Sept' 19

Lower Derwent Valley NNR Sightings - September 

Early returning waterfowl included the first 51 Pink-footed Geese over on the 15^th, followed by 12 Whooper Swans on the 21^st. A lack of water across the site kept duck numbers low, with 700 Teal, 200 Wigeon, 35 Gadwall and the first returning Pintail (25^th), whilst up to eight Garganey still lingered early in the month. Little Egrets moved off elsewhere, presumably encouraged by the lack of water. From mid-month Common Cranes put in appearances on the 8^th and 23^rd followed by a Great White Egret on the 27^th. Highlight of the month was undoubtedly the discovery of two Spotted Crakes on the scrape at Swantail - enjoyed by several birders between the 17^th-19^th.

September was a good month for raptors, the highlight of which was a Honey Buzzard over the pool at Wheldrake, followed later by another reported over Bubwith village. Otherwise up to five Marsh Harriers were present throughout, including a single rehabilitated bird which had been shot and had its wing broken - upon its recovery with Jean it was released at Wheldrake. Up to two Peregrines, five Red Kites and several Hobbies completed the line-up. Waders included an increase in returning Golden Plover with a peak of 223 at Bank Island on the 18^th, with the pool at Wheldrake holding most of the interest in passage waders - the highlight being a single Curlew Sandpiper on the 12^th. Up to 20 Green Sandpipers were present early in the month with two or three Greenshanks found on most dates to month end, with odd Dunlin, Ruff, Common Sandpiper and Curlew also noted.

Following last month’s Nightjar on passage at Elvington, one was found at dawn at Wheldrake on the 10^th with another ringed and released on Skipwith Common NNR on the 20^th after being found exhausted on passage in North Yorkshire. Other passage birds included Whinchats on the 2^nd and 13^th, the first returning Stonechat from the 14^th, two Redstarts on the 5^th and a Bearded Tit on the 14^th. A single immature Cetti’s Warbler was found at Wheldrake Ings on the 17^th by flying into a mist net – still a scarce bird in the valley – whilst large numbers of passage warblers continued to move through the site, especially Blackcaps in large numbers. A single Crossbill was present on the 3^rd.

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed records throughout the month, in particular to members of the YOC and local patch birder Duncan Bye - thanks also to Duncan for the use of his images (credited DB).

BIRDS: 

Whooper Swan – 12 early returning adults passed south over North Duffield Carrs on the 21^st – the first of the autumn (CSR), followed by a single adult there on the 28^th (AW).

Mute Swan – The usual breeding pairs with their broods were present throughout the month, whilst up to 22 non-breeding birds had returned from their summer moult sites by month end. 

Mute Swan - Wheldrake - 17/09 - CSR

Pink-footed Goose – The first of the autumn were a skein of 51 heading south over Wheldrake on the 15^th. 63 passed over Elvington on the 16^th when 14 also headed west over Wheldrake, followed by five south at dawn on the 17^th. 213 passed south over Bank Island on the 30^th when up to 300 moved over Barmby on the Marsh – total of 643 birds. 

Egyptian Goose – 12 were present in the East Cottingwith area early in the month. 

Greylag Goose – 175 over Elvington on the 18^th were the first significant flock of the autumn, followed by 306 on the 27^th. 400 were on the pool at Wheldrake at dawn on the 30^th.

Canada Goose – Small numbers were recorded in the area until 130 were present on the pool at Wheldrake on the 30^th. 

Teal – 50 recorded on the pool at Wheldrake on the 1^st increased to 72 on the 2^nd. 150 were present at Thorganby on the 5^th with 200+ there by the 9^th. 30 were back on the pool at Wheldrake following the return of some water on the 25^th, with numbers increasing to 700 by the 28^th. 

Teal - Wheldrake - 28/09 - DB

Wigeon – The first returning birds were 50 at Thorganby on the 2^nd with 60+ there on the 3^rd. 35 were present at Top Pond at North Duffield Carrs on the 21^st with four at Wheldrake on the 25^th. Numbers increased to 200+ by the 30^th. 

