Oct' 24

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - October Sightings

Highlights during a busy month included a drake American Wigeon (19^th-31^st) – possibly the same returning adult present last winter. The Hoopoe from late September lingered in Stamford Bridge (until the 2^nd), a Red-crested Pochard was in the Hemingbrough area (6^th) whilst up to 40 Bearded Tits were logged (5^th-16^th) with an impressive 17 recorded on the 6^th. Two Yellow-browed Warblers at Melbourne (15^th) and North Duffield Ings (16^th) formed part of a wider inland influx throughout the country. Seven Hawfinch were also logged during the second half of the month with incoming Redwing.

With some early flooding wildfowl numbers increased with 72 resident Whooper Swans and good numbers of passage birds also reported. Other notable October counts included 3487 Greylag Geese, 2043 Teal, 3900 Wigeon and 104 Pintail. Waders included 3000 Lapwing, 1600 Golden Plover, 26 Dunlin, 10 Ruff, 6 Redshank, 10 Jack Snipe and at least two remaining Green Sandpipers whilst a Grey Plover on the 5^th was notable. Raptors included at least 11 Marsh Harriers, whilst three, possibly four, different Hen Harriers were recorded in addition to a Merlin (14^th) and two Peregrine and a Short-eared Owl (29^th).

A single Rock/Water Pipit was present at Bank Island on the 23^rd with Water Pipits then present at Bubwith (27^th) and Bank Island (29^th and 30^th). The last Whinchat lingered until the 6^th with a Redstart also seen (10^th), whilst a minimum of 25-30 Stonechats were back on wintering territories around the site. The first Redwings appeared early in the month (2^nd) with Fieldfare arriving much later (27^th). 

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 for the use of his images below.

BIRDS:

Mute Swan – Numbers continued to increase as birds returned from their summer moult sites with 91 recorded on the 6^th, which included 28 at Bubwith Ings. A herd of 47 were at Bubwith Ings on the 13^th with 102 present throughout the whole site.

Whooper Swan – 12 roosted at Bubwith Ings on the 10^th whilst 15 were present at dawn on the 11^th before flying off high to the south mid-morning, 37 were then present later in the day at Bubwith Ings with two more at North Duffield Carrs. 18 flew low over Thorganby on the 12^th. A total of 56 were present throughout the site on the 13^th with herds of 22 and 9 through Bank Island on the 15^th. 72 were recorded throughout the site on the 19^th and 20^th with 20 passage birds also at Wheldrake Ings on the latter date. Two were in the Bank Island/Wheldrake area between the 22^nd-24^th with 10 at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th. 54 wintering birds were present at Ellerton Ings on the 25^th. A total of 63 passage birds moved through the site on the 26^th with 13 at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th. On the 30^th eight passed over Melbourne with 28 also over Bank Island.

Whooper Swans - Wheldrake Ings - 13/10 - DB

Greylag Goose – Numbers had increased to 700 roosting at Bank Island on the 2^nd with 1100 present throughout the site on the 6^th followed by 1500 on the 9^th and 2200 on the 11^th. A total of 3019 were present throughout the site and surrounding area on the 13^th, including neck collared birds HVZ and NJL. 3487 were recorded on the 16^th with large numbers remaining to month end.

Pink-footed Goose – 50 flew south over Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd and were followed by 420+ on the 4^th with 18 also present at Wheldrake Ings. 100 were on the Low Grounds on the 6^th with 300+ over Thorganby on the 8^th and 100+ over Skipwith Common on the 11^th. 40 flew south on the 13^th. 400 were in the Bank Island area on the 15^th with 700 there on the 16^th. 40 went over Melbourne on the 17^th whilst 600 were in the area on the 19^th and 22^nd. Skeins of 100-200 were then recorded daily to month end across the site.

Pink-footed Goose - Bank Island - 04/10 - DB

Egyptian Goose – 12 were at Bubwith Ings on the 6^th with presumably the same group then appearing at North Duffield Carrs from the 13^th onwards, with numbers then up to 14 from the 18^th.

Shelduck – The first returning bird was at Bubwith Ings on the 6^th with a flock of 13 back at North Duffield Carrs by the 25^th.

Teal – Up to 600 were present throughout the site on the 4^th with 1000 returning by the 11^th and at least 1439 by the 13^th. 2043 were then present by the 19^th.

Wigeon – Up to 1000+ were present throughout the site on the 4^th with 1100 recorded on the 6^th followed by 1566 on the 13^th. 1717 were present on the 19^th with a total of 3900 scattered throughout the site by the 25^th.

American Wigeon – An adult drake moulting out of eclipse was present at Bank Island on the 19^th and 20^th before relocating to the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd, where it was seen again on the 26^th until month end.

