Welcome to the LDV NNR ringing blog, this blog is designed to share the experiences, findings and tales from a group of dedicated ringers. We specialise in conservation orientated research projects, largely focusing on wildfowl, waders, owls and birds of conservation concern, in and around the Vale of York NNR's.

NB - Whilst the purpose of this blog was initially designed to cover our nationally important wildfowl ringing activities, it now also features wildlife and work posts, explaining how we manage the NNR for both wildlife and people.

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Jan' 20

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - January Sightings

A total of 115 species were recorded on or adjacent to the reserve during the month, providing plenty of interest for local and visiting birders alike. As usual wintering wildfowl dominated, with the two returning Bewick’s Swans being welcomed back amongst the nearly 200 strong herd of Whooper Swans. Grey geese put on a great showing, with as well as the usual north-west passage of Pink-footed Geese (nearly 1700 moving during the month), up to 79 European White-fronted, 11 Tundra Bean and 19 Barnacle Geese toured around the Wheldrake/Storwood/Hagg Bridge area, with smaller numbers frequenting the Melbourne and Thornton Ings part of the valley. Large flocks of wintering waterfowl included 12,000+ Wigeon, 5000+ Teal, 629 Pintail, 513 Gadwall, 441 Shoveler, 200 Tufted Duck, 103 Pochard and 25 Goldeneye, as well as two Scaup and a drake Green-winged Teal on the 26th/27th.

Raptors were well represented as usual with seven or eight wintering Marsh Harriers, two-three returning Red Kites, 2 Merlins and four Peregrines. Amongst the 25,000 smaller gulls at the Wheldrake Ings roost, a single adult Mediterranean Gull was found on the 26th whilst an Iceland Gull was present throughout (joined by a Caspian Gull on the 4th and 11th) in fields to the west of the valley near Riccall. With the extensive and deep winter flooding finally receding to reveal better wader habitat, numbers slowly increased with 3700 Lapwing, 1000 Golden Plover, 121 Dunlin and 73 Ruff recorded. Four Jack Snipe were logged with good numbers of Woodcock on Skipwith Common NNR and in local woodlands. Two Green Sandpipers were present on the 13th whilst the now annual early January return of Black-tailed Godwits built up to nine by month end. Other notable records included a Long-eared Owl on the 5th, five wintering Chiffchaff and three wintering Cetti’s Warblers, with just two Brambling and despite the lack of Lesser Redpoll a single Common Redpoll was at Melbourne during the month. The wet ground conditions resulted in little tilled land over the autumn and winter, so the subsequent abundance of winter stubbles resulted in widespread smaller flocks of farmland birds, which included up to 300 Corn Buntings in the area. The highlight of the month continued to be the impressive build up and showing of the Starling murmuration at Aughton – with up to 300,000 by month end - a truly spectacular sight.

The mild conditions throughout most of the month lead to several un-seasonal bat sightings, although a half ermine Stoat near Wheldrake was probably feeling a little conspicuous. The same mild conditions produced three Small Tortoiseshell butterflies on warmer days.

Many thanks as always to everyone who contributed records throughout the month, in particular to members of the YOC, and thanks also to Duncan Bye, Stuart Campbell, Jono Leadley, John Price and Tim Ward for the use of their photographs.

BIRDS: 

Whooper Swan – 166 were present throughout the site on the 2nd with 196 (including 29 immatures) counted on the International Swan Census on the 11th. Up to 25 continued to winter in the Melbourne and Thornton Ings area until the 25th, with 150+ in the Bubwith/Aughton and Ellerton area still remaining on the 27th.

Counts of brood sizes, numbers of first winters and colour-ringed birds show a minimum of 217 have been present in the valley since November 2019.

Bewick’s Swan – Two adults were still present at Ellerton between the 1st -13th, including the long returning colour-ringed individual 702. 

Bewick's Swan - Ellerton - 02/01 - DB



Mute Swan – 129 were present on the 11th during the WeBS count.

Pink-footed Goose – 26 remained in the Hagg Bridge area on the 1st and Wheldrake on the 2nd, when a further 130 passed north-west over the valley. 30 were present in the Wheldrake/Storwood area on the 3rd-5th. A large movement saw 536 pass north-west over the valley on the 10th whilst 928 headed north-west on the 11th, with smaller numbers also present in goose flocks in the area. 198 flew north-west over Bank Island on the 13th with 300 over Thorganby on the same date. 110 flew north over Bank Island on the 23rd with 33 present around the Wheldrake area on the 26th. 240 passed north-west over Thorganby on the 27th.

