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.

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Oct' 20

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - October Sightings

Following an exciting September with plenty of notable records and interest throughout the month, cumulating with a Common Rosefinch caught and ringed at Bank Island on the 29th, October then started off with a Lesser Yellowlegs - found at Wheldrake at dawn on the 2nd, with it relocating to Bank Island soon afterwards.

Otherwise the month saw a large arrival of wintering waterfowl, with 212 Whooper Swans moving through the site, whilst the resident herd had built up to 30+ by month end. An impressive 7100 Pink-footed Geese were logged, with a lingering flock still present at North Duffield Carrs late in the month. A flock of 23 Tundra Bean Geese were noteworthy, whilst a few early White-fronted Geese were also recorded. A noteworthy and rather early count of 170 Pintail were recorded, along with the first returning Goldeneye (3rd) and Goosander (28th). Two lingering Great White Egrets were also present throughout. Raptor watching was productive with up to ten Marsh Harrier present at various roosts, along with a Goshawk (2nd), Merlin (3rd) and the first wintering Hen Harrier.

Waders numbers also started to build with a small return of floodwater, with 1000 Golden Plover, 300/400 Snipe and a total of 15 Jack Snipe (caught and ringed) - probably reflecting only a proportion of the true figures present. Other returning wintering waders included 4 Dunlin, 11 Ruff, 3 Curlew and 2 Redshank by month end, with a single Black-tailed Godwit and Green Sandpiper lingering in the area. A late flock of 9 Common Terns were present over Wheldrake Ings (5th), whilst up to 6 Yellow-legged Gulls were recorded amidst the large flocks of Lesser Black-backed Gulls in the Skipwith/Riccall area. Other highlights/notables included a Raven at Elvington on the 23rd, Rock Pipit (19th-21st), up to 8 Cetti’s Warblers and 7 Brambling records, a Bearded Tit (25th), a single flyover Hawfinch and 37 Crossbills.

Many thanks as always to everyone who has submitted records throughout the month, in particular to members of the YOC, and regular patch birder Duncan Bye - thanks also to Duncan for the use of some of his images below, credited DB.

 

BIRDS: 


Mute Swan – Numbers increased to 89 by month end.

Whooper Swan – A total of 212 flew south through the reserve on passage, whilst the wintering herd slowly built up to 30+ by month end.

A total of 56 flew south through the valley on the 10th, whilst 15 were present in the herd at North Duffield Carrs on the 11th, including new colour-ringed birds TCP and TCH. Six flew over the pool at Wheldrake at dawn on the 12th, with a further 12 in two parties over Bank Island later in the day. 20 flew south on the 13th, with 52 at Thornton Ellers on the 14th. 12 passed through Bank Island on the 18th with 14 on the 19th – on the same day 10 were also present at North Duffield Carrs. Six arrived at Bank Island early morning on the 20th before finally departing southwards shortly before dusk. 14 were present there on the 22nd followed by five on the morning of the 23rd, with a family party of six arriving later in the day. A total of 33 were recorded on the 24th between North Duffield Carrs and Aughton Ings, with 30+ still present on the 30th. A further 12 flew south on the 31st.

Whooper Swan herd - North Duffield Carrs - 11/10 - CSR

Greylag Goose – Numbers built up again during the month with 1000+ roosting at Bank Island towards month end. 2000+ were recorded in the Bank Island and Wheldrake area on the 28th.

Pink-footed Goose – An impressive 7100 were logged moving through the site, with some thought be ‘local’ birds moving between the Lower Derwent Valley and the Humber/Wolds as seen over recent years. Up to 119 lingered at month end.

Four skeins totalling 157 birds flew south-east over Wheldrake on the 1st. 1600 flew south-east on the 2nd whilst 350 flew into the Low Grounds on the 8th, followed by 95 south over Thorganby later in the day. 40 were also over Melbourne on the same day. 296 flew south-east on the 11th with 400+ on the 12th. 11 were present at Bank Island on the 14th with several skeins (300+), moving on the 15th followed by 1675 on the 16th. 358 passed through the reserve on the 17th with 488 on the 18th. 1980 flew west on the 18th followed by 300 on the 19th. A flock of 56 followed on the 21st, with 280 on the 22nd and 130 on the 23rd. 100 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 25th with 1136 through the site on the 28th. 130 were at North Duffield Carrs on the 29th with 119 remaining in the area to month end.  

