Jan'

Lower Derwent Valley NNR Sightings - January 2014

The month was dominated by south westerly weather systems bringing strong winds and heavy rain to much of the UK, and so following the rather dry conditions over the preceding winter months the water levels increased quickly, and the valley was extensively flooded by the second week of the year. This brought a sudden upturn in waterfowl numbers following the rather poor number present before the New Year. Notable counts included 80 Whooper Swans, 6000+ Teal, 10,000+ Wigeon and 300 Pintail. Numbers of diving ducks increased late in the month with 100+ Pochard and 150 Tufted Ducks. Highlights included five Tundra Bean Geese which were seen on two dates (but presumably remained elsewhere undetected between those dates), two Greenland race White-fronted Geese lingering from 2013, and a Smew at North Duffield Carrs on the 28^th-29^th.

 Road to nowhere - flooding at Bank Island - 27/01

On the wader front, notable counts included 2050 Golden Plover, 200 Dunlin and 100+ Ruff.  It appears to have been a good month for Woodcock with several records from the favoured location of Thornton Ellers. The first returning Oystercatcher was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th and the first Black-tailed Godwit was at North Duffield Carrs on the 26^th. A Grey Plover at Bubwith Ings on the 4^th was a notable record.

It was however the gulls that stole the show during the month with gull watchers enjoying two Glaucous Gulls, four Iceland Gulls, two Mediterranean Gulls and a Kumlien’s Gull. It was the huge numbers attracted to the floods to roost at Wheldrake which were the most impressive, with the gull roost totaling over 40,000 birds on some evenings, with a staggering 14,000 Herring Gulls present on the 23^rd.

The best of the rest included a single Long-eared Owl seen after dark at North Duffield Carrs on the 30^th, a Crossbill over Skipwith Common on the 8^th, and up to eight Bramblings near Church Bridge, Melbourne towards month end. 

Throughout January 95 bird species were seen in and around the Lower Derwent Valley and Skipwith Common NNR.

Wildfowl - Wheldrake Ings - 08/01

BIRDS: 

Whooper Swan – Up to 80 remained in the valley from the 1^st, although the herd was mobile within the valley, ranging between Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs and occasionally using the nearby arable fields. 

Mute Swan – Numbers continued to build during the month with 84 recorded throughout the site on the 8^th. 

Greylag Goose – Large numbers remained throughout the valley with 1450 counted on the 8^th. 

Pink-footed Goose – Up to eight remained in the Wheldrake Ings/Bank Island area from the 1^st with 67 over the valley heading north on the 14^th and 87 north on the 21^st. 

Tundra Bean Goose – Five at Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th (RW) flew east over Bank Island on the 28^th (CSR). 

Greenland White-fronted Goose – Two juveniles were present at Thorganby Ings on the 8^th (LM, CSR et al), which were presumably the two birds seen in mid December 2013. 

Canada Goose – A monthly maxima of 511 was recorded on the 8^th. 

Shelduck – Up to 30 remained into early January which had built up to 60+ by month end. 

Mallard – 2500 were present throughout the month with favoured locations of Wheldrake Ings and Thorganby Ings with birds scattered through the remainder of the site. 

Mallard - Bank Island - 08/01

Teal – Numbers increased quickly during the first week of the month when parts of the site started to flood. 5100 were present throughout the site on the 8^th with 6100 on the 9^th. Wheldrake Ings held 4500 on the 23^rd. 

Pintail – Numbers increased early in the month from 30 on the 1^st to 89 throughout the valley on the 8^th, all but two at Wheldrake Ings. Numbers continued to increase with 110 at Wheldrake Ings by the 13^th. 44 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 19^th. Numbers built up quickly with flooding and 226 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd and 267 were throughout the valley on the 25^th. 300+ were present throughout the valley by month end. 

Wigeon – Numbers increased from 5000+ on the 1^st to 8015 by the 8^th and 8300 by the 9^th. Wheldrake Ings held 6900 on the 23^rd when a total of 9200 where present throughout the site. 10,000+ by month end were well scattered with extensive flooding. 

Gadwall – 29 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd with 50+ there by the 30^th. 

Shoveler – 11 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd with 32 present throughout the site by the 30^th. 

Tufted Duck – Five were at Bank Island on the 4^th with 21 in the valley on the 8^th. Further flooding saw numbers at Bank Island reach 49 by the 13^th whilst 54 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 19^th. 107 were throughout the site on the 23^rd, up to 147 by the 30^th. 