A total of 1681 flew north-west in return migrations during the month - in addition to the small wintering numbers present in the valley.

European White-fronted Goose –The long staying family party of eight were present at Bank Island on the 1st-2nd. In addition, 26 arrived high from the east at Bank Island and onto Wheldrake on the 3rd, with 14 also found at Melbourne – a total of 48 in the valley. A total of 33 were present around the site on the 4th with 62 on the 5th and 47 at Bank Island on the 9th.  22 were at Melbourne and 16 at Bank Island on the 10th with 64 present in the valley on the 11th/12th followed by 79 on the 13th (including a flock that arrived high from the east into Bank Island). 27 were still present on Seavy Carr on the 15th with 48 throughout the valley again on the 19th. The Seavy Carr flock appeared to depart shortly after this date with 24 remaining in the valley on the 25th -26th

White-fronted Geese - Melbourne - 29/01 - TW

Tundra Bean Goose – Three were present with other grey geese in fields by Cheesecake Farm, Bank Island on the 9th, before flying over towards the Low Grounds/Storwood area (CSR). Four were then present at Hagg Bridge on the 11th (CSR) and again at Wheldrake and Hagg Bridge on the 12th (DB et al). Six were located in the same area on the 13th with five there on the 16th. Four were on Wheldrake again on the 18th/19th when a family party of seven were also present at North Duffield Ings – a total of 11 individuals around the site. Four then remained in the Wheldrake area until at least the 28th.

Egyptian Goose – A single adult and immature remained at East Cottingwith on the 1st with three there on the 2nd and 11th.

Greylag Goose – Over 1200+ were present throughout the valley on the 10th with 1847 counted on the 11th. 1000+ remained throughout the month.

Canada Goose – 323 were present throughout the valley on the 4th increasing to 471 on the 11th and 503 on the 26th.

Barnacle Goose – Three were present at Bank Island at dawn on the 4th, possibly part of a group of seven located later in the morning at Wheldrake before heading south. 19 were recorded at Aughton on the 25th - later seen circling Wheldrake Ings the following day before heading off south down the valley.

Barnacles - Ellerton - 25/01 - JP

Shelduck – 132 were present throughout the site on the 11th. 63 were counted at North Duffield Carrs on the 19th.

Teal – 5347 were counted throughout the site on the monthly WeBS count on the 11th.

Green-winged Teal – A single drake was present in-front of Tower Hide at Wheldrake Ings on the 26th (JL et al) and again on the 27th (NC).

Wigeon – The WeBS count on the 11th revealed a total of 12,127. 

Wildfowl - Aughton - 19/01 - JL



Pintail – Up to 500 were recorded early in the month, with 557 counted on the monthly WeBS count on the 11th. A total of 629 were present throughout the site on the 19th.

Gadwall – 180+ present early in the month increased to 398 by the 11th. 154 remained at Wheldrake on the 19th. 374 were recorded at Wheldrake on the 26th, when other counts from elsewhere gave a minimum of 513 throughout the site.

Mallard – 1986 were recorded throughout the site on the monthly WeBS count on the 11th.

Shoveler – 246 were present throughout the site on the 3rd – upto 441 by the 11th. 350 remained on the 26th.

Tufted Duck – Numbers declined from 200+ early in the month to just 84 on the 11th - increasing again to 148 on the 26th.

Scaup – Two drakes were present at Aughton Ings on the 1st/2nd, with one remaining at Wheldrake on the 11th. Two drakes were present again on the 19th at Aughton and 25th/26th at North Duffield Carrs.

Pochard – 103 were recorded at Bubwith Ings on the 3rd, reducing to 71 throughout the site by the 11th. 63 remained on the 19th with 91 later present throughout the valley on the 25th/26th.

Goldeneye – 15 were counted at Wheldrake on the 3rd, with 19 throughout the site on the 11th. 25 were recorded throughout the site on the 26th

Goldeneye - Wheldrake - 26/01 - DB

Goosander – A single drake was at Wheldrake on the 2nd with four there on the 11th and seven on the 21st.  

Little Egret – The year opened with a single over Bank Island on the 1st and 2nd, when two were also reported from Melbourne and Thornton Ings. Five were present throughout the valley on the 3rd-5th increasing to nine on the 10th-13th. Five were present again in the Wheldrake/Bank Island area on the 19th, with nine at Wheldrake Ings/Low Grounds on the 26th - two were also at Melbourne and a single at North Duffield Carrs on the same date.

Great White Egret – One at Barmby on the Marsh Wetlands on the 25th.

