and 26^th. 

 

Green Sandpiper - Wheldrake - 14/10 - DB

Pomarine Skua – Following a large and widespread movement on the North-east coast two were picked up over Wheldrake on the 27^th, heading west (DB). This represents the second record for the valley following a single seen in March 1999.  

Great Spotted Woodpecker – Widespread throughout the area with singles recorded back at the Bank Island feeding station regularly throughout the month.

Rock Pipit – A single was present on the mud in front of Pool Hide, Wheldrake on the 6^th with presumably the same bird present again on the 14^th (DB et al).

Yellow Wagtail – A late single over Bank Island on the 2^nd.

Grey Wagtail – Three were present at the reserve base throughout with one on the pool at Wheldrake on the 14^th.

 

Grey Wagtail - Wheldrake - 06/10 - DB

Swallow – 100+ were present at Wheldrake on the 1^st with 15 at Bank Island on the 2^nd. 80 were recorded at Wheldrake on the 4^th. 13 were between Bank Island and Wheldrake on the 6^th with 16 south on the 7^th. Three headed south over Thorganby on the 12^th, followed by seven south at Bank Island on the 13^th and one there on the 15^th.

Stonechat – The first returning birds, two, were present at Wheldrake on the 4^th, followed by four on Swantail on the 20^th and three on the 22^nd.  

Redwing – The first returning bird, a single, headed west over Bank Island on the 3^rd followed by five over Wheldrake on the 4^th. Birds then continued to arrive in small parties during the afternoon of the 4^th with a total of 50 arriving at Wheldrake. 86 arrived at Bank Island early morning on the 7^th with 30+ later in the day. 200+ were at Wheldrake on the 11^th. A larger arrival took place on the 27^th/28^th with 600 and 1005 logged respectively.

Fieldfare – 17 arrived early morning on the 7^th – the first of the autumn (DB) with a total of 92 arriving during the day. 40 arrived at Bank Island mid-morning on the 8^th. 50 were at Wheldrake on the 11^th. 400 moved over Bank Island on 21^st followed by 110 arriving there on the 24^th. 800 moved over Bank Island on the 27^th with 950 over the same site on the 28^th. 

 

Fieldfare - Bank Island - 07/10 - DB

Starling – A large movement during the morning of the 28^th saw a total of 2200 logged north east over Bank Island.

Jay – Obvious throughout the month around the valley.

Raven – A single flew over Tower Hide at Wheldrake calling on the 8^th before heading towards Thorganby over the Priory (CSR).

Chiffchaff – Seven were still present at Wheldrake on the 1^st with two singing birds at Melbourne on the same date. Three were present at both Bank Island and Wheldrake on the 6^th with a single still lingering at Wheldrake on the 21^st.

Blackcap – A single at Wheldrake on the 7^th.

Bearded Tit – Six were at Wheldrake at dusk on the 10^th.

Nuthatch – A single at Wheldrake on the 7^th with the second of the autumn caught and ringed there on the 17^th (MFJ).

Willow Tit – Two were present at Melbourne on the 1^st with three at Wheldrake on the 7^th.

Twite – A single bird was seen at Wheldrake on the 16^th.

Goldfinch – Up to 40 were present around the reserve base at Bank Island along with 250+ at Wheldrake and 200 at Thorganby, with smaller numbers elsewhere scattered throughout the valley where birds were seen feeding on the seed heads of Autumnal Hawkbit.

Brambling – The first returning birds were a single at Bank Island on 27^th, with three over the following the day.

 

Brambling - Bank Island - 27/10 - DB

Yellowhammer – Three were logged flying over Bank Island on the 28^th during a large visible movement of finches, starlings and thrushes.

Reed Bunting – 100-150+ roosted at the Wheldrake reed bed on the 17^th.

MAMMALS:

Brown Hare – Singles at Bank Island on the 6^th, 13^th and 14^th, followed by two there on the 27^th and 28^th.

Red Fox – One at Bank Island on the 9^th and 21^st, followed by two there on the 28^th.

Roe Deer – Single at Bank Island on the 6^th, followed by three there on the 7^th. One at Wheldrake on the 13^th with seven there on the 14^th and a single at Bank Island. Two at Bank Island on the 21^st, followed by four on the 27^th and five on the 28^th. 

 

Roe Deer - Bank Island - 15/10 - DB

BUTTERFLIES:

Small Copper – One at Wheldrake on the 7^th followed by singles at Bank Island and North Duffield Carrs on the 9^th. Late individuals were recorded at both Wheldrake and Thorganby on the 22^nd.

Red Admiral – One at Wheldrake on the 7^th, followed by two at North Duffield on the 9^th and one at Wheldrake on the 11^th. Singles at Bank Island on the 21^st and 22^nd.  

Small Tortoiseshell – A single at Bank Island on the 9^th.

Peacock – One at the reserve base garden on the 10^th and Bank Island on the 21^st.

Comma – A single at Bank Island on the 9^th.

Speckled Wood – Single at Wheldrake on the 7^th with several still present on the wing around the reserve on the 9^th and a single at Wheldrake on the 21^st.

Small White – A single at Bank Island on the 9^th.

Large White – A single at Bank Island on the 9^th.

DRAGONFLIES:

Common Darter – Present in small numbers throughout the month, including ten at Wheldrake on the 7^th, eight at Skipwith on the 9^th and five at Wheldrake on the 21^st.

Brown Hawker – A late single at Sutton-upon-on-Derwent on the 22^nd.

OTHER INVERTS:

Hawthorn Shield Bug – A single recorded on the 1^st from the reserve base garden. 

Green Shield Bug – A single at the reserve base garden on the 2^nd.  

Hornet – Three still active at the reserve base on the 4^th. 

Spiked Shield Bug – Three at Skipwith on the 9^th.

Spiked Shieldbug - Skipwith Common - 09/10

Hairy Shield Bug – Single at Skipwith on the 9^th.

 

Gorse Shield Bug – 20+ present in Gorse bushes on Skipwith on the 9^th.