Pochard – Two were at Bank Island on the 4^th with four there on the 8^th when five were also present at Wheldrake Ings. Numbers increased as usual following extensive flooding which left deeper water favoured by the species, with 44 in the valley on the 19^th including 34 at Bubwith Ings. 83 were between Wheldrake Ings and Bank Island on the 23^rd with 102 throughout the valley on the 30^th. 

Goldeneye – A single drake was at Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th when a pair were present on the River Derwent at Thorganby/Ellerton, whilst three, a drake and two red-heads were at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd. 

Smew – A single red-head was present in front of the Geoff Smith Hide at North Duffield Carrs on the 28^th (MW) and present again the following morning (CG, OM). 

 

Smew - North Duffield Carrs - 28/01 (MW)

Goosander – A pair flew into the Wheldrake roost at dusk on the 23^rd whilst 15 were present on fishing lakes between Wheldrake and Elvington on the 29^th with 11 there on the 31^st. 

Little Grebe – Up to five birds were wintering on the River Derwent between Bubwith and East Cottingwith, with up to five birds also wintering along the Pocklington Canal. 

Cormorant – Encountered throughout the valley with the largest number being present at the Wheldrake Ings colony/roost, where up to 23 were recorded during the month. 

Water Rail – Singles were recorded at Church Bridge on the 3^rd and 5^th and near Melbourne on the 29^th. A single was calling at Bank Island on the 13^th and two were in the car park area at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd. 

Grey Heron – Scattered birds were present throughout the site with a monthly maximum of 9 on the 23^rd. 

Grey Heron - Pocklington - 23/01

Red Kite – A single flew over the A19 near Escrick heading west on the 5^th with a single near Elvington on the 13^th and Pocklington on the 29^th. 

Marsh Harrier – A single cream crown was at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st and 5^th with another at Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th and Bank Island on the 19^th. 

Peregrine – Regular throughout the month with two or three reported daily. Wheldrake Ings held two adults and an immature on the 8^th, whilst a large adult female was hunting towards dusk at North Duffield Carrs on the same date. Singles were also seen at Melbourne on the 2^nd and 5^th. Two were at Aughton Ings on the 23^rd and 25^th. 

Merlin – A single at Church Bridge on the Pocklington Canal near Melbourne on the 2^nd (DB) and at Bank Island on the 13^th (CSR). 

Sparrowhawk – Several were present throughout the site during the month with one taking a Fieldfare at North Duffield Carrs towards dusk on the 12^th. 

Goshawk – A pair were seen displaying at an undisclosed site on the 5^th (JC). 

Oystercatcher – The first returning bird arrived back at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th – a more typical appearance following last year’s rather late arrival. 

Golden Plover – 55 were present feeding on the Ings at Aughton with Lapwing on the 6^th and 200 were at North Duffield Carrs on the 12^th. 200 remained at Aughton Ings on the 19^th increasing thereafter with 1200 at Thorganby Ings on the 29^th and 2050 there on the 31^st. 

Grey Plover – A single flew over North Duffield Carrs on the 4^th (OM). 

Dunlin – Numbers increased to 70 on the 3^rd, 102 by the 19^th and up to 198 on the 29^th. 

Ruff – Numbers continued to build up quickly following the return of wintering birds in late December. 70+ were present on the 2^nd with 100+ on the 4^th. 100+ remained at North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th. 

Black-tailed Godwit – A single at North Duffield Carrs on the 26^th was the first returning bird. 

Curlew – 10+ were at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd with 37 present throughout the site on the 31^st. 

Common Snipe – Up to 40 were present on Seavy Carr on the 17^th and 100+ were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 30^th. Smaller numbers were present elsewhere but little feeding opportunities remained following the extensive flooding. 

Jack Snipe – A single was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 30^th. 

Woodcock – Up to two birds frequented the Wheldrake Ings car park area from the 1^st – 6^th  at dusk, presumably coming into feed after leaving a nearby day time roost, a single was also flushed from Thornton Ellers on the 10^th. Four where flushed from Thornton Ellers on the 23^rd whilst three were present in the small area of woodland near the Escrick Duck decoy on the 27^th. Four were present at Thornton Ellers on the 30^th. 

Redshank – Numbers increased from 10 on the 3^rd to 33 at Bubwith Ings on the 19^th. 

Lesser Black-backed Gull – Singles were at the Wheldrake Ings roost on the 13^th and 23^rd with two there on the 28^th. 

Glaucous Gull – A first winter bird was present at the Wheldrake Ings roost from the 1^st to 5^th (DB) with a fourth winter bird there on the 28^th. 