American Wigeon - Bank Island - 20/10 - DB

Mallard – 1317 were present throughout the site on the 13^th followed by 1690 on the 19^th.

Mandarin – Two were present at Bank Island on the 21^st with two seen flying over the same site on the 29^th.

Pintail – 25 were recorded throughout the site on the 6^th increasing to 56 by the 13^th. 60+ were present at Bank Island on the 18^th with 92 there on the 19^th and a total of 103 throughout the site. 104 were then present at Bank Island on the 21^st with a single leucistic individual there on the 29^th.

Pintail - Bank Island - 20/10 - DB

Shoveler – 35 were recorded across the site on the 6^th followed by 57 on the 10^th and 65 on the 19^th.

Gadwall – Numbers had increased to 87 by the 6^th and 98 by the 13^th.

Tufted Duck – Singles were at North Duffield Carrs on the 6^th, Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th and Bubwith Ings on the 13^th.

Pochard – The first returning drake was at Bank Island on the 4^th. 36 were present to the south of the valley at Hemingbrough on the 15^th including a single nasal tagged bird originally ringed in France.

Red-crested Pochard – A female type was present at Hemingbrough Brick Pits to the south of the valley on the 6^th.

Goldeneye – The first returning red-head was at Bank Island on the 20^th.

Little Egret – Four were at Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th with similar numbers remaining thereafter during the month.

Little Egret - Wheldrake Ings - 06/10 - DB

Great White Egret – A single reappeared at Wheldrake Ings again on the 4^th with two then seen at North Duffield Carrs on the 12^th and one at Bank Island on the 15^th. Three flew over Bank Island on the 17^th with three individuals seen scattered throughout the site on the 19^th. One was at Bubwith Ings on the 27^th with another east over Bank Island on the 30^th.

Coot – Several were heard on nocturnal passage over Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th.

Little Grebe – The first returning bird to the flooded Ings appeared at Bank Island on the 4^th with three there by the 11^th.

Marsh Harrier – 11+ were present throughout the site on the 6^th with at least seven remaining on the 19^th, including an adult male, adult female, wing-tagged bird D3 and at least four juveniles. An immature male appeared at Wheldrake Ings on the 21^st with at least six birds present throughout the site on the 24^th followed by five on the 27^th and eight on the 29^th/30^th.

Marsh Harrier - Bank Island - 06/10 - DB

Hen Harrier – A single ringtail was present at Bank Island on the 3^rd whilst a male flew through Wheldrake Ings and Bank Island on the 12^th with possibly the same bird then reappearing at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd. Another ringtail was seen at Bank Island on the 29^th.

Merlin – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th and North Duffield Carrs on the 31^st .

Peregrine – An immature was at Bank Island on the 24^th with an adult at Wheldrake Ings on the 28^th.

Grey Plover – A single flew over Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th.

Golden Plover – 300 were at Bank Island on the 1^st with 300 still present around the site on the 6^th. 900 were present in the Wheldrake area on the 9^th with 1300 recorded around the site on the 10^th/11^th. 1600+ were present throughout the whole site on the 15^th.

Lapwing – 300 were at Bank Island on the 1^st with 700 counted across the site on the 6^th increasing to 1053 by the 13^th. 1502 were recorded throughout the site on the 19^th with numbers up to 3000 by the 27^th.

Dunlin – The first 12 birds had returned to the floods at Bubwith Ings on the 6^th with 21 across the site on the 19^th followed by 26 on the 27^th.

Curlew – The first returning bird was present on the Low Grounds on the 13^th and 21^st with four at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd.

Ruff – The first eight returning wintering birds had returned to floodwater at Bubwith Ings on the 6^th with six remaining on the 13^th. Ten were present throughout the site on the 19^th with eight there on the 29^th.

Snipe – Up to 40 were recorded at Bubwith Ings at dusk on the 6^th with 60 at Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th. 40+ were at Bank Island on the 15^th.

Jack Snipe – A single was present at Hemingbrough on the 15^th with five recorded after dark on the Low Grounds on the same date. One was present at Melbourne Ings on the 17^th with three at Bank Island on the 23^rd.

Redshank – The first returning six birds were at Bubwith Ings on the 9^th with two at Bank Island on the 12^th (including colour ringed individual ‘44’) – ringed at Bubwith Ings in January 2024.  

Redshank - Bank Island - 12/10 - DB

Green Sandpiper – Two were present at Bank Island on the 6^th with two there again on the 17^th and one on the 18^th. Two were present on the 19^th with one there on the 22^nd and 25^th. A single was present at Wheldrake Ings after dark on the 27^th.

Mediterranean Gull – Two were reported at Bubwith Ings on the 27^th.

Short-eared Owl – A single was seen at Bank Island on the 29^th.

