Lower Derwent Valley NNR - September Sightings
An interesting month for local birders - hot on the heels of a record last month, the fourth LDV Cattle Egret, a juvenile, was found on the Low Grounds at Wheldrake on the 9th. Three of these have occurred in the last two years, often just fleeting views, however this individual was well appreciated by several fortunate local observers - making it the first ‘twitch-able’ individual. Equally as scarce, was a female/immature Black Redstart - found on the scrape at North Duffield Carrs on the 6th, and present for just a matter of minutes for one fortunate observer. A Gannet on the 17th represented another good and typical record for this near annual wanderer to the area, whilst Great White Egret and Common Crane are more expected these days. Things built to a crescendo late in the month with, first up, a Hoopoe, seen along Elvington Lane towards Grimston Bar on the 26th - the first for the wider area since one at Dunnington in 2008. However, bird of the month, although perhaps not in glamour terms, was a first year Common Rosefinch caught and ringed at the NNR base garden at Bank Island on the 29th – the first for the reserve and wider York area – betraying its presence by flying into a mist net, and well appreciated by several local birders who managed to get on site in time before its release.
Otherwise it was a month dominated by the changing
seasons. Waterfowl numbers increased quickly with the first Pink-footed Goose
noted on the 9th, with over 800 heading over to the south-east
during the remainder of the month. The first seven adult Whooper Swans
arrived at Bank Island on the 26th, whilst wildfowl numbers
increased and included up to 1000 Teal, 800 Wigeon
and the first returning Shelduck.
Raptors were well represented with two Ospreys passing through during
the month, along with four or five lingering Marsh Harrier, two or three Peregrines and regular Hobby sightings. The first returning Merlin
was present on the 23rd.
Some limited flooding during the month brought an increase
in passage and returning waders with a Curlew Sandpiper (3rd),
Bar-tailed Godwits (21st and 25th) and two Spotted
Redshanks (24th) the most notable. 150 Snipe at Bank
Island including the first returning Jack Snipe (six), were present on the 16th.
As the last of the summer warblers moved through towards month end, the
first single returning Redwing was heard calling after dark at Bank
Island on the 17th - followed by 260 moving over Bank Island a week
later on the 27th.
BIRDS:
Mute Swan – Numbers
increased to 71 by month end.
Whooper Swan – Seven adults at Bank Island on
the morning of the 26th were the first returning birds, with
14 at dawn on the pool at Wheldrake on the 30th. T
Greylag Goose – Numbers on the reserve, largely using Thackmere Ings north of Elvington bridge, increased from 400 on the 1st to 700+ by the 4th, with 800 at the Low Grounds on the 9th. 1000+ were present on the 11th with smaller numbers thereafter.
Pink-footed
Goose – The first skein of the autumn (26), flew over
Bank Island on the 9th with c40 south over Wheldrake Ings on
the 10th. 104 flew south on the 12th with
two skeins totalling 86 birds over on the 18th. 147 flew
south over Wheldrake in two skeins on the 22nd with 40 over
Thornton Ellers on the 23rd. 40 flew south on the 24th
whilst 400 headed south over the site on the 25th and 86 on
the 26th. 70 flew south over Wheldrake on the 28th.
Egyptian
Goose – Three were present at the East Cottingwith pond early
in the month with seven there on the 19th.
Shelduck – The
first returning birds were two at Wheldrake on the 13th-15th
and one lingering to the 22nd.
Mandarin – A
single was present along the River Derwent at Wheldrake on the 13th.
Wigeon – Numbers
had increased to 21 on the 1st with a notable arrival also seen across the county. The number of individuals present at Bank Island then quickly jumped to
70+ on the 2nd and 200 by the 4th. 350 were present on the 9th with a large arrival bringing 800+ there
by the 28th.
Teal – 200+ were present throughout the
site on the 2nd,
with 400+ on the 4th,
500+ by the 7th and 700+
by the 24th. Numbers
increased quickly with 1000+ on the 28th.
Garganey – A single was present on the
Low Grounds on the 4th
and 5th.
Pintail – Two birds were recorded at Bank
Island on the 1st with 14
there on the 2nd and 18
on the 3rd. Up to 30 were
scattered throughout the site thereafter.
Shoveler – Numbers increased to 38
throughout the site by month end.
