Oct' 22

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - October Sightings

A Swift sp. seen and photographed over Thorganby village on the 30^th was thought to be a possible Pallid, with a definite record then confirmed two days later when a single was observed feeding over Elvington and Bank Island (seen by multiple observers). Both records coincided with an unprecedented influx of Pallid Swifts along the North-East coast. 

The first returning Whoopers Swans headed south on the 7^th - followed by 134+ during the month, before the first of the wintering herd appeared at Thorganby on the 29^th. Up to 600 Pink-footed Geese were observed feeding around the reserve, particularly during the first half of the month. Duck numbers began to increase as the month progressed – albeit difficult at times to locate/count, especially during the daytime - a total of 2000 Teal and 800 Wigeon were recorded. 

Pink-footed Geese - Wheldrake Ings - 01/10 - TW

One or two Great White Egrets appeared with four Common Cranes on the 5^th, with two again on the 24^th/25^th. At least one Osprey lingered into the month with the ongoing mild conditions, although the returning Hen Harrier and two Short-eared Owls were perhaps more expected seasonal highlights alongside the first returning Merlin. The same mild temperatures perhaps accounted for the lack of Woodcock, however there was a notable increase in Snipe from mid-month with a good number of Jack Snipe also appearing in the few wet patches remaining following the extended drought. 

Pool Hide, Wheldrake Ings - 31/10 - SR

The mild, dry conditions may have helped Grey Partridge to have a more productive breeding season, with several notable coveys found around the area – with perhaps up to 100 birds involved in total. A Water Pipit on the 23^rd at Wheldrake was notable, along with a pair of Ravens, two parties of Bearded Tits and a large arrival of wintering thrushes. The month ended with a notable flock of 140+ Corn Buntings at Hagg Lane, East Cottingwith. 

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

 

BIRDS:

Mute Swan – The resident pairs and broods remained throughout the site, however, Avian Influenza sadly resulted in the mortality of 80% of the years cygnets.

Whooper Swan – The first returning birds were five individuals south over Bank Island on the 7^th, followed by birds over Elvington on nocturnal passage on the 7^th/8^th and 10^th/11^th. 15 flew west over Thorganby on the 11^th just before dusk with 34 south over Bank Island on the 13^th. 10 flew over Bank Island during the day on the 15^th followed by 21 on the 16^th. 22 flew south over North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th whilst 15 flew into Melbourne Ings on the 19^th with two over Wheldrake after dark. 21 flew south over Bank Island at 10:30hrs on the 24^th with seven south over Wheldrake Ings at 19:00hrs on the same date. Three flew over Aughton Ings on the 25^th with a single and a group of two at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th. A minimum of 134 passage birds were recorded during the month, with 20 ‘resident’ wintering birds present at Thorganby on the 29^th to month end.  

Whooper Swans - Ellerton Landing - 29/10 - DB

Pink-footed Geese – 500 went over the Bank Island/Wheldrake Ings area on the 1^st followed by 300 on the 2^nd, 250 on the 3^rd and 400+ on the 4^th. 510 were then present regularly in the Wheldrake/Bank Island area daily until the 10^th feeding in local fields. 200 were in the Bank Island area on the 12^th when 490 flew west over Skipwith Common NNR. 280 headed over Bank Island on the 14^th, with 400-600 recorded daily thereafter – presumably relating to local feeding flights. Smaller numbers remained to month end.

Greylag Goose – 1150 were still present in the wider area early in the month. 600+ continued to roost at Elvington Water Treatment Works with 1300+ throughout the area on the 23^rd.

Egyptian Goose – A pair were present in the East Cottingwith area on the 9^th with seven individuals there on the 29^th.

Wigeon – 80 were at North Duffield Carrs on the 9^th with c100+ after dark on the 17^th at Wheldrake. 600+ were at North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th when 200+ were in the Wheldrake Ings area. 200 were at Elvington Water Treatment Works on the 30^th.

Teal – 300 were present on Wheldrake after dark on the 5^th, with numbers increasing thereafter although fairly difficult to survey after dark. 2000+ were present on the pool and scrape at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th. 600+ were recorded at Wheldrake during the day between the 20^th - 24^th.

Teal - Wheldrake Ings - 23/10 - DB

Gadwall – Up to 20 were recorded around the reserve late in the month.

Mallard – Up to 500+ were using Wheldrake after dark throughout the month.

Pintail – A single flock were picked up after dark over Elvington on the 24^th.

Shoveler – Up to 20 were present during the month, scattered throughout the site with other waterfowl.

Tufted Duck – 30 were recorded over Wheldrake Ings on the night of the 21^st.

Goosander – Two red-heads flew over Bank Island on the 2^nd with two over Wheldrake Ings on the 16^th.