Pink-footed Geese - Wheldrake - 18/10 - DB

Tundra Bean Goose – 23 flew off from Wheldrake towards dusk on the 26th – after possibly roosting with large numbers of Greylags at Bank Island after dark (CSR). These individuals may have been reorientating birds seen coming in off the sea on the Yorkshire Coast earlier in the day. However, what was presumably the same flock, was present on the 31st over Wheldrake Ings (DB) - heading east so they may well have been present in the wider area.

White-fronted Goose – A single was present with Greylags at North Duffield Carrs on the 28th. Six flew south over Bank Island on the 31st.

Canada Goose – Up to 200 had returned by month end.

Barnacle Goose – 43 flew into roost at Bank Island on the 13th – a day which saw a large movement elsewhere in the county.

Egyptian Goose – One at Thorganby Ings on the 22nd, with 12 in the usual stronghold of the East Cottingwith area on the 24th.

Shelduck – The first returning five wintering birds were present at Bank Island on the 28th with numbers increasing to 35 by month end.

Wigeon – 2500 were present on the 18th with 800 at Bank Island on the 19th and 1100 on the river at Ellerton on the 28th.

Teal – 2000+ were present throughout the site on the 18th.  

Pintail – 12 were present at Bank Island on the 6th when 12 were also noted nearby at Skipwith Common NNR. 14 were recorded at Bank Island on the 12th with 35 there on the 14th and 80+ on the 17th, when 100+ were present throughout the reserve – a good early count. 149 were then present on the 19th with smaller numbers thereafter. 66 were recorded there again on the 28th with 170 at month end.

Pintail - Bank Island - 31/10 - DB

Shoveler – Numbers increased to 48 by month end.

Gadwall – Numbers increased to 35 on the pool by the 23rd, rising to 59 on the 28th and 63 by month end.

Tufted Duck – A single at Bank Island on the 28th with five on the 31st.

Goosander The first returning bird was present at Bank Island on the 28th, which roosted daily thereafter to month end.

Goldeneye – One at Wheldrake Ings on the 3rd with another there on the 21st.

Little Egret – Two at North Duffield Carrs on the 10th and two at Wheldrake on the 11th were followed by two at Ellerton on the 20th. A single flew over Bank Island on the 24th, 26th and 28th.

Great White Egret – Two were present along the river bank at Thorganby on the 11th with one over Bank Island on the 15th. A single was then present at East Cottingwith Lock on the 16th and Wheldrake on the 17th to month end. A second bird was at North Duffield on the 27th, Ellerton on the 28th and North Duffield Carrs on the 29th to month end.

Great White Egret - Wheldrake Ings - 25/10 - DB

Little Grebe – Numbers on the river and canal started to increase as birds returned to wintering sites. A single was present throughout the month on the pool at Wheldrake, with two there on the 23rd and four on the river at Ellerton on the 22nd. A single returned to North Duffield Carrs top pond on the 27th.

Goshawk – An immature male was present and photographed over the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 2nd (CSR).  

Marsh Harrier – Two were still present in the Wheldrake/Bank Island area between the 1st -4th. Three or four roosted at Aughton Ings on the 8th with one roosting at Bank Island on the 14th. An orange wing-tagged male was at Wheldrake on the 15th with up to five cream-crowns across the reserve on the 17th/18th. A single orange wing-tagged juvenile was seen at Ellerton on the 20th and again at Wheldrake on the 22nd. Three roosted at Bank Island on the 26th/27th with four at Aughton on the 27th – all untagged, whilst a green tagged bird was observed at North Duffield Carrs on the 29th/30th. At least 10 birds were thought to be involved in the records during the month.

Marsh Harrier - Wheldrake Ings - 04/10 - DB

Peregrine – Up to three were recorded in the area from the 1st with a rehabilitated immature released at Bank Island on the 5th. A single was present there on the 14th with one at Ellerton on the 20th and Wheldrake on the 25th. At least three birds were present in the last few days of the month.

Merlin – A single was at Wheldrake Ings on the 3rd.

Common Buzzard – Up to 17 were observed on and around North Duffield Carrs/Ings on the 11th, with a minimum of 51 throughout the reserve on that date. 25 birds were counted in one field, presumably ‘worming’ at Crockey Hill on the 12th, with 10 still present on the 30th. Nine were recorded at Wheldrake Ings on the 25th.

Red Kite – Singles at Wheldrake and Bank Island on the 2nd with another on the 10th and 11th. A single was recorded at Ellerton Ings on the 22nd and Thorganby on the 24th.

