Bird Race 5th May 2012
Quote from Upton Warren site
'' UW's year list now stands on 117 with 103 species recorded so far in April; many migrants and waders are still outstanding (Cuckoo, Gropper, Whitethroat, Dunlin, Greenshank, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier etc etc).
Middleton Lakes has 130 whilst Belvide is top of the pops with 139.''
I believe the winner of the bird race on my 5 th May will depend on the best flush of waders which reach a reserve on that day.
I don't believe Belvide would be beaten on a year list, they have a good Gull roost, Middleton lakes, Dosthill Lake (RSPB manage an area of this lake) the nearby tip is closed. So Glaucous, Iceland, Caspian and even Yellow-legged Gull are not on the Middleton lakes list, I believe (Geoff Williams keeps the list). The larger Reservoir Belvide pulls in Kittwake, Merganser, Scoters and White-fronted Goose this year from the large areas of arable surrounding, throw in Pallid Harrier also. Middleton lakes bonus bird is Cetti's Warbler Upton Warren's is Avocet ( although a regular migrant at Middleton lakes we may see one). Belvide is closer to the large Welsh Kite population which is now doing well in neighbouring Shropshire (details Shropshire Ornithological site)
However if you widen the area more I don't believe Belvide's list would increase greatly, but to encompass the mid Tame Valley then Shustoke Divers, Phalarope, Grebes, merganser, Scoters. Ladywalk Spotted Crake some years. Coton Gulls and local farmