Sep' 20

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - September Sightings

An interesting month for local birders - hot on the heels of a record last month, the fourth LDV Cattle Egret, a juvenile, was found on the Low Grounds at Wheldrake on the 9^th. Three of these have occurred in the last two years, often just fleeting views, however this individual was well appreciated by several fortunate local observers - making it the first ‘twitch-able’ individual. Equally as scarce, was a female/immature Black Redstart - found on the scrape at North Duffield Carrs on the 6^th, and present for just a matter of minutes for one fortunate observer. A Gannet on the 17^th represented another good and typical record for this near annual wanderer to the area, whilst Great White Egret and Common Crane are more expected these days. Things built to a crescendo late in the month with, first up, a Hoopoe, seen along Elvington Lane towards Grimston Bar on the 26^th - the first for the wider area since one at Dunnington in 2008. However, bird of the month, although perhaps not in glamour terms, was a first year Common Rosefinch caught and ringed at the NNR base garden at Bank Island on the 29^th – the first for the reserve and wider York area – betraying its presence by flying into a mist net, and well appreciated by several local birders who managed to get on site in time before its release.

Otherwise it was a month dominated by the changing seasons. Waterfowl numbers increased quickly with the first Pink-footed Goose noted on the 9^th, with over 800 heading over to the south-east during the remainder of the month. The first seven adult Whooper Swans arrived at Bank Island on the 26^th, whilst wildfowl numbers increased and included up to 1000 Teal, 800 Wigeon and the first returning Shelduck. Raptors were well represented with two Ospreys passing through during the month, along with four or five lingering Marsh Harrier, two or three Peregrines and regular Hobby sightings. The first returning Merlin was present on the 23^rd.

Some limited flooding during the month brought an increase in passage and returning waders with a Curlew Sandpiper (3^rd), Bar-tailed Godwits (21^st and 25^th) and two Spotted Redshanks (24^th) the most notable. 150 Snipe at Bank Island including the first returning Jack Snipe (six), were present on the 16^th. As the last of the summer warblers moved through towards month end, the first single returning Redwing was heard calling after dark at Bank Island on the 17^th - followed by 260 moving over Bank Island a week later on the 27^th.

Many thanks as always to everyone who has contributed records throughout the month, in particular to members of the York Bird Club and regular patch birder Duncan Bye - thanks also to Duncan for the use of his photographs, credited DB. 

BIRDS: 

Mute Swan – Numbers increased to 71 by month end.

Whooper Swan – Seven adults at Bank Island on the morning of the 26^th were the first returning birds, with 14 at dawn on the pool at Wheldrake on the 30^th. The summering bird remained throughout the month. 

Whooper Swans - Bank Island - 26/09/20 - DB

Greylag Goose – Numbers on the reserve, largely using Thackmere Ings north of Elvington bridge, increased from 400 on the 1^st to 700+ by the 4^th, with 800 at the Low Grounds on the 9^th. 1000+ were present on the 11^th with smaller numbers thereafter.

Pink-footed Goose – The first skein of the autumn (26), flew over Bank Island on the 9^th with c40 south over Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th. 104 flew south on the 12^th with two skeins totalling 86 birds over on the 18^th. 147 flew south over Wheldrake in two skeins on the 22^nd with 40 over Thornton Ellers on the 23^rd. 40 flew south on the 24^th whilst 400 headed south over the site on the 25^th and 86 on the 26^th. 70 flew south over Wheldrake on the 28^th.

Egyptian Goose – Three were present at the East Cottingwith pond early in the month with seven there on the 19^th.

Shelduck – The first returning birds were two at Wheldrake on the 13^th-15^th and one lingering to the 22^nd.

Mandarin – A single was present along the River Derwent at Wheldrake on the 13^th.

Wigeon – Numbers had increased to 21 on the 1^st with a notable arrival also seen across the county. The number of individuals present at Bank Island then quickly jumped to 70+ on the 2^nd and 200 by the 4^th. 350 were present on the 9^th with a large arrival bringing 800+ there by the 28^th.

Wigeon - Bank Island - 02/09/20 - DB

Teal – 200+ were present throughout the site on the 2^nd, with 400+ on the 4^th, 500+ by the 7^th and 700+ by the 24^th. Numbers increased quickly with 1000+ on the 28^th.

Garganey – A single was present on the Low Grounds on the 4^th and 5^th.  