Pintail – The first returning bird appeared on the pool at Wheldrake on the 25^th/26^th. 

Garganey – Eight were reported on the pool on the 3^rd with a female on the scrape at Swantail on the 18^th and another there on the 24^th - bringing to an end an excellent year for the species in the valley.

Gadwall – Small single figure counts were had from Wheldrake early in the month with 32 at North Duffield Carrs on the 21^st. 

Mallard – 150 at North Duffield Carrs on the 21^st. 

Mandarin – A single female was present on the banks of the River Derwent at Wheldrake on the 7^th.

Shoveler – Single figures were present during the first week but few seen thereafter until 11 at Wheldrake on the 30^th. 

Goosander – Four flew into the pool at Wheldrake on the 10^th before departing soon afterwards.

Little Egret – Two were present daily on the pool at Wheldrake from the 1^st with three there on the 5^th/6^th, followed by two flying over North Duffield Ings on the later date. Up to three present daily thereafter at Wheldrake until the 15^th. 

Little Egret - Wheldrake - 08/09 - DB 

Great White Egret – One flew south off the pool at Wheldrake on the 27^th (DB) before re-appearing there at dusk (CSR, MFJ). 

Grey Heron – 15 at Wheldrake on the 7^th was the peak count of the month.

Marsh Harrier – An adult male continued to roost at Wheldrake early in the month with one or two lingering cream crowns present through the site. A new wing-tagged cream crown was present at Wheldrake on the 2^nd (orange ring with the letters DA) along with two different un-tagged birds there on the 3^rd. The male and at least one cream crown lingered thereafter with daily sightings until the 6^th. A single juvenile female was ringed and released at Wheldrake on the 13^th having been rehabilitated from a broken wing – it remained throughout the day before going to roost on site and showed well the following morning and thereafter until at least the 27^th. Three birds (an adult male and two cream crowns) left the Wheldrake roost at dawn on the 16^th with up to four regularly thereafter to month end.

An adult pair were seen at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st with a cream crown there on the 25^th and a male and two cream crowns on the 27^th.  

Marsh Harrier release - Wheldrake - 13/09

Peregrine – A single at North Duffield Carrs on the 1^st with another at Wheldrake on the 8^th and again on the 16^th and 28^th/29^th. 

Red Kite – There were few sightings early in the month which is typical following post breeding – however, numbers increased with second hay cuts being taken, with five in the air together over the Low Grounds on the 19^th. Four were present next day with one or two daily thereafter. One at Thorganby on the 27^th. 

Honey Buzzard – A single dark phase bird flew low over the pool at Wheldrake before circling, gaining height and drifting off south following the river on the 13^th (CSR, LM, JT).  One, a juvenile, was also reported south over Bubwith village via Bird Guides on the 24^th. 

Hobby – One at Wheldrake on the 2^nd with another present at the Swallow roost there on the 3^rd, followed by one over Thorganby Ings on the 5^th with another at Church Bridge, Melbourne on the 7^th. Scattered singles at Bank Island, Wheldrake and Thorganby thereafter with singles at Melbourne on the 19^th and 20^th. Three were at Wheldrake at dusk on the 24^th with singles at Bank Island on the 26^th - 29^th. 

Water Rail – Three were present on the scrape by Swantail Hide on the 1^st (one adult and two juveniles) with a single seen from Pool Hide on the 3^rd. Four adults and two juveniles (presumed different broods) were present at Wheldrake on the 8^th. Up to six were calling around the scrape at Swantail on the 15^th and again on the 18^th followed by four on the pool on the 30^th. 

Spotted Crake – Two were found and showed well in the scrape in front of Swantail Hide at Wheldrake on the 17^th (CSR, JL) with two present the following morning (AF). At least one present until dusk on the 19^th.

Common Crane – A single adult was seen early morning on the pool at Wheldrake on the 8^th (DB et al) followed by one over Bank Island on the 23^rd (CSR, FM). 