Gadwall – 27 were present at North
Duffield Carrs on the 7th increasing to 53 throughout the
site on the 21st.
Tufted Duck – Three were at North Duffield
Carrs on the 7th, followed
by two at Wheldrake on the 17th
and two at North Duffield Carrs on the 21st.
Little
Egret – Two were at North Duffield Carrs on the 1st
when two were also in the Wheldrake/Bank Island area. Eight were present along
the River Derwent between East Cottingwith and Bubwith on the 3rd.
Six flew north from the roost over Bank Island at dawn on the 10th with two at Thornton Ellers on the 23rd
- scattered birds were present elsewhere to month end.
Great
White Egret – Three arrived at Bank Island during the afternoon
of the 16th with one bearing a white colour-ring, K308, originating
from a German scheme - ringed in the nest in May 2020 in Belarus. A single was
present at Wheldrake Ings on the 17th with two on the river
bank at Thorganby on the 18th. Two were seen at North
Duffield Carrs on the 21st.
Cattle
Egret – Following a single in August a juvenile was found
on the Low Grounds on the evening of the 9th, before flying
off with Greylag Geese towards Bank Island and Elvington before dusk. This represents
the fourth area record with three records in the last two years – although the
first ‘twitch-able’ individual for those quick off the mark (CSR, DB). It was
present in the same place again on the 10th and presumably
the same bird was on the riverbank at Ellerton on the 15th
(AS).
Gannet – A
single immature flew east over Bank Island on the 17th (CSR).
Little
Grebe – Three at Wheldrake on the 13th
were presumably passage birds dispersing from other local breeding sites, with one
or two lingering until month end.
Osprey – A
single at Wheldrake Ings on the 8th (GC) with another over
Thorganby on the 18th (PC).
Marsh
Harrier – A
single cream-crown was hunting the floods at Bank Island on the 2nd-4th with one
at North Duffield Carrs on the 6th.
At least two juveniles and an adult male and female were present on the 12th/13th,
remaining to month end.
Peregrine – Singles at North Duffield
Carrs on the 2nd and 4th with one at Wheldrake on
the 12th/13th
and Bank Island on the 16th.
A single was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 18th with an adult pair over Ellerton on the 19th. One was at Wheldrake
on the 23rd with an adult
there on the 25th.
Hobby – A single flew through the NNR
base garden at Bank Island on the 1st
with singles at Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs on the 2nd, and the Low Grounds on
the 3rd and 4th. A single was again in
the Melbourne area on the 4th, followed by one at Bank Island and
Wheldrake on the 5th.
A single flew through the Wheldrake
swallow roost on the 7th,
with singles present again on the 12th-14th.
A single was seen carrying food at Bank Island on the 15th with two there on the 16th and singles thereafter to the 22nd.
Merlin – A single at Bank Island on the
23rd was the first
returning bird of the autumn with another, or the same, on the 30th.
Kestrel – Good numbers present
throughout.
Common Buzzard – Numerous throughout the area
with large counts - perhaps due to post breeding numbers, dispersal and passage
birds on the move. Up to 15 were present over Bank Island and eight over Wheldrake
on the 21st.
Red Kite – One at Wheldrake on the 3rd/4th and
Thorganby on the 8th. Two over Bank Island on the 11th. Singles were over Thorganby and Bank Island on the 18th with another over Bank
Island on the 21st.
Grey Partridge – Seven were present in the NNR
base garden on the 8th with
14 present there on the 12th.
Another was heard calling nearby on the 15th.
Water Rail – Up to five calling birds were
present at Wheldrake during the month, with two at Bank Island from the 19th. A single was present
at the Melbourne Arm on the 21st.
Common Crane – A single was heard calling
over Bank Island and then Thornton Ellers on the 28th (CSR, NC).
Golden Plover – Up to 35 were present in
fields by Raker Lakes on the 2nd. 156 were present on the 10th with 120 over Bank
Island on the 12th and
160 at Raker Lakes on the 14th.
33 went north-west over Bank Island on the 26th
with 60 on the 27th.
Lapwing – 350 at Wheldrake Ings on the 7th with smaller numbers
thereafter to month end.
Snipe – 16 were present at Wheldrake on
the 1st with 43 dropping
into Bank Island shortly after dawn on the 2nd.