Hen Harrier – A single ringtail was recorded in the Thorganby area on the 22nd-23rd.

Grey Partridge – Four calling at dusk at Sutton Farm on the 1st.

Water Rail – Up to four calling birds remained at Wheldrake Ings throughout the month.

Golden Plover – Up to 100 were seen regularly in the Wheldrake/Bank Island/Raker Lakes area early in the month. 100+ were in the Ellerton Ings area on the 20th with 268+ there on the 22nd. 200 were recorded at Bank Island on the 25th. 1000+ were then present in the Elvington area on the 28th to month end.

Lapwing – Up to 500 were scattered around the reserve throughout the month.

Common Snipe – 50 were still present at Bank Island on the 1st, followed by 30 at Thornton Ellers on the 5th and 40 at Bank Island on the 5th and 6th. 110 were recorded on part of Skipwith Common NNR on the 15th. 50+ were present on Melbourne and Thornton Ings on the 21st with smaller numbers scattered throughout the site – perhaps as many as 300/400.

Jack Snipe – Eleven were present at Bank Island on the 1st with six on the 6th, of which three were caught and ringed. Six were caught and ringed there on the 7th from a total of 12 seen, whilst four were also present at Wheldrake Ings on that date. Six were present again at Bank Island on the 8th - three of which were caught and ringed, with another two ringed on the 9th - the lack of any re-traps suggests a larger number were present and had moved through the site during the week. Rising water levels thereafter moved most birds away from this site, however, four were recorded on Skipwith Common NNR on the 15th and again on the 23rd/24th. A single was caught and ringed after dark at Wheldrake on the 27th.

Jack Snipe - Bank Island - 07/10 - NC

Curlew – Three wintering birds returned to the reserve on the 31st.

Black-tailed Godwit – A single at Bank Island on the 26th remained to month end.

Dunlin – The first wintering birds - flock of four, arrived on the 31st.

Ruff A single at North Duffield Carrs on the 25th was the first returning bird of the winter, with 11 there on the 31st.

Lesser Yellowlegs A single was found at dawn on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 2nd, (CSR, MFJ), before flying over to Bank Island (DB), where it remained until 0900hrs when it was watched flying high north-west – second reserve record. It then re-appeared back at Bank Island at dusk and remained throughout the following day, but was not present on the 4th – when it appears to have relocated to Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve.

Lesser Yellowlegs - Bank Island - 01/10 - DB

Green Sandpiper A single was recorded at Bank Island on the 1st and 2nd, with one at Thornton Ellers on the 5th and Bank Island on the 20th.  

Lesser Black-backed Gull – 300 were present in fields in the Skipwith area on the 16th with 250 there on the 19th.

Yellow-legged Gull – Six individuals (five adults and a first winter), were present with the Lesser Black-backed flock near Skipwith Common NNR on the 19th. Four were still present in a flock of 1000 large gulls on the 27th.

Common Tern – A late flock of nine flew north-east over Wheldrake Ings on the 5th (TH).

Green Woodpecker – Singles at both Wheldrake Ings and Melbourne on the 5th.

Hoopoe – One was present at Scrayingham, further upstream of Stamford Bridge on the 4th.

Skylark – Up to 130 passed south-west over Bank Island throughout the day on the 1st, when 60+ were also present in the Ellerton Ings area. 70 were recorded at Wheldrake on the 15th, whilst 213 were counted over Ellerton Ings on the 20th followed by 233 south over there on the 22nd. 350 were on fields at Hagg Lane, East Cottingwith on the 24th, with perhaps 500+ present throughout the valley on that date.

Rock Pipit – A single was observed on the river bank at North Duffield Carrs on the 19th (OM), followed by one at Bank Island on the 21st (AF).

Swallow – 31 passed through Wheldrake on the 7th, whilst six flew south at Bank Island and two flew over Thorganby early on the 8th. Another two were seen over Bank Island on the 9th when six were at Wheldrake Ings. 41 were recorded at Wheldrake and Bank Island on the 10th, followed by three at Wheldrake on the 11th and seven south on the 14th. Six were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 17th with eight heading south, followed by two at Wheldrake on the 18th. Three at Wheldrake Ings on the 19th with one on the 21st.

House Martin – 21 at Wheldrake Ings and Bank Island on the 7th, with two at Bank Island on the 10th and 11th. Three late birds were at Wheldrake on the 20th with one at Ellerton Ings on the 22nd.  