Common Scoter – A flock (numbers unknown) were heard passing over Wheldrake Ings on the 11^th after dark.

Little Egret – One or two lingered around the reserve early in the month but weren't reported again after the 19^th.

Great White Egret – Single over Bank Island on the 20^th with one flushed from a ditch there on the 22^nd - presumably the same bird appeared again there on the 25^th before flying north. Single at Wheldrake Ings on the 26^th with a different colour-ringed individual present there on the 27^th. One north-west over Bank Island on the 30^th.

Great White Egret - Bank Island - 25/10 - OM

Great Crested Grebe – A pair remained at Elvington Water Treatment Works throughout the month.

Common Crane – Four were present on the Low Grounds before flying off towards the Hagg Bridge area of the Pocklington Canal on the 5^th. At least one was calling in the Thorganby area after dark on the 24^th before flying over onto Wheldrake Ings. Two flew south at Wheldrake shortly after dawn on the 25^th.

Osprey – A single was present at Raker Lakes near Wheldrake village on the 13^th, with presumably the same individual present the following day at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th. Single at Bank Island on the 22^nd.

Marsh Harrier – Seven roosted at Bank Island on the 4^th including two adult males and the wing-tagged bird D3, with six individuals into roost on the 5^th and 6^th. Three birds remained at the roost on the 17^th with two at North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th. An adult male was still present in the Bank Island area on the 25^th to month end, with D3 continuing to roost there most evenings. Five were present in the Bank Island roost on the 30^th.

Hen Harrier – A ringtail at Skipwith Common NNR on the 19^th was possibly the same bird present at Bank Island on the 22^nd and 24^th. Another individual was reported at North Duffield Carrs on the 29^th.

Red Kite – Three were at Bank Island/Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with three there again on the 9^th and others in the North Duffield Carrs and East Cottingwith areas. Daily sightings were then had throughout the remainder of the month across the reserve.

Buzzard –12 were at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with 8 at Bank Island on the same date, with other individuals seen regularly throughout the month.

Peregrine – A single immature female was hunting over Bank Island on the 7^th with one at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd and North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th and 28^th.

Hobby – Two were present at dusk at Bank Island on the 4^th with one there on the 11^th being the last to be reported.

Merlin – The first returning bird was present over Bank Island on the 14^th.

Grey Partridge – Up to 12 were regularly recorded from the field adjacent to the NNR base at Bank Island during the month, and from adjacent arable fields on the other side of the road. 30 were present in the car park at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd with 12 seen on the Ings after dark on the 24^th. A covey of 14 were present at North Duffield Carrs after dark on the 27^th. Elsewhere, several coveys were seen on adjacent arable fields in the Elvington, Wheldrake and Skipwith areas – perhaps as many as 100+ birds scattered through the area. 17 were caught and ringed during the month.

Water Rail – Three were present at Wheldrake on the 24^th with regular records from this site throughout out the month.

Ringed Plover – Single at Elvington on the 2^nd.

Golden Plover – 190 had built up in the Elvington area by the 2^nd with 140 across Wheldrake.

Lapwing – Very small numbers passed through the area.

Snipe – 60 were recorded at North Duffield Carrs on the 9^th with an estimated 140 throughout the site at this time. 80 were present after dark on Wheldrake Ings on the 19^th increasing to 200+ on the 20^th. 200+ were also present at North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th.

Snipe - Wheldrake Ings - 23/10 - DB

Jack Snipe – Three were present over arable fields adjacent to Bank Island on the 4^th (first returning birds), 10 + were then located on Wheldrake Ings with eight feeding on the newly re-profiled Swantail Ings scrape after dark on the 5^th. Six were present at Wheldrake after dark on the 6^th with one at Bank Island on the 7^th. A movement then appeared to take place throughout the site with no further sightings until a single at North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th - with six at Wheldrake Ings after dark on the same date. Five were present at Wheldrake on the 19^th followed by three on the 20^th, six on the 25^th and three on the 27^th.

Woodcock – The first bird of the autumn was feeding on the main meadow at Wheldrake Ings after dark on the 5^th with birds recorded on local arable fields and pastures on the 11^th and 16^th. No obvious influx of incoming wintering birds was noted.

Green Sandpiper – Two were still present early in the month with one remaining on the 3^rd and 7^th.

Common Sandpiper – A single was present at dusk at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th and later heard calling on the Swantail scrape after dark.

Lesser Black-backed Gull – 60 were present in fields adjacent to Bank Island on the 11^th. Small numbers (up to 20) flew south across the reserve on several evenings.

Caspian Gull – A first winter bird was present in fields at Thorganby on the 28^th.

Black-headed Gull – Birds were starting to be seen heading south down the reserve at dusk during the second half of the month - presumably to roost on the upper Humber. c2300 headed over Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th.