Common Crane - Wheldrake - 08/09 - DB

Great Crested Grebe – A single juvenile was present briefly after dawn on the Swantail scrape, Wheldrake on the 10^th, following heavy rain the previous day which presumably downed this passage individual. 

Little Grebe – A single immature was present on the scrape at Swantail Hide, Wheldrake from the 1^st with three there by the 25^th to month end. 

Grey Partridge – One calling at Bank Island on the 8^th when another was calling from the meadow at Wheldrake.

Golden Plover – 22 flew over Thorganby on the 3^rd whilst 14 flew north-west over Bank Island on the 8^th. 223 were present over fields east of Bank Island on the 18^th whilst 140 flew north over Bubwith Ings in several flocks on the 21^st and 72 over Elvington on the 27^th. 100+ were on the usual autumn fields by Raker Lakes on the 30^th. 

Lapwing – 120 at Elvington on the 27^th was the first build up in autumn flocks. 

Snipe – The month opened with up to 22 on the pool at Wheldrake, increasing to 28 by the 3^rd.

Black-tailed Godwit – A single present at Wheldrake on the 12^th.

Curlew – Two at Wheldrake on the 7^th-9^th whilst 28 flew into the pool at Wheldrake on the 10^th, before circling and heading off north-west. Two were present at dawn on the 14^th with another flying north east later that morning. Two over Melbourne Ings on 16^th while seven flew over Bank Island calling at dusk on 17^th with three at Bubwith Ings on 21^st. One over Bank Island on 30^th. 

Ruff – Two were on the pool at Wheldrake on 5^th with a single from the 10^th-13^th. A juvenile was present on the pool on the 15^th with another on the 18^th. 

Dunlin – A single at Wheldrake on the 8^th - 12^th.

Curlew Sandpiper – A juvenile was reported by a visitor from the pool at Wheldrake on the 12^th.  

Greenshank – Three remained into the month from the 1^st with two from the 2^nd and three from the 4^th-8^th. Two thereafter until the 10^th with one remaining until the 14^th and two again between the 15^th-20^th. Three were there on the 21^st and two again thereafter until month end. 

Greenshank - Wheldrake - 28/09 - DB

Green Sandpiper – Following good numbers present in late August, 16 remained on the pool at Wheldrake on the 1^st with 20 there on the 2^nd and 17 on the 3^rd. 11 were still present from the 4^th-6^th with up to eight thereafter until the 14^th and five on the 15^th. A few days with no records then followed, until two were present on the 19^th with one or two daily thereafter until the 24^th.  

Common Sandpiper – A single at Wheldrake on the 3^rd. 

Tawny Owl – Calling activity increased throughout the month with eight calling birds recorded from the NNR base on the 15^th. 

Nightjar – A single passage bird was present at dawn in poolside willows at Wheldrake on the 10^th (CSR). A single rehabilitated juvenile was released at Skipwith Common NNR on the 20^th following a few days in care (JT, CSR). 

Swift – Small numbers were present early in the month with two still at Wheldrake on the 12^th and four there on the 18^th.

Kingfisher – Birds remained active in the Bank Island and Wheldrake area throughout the month – often seen and heard along the river but also sitting on the perches in front of Pool Hide.

Great Spotted Woodpecker – Daily records of birds flying over and around the pool at Wheldrake.

Swallow – 270 roosted at Wheldrake on the 1^st with 500+ on the 8^th and 1000+ on the 13^th. Few present thereafter with none at the reed bed roost from the 16^th to the 22^nd, before 100+ roosted ahead of heavy rain on the 23^rd. 82 flew south at Wheldrake on the 26^th with 32 on the 27^th and 18 on the 28^th. 

House Martin – 50 roosted at Wheldrake on the 1^st with only small numbers heading south thereafter with 13 on the 27^th. 15 went south over North Duffield Carrs on the 28^th. 

Yellow Wagtail – Small numbers continued to pass over almost daily with five going into roost at Wheldrake on the 8^th. 19 flew south towards dusk on the 15^th with three on the 16^th. A single at North Duffield Carrs on the 25^th followed by three there on the 28^th. 

