Sep' 24

Lower Derwent Valley NNR - September Sightings

The biggest attraction during the month was a Hoopoe that took up residence in the local village of Stamford Bridge between the 22^nd and 28^th, which represented the seventh record for the wider LDV area. In contrast to this southern visitor, the first returning Whooper Swans appeared on the 27^th following the first arrival of Pink-footed Geese south on the 10^th.  Numbers of wintering duck increased during the month with 500+ Wigeon by month end and an early count of 15 Pintail on the 27^th. A single Great White Egret lingered for the majority of the month whilst a group of Common Cranes headed (unseen) over Melbourne and Thornton Ings on the 28^th.

An Osprey flew south down the valley on the 13^th, whilst up to nine Marsh Harriers were present across the site, including wing-tagged bird ‘D3’ on the 27^th returning for yet another winter (after breeding in the Wensum Valley in Norfolk during the summer).

Passage waders trickled through the with up to ten Green Sandpipers present throughout the month, whilst 150 Golden Plover and 300 Lapwing returned to the surrounding area towards month end. Other notable sightings included a Redstart at Wheldrake Ings on the 10^th and a Pied Flycatcher at North Duffield Carrs on the 14^th. Several Whinchats passed through the reserve whilst Stonechats returning to wintering territories started to build up, with the first returning Redwing over the site on the 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 Bye and Nathaniel Dargue for the use of their photographs below.

 

BIRDS:

Whooper Swan – Two adults flew south over Bank Island on the 27^th.

Greylag Goose – After being scarce early in the month numbers increased to 250 by the 25^th and 400+ by the 27^th.

Pink-footed Goose – The first returning birds were noted on the 10^th with six skeins totaling 495 birds south through the valley, followed by 100 on the 11^th, 70 on the 12^th and 300 over Stamford Bridge on the 13^th. Other flocks continued to pass through the area with 200+ south over Bank Island on the 15^th, 80 southeast over Skipwith Common on the 16^th, 200 over North Duffield village on the 17^th and 70 south over Melbourne on the 19^th. A flock of 112 headed south over Wheldrake Ings on the 25^th which was followed by skeins of 60 over Thornton Ellers and Aughton on the 28^th with eight at Bank Island the next day on the 29^th.

Egyptian Goose – Twelve went east over Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th with a single there on the 28^th.

Egyptian Goose - Wheldrake Ings - 28/09 - DB

Teal – Up to 70 were present on the 9^th increasing to 300+ across the site by the 23^rd and to 400 by the 29^th.

Wigeon – Seventeen were at North Duffield Carrs on the 11^th with small numbers heard on noc-mig over Elvington from the 18^th. Over 500 were at North Duffield Carrs by the 23^rd.

Mallard – Up to 100 were present throughout the site towards month end.

Mandarin – A single was seen with Mallards at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st.

Mandarin - Wheldrake Ings - 01/09 - DB

Garganey – A juvenile drake was at Wheldrake Ings on the 9^th.

Pintail – Fifteen flew into Wheldrake Ings at dusk on the 27^th whilst a single was at Thornton Ings on the 28^th.

Shoveler – Up to twelve remained scattered throughout the site during the month. Twenty were at Bank Island on the 30^th.

Gadwall – Up to 25 remained throughout the site during the month.

Tufted Duck – A single was present at the top pond at North Duffield Carrs on the 2^nd and 8^th with one at Thornton Ings on the 28^th.  

Little Egret – Two or three birds were seen on a daily basis during the month.

Grey Heron – Up to 25 were scattered throughout the site on the 29^th.

Great White Egret – One at Bank Island on the 1^st flew north with one at Wheldrake Ings daily between the 12^th and 23^rd.

Great White Egret - Wheldrake Ings - 15/09 - DB

Grey Partridge – Seven were present at Bank Island on the 1^st and regularly thereafter. Nineteen were in fields by Wheldrake village on the 23^rd.

Common Crane – A flock were heard calling as they flew east up the Pocklington Canal at Thornton Ellers on the 28^th but remained unseen.

Water Rail – Up to six were heard regularly calling at Wheldrake Ings in the Swantail reedbed during the month.

Osprey – A single flew south down the eastern side of the valley on the 13^th, appearing to drop into the East Cottingwith area.

Marsh Harrier – A single juvenile with orange wing tags ‘B3’ was present at East Cottingwith Ings on the 2^nd. ‘D3’ returned to Bank Island on the 27^th and roosted there with another female, whilst seven (including two adult males), roosted at Wheldrake Ings on the same date.

