September round-up

The September sightings are now uploaded, click here for a full breakdown of species, including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, dragonflies, moths, insects, plants and fungi. Or read on for a snippet of how the month unfolded.

September saw the continued build-up of wintering waterfowl, with Teal being present in good numbers throughout the month, reaching 1000+ by the end of the month. By which time 200 Wigeon had also returned to Skipwith Common NNR. Both Greylag and Canada Geese numbers also started to increase with the concentration of local breeding birds. A skein of returning Pink-footed Geese flew south over Bank Island on the 21^st, no doubt enroute to the north Norfolk coast. Otherwise it was fairly quiet for wildfowl during the month, presumably reflecting the relatively dry conditions throughout most of the valley.

Wader passage was at best steady early in the month but was largely over by the 20^th with just a late juvenile Greenshank and lone Green Sandpipers thereafter. Wetter conditions along the Pocklington Canal corridor of Melbourne and Thornton Ings provided attractive for Common Snipe with 150+ there on the 1^st, whilst Wheldrake Ings also held 50+ on the 3^rd and 4^th and more interesting, Skipwith had 25 on the 3^rd.

Green Sandpiper - Wheldrake Ings - D.Bye 

Several Marsh Harriers were involved in a series of records throughout the site, including a wing-tagged bird from Norfolk - giving an indication of where some of our late summer birds are coming from. A single Red Kite was seen well at Thornton on the 11^th and a male Hen Harrier flew south through the valley on the 21^st. Three Peregrine were logged during the month and several Hobbies showed well at times, particularly at Wheldrake Ings. Barn Owls continued to fair well with second broods, with another six chicks ringed on the 11^th. 

Red Kite - Thornton Ellers - 11/09

Barn Owl - Bubwith - 11/09

Kingfishers have obviously had a successful breeding season with a good number of records received during the month, perhaps relating to 13 individuals, with up to three showing well at both Melbourne Arm and Wheldrake Ings. Jays were also obvious during the month as they started to roam from wood to wood in search of food, and perhaps as birds from other areas also started to move through the area. Other migrants passing through the valley during the month included a Tree Pipit over Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st, whilst three late Whinchats were still at North Duffield Carrs on the 20^th. 

Kingfisher - Wheldrake Ings - D.Bye

Good numbers of warblers were present throughout the month with several late Reed Warblers presents towards month end, 11 Chiffchaff caught and ringed at Wheldrake Ings on the 25^th (MFJ) were probably just a fraction of the total present on site that day. The highlight of the month was undoubtedly the appearance of a flock of 14 erupting Bearded Tits at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th – the first in the LDV for three years and the joint largest flock on record.

Reptiles and amphibians were recorded during the month, largely from Skipwith Common and Thornton Ellers. All three reptile species were seen throughout September, with Common Lizards showing on a number of days and two sightings of Adders and Grass Snakes, on the 25^th one individual showed particularly well, pictured below.

Grass Snake - Skipwith Common - 25/09 

Butterflies and dragonflies continued to be recorded throughout the month, with the majority of records coming from Skipwith Common, Thornton Ellers and the NNR Base Garden. Speckled Woods were the most recorded species throughout (72 sightings logged), whilst Peacocks, Red Admirals and Small Tortoiseshells were recorded in pleasing numbers. The three species of whites (Small, Large & Green-veined) were on the wing still, with just three records of Comma’s and a single Brimstone and Small Copper.

 Comma - Thornton Ellers - 11/09

 Brimstone - Thornton Ellers - 11/09

Skipwith Common, Thornton Ellers and Wheldrake Ings produced the majority of the dragonfly records, with the three species of darter recorded throughout the month, and in good numbers – particularly Ruddy and Common. Southern Hawkers, Migrant Hawkers and Brown Hawkers were recorded throughout, where as Emerald Damselflies were only present on a handful of dates and in low numbers – with the end of the season fast approaching for this species.

 Emerald Damselfly - Skipwith Common - 02/09

Ruddy Darter - Skipwith Common - 02/09

Whilst out working on site time was also taken to have a good look for other invertebrates, with a pleasing number of new species found, in particular eight new spiders such as the Four-spot Orb Weaver, Furrow Spider, Walnut Orb Weaver, Marbled Orb Weaver and the Invisible Spider.

 Four-spot Orb Weaver - Skipwith Common - 25/09

 Furrow Spider - Skipwith Common - 02/09

Marbled Orb Weaver - Skipwith Common - 02/09

A number new beetles were also added to the 2014 'pan' and Shield Bugs continued to be found in good numbers across the site, with Skipwith Common being a particular hot-spot. The first adult Green Shield Bug was found, after weeks of seeing numerous nymphs.

 Bronze Shield Bug - Skipwith Common - 02/09

 Green Shield Bug - Skipwith Common - 25/09

A new species of Ladybird was found on Skipwith Common - the Orange Ladybird, and another Harlequin Ladybird (form succinea) was seen at Thornton Ellers in the scabious meadow.

 Harlequin Ladybird H.succinea - Thornton Ellers - 11/09

 Orange Ladybird - H.sedecimguttata - Skipwith - 25/09

Two other new species of insect were found, both on the Common - Marsh Damselbug and a Staphylinid Beetle Platydracus latebricola.

 Marsh Damselbug Nabis limbatus - Skipwith Common - 11/09

 Platydracus latebricola - Skipwith Common - 02/09

Fungi continued to appear on the Common throughout September, with species such as Fly Agaric, Common Puffball, Spiny Puffball, Ochre Brittlegill and Tawny Grisette.

Tawny Grissette - Skipwith Common - 02/09

Follow the link here to read the individual species breakdowns, and many thanks to those who contributed records throughout the month.