Iceland Gull – An adult at the Wheldrake Ings roost on the 13^th with two adults and a second winter there on the 23^rd, a first winter and an adult on the 28^th and an adult on the 30^th. 

Kumlien’s Gull – A sub-adult (3^rd or 4^th winter) was at the Wheldrake Ings roost on the 28^th (CSR). 

Herring Gull – Large numbers built up quickly following the flooding and a record count of 14,000 were present at the Wheldrake Ings roost on the 23^rd. 

Yellow Legged Gull – Two adults went over Bank Island towards the Wheldrake roost on the 28^th. 

Greater Black-backed Gull – 4500 were present at the roost at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd. 

Common Gull – 3500 roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd. 

Mediterranean Gull – A first winter bird was in the Wheldrake Ings roost on the 10^th (JL) with an adult then seen on the 28^th heading into the roost over Bank Island (CSR). 

Black-headed Gull – An impressive 20,000 roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd. 

Long-eared Owl – A single reported at Wheldrake Ings near dusk on the 13^th and a single was present at North Duffield Carrs after dark on the 30^th (CSR, JR). 

Tawny Owl - A ringed bird was caught roosting in a regular haunt at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th, after checking the ring back at the office it revealed the bird to be over 15 years old - more here.

Tawny Owl - Thornton Ellers - 10/01

 

Jay – Two were at Bank Island on the 23^rd with three in the nearby Wheldrake Ings car park lane on the 27^th. 

Nuthatch – A single was calling in the Escrick Duck Decoy on the 15^th, and a single was reported at the Bank Island feeding station on the 31^st - a notable record. 

Marsh Tit – A single was at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th with singles regularly at the Bank Island feeding station. 

Willow Tit – Three were present by the Pocklington Canal at East Cottingwith during the month with up to four different birds caught and ringed at Bank Island during the month (CB). Three were at Thornton Ellers on the 30^th. 

Siskin – Up to 20 were at Thornton Ellers on the 9^th when a further 15 were present on the Pocklington Canal near Melbourne. 50 were at Thornton Ellers on the 30^th. 

Crossbill – A single flew over Skipwith Common calling on the 8^th (RM). 

Greenfinch – A flock of 100 were near Seavy Carr on the 29^th. 

Chaffinch – Up to 100 were by Seavy Carr on the 29^th. 

Brambling – Eight were present near Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 29^th (NC). 

Tree Sparrow – Up to 100 remained at the Bank Island feeding station during the month with 50+ present at North Duffield Carrs feeding station. 

Corn Bunting – Up to 45 were roosted in the reedbed by Church Bridge at Melbourne during the first week of the year.

MAMMALS: 

Fallow Deer – A single at Skipwith Common on the 8^th, with three at Crook Moor, Thorganby on the 13^th and five at Skipwith Common on the 21^st. 

Roe Deer – Five were present on Kexby Lane on the 7^th with two at Skipwith Common on the 8^th and two at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th. A single was in the Wheldrake car park lane on the 27^th with three at Thornton Ellers on the 29^th and 30^th. 

Otter – Fresh runs, prints and a spraint were found at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th. 

Brown Hare – Two were at Thornton Ellers on the 10^th with three at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th and one there on the 23^rd. Four were present at Thornton Ellers on the 30^th with two at North Duffield Carrs on the same date. 

Hedgehog – A single unseasonal individual at Sutton upon Derwent on the 10^th had unfortunately been killed by a vehicle. 

Wood Mouse – A single was present at Wheldrake Ings car park lane on the 27^th. 

Common Shrew – One was found on the 24^th in an un-set Longworth trap when replenishing the hay! 

Mole – Several fresh mole hills were present along the floodbanks during the month.

MOTHS: 

Winter Moth – One at Bank Island on the 13^th. 

Dark Chestnut – One at Bank Island on the 25^th.

NOTABLE PLANTS: 

Winter Heliotrope – Colonies were found at Thorganby and Sutton upon Derwent during the month – a new species for the NNR plant list.

 Winter Heliotrope - Thorganby - 27/01

FUNGI: 

The 2014 fungi list started on the 10^th when an afternoon working at Thornton Ellers allowed time to search for species that can still be found at this time of year. A walk along the hedgerow and through the wood saw the list kick off with Candlesnuff, Jelly Ear, Witches Butter, Birch Polypore and Buttercap.

 Jelly Ear - Thornton Ellers - 10/01

 

Witches's Butter - 27/01 - Escrick