Grey Wagtail – Regular in the Bank Island throughout the month with one or two birds at the adjacent Water Treatment Works.

Meadow Pipit – Small numbers were noted moving daily with 150+ the first notable total on the 12^th followed by 200+ on the 13^th. Passage increased during the last few days of the month with 220 flying south early morning at Bank Island on the 27^th with 238 south over Wheldrake on the 28^th.

Skylark – Small single figure flocks moved south throughout the month increasing towards month end, with 80+ south at Wheldrake on the 27^th and 41 there on the 28^th when 33 went over North Duffield Carrs. 

Whinchat – A single at Wheldrake on the 2^nd with another seen there on the 13^th. 

Stonechat – The first bird of the autumn was seen at Wheldrake on the 14^th and was present there until the 18^th. Five were present at Bank Island between the 25^th- 27^th.

Stonechat - Wheldrake - 17/09 - CSR

Redstart – A single was present in pool side willows at Wheldrake on the 5^th (TW) when another, a juvenile female, was caught and ringed at the NNR base at Bank Island (CSR). 

Song Thrush – 10 were present along the riverside path at Wheldrake between the bridge and wind pump at first light on the 2^nd followed by 12 there on the 7^th. 11 were present on the 13^th with three caught and ringed in pool side willows on the 14^th. Eight still there on the 18^th - presumed to be local birds following a good breeding season. A small influx was noted on the 29^th – following an arrival of birds to the East Coast on easterly winds.

Jay – Up to three birds were regularly present in pool side willows at Wheldrake throughout the month, with a juvenile caught and ringed there on the 7^th. Seven present there on the 25^th. 

Bearded Tit – A single was seen and later heard calling in the reed bed at Wheldrake on the 14^th (AF, CSR).

Nuthatch – Three at Wheldrake on the 4^th followed by one at Bank Island on the 8^th and another at Wheldrake on the 25^th. 

Goldcrest – Increasing numbers were recorded early in the month with two or three caught and ringed at Wheldrake most days from the 5^th – with 10 present around the pool area on the 9^th. Numbers then seemed to decrease – perhaps indicating passage birds on the move before five were recorded on the 16^th. 

Cetti’s Warbler – A single first year female was caught and ringed at Wheldrake on the 17^th (LM, CSR).  

Willow Warbler – One at Wheldrake on the 7^th and 8^th with two ringed there on the 14^th and a single on the 15^th.

Chiffchaff – Large numbers moved through the valley during the month with sample counts as follows :13 at Wheldrake on the 1^st with 20 ringed on the 2^nd and 13 on the 3^rd. 16 were counted at Wheldrake on the 8^th when 5 were also at Bank Island. 20 were caught and ringed on the 9^th, followed by 21 on the 10^th. 13 were present at Wheldrake and 8 at Bank Island on the 25^th, followed by 9 there on the 27^th. 19 were recorded from the Wheldrake/Bank Island area on the 29^th. 

Chiffchaff - NNR Base - 17/09 - CSR

Blackcap – Nine were recorded at Bank Island on the 1^st whilst 31 were caught and ringed at Wheldrake on the 2^nd. A large clear out overnight left 8 on the 3^rd followed by 16 (caught and ringed) on the 7^th and 12 on the 8^th. 20 were caught and ringed on the 9^th followed by 17 on the 10^th, 11 on the 13^th, 19 on the 14^th and 11 on the 15^th. 31were caught and ringed at the NNR base on the 18^th with 20 present between Bank Island and Wheldrake on the 19^th.  Three were seen at Bank Island on the 25^th with five ringed there on the 26^th. Two or three were seen daily until month end.

Lesser Whitethroat – Two were present at Bank Island on the 1^st with one there on the 8^th and a late bird on the 19^th. 

Common Whitethroat – Three were at Bank Island on the 1^st with two there on the 8^th and singles at Wheldrake on the 7^th, 8^th and 9^th followed by three there on the 10^th. No records were had then until one was seen at Wheldrake on the 19^th and 25^th. One was caught and ringed at Bank Island on the 27^th. 