Pintail – Two birds were recorded at Bank Island on the 1^st with 14 there on the 2^nd and 18 on the 3^rd. Up to 30 were scattered throughout the site thereafter.

Shoveler – Numbers increased to 38 throughout the site by month end.

Gadwall – 27 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 7^th increasing to 53 throughout the site on the 21^st.

Tufted Duck – Three were at North Duffield Carrs on the 7^th, followed by two at Wheldrake on the 17^th and two at North Duffield Carrs on the 21^st.

Little Egret – Two were at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st when two were also in the Wheldrake/Bank Island area. Eight were present along the River Derwent between East Cottingwith and Bubwith on the 3^rd. Six flew north from the roost over Bank Island at dawn on the 10^th with two at Thornton Ellers on the 23^rd - scattered birds were present elsewhere to month end.

Great White Egret – Three arrived at Bank Island during the afternoon of the 16^th with one bearing a white colour-ring, K308, originating from a German scheme - ringed in the nest in May 2020 in Belarus. A single was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th with two on the river bank at Thorganby on the 18^th. Two were seen at North Duffield Carrs on the 21^st.

Cattle Egret – Following a single in August a juvenile was found on the Low Grounds on the evening of the 9^th, before flying off with Greylag Geese towards Bank Island and Elvington before dusk. This represents the fourth area record with three records in the last two years – although the first ‘twitch-able’ individual for those quick off the mark (CSR, DB). It was present in the same place again on the 10^th and presumably the same bird was on the riverbank at Ellerton on the 15^th (AS).

Cattle Egret - Low Grounds - 09/09/20 - DB

Gannet – A single immature flew east over Bank Island on the 17^th (CSR).

Little Grebe – Three at Wheldrake on the 13^th were presumably passage birds dispersing from other local breeding sites, with one or two lingering until month end.

Osprey – A single at Wheldrake Ings on the 8^th (GC) with another over Thorganby on the 18^th (PC).

Marsh Harrier – A single cream-crown was hunting the floods at Bank Island on the 2^nd-4^th with one at North Duffield Carrs on the 6^th. At least two juveniles and an adult male and female were present on the 12^th/13^th, remaining to month end.

Marsh Harrier - Bank Island - 22/09 - DB

Peregrine – Singles at North Duffield Carrs on the 2^nd and 4^th with one at Wheldrake on the 12^th/13^th and Bank Island on the 16^th. A single was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th with an adult pair over Ellerton on the 19^th. One was at Wheldrake on the 23^rd with an adult there on the 25^th.

Hobby – A single flew through the NNR base garden at Bank Island on the 1^st with singles at Wheldrake and North Duffield Carrs on the 2^nd, and the Low Grounds on the 3^rd and 4^th. A single was again in the Melbourne area on the 4^th, followed by one at Bank Island and Wheldrake on the 5^th. A single flew through the Wheldrake swallow roost on the 7^th, with singles present again on the 12^th-14^th. A single was seen carrying food at Bank Island on the 15^th with two there on the 16^th and singles thereafter to the 22^nd.

Merlin – A single at Bank Island on the 23^rd was the first returning bird of the autumn with another, or the same, on the 30^th.

Kestrel – Good numbers present throughout.

Common Buzzard – Numerous throughout the area with large counts - perhaps due to post breeding numbers, dispersal and passage birds on the move. Up to 15 were present over Bank Island and eight over Wheldrake on the 21^st.

Common Buzzard - Bank Island - 21/09/20

Red Kite – One at Wheldrake on the 3^rd/4^th and Thorganby on the 8^th. Two over Bank Island on the 11^th. Singles were over Thorganby and Bank Island on the 18^th with another over Bank Island on the 21^st.

Grey Partridge – Seven were present in the NNR base garden on the 8^th with 14 present there on the 12^th. Another was heard calling nearby on the 15^th.

Grey Partridge - Bank Island - 06/09/20 - DB

Water Rail – Up to five calling birds were present at Wheldrake during the month, with two at Bank Island from the 19^th. A single was present at the Melbourne Arm on the 21^st.

Common Crane – A single was heard calling over Bank Island and then Thornton Ellers on the 28^th (CSR, NC).

Golden Plover – Up to 35 were present in fields by Raker Lakes on the 2^nd. 156 were present on the 10^th with 120 over Bank Island on the 12^th and 160 at Raker Lakes on the 14^th. 33 went north-west over Bank Island on the 26^th with 60 on the 27^th.