Grey Heron – A tight flock of eight arrived into the Low Grounds and then over Bank Island on the 3rd – possibly birds returning to the valley following long lasting deep flooding. The WeBS count on the 11th indicated an increase of birds with 27 recorded.

Marsh Harrier – Up to three cream crowns were present daily in the Aughton/Ellerton area, with one at Melbourne on the 1st, Foggathorpe on the 2nd and Wheldrake on the 3rd. Three (cc) at Aughton on the 9th whilst one was seen hunting over Seavy Carr near Thornton on the 15th. Four throughout the site on the 19th. Five were viewed together at Wheldrake on the 28th when two were also at North Duffield Carrs. At least seven, possibly eight individuals seen during the month.

Peregrine – Up to two were seen regularly early in the month at North Duffield Carrs, with singles at Wheldrake on the 2nd and 3rd and Thornton Ellers on the 4th. A single immature female was hunting Wood Pigeons at Bank Island on the 10th with four recorded in the wider area between the 11th – 13th.

Red Kite – One at North Duffield Carrs on the 1st with another at Wheldrake on the 2nd and 3rd and two there on the 5th. A single was then present at Bank Island on the 9th, Thorganby village on the 10th and Seavy Carr on the 16th. Two were present over Wheldrake on the 19th and regularly thereafter, with one at Bank Island on the 28th.  

Merlin – A single was present at East Cottingwith on the 11th and Melbourne on the 12th.

Grey Partridge – 12 were recorded near East Cottingwith on the 2nd with 20 in the South Duffield area on the 3rd. 13 at Thornton Ellers on the 7th were followed by 15 there on the 13th.

Water Rail – Up to six at Wheldrake, two at Bank Island and North Duffield Carrs and six along the Pocklington Canal during the month.

Coot – Numbers increased from 15 in late December to 30 at Wheldrake on the 2nd and 34 on the 3rd. Numbers then increased quickly thereafter, with 141 on the 11th, including 97 at Wheldrake. 250 were counted at Wheldrake on the 19th when a total of 312 were present throughout the valley, and a total of 439 were present throughout the site by month end.

Great Crested Grebe – A pair were back on breeding territory at Pool Bridge Farm, Crockey Hill on the 8th.

Cormorant – 21 were at Wheldrake on the 4th followed by 31 on the 29th.

Golden Plover – 1062 were present throughout the site during the monthly WeBS count on the 11th with 1200+ at North Duffield Ings on the 19th.

Lapwing – Numbers started to increase with falling water levels, with 3728 recorded on the monthly WeBS count on the 11th.

Snipe – Up to 150 were present in the Melbourne and Thornton Ings area during the early part of the month, with 160 recorded on the WeBS on the 11th. Up to 50 remained on Skipwith Common NNR early in the month with 34 present at Barmby Marsh Wetlands on the 23rd.  

Jack Snipe – Single reported from the car park at North Duffield Carrs on the 6th (AW) with two at Skipwith on the 8th and a single near Thornton on the 12th.

Woodcock – Up to six continued to be reported from Skipwith Common NNR early in the month, with 20 reported in woodland around the Thorganby area on the 23rd.

Black-tailed Godwit – Six appeared at Wheldrake with another at Bubwith Bridge on the 19th, followed by nine at Wheldrake on the 25th and eight on the 28th.

Curlew – 11 were scattered throughout the valley on the 2nd, with a freshly arrived flock of 20 at Wheldrake on the same date. Numbers had increased to 34 by the 11th, with a flock of 35 over Wheldrake on the 15th. Up to 40 present at month end. 

Curlew - Wheldrake - 12/01 - JL

Ruff – Numbers slowly increased with 51 recorded on the monthly WeBS on the 11th followed by 73 at Aughton on the 27th.

Dunlin – 41 were counted along the River Derwent at Aughton on the 2nd with 60 at Thorganby on the 3rd and 121 throughout the site on the 11th. 120 were still present at North Duffield Ings on the 19th.

Redshank – 19 remained during the first half of the month.

Green Sandpiper – Two were present on the Beck at Melbourne Ings on the 13th (NC).

Common Gull – 5000+ were present on the 2nd.

Black-headed Gull – 10,000+ were recorded on the 2nd followed by 15,000 on the 4th.

Mediterranean Gull – A single adult was at the Wheldrake roost on the 26th.

Great Black-backed Gull – Up to 400 birds roosted in the valley during the month, at both Wheldrake Ings and the southern end at North Duffield Carrs/Aughton/Ellerton.

Lesser Black-backed Gull – One or two were recorded in and around the valley most days early in the month.