Sedge Warbler – 17 were caught and ringed at Wheldrake on the 2^nd with singles present on the 3^rd, 7^th, 8^th and 9^th, followed by five on the 10^th. A single was seen on the 13^th followed by two on the 14^th and 15^th, and a small influx of seven noted on the 16^th. Two remained on the 17^th, followed by a single on the 18^th and two on the 19^th.  

Reed Warbler – A presumed passage bird was present in the car park at Wheldrake on the 1^st, with three still in the reed bed by Swantail Hide, with eight caught and ringed on the 2^nd. Four were still present at Wheldrake on the 7^th when 10 were caught and ringed in the church bridge reed bed. Two were at Wheldrake on the 10^th, followed by eight on the 13^th, five on the 14^th/15^th and two on the 17^th/18^th. One was still present on the 25^th and 30^th. 

Linnet – Small numbers continued to roost in the Wheldrake reed bed with 43 there on the 6^th. 75 were at Bank Island on the 8^th with 52 noted to be roosting in the Wheldrake reed bed on the 15^th. 80 were at Wheldrake on the 16^th with 110 in arable fields near Bank Island on the same date.

Goldfinch – A charm of 90 at Wheldrake on the 1^st were feeding on Autumnal Hawk-bit seed heads, increasing to 130 the following day and remaining thereafter before reaching 300+ on the 16^th. 

Chaffinch – Small numbers started to pass through the site from the 13^th with four or five noted most days from then.

Greenfinch – A relatively scarce bird on the Ings, several were recorded flying over and in and around the pool side willows at Wheldrake mid-month – presumably passage birds.

Crossbill – The first of the autumn flew south west over Wheldrake, calling, on the 3^rd.

Reed Bunting – Large numbers of juveniles continued to pass through the site throughout the month with 100+ roosting in the Swantail reed bed on the 13^th. 200+ were present at the roost on the 16^th - following a large clear out overnight just 20+ then remained on the 19^th.

MAMMALS:

Roe Deer – Singles seen daily at both Bank Island and Wheldrake, with occasional counts of four and five. 

Hedgehog – Three were present along the riverside track at Wheldrake at first light on the 7^th. 

Otter – A single set of prints and the remains of a fish kill were found behind Pool Hide on the 7^th, with a fresh spraint nearby on the 25^th. At least one individual was caught on a camera trap at Wheldrake during the month, whilst two rehabilitated individuals were released at North Duffield Carrs at month end. 

Harvest Mouse – One at Bank Island on the 25^th.

BUTTERFLIES:

Small Tortoiseshell – On the 1^st eleven were recorded between the NNR base and Bank Island, followed by seven on the 7^th, eight on the 8^th and a single on the 14^th being the last record of the month. 

Painted Lady – Recorded between the 1^st and the 27^th, in small numbers, usually singles, between Wheldrake and in the NNR base throughout the month.

Comma – Recorded in small numbers (between one to three) throughout the month at both Bank Island and Wheldrake.

Red Admiral – High counts at the beginning of the month with 14 at Bank Island on the 1^st and 11 at Wheldrake, with singles reported thereafter until the 28^th. 

Peacock – Present in small numbers (usually single sightings) on Wheldrake and in the NNR base garden.

Speckled Wood – Recorded sporadically throughout the month at Bank Island and Wheldrake usually in singles other than four at Wheldrake on the 1^st, seven on the 7^th, five on the 8^th and six on the 26^th. 

Common Blue – Three at Wheldrake on the 1^st with a single still on the wing at the NNR base garden on the 7^th and one at Wheldrake on the 8^th. 

Large White – Present on most good weather days as far as the 28^th. 

Hummingbird Hawk-moth – A single in the NNR base garden was seen throughout the day on the 13^th.

DRAGONFLIES:

Common Darter and Brown Hawker recorded daily throughout beginning of the month, with the latter not seen from mid-month onwards.