Lapwing – 350 at Wheldrake Ings on the 7^th with smaller numbers thereafter to month end.

Snipe – 16 were present at Wheldrake on the 1^st with 43 dropping into Bank Island shortly after dawn on the 2^nd. 10 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 4^th when c100+ were present throughout the site. 20 were recorded at Wheldrake on the 7^th, followed by 50 at Bank Island on the 12^th and 15^th, with 150+ present there after dark on the 16^th. 80 were recorded there on the 17^th.

Snipe - Ellerton - 19/09

Jack Snipe – The first returning birds (at least six), were present at Bank Island on the 16^th with two there on the 18^th and 21^st.

Curlew – Ten roosted on the Low Grounds on the 1^st with one at Aughton on the 15^th. Three were observed at Wheldrake Ings on the 24^th.

Whimbrel – Two were present on the Low Grounds on the 5^th.

Black-tailed Godwit – Six were present on the Low Grounds on the 5^th before leaving north-west over Bank Island.

Bar-tailed Godwit – A single was reported at North Duffield Carrs on the 21^st. One flew north over Bank Island on the 25^th.

Dunlin – A single was at North Duffield Carrs on the 3^rd with a mixed wader flock.

Curlew Sandpiper – A single juvenile was present on the riverbank at North Duffield Carrs on the 3^rd, before reappearing later in the day at Thorganby Ings.

Knot – A single on the riverbank at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st represented the third for the year.

Ruff – Three were present at Swantail Ings at Wheldrake on the 2^nd, whilst a total of eight were scattered throughout the whole site. 14 were located on the 3^rd followed by 18 on the 4^th. Eight were still on the Low Grounds on the 6^th with 10 there on the 9^th - two were also present along the river at Thorganby.

Spotted Redshank – Two were present at the pool at Wheldrake on the 24^th.

Greenshank – Six were observed on the riverbank at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st – 4^th, with two on the Low Grounds (4^th). Three were at Thorganby on the 5^th with four at North Duffield Carrs on the 6^th and 7^th. Five remained throughout the area on the 9^th. A single was present at Bank Island on the 13^th whilst one flew over Thorganby village after dark on the 14^th. A single was on the Low Grounds on the 23^rd.

Common Sandpiper – A single on the riverbank at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st - 3^rd with three at Thorganby on the latter date, and one still present on the 5^th.

Green Sandpiper – Up to five birds were present throughout the site between the 1^st -4^th with odd scattered records thereafter to the 11^th. Singles at Bank Island on the 17^th, 26^th and 27^th.

Green Woodpecker – One at Thorganby on the 3^rd, 10^th and 11^th, and a single at Wheldrake Ings on the 23^rd.

Hoopoe – A single was present along Elvington Lane near Grimston Bar on the 26^th (AF), before being seen later in the day to the north-west of York - first record for the area since one at Dunnington in 2008.

Yellow Wagtail – 20+ were still present at the Wheldrake roost on the 2^nd with three at Bank Island during the morning. 20+ were recorded on the Low Grounds on the 4^th when 11 were feeding with cattle around the NNR base at Bank Island. A noticeable movement on the 5^th brought counts of 20+ on the Low Grounds, 10 at Bank Island, 10 at Ellerton Landing, 15 at Bubwith Ings and 30 at Thornton Ellers, with 150+ roosting at Wheldrake at dusk. 65 were still there at the roost on the 7^th with 15 at Bank Island on the 8^th. Six were present at Thorganby on the 12^th with three at Bank Island on the 13^th and 15^th. Three late birds were over Bank Island on the 29^th.

Grey Wagtail – Up to three were present regularly at Bank Island throughout the month with two south there on the 15^th. One at North Duffield Carrs on the 14^th was more unusual and was followed by one over Wheldrake on the 22^nd.

Tree Pipit – A single was caught and ringed at Bank Island on the 1^st.

Meadow Pipit – 15 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st – the first autumn movement. Several flocks were noted heading south on the 5^th with 150 throughout the day, followed by 200 on the 6^th. 200+ moved through North Duffield Carrs on the 7^th with 50+ at Wheldrake at dusk. 200 at North Duffield Carrs moved throughout the day on the 8^th whilst a flock of 250 were present towards dusk on the 10^th. 141 moved south over Bank Island during the morning of the 15^th. 200+ were at North Duffield Carrs on the 19^th with 300+ there on the 21^st and 500 on the 23^rd.

