Aug' 23

 Lower Derwent Valley NNR - August Sightings

Many thanks as always to everyone who contributed records and counts throughout the month, in particular to members of York Birding and regular patch birder Duncan Bye. Thanks also to Duncan Bye, Jean Thorpe and Trevor Walton for the use of their images below.

BIRDS:

Greylag Goose – Up to 500 had returned to Wheldrake Ings by the 13^th - remaining in and around the reserve to month end.

Greylag Geese - Wheldrake Ings - 13/08 - DB

Egyptian Goose – Nine flew north over Bank Island on the 19^th.

Teal – Up to 60 had returned to the reserve by the 8^th, with numbers reaching 130 by the 20^th and 150 by month end.

Garganey – A single remained at Bank Island early in the month, appearing occasionally until the 11^th. Either the same bird or another individual appeared again there on the 28^th and 30^th.

Gadwall – Up to 50 remained throughout the reserve during the month.

Gadwall - Wheldrake Ings - 19/08 - DB

Mandarin – Two flew over Wheldrake Ings onto the Low Grounds towards dusk on the 10^th.

Shoveler – Small numbers of unfledged young remained into the first half of the month with up to 40 at Bank Island during the second half of the month.

Little Egret – Up to 10 birds remained throughout the reserve during the month.

Great White Egret – Two were recorded at Ellerton Landing on the 6^th and remained on the reserve (found roosting in the heronry at Thicket Priory) until the 19^th with a single then present until the 24^th.

Great White Egret - Bank Island - 16/08 - DB

Marsh Harrier – Two or three were present early in the month with passage birds increasing towards month end. It is difficult to estimate numbers involved, however five were recorded across the reserve on the 24^th.

Red Kite – Regular sightings throughout the month, with Wheldrake Ings being a favoured location.

Red Kite - Wheldrake Ings - 22/08 - TW

Little Ringed Plover – Two were present at Sutton Farm on the 1^st and 2^nd with four at Bank Island on the 5^th.

Oystercatcher – Good numbers remained early in the month with four at Sutton Farm on the 1^st and 5^th, followed by five at Bank Island on the 11^th and three at Wheldrake on the 13^th.

Lapwing – 100+ were at Sutton Farm and Bank Island early in the month with 300 at Wheldrake on the 21^st.

Curlew – 12 flew into roost at Bank Island on the 1^st with six remaining until the 19^th.

Whimbrel – Singles passed over Wheldrake and Bank Island on the 4^th, 11^th, 13^th and 14^th with three over Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th. A single having been picked up in York City Centre was rehabilitated and later released at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd, where it flew off strongly towards Storwood.

Whimbrel - Battle Flatts Vets - 20/08 - JT

Dunlin – Five were at Sutton on the 5^th with singles at Bank Island on the 7^th, Wheldrake on the 10^th and Thornton (two) on the 21^st.

Ruff – Three were present on the Low Grounds at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th with six there on the 10^th – down to two by the 17^th.

Greenshank – A single remained in the Low Grounds/Bank Island/Wheldrake area from the 1^st - 11^th with two then present from the 13^th and three on the 17^th to month end.

Green Sandpiper – Up to five were recorded throughout the site during the month.

Wood Sandpiper – A single was present at Bank Island on the 9^th with one at Thornton Ings on the 14^th.

Common Sandpiper – Singles were at both Thorganby and Wheldrake on the 13^th with one remaining at Wheldrake on the 14^th.

Common Sandpiper - Wheldrake Ings - 13/09 - DB

Short-eared Owl – A single was at Thornton Ings on the 4^th with one seen hunting across Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th.

Cuckoo – A juvenile was present at Bank Island on the 11^th.

Swift – Small numbers headed south over the reserve during the 1^st/2^nd with small numbers thereafter.

Kingfisher – Present daily on the pool at Wheldrake Ings.

Kingfisher - 09/08 - LJM

 

Nightjar – A juvenile was flushed at Skipwith Common NNR on the 12^th following the presence of at least one adult there earlier in the spring.

Tree Pipit – A good month with an above average passage. A single south over Bank Island on the 3^rd was followed by three on the 9^th and two on the 10^th, with one at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th.  

Raven – One at Bank Island on the 24^th.

Swallow – Up to 1000 roosted in the reedbed at Wheldrake on the 13^th with 300+ there on the 17^th.

Pied Wagtail – Up to 50 roosted in the reedbed at Wheldrake on the 13^th with 60+ there on the 17^th.

White Wagtail – One at Sutton Farm on the 27^th.

Wheatear – A single was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd.

Whinchat – The first bird of the autumn was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 19^th with one or two then present daily there until the end of the month, with three there on the 20^th.

Redstart – A single juvenile was caught and ringed in poolside willows at Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th.

Spotted Flycatcher – The usual autumn passage started with above averages numbers recorded. Several birds passed through Bank Island from the 9^th - 11^th, with four at Skipwith Common on the 11^th and six on the 14^th. One or two followed late in the month with two at Bank Island on the 26^th.

Cetti’s Warbler – Two birds remained at Wheldrake with one present at Bank Island throughout the month.