Hoopoe – One remained in gardens at Stamford Bridge until the 2^nd.

Water Pipit – A single Rock/Water Pipit was at Bank Island on the 23^rd with a Water Pipit then confirmed at Bubwith Ings on the 27^th. Another was at Bank Island on the 29^th and 30^th.

Whinchat – A late single remained at Wheldrake Ings until the 6^th.

Stonechat – At least 14 were present across the site on the 13^th with birds at Wheldrake, Low Grounds, Bank Island, North Duffield Carrs and East Cottingwith. Six were then at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd, with three at Bank Island and four at North Duffield Carrs – giving an estimated wintering population of 25-30 birds throughout the site at this time. Seven were at North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th.

Stonechat - Wheldrake Ings - 21/10 - DB

Redwing – The first small arrival took place on the 2^nd with perhaps 100 west through Bank Island early morning. A handful of birds went over Bank Island on the 4^th with small numbers then recorded including 30 at Wheldrake Ings on the 11^th, 20 around Bank Island on the 12^th and nine overhead on the 13^th. The first large arrival then took place early morning on the 15^th with 40 pre 0900hrs, 2100 by 1030hrs and 3600 by 1200hrs. 500 headed over Bank Island pre-dawn on the 16^th with small numbers moving overnight on the 16^th/17^th and 700 at Bank Island on the morning of the 17^th. 670 arrived at Bank Island during the afternoon of the 29^th with 1500 following on the morning of the 30^th.

Fieldfare – The first returning bird was a single dazzled and ringed on farmland during the night of the 27^th/28^th with 30 through Bank Island the following morning, when four were also present at Wheldrake Ings. 4000 arrived during the afternoon of the 29^th with 1500 over Bank Island on the 30^th.

Starling – Small flocks were present throughout the area early in the month with numbers increasing from mid-month onwards - 4000+ moved northwest over Bank Island during the morning of the 17^th followed by 1000+ on the 25^th. 377 went northwest over Bank Island on the 27^th.

Swallow – 16 flew south over Wheldrake Ings on the 3^rd with 11 over on the 4^th. 16 flew south at Bank Island with six over Melbourne Ings on the 6^th. One flew south at Bank Island on the 13^th with two there on the 14^th. A single was in Wheldrake village on the 21^st followed by another in Stamford Bridge on the 26^th.

Raven – A pair were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 12^th with one at Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 14^th.

Jay – Birds were particularly visible throughout the month with good numbers present in the Wheldrake and Bank Island areas with perhaps up to 5-10 individuals seen daily.

Jay - Bank Island - 22/10 - DB

Wood Pigeon – 1550 moved west on the 22^nd with 2320 south on the 27^th.

Bearded Tit – Four were at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th with a minimum of 17 there on the 6^th – seen leaving high to the south in small flocks by mid-morning. Two were also present on the same date at Church Bridge, Melbourne. Ten were then present at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th followed by seven on the 15^th/16^th.

Bearded Tit - Wheldrake Ings - 06/10 - DB

Spotted Flycatcher – A single was present at Bank Island on the 3^rd.

Redstart – A single (female) was at Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th.

Chiffchaff – One remained at Bank Island on the 13^th with singles there on the 19^th and 21^st.

Yellow-browed Warbler – A single was present at the Melbourne Arm on the 15^th, with another found on the old disused railway line at North Duffield Ings on the 16^th.

Blackcap – Two or three remained at Bank Island until the 12^th.

Nuthatch – One was at Wheldrake Ings almost daily along the riverside track with three there on the 27^th.

Cetti’s Warbler – Four were present at Wheldrake Ings on the 6^th with one at Bank Island and two at Bubwith Ings on the same date.

Linnet – 100+ were present at Hagg Lane, East Cottingwith on the 13^th with 50 at Thornton and 30 at New Meadow, North Duffield on the same date.

Siskin – Five were in canal side Alders at Melbourne on the 3^rd with small numbers seen over Wheldrake Ings and Bank Island on the 9^th. Seven flew over Bank Island on the 27^th.

Lesser Redpoll – A single over Bank Island on the 19^th was the first of autumn and was followed by singles on the 21^st and 24^th with seven there on the 27^th.

Brambling – The first returning bird was at Bank Island on the 12^th with two following on the 15^th and a single on the 23^rd.

Hawfinch – A single flew south over Bank Island and the Low Grounds on the 15^th and was associated with a large movement of Redwing. Another was seen at Bank Island on the 17^th before flying off northwest. A single was reported over Bubwith Ings on the 28^th with two over Bank Island on the 29^th and single over Bank Island and Melbourne on the 30^th.

Yellowhammer – Several were noted leaving a roost in the Bank Island area throughout the month with 15 there on the 21^st.