Iceland Gull – A single first-winter found in fields between North Duffield and Riccall on the 4th was nearby again on the 5th and 8th, and was later seen heading over Skipwith Common NNR towards North Duffield Carrs at dusk on the 10th with 200+ large gulls. It was present again daily 11th-13th and again on the 23rd – 27th (when it roosted at North Duffield Carrs and Ellerton).

Caspian Gull – A single first-winter bird was present in fields towards the A19 from Skipwith on the 4th and the 11th.

Herring Gull – Up to 600 were present in the roost at North Duffield Carrs early in the month, with up to 500 at the Wheldrake roost by the 11th.

Long-eared Owl – A single before dawn in the Wheldrake car park area was found by bird-racers on the 5th.  

Little Owl – A single near Melbourne on the 4th with one on Menthorpe Lane on the 23rd.

Skylark – Eight singing birds were present on Wheldrake Ings on the 26th with scattered singles elsewhere. Several flocks were present around the site during the month with 90 at East Cottingwith Hagg Lane on several dates, and c50 in fields by Bank Island on the 28th.

Grey Wagtail – One or two were present throughout the month at Bank Island with one at Church Bridge, Melbourne, on the 24th.

Pied Wagtail – 188 were present between Skipwith Common NNR and Riccall on the 7th.

Stonechat – Up to five were still present at North Duffield Carrs on the 1st with pairs at Wheldrake and Melbourne on the 2nd, and a pair in the NNR base garden at Bank Island on the 3rd. A pair were present at Melbourne on the 4th – 17th with smaller numbers present thereafter.

Starling – Numbers at the Aughton roost reached 65,000 on the 2nd, increasing to 300,000 recorded on the 25th and 27th

Starlings - Aughton - 13/01 - SC

Redwing – 220 were recorded at the NNR base on the 6th followed by smaller numbers in hedgerows around the reserve thereafter. Large numbers were later present on farmland in the Thorganby area from mid-month – with up to 1000 reported on some dates – reflecting a shift in diet/food availability.  

Nuthatch – A single at Wheldrake on the 4th and regularly in the Escrick Duck Decoy and nearby woods during the month. Single in the car park lane again at Wheldrake on the 19th.

Willow Tit – Two at Wheldrake on the 3rd, followed by six there on the 19th and two at North Duffield Carrs and Melbourne on the same date.

Chiffchaff – Two remained around the NNR base between the 1st -10th, with three birds caught and ringed there on the 16th. Five were present on the 17th, followed by two on the 26th and one thereafter.

Cetti’s Warbler – Three wintering birds remained early in the month.

Brambling – A single flew over Skipwith Common NNR on the 5th with one at North Duffield Carrs on the 8th.

Chaffinch – Up to 350 were present in fields near Thorganby from the 20th to month end.

Linnet – 80 at Melbourne on the 23rd.

Common Redpoll – One with a Linnet flock at Melbourne on the 23rd.

Tree Sparrow – 40 at Newton Mask on the 4th with 60 at Thornton Ellers on the 9th and 48 at the NNR base garden feeders on the 10th.

Yellowhammer – 20 were present at North Duffield on the 1st when 23 were reported at East Cottingwith. Nine were present near Storwood on the 2nd with 30+ at Newton Mask on the 4th.  

Corn Bunting – Up to 90 were present along Hagg Lane at East Cottingwith early in the month with 40 at Thornton Ellers. 111 roosted at Church Bridge on the 24th, whilst flocks of 90 were present at East Cottingwith on the 26th with 60 at Thornton Ellers, 47 at Menthorpe Lane and 11 at Aughton on the same date – potentially up to 300+ present around the valley at this time.

Reed Bunting – Up to 100 were roosting at Church Bridge reedbed on the 24th.



MAMMALS:

Fallow Deer – Two were present on Skipwith Common NNR on the 12th, with 12 in fields opposite the car park lane at Wheldrake on the 29th.

Stoat – A single in half ‘ermine’ near Wheldrake on the 24th.

Pipistrelle Bat sp. – The first of the year was at Skipwith Common NNR on the 12th, with two there on the 14th. Singles at the NNR base on the 14th followed by three on the 16th and two on the 29th.



BUTTERFLIES:

Small Tortoiseshell – One in the NNR base garden on the 14th and 23rd, followed by one at Bubwith on the 24th.



MOTHS:

Spring Usher – One at Bank Island on the 24th.


1 comment:

  1. Makalali private game reserve is one of South Africa's leading, privately-owned conservation areas presently comprising an astonishing 22,000 hectares in the Lowveld region of the Limpopo Province of South Africa, close to the world-renowned Kruger National Park.

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