Swallow – Up to 300 at Wheldrake Ings on the 2^nd represented a small movement on that date. 650 moved south through the site on the 5^th with 200 at the Wheldrake roost on the 7^th, and 500 over the site on the 8^th. Numbers reduced thereafter with 24 north-west over Bank Island on the 26^th.

House Martin – 150+ were at Wheldrake on the 8^th when 78 were present over Melbourne – a day of significant movement across the reserve and a large scale clear out from the local breeding villages. 30 were present at Thorganby on the 22^nd with a single over Bank Island on the 30^th.

Swift – Two at Bank Island on the 15^th with a late single there on the 21^st.

Redwing – The first returning bird was a single calling over Bank Island after dark on the 17^th. 17 flew west over North Duffield Carrs on the 26^th with 260 over Bank Island on the 27^th and seven on the 29^th. Four at Melbourne on the 28^th.

Spotted Flycatcher – One at Bank Island on the 1^st with three at Wheldrake Ings on the 5^th – on the same date a single was present at Barmby on the Marsh Wetlands.

Black Redstart – A single female/immature type at North Duffield Carrs on the 6^th (DB).

Wheatear – A single was present at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st with another there on the 3^rd and 4^th. Two were present at Bubwith Ings on the 5^th, followed by one at North Duffield Carrs on the 7^th and 8^th with two there on the 9^th. Two were recorded at Wheldrake on the 12^th/13^th.

Wheatear - North Duffield Carrs - 09/09/20 - DB

Whinchat – At least three were at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st/2^nd followed by six there on the 3^rd - three remained to the 5^th when six were also present at Wheldrake Ings. Six were still present at North Duffield Carrs on the 7^th with three on the 8^th.

Stonechat – Eight were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st to month end – all wintering birds now assumed to be on territory. Other wintering birds arrived at Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th, with three at Bank Island and one at East Cottingwith on the 19^th (total of 12 across the site). 11 were present at North Duffield Carrs on the 21^st with one at Wheldrake Ings on the 22^nd and three on the 24^th. 

Stonechat - Wheldrake Ings - 22/09/20 - DB

  

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

Willow Warbler – Three were caught and ringed at Wheldrake on the 15^th.

Chiffchaff – A small arrival saw 21 caught and ringed at Wheldrake on the 15^th.

Blackcap – Large numbers continued to pass through both Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings daily during the month, with 11 at Bank Island on the 22^nd and 12 on the 23^rd.  

Common Whitethroat – Two were caught and ringed at Bank Island on the 14^th with a further two present there on the 19^th - followed by a single on the 22^nd.

Reed Warbler – A single was ringed at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th with two seen there on the 20^th. Another individual was caught and ringed at Wheldrake on the 21^st, with one at Bank Island on the 22^nd and one at Wheldrake on the 23^rd/24^th.  

Sedge Warbler – One was caught and ringed at Wheldrake Ings on the 18^th with two on the 22^nd and 24^th.

Cetti’s Warbler – A single juvenile male was caught and ringed at Bank Island in the NNR base garden on the 15^th, with a singing bird at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th to month end. Two immatures were caught and ringed there on the 21^st with one or two still present/calling on the 22^nd to month end. 

Cetti's Warbler - Wheldrake Ings - 21/09/20

House Sparrow – Several were seen in and around the NNR base and car park area at Bank Island – a rather scarce species here. Three were caught and ringed there on the 29^th.

Siskin – 13 went south over Wheldrake on the 2^nd whilst 78 were feeding along the Pocklington Canal at Melbourne on the 4^th - remaining throughout much of the month. 21 were at Wheldrake on the 13^th. Numbers at Melbourne increased to 140 by the 21^st.

Lesser Redpoll – One was caught and ringed at Wheldrake on the 1^st with three at Bank Island on the 2^nd. One passed over Bank Island with seven at Wheldrake on the 5^th with several over North Duffield Carrs on the 6^th. Small numbers were then reported on a daily basis overhead, with a flock of 10 feeding with Siskin at Melbourne on the 21^st.

Crossbill – Two north over Wheldrake on the 21^st with three at Canal Head on the 27^th.

Common Rosefinch – An immature was rather unexpectedly caught and ringed at the NNR base garden on the morning of the 29^th – the first record for the reserve and wider York area. Fortunately, several local birders managed to arrive in time to see the bird before its release. It was then seen again briefly in the afternoon in the hedgerow which runs towards the hides at Bank Island.

Common Rosefinch - Bank Island - 29/09/20 - DB