Hobby – Singles were noted from Seaton Ross and Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st and Bank Island on the 11^th. One was still present at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th and 23^rd with a single at North Duffield Carrs on the 30^th.

Hobby - Wheldrake Ings - 15/09 - DB

Ringed Plover – Three were at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th with two remaining between the 14^th -17^th.

Golden Plover – The first 80 birds appeared in the usual fields at Raker Lakes, Wheldrake on the 22^nd, with numbers up to 117 by the 23^rd – the same date that birds were found feeding after dark on adjacent arable fields in Wheldrake village. A flock of 150 were present in the same area on the 28^th followed by 310 at Bank Island on the 30^th.

Lapwing – A flock of 300 were in fields by Hagg Bridge on the 27^th.

Dunlin – Two were present on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th.

Curlew – Three were still at Bank Island on the 1^st with three again on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 13^th where one remained on the 27^th.

Whimbrel – Several small flocks were recorded passing over the area on nocturnal passage during the month.

Ruff – Four were present on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th.

Snipe – 30+ were at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th.

Green Sandpiper – Eight remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with two at Bank Island on the 2^nd. Up to ten were recorded in the area early in the month with nine on the pool at Wheldrake on the 16^th, where five were still present on the 17^th. Numbers declined thereafter with one or two daily to month end, increasing once again to ten at Wheldrake Ings on the 27^th following heavy rain topping up the pool. Eight remained there until month end.

Green Sandpiper - Wheldrake Ings - 29/09 - DB

Common Sandpiper – Four birds were logged passing over the valley on nocturnal passage during the month.

Common Gull – A Large pre-roost gathering was noted by Elvington Water Treatment Works on the 29^th.

Hoopoe – One was present in gardens at Stamford Bridge between the 22^nd – 28^th.

Hoopoe - Stamford Bridge - 23/09 - ND

Swift – A single south over Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th was followed by three south on the 16^th.

Yellow Wagtail – Seventeen were following grass cutting operations at Bank Island on the 1^st. Small numbers continued to be recorded until the last on the 27^th.

Whinchat – Three were at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st with a single at Bubwith Ings on the 13^th. An influx was noted on the 14^th with four at North Duffield Carrs and four at Wheldrake Ings followed by a single at East Cottingwith on the 15^th. Three were also present at Thornton Ellers on the 15^th – at least 13 birds were thought to be involved in this passage movement. Four remained at Wheldrake Ings between the 18^th - 23^rd with one lingering until the 30^th.

Stonechat – Four or five remained at North Duffield Carrs early in the month with six there on the 14^th. One returned to Thornton Ellers on the 18^th with one at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th and up to four remaining at North Duffield at month end. A single was at Melbourne Ings on the 27^th, with other singles at Thornton Ellers, Hagg Lane and Bubwith Ings on the 28^th. Eight were at Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th with one at Bank Island on the same date.

Wheatear – Singles were noted at North Duffield Carrs on the 3^rd, Aughton on 4^th and two at Wheldrake Ings on the 11^th. A single was then present at Bubwith Ings on the 13^th and 14^th.

Redwing – Following two birds at Hemingbrough on the 27^th, the first returning birds were noted on nocturnal passage overnight on the 27^th/28^th over Elvington.

Swallow – 36 flew south over Wheldrake Ings on the 29^th.

Spotted Flycatcher – A single remained at the windpump at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st.

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

Pied Flycatcher – A single immature was found in Hawthorns at the north end of North Duffield Carrs on the 14^th.

Bearded Tit – Three flew high off to the north from Swantail Ings at Wheldrake early morning on the 28^th.

Chiffchaff – Thirteen were still present at Wheldrake Ings on the 14^th with 18 there on the 15^th. Twenty-four were recorded there on the 28^th with 14 between Wheldrake and Bank Island on the 29^th.

Reed Warbler – One remained at Wheldrake Ings on the 25^th.

Whitethroat – Singles were still present at Bank Island on the 24^th and 25^th.

Blackcap – Four remained at Bank Island on the 29^th.

Marsh Tit – Single at Wheldrake Ings on the 20^th.

Nuthatch – Single at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th and Bank Island on the 29^th.

Cetti’s Warbler – Two birds were singing at Wheldrake Ings on the 1^st, whilst two broods (eight+ juveniles) were also present at Bank Island. Two were still singing at Wheldrake Ings on the 15^th with another at Bank Island on the 29^th.