Redwing – Three flew over Bank Island on the 6th with a small nocturnal passage overnight on the 6th/7th. 10 flew over after dawn on the 7th, with single figure counts on the 8th and 9th. 80 were present on the 10th which were followed by a large movement on the 11th, which saw a total of 4360 move north-west over the reserve, including 2650 over Bank Island in a couple of hours after dawn. 100+ roosted in the pool side willows at Wheldrake on the 12th, with 700 arriving into the valley on the 13th. 1000 arrived during an afternoon of light drizzle on the 21st.

Fieldfare – 167 north-west over Bank Island on the 11th were the first of the year, and were followed by 500 arriving on the 13th. 223 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 19th whilst 300 flew west at dusk over Bank Island on the same date. 200 at Bank Island on the 21st with 291 at North Duffield on the same date. 758 went south over Ellerton Ings on the 22nd with 200 at Bank Island on the 23rd. Up to 500 were observed around North Duffield Carrs from the 25th to month end.

Mistle Thrush – A single flew north-west with other thrushes on the 11th.

Stonechat – The good numbers present in September continued - three were present at Bank Island on the 1st – 3rd, with up to eight observed from the 3rd at Wheldrake Ings. 12 roosted in front of Tower Hide, Wheldrake on the 5th. A full survey of the reserve produced a total of 27 on the 11th. A pair were present at Thornton Ellers on the 29th, whilst up to five lingered at Wheldrake Ings to month end. Two were also present at Barmby Marsh Wetlands during the month.

Stonechat - Wheldrake Ings - 07/10 - DB

Raven – A single was seen at Elvington Airfield on the 23rd (OM).

Willow Tit – Up to eight were present in the Bank Island/Wheldrake Ings area during the month, with up to three in Melbourne.

Marsh Tit – Several calling birds at Crook Moor Thorganby on the 6th with one at North Duffield Carrs on the 24th.

Bearded Tit – A single was seen and photographed at Bank Island on the 25th.

Nuthatch – Two calling birds at Crook Moor, Thorganby, on the 6th.

Chiffchaff – Five were present at Bank Island on the 4th. A single was still singing at Melbourne on the 27th.

Blackcap – A single was caught and ringed in the NNR base garden at Bank Island on the 1st. One was present at Bank Island on the 4th, with two caught and ringed there on the 5th followed by one on the 6th. Singles lingered there on the 10th, 11th and 14th.

Lesser Whitethroat – A single at Bank Island was present with a roving tit flock on the 1st.

Cetti’s Warbler – A single was singing at Wheldrake Ings on the 1st and 2nd with four there on the 3rd and 4th. A single was caught and ringed at Tower Hide on the 6th and was followed by one present in the car park scrub on the 10th and 11th. Another individual was caught and ringed at Wheldrake on the 14th, with one at Bank Island on the 15th. Three calling birds were recorded at Wheldrake on the 17th-21st.   

Another individual returned to the usual wintering location on the Pocklington Canal at the Church bridge reedbed, Melbourne on the 5th, and remained thereafter. Singles were also present at North Duffield Carrs on the 8th and 9th, with two there on the 11th when another was present at East Cottingwith. At least eight individuals were present across the site on that date.

Cetti's Warbler - Bank Island - 15/10 - NC

Siskin – A flock of 80 were recorded at Wheldrake Ings on the 16th.

Lesser Redpoll – 70 were at Melbourne in canal side Alders on the 2nd, with 70 at Wheldrake on the 21st when up to 200 were present at Melbourne.

Goldfinch – Numbers at Bank Island increased to c100 by the 7th.

Brambling – The first of the autumn flew south over Bank Island on the 18th with two there the following day on the 19th. Three were seen at Bank Island on the 21st with a single there on the 25th.

Hawfinch – A single flew south-east over Wheldrake at dawn on the 6th.

Crossbill – 10 flew over Bank Island on the 4th, with one over Wheldrake Ings later in the day, when four were also noted near Hemingbrough. A flock were also recorded moving over North Duffield village after dark on the 6th, whilst a single flew west along the canal at Melbourne on the 8th. Six were over Elvington on the 10th with singles at Wheldrake on the 10th and 11th, with a total of five over that site on the 12th. One flew north-west over Ellerton on the 22nd. Single at Wheldrake Ings on the 25th with five over Bank Island on the 28th and a single at Wheldrake on the 30th.

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