I just remembered that I'd chucked a few Hen Pool photos on to FB... here are a few (all taken by me in the HP hide) as examples of what you can see there (they're massively reduced with a resultant quality reduction)...
As a newbie with no particular "affiliations" to anything other than the birds perhaps I can reassure you with some specifics. I originally joined the work parties because of concern regarding the impact of the drought on the Flashes. Not wishing to look an idiot, I'd done some research and, emboldened by informed opinion, I cautiously expressed those concerns to John who was running the particular work party. He was already ahead of me and the whole work party was focussed on that particular point anyway.
I have been on quite a few work parties since and everything I have done or seen done at UW over the last few months has been carefully explained and properly motivated - I know because I've looked it up (no offence to John, Phil or Paul - I'm just too curious and like to "know" what I'm doing). I have seen close up how many willows are encroaching into the reeds and the major woodland species which then begin to follow.
As Phil and John have explained it comes off a carefully informed management plan (with maps and everything) which is focussed on maintaining UW as a wetland - which, because of it's tiny size requires much more management than a lot of other reserves. I also know from experience that it is monitored regularly by the WWT officer.
So please let me reassure any doubters out there - unless you come to UW for its woodland and not it's wetland then the independent opinion suggests the work is necessary and appropriate. (A large tree can transpire ("sweat") many gallons of water every week). If you want further reassurance I'd recommend you start by checking out chapters 1, 6 and 7 of Managing Habitats for Conservation.
Personally I don't think we've done enough. Which is why we need all the help we can get at the final work party next week.
Ultimately of course the proof of the pudding is in the eating... all I can say is bring on the Spring!!
Paul
Just a quick note to say that I fully support all the work done by everyone on the work parties and if you disagree with that then reading this thread in full should convince you otherwise!
To show how much the reserve means to me I shall be coming down from York next weekend to help out with the work party (nothing to do with a yank warbler in wales...)
Look forward to seeing everyone one then!
Oh and I tried posting earlier but it didn't work but I had lrp on my campus lake here in York on march 9th last year so for you guys down south it should be a doodle getting on on march 8th which if it's still free would be my best guess to earn the beer!
This morning's birding on the reserve:
MOORS POOL
4 GC Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 28 Cormorant, 18 Pochard, 37 Tufted Duck, 2 Oyk, 6 Snipe, 16 Lapwing, 2 Mute Swan, 33 Shoveler, 175 BH Gull, 81 Coot, 7 Moorhen, 29 Canada G, 2 Rook over, Coal Tit along east track, 7 Teal.
FLASHES
2 Gadwall (pair) on third flash, 30 Canada G, 84 BH Gull, 8 Coot - the return of Coot to the Fklashes is always a good sign that Spring is just around the corner, 7 Moorhen, 7 Teal, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Snipe, Skylark, Herring Gull, 28 Mallard, 3 Buzzard, Goldcrest by the steps, 1 Mute Swan, 87 Lapwing.
SAILING POOL
4 GC Grebe, 2 Shoveler - the first time I can recall seeing this species in this location, 1 Mute Swan, 1 Coot, 1 Cormorant, 1 Lesser Redpoll and 4 Siskin in larches, 25 Mallard.
Not a lot to add to above sightings, Water Rail showed at the concrete hide lots of vocal bullfinches about. 12 Curlew and 100+ Lapwing feeding in the sewage works field. Hide seems solid light and airy catches and bolts seem noisy but hopefully it will all settle down. Good to be back birding properly at the Flashes
Found a road kill Tawny Owl on the A38 Just past the bromsgrove island coming to upton showed a few people and I have left it beneath the reserve sign in the Moors car park presumably one that had a territory close by Incredible feathering
Not a lot to add to above sightings, Water Rail showed at the concrete hide lots of vocal bullfinches about. 12 Curlew and 100+ Lapwing feeding in the sewage works field. Hide seems solid light and airy catches and bolts seem noisy but hopefully it will all settle down. Good to be back birding properly at the Flashes
Found a road kill Tawny Owl on the A38 Just past the bromsgrove island coming to upton showed a few people and I have left it beneath the reserve sign in the Moors car park presumably one that had a territory close by Incredible feathering
Not a lot to add to above sightings, Water Rail showed at the concrete hide lots of vocal bullfinches about. 12 Curlew and 100+ Lapwing feeding in the sewage works field. Hide seems solid light and airy catches and bolts seem noisy but hopefully it will all settle down. Good to be back birding properly at the Flashes
Found a road kill Tawny Owl on the A38 Just past the bromsgrove island coming to upton showed a few people and I have left it beneath the reserve sign in the Moors car park presumably one that had a territory close by Incredible feathering
Just a quick note to say that I fully support all the work done by everyone on the work parties and if you disagree with that then reading this thread in full should convince you otherwise!
To show how much the reserve means to me I shall be coming down from York next weekend to help out with the work party (nothing to do with a yank warbler in wales...)
Look forward to seeing everyone one then!