Short-eared Owl – A single spent late afternoon and evening quartering fields at Bank Island on the 13^th, and again on the 15^th-17^th. One, possibly two, were at North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th with one seen again on the 25^th to month end.

Short-eared Owl - Bank Island - 16/10 - DB

Long-eared Owl – Two in the Bank Island/Wheldrake area on the 28^th.

Green Woodpecker – Single present at Bank Island on the 15^th and Wheldrake on the 22^nd.

Swift – One over Bank Island on the 3^rd.

Pallid Swift – Single photographed over Thorganby village on the 30^th was thought to be a probable Pallid (LE), with a definite record then confirmed two days later with a single feeding over Elvington and Bank Island (seen by multiple observers), and in line with an influx across the Yorkshire and North-East coast as well as elsewhere in the UK. 

Pallid Swift (probable) - York - 30/10 - LE

Swallow – Smaller numbers lingered into the month with six south at Bank Island on the 2^nd and 14 at Wheldrake the following morning. Five flew over Bank Island on the 4^th. Two passed through Wheldrake on the morning of the 7^th followed by two at Bank Island on the 9^th. Four were at North Duffield Carrs on the 13^th with two over Bank Island on the same date.

House Martin – Five were still present at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th with one there on the 11^th.

Skylark – 80 were recorded on passage at Bank Island/Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd. 24 passed over Bank Island on the 9^th with 26 in fields at Hagg Lane on the same date. 80+ passed over the reserve on the 18^th with daily passage noted thereafter. 100+ were feeding in fields at Hagg Lane, East Cottingwith on the 29^th.

Meadow Pipit – 100+ were recorded on passage over Bank Island and Wheldrake on the 2^nd with 60 over Bank Island on the 9^th.

Water Pipit – A single showed well on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd (DB).

Water Pipit - Wheldrake Ings - 23/10 - DB

Raven – Two were at Breighton Meadows on the 30^th.

Stonechat – Up to three remained at Bank Island, with five at Wheldrake Ings, three at North Duffield Carrs and pairs at both East Cottingwith and Thornton Ellers early in the month.  Seven were at North Duffield Carrs on the 18^th with five were at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd.  Several pairs were back on wintering territories on the 29^th/30^th.

Wheatear – A single was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th.

Redwing – A total of 90 were recorded through the Bank Island/Wheldrake area on the 1^st followed by 60+ on the 2^nd. Small numbers continued to trickle through with 17 at Bank Island on the 9^th and 40+ on the 11^th. 162 were counted passing over Bank Island on the 15^th.  A large arrival took place during the early hours of the 19^th with perhaps 4000+ recorded during the day, with birds still continuing west overhead after dark – the movement continued the following day with 2000 on the 20^th and 3000+ on the 21^st.

Redwing - Bank Island - 30/10 - DB

Fieldfare – The first two of the autumn were seen over Bank Island on the 15^th with four over Wheldrake village the following day. A large arrival took place at dawn on the 19^th with 400 over Wheldrake and 200 over Melbourne before 08:00hrs and 1500+ throughout the remainder of the day. 800 were logged on the 20^th followed by 1800 on the 21^st.

Song Thrush – 10 (including five south) were recorded at Bank Island on the 2^nd.

Cetti’s Warbler – Several birds continued to be recorded daily at Wheldrake Ings during the month with two there on the 23^rd.

Bearded Tit – Five were ‘pinging’ behind Pool Hide, Wheldrake on the 19^th before flying off high north-west. Two were reported in the reedbed at Swantail Ings, Wheldrake on the 26^th.

Blackcap – Five were still at Bank Island on the 2^nd with three there on the 7^th. A single was still present there on the 9^th followed by one on the 15^th and again on the 21^st. Two were still present there on the 30^th.

Blackcap - Bank Island - 02/10 - DB

Chiffchaff – A total of 11 were seen across Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd with two still at Bank Island on the 9^th. Four were present there on the 24^th.

Willow Warbler – Three late birds were present on Skipwith Common NNR on the 4^th.

Siskin – The first single of the autumn passed over Bank Island on the 2^nd followed by two on the 9^th and 20+ on the 25^th.

Crossbill – The first of the autumn (typical record), flew south at Bank Island on the 9^th.

Lesser Redpoll – Likewise, the first of the autumn headed south over Bank Island on the 2^nd with four south on the 15^th. 25 headed over Bank Island on the 21^st followed by 15 on the 29^th.

Brambling – Single over Bank Island on the 9^th.

Reed Bunting – 100+ at the Wheldrake Ings Swantail 'reed bed roost' on the 27^th when 80 were also present at Bank Island. 100+ were at Church Bridge Melbourne at month end.

Corn Bunting – 140+ were in the Hagg Lane area in East Cottingwith on the 29^th.

Corn Buntings - Hagg Lane - 29/10 - DB