10 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 4th when c100+ were present throughout the site. 20 were
recorded at Wheldrake on the 7th,
followed by 50 at Bank Island on the 12th
and 15th, with 150+
present there after dark on the 16th.
80 were recorded there on the 17th.
Jack Snipe – The first returning birds (at
least six), were present at Bank Island on the 16th with two there on the 18th and 21st.
Curlew – Ten roosted on the Low Grounds
on the 1st with one at Aughton on the 15th.
Three were observed at Wheldrake Ings on the 24th.
Whimbrel – Two were present on the Low Grounds
on the 5th.
Black-tailed Godwit – Six were present on the Low Grounds
on the 5th before leaving
north-west over Bank Island.
Bar-tailed Godwit – A single was reported at North
Duffield Carrs on the 21st.
One flew north over Bank Island on the 25th.
Dunlin – A single was at North Duffield
Carrs on the 3rd with a
mixed wader flock.
Curlew Sandpiper – A single juvenile was present on
the riverbank at North Duffield Carrs on the 3rd, before reappearing
later in the day at Thorganby Ings.
Knot – A single on the riverbank at
North Duffield Carrs on the 1st
represented the third for the year.
Ruff – Three were present at Swantail
Ings at Wheldrake on the 2nd, whilst a total of eight were
scattered throughout the whole site. 14 were located on the 3rd followed by
18 on the 4th.
Eight were still on the Low Grounds on the 6th with 10 there on the 9th - two were also present along the river at
Thorganby.
Spotted Redshank – Two were present at the pool at
Wheldrake on the 24th.
Greenshank – Six were observed on the
riverbank at North Duffield Carrs on the
1st – 4th, with two on the Low Grounds (4th). Three were at Thorganby on the 5th with four at North
Duffield Carrs on the 6th and 7th. Five remained
throughout the area on the 9th.
A single was present at Bank Island on the 13th whilst one flew over Thorganby village after dark
on the 14th.
A single was on the Low Grounds on the 23rd.
Common Sandpiper – A single on the riverbank at
North Duffield Carrs on the 1st
- 3rd with three at Thorganby on the latter date,
and one still present on the 5th.
Green Sandpiper – Up to five birds were present throughout the site between the 1st
-4th with odd scattered records thereafter to the 11th. Singles at Bank Island on the 17th, 26th and 27th.
Green Woodpecker – One at Thorganby on the 3rd, 10th and 11th,
and a single at Wheldrake Ings on the 23rd.
Hoopoe – A single was present along
Elvington Lane near Grimston Bar on the 26th
(AF), before being seen later in the day to the north-west of York - first
record for the area since one at Dunnington in 2008.
Yellow Wagtail – 20+ were still present at the
Wheldrake roost on the 2nd with three at Bank Island during
the morning. 20+ were recorded on the Low Grounds on the 4th
when 11 were feeding with cattle around the NNR base at Bank Island. A
noticeable movement on the 5th brought counts of 20+ on the
Low Grounds, 10 at Bank Island, 10 at Ellerton Landing, 15 at Bubwith Ings and
30 at Thornton Ellers, with 150+ roosting at Wheldrake at dusk. 65 were still
there at the roost on the 7th with 15 at Bank Island on the 8th.
Six were present at Thorganby on the 12th with three at Bank
Island on the 13th and 15th. Three late
birds were over Bank Island on the 29th.
Grey Wagtail – Up to three were present
regularly at Bank Island throughout the month with two south there on the 15th. One at North Duffield Carrs
on the 14th was more unusual and was followed by one over
Wheldrake on the 22nd.
Tree Pipit – A single was caught and ringed
at Bank Island on the 1st.
Meadow Pipit – 15 were present at North
Duffield Carrs on the 1st
– the first autumn movement. Several flocks were noted heading south on the 5th with 150 throughout the day, followed by 200 on the 6th. 200+ moved through North Duffield
Carrs on the 7th with 50+
at Wheldrake at dusk. 200 at North Duffield Carrs moved throughout the day on
the 8th whilst a flock of
250 were present towards dusk on the 10th.
141 moved south over Bank Island during the morning of the 15th. 200+ were at North Duffield Carrs on the 19th with 300+ there on the 21st and 500 on the 23rd.
Swallow – Up to 300 at Wheldrake Ings on
the 2nd represented a small movement on that date. 650 moved
south through the site on the 5th with 200 at the Wheldrake
roost on the 7th, and 500 over the site on the 8th.
Numbers reduced thereafter with 24 north-west over Bank Island on the 26th.
House Martin – 150+ were at Wheldrake on the 8th
when 78 were present over Melbourne – a day of significant movement across the reserve
and a large scale clear out from the local breeding villages. 30 were present at
Thorganby on the 22nd with a single over Bank Island on the 30th.
Swift – Two at Bank Island on the 15th
with a late single there on the 21st.
Redwing – The first returning bird was a
single calling over Bank Island after dark on the 17th. 17
flew west over North Duffield Carrs on the 26th with 260 over
Bank Island on the 27th and seven on the 29th.
Four at Melbourne on the 28th.
Spotted
Flycatcher – One at
Bank Island on the 1st with three at Wheldrake Ings on the 5th
– on the same date a single was present at Barmby on the Marsh Wetlands.
Black Redstart – A single female/immature type
at North Duffield Carrs on the 6th (DB).
Wheatear – A single was present at North
Duffield Carrs on the 1st with another there on the 3rd
and 4th. Two were present at Bubwith Ings on the 5th, followed by one at North Duffield Carrs on the 7th and 8th
with two there on the 9th. Two were recorded at Wheldrake on
the 12th/13th.
Whinchat – At least three were at North
Duffield Carrs on the 1st/2nd followed by six
there on the 3rd - three remained to the 5th
when six were also present at Wheldrake Ings. Six were still present at North
Duffield Carrs on the 7th with three on the 8th.
Stonechat – Eight were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 1st to month end – all wintering birds now assumed to be on territory. Other wintering birds arrived at Wheldrake Ings on the 18th, with three at Bank Island and one at East Cottingwith on the 19th (total of 12 across the site). 11 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 21st with one at Wheldrake Ings on the 22nd and three on the 24th.
Willow Tit – Up to eight were present in
the Bank Island/Wheldrake Ings area during the month with up to three in the
Melbourne area.
Willow Warbler – Three were caught and ringed
at Wheldrake on the 15th.
Chiffchaff – A small arrival saw 21 caught
and ringed at Wheldrake on the 15th.
Blackcap – Large numbers continued to
pass through both Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings daily during the month, with
11 at Bank Island on the 22nd and 12 on the 23rd.
Common Whitethroat – Two were caught and ringed at
Bank Island on the 14th with a further two present there on
the 19th - followed by a single on the 22nd.
Reed
Warbler – A
single was ringed at Wheldrake Ings on the 15th with two seen
there on the 20th. Another individual was caught and ringed
at Wheldrake on the 21st, with one at Bank Island on the 22nd
and one at Wheldrake on the 23rd/24th.
Sedge Warbler – One was caught and ringed at
Wheldrake Ings on the 18th with two on the 22nd
and 24th.
Cetti’s Warbler – A single juvenile male was caught and ringed at Bank Island in the NNR base garden on the 15th, with a singing bird at Wheldrake Ings on the 20th to month end. Two immatures were caught and ringed there on the 21st with one or two still present/calling on the 22nd to month end.
House Sparrow – Several were seen in and around the NNR base and car park area at Bank Island – a rather scarce species here. Three were caught and ringed there on the 29th.
Siskin – 13 went south over Wheldrake on
the 2nd whilst 78 were feeding along the Pocklington Canal at
Melbourne on the 4th - remaining throughout much of the
month. 21 were at Wheldrake on the 13th. Numbers at Melbourne
increased to 140 by the 21st.
Lesser
Redpoll – One
was caught and ringed at Wheldrake on the 1st with three at
Bank Island on the 2nd. One passed over Bank Island with
seven at Wheldrake on the 5th with several over North
Duffield Carrs on the 6th. Small numbers were then reported
on a daily basis overhead, with a flock of 10 feeding with Siskin at Melbourne
on the 21st.
Crossbill – Two north over Wheldrake on
the 21st with three at Canal Head on the 27th.
Common
Rosefinch – An
immature was rather unexpectedly caught and ringed at the NNR base garden on
the morning of the 29th – the first record for the reserve
and wider York area. Fortunately, several local birders managed to arrive in
time to see the bird before its release. It was then seen again briefly in the
afternoon in the hedgerow which runs towards the hides at Bank Island.
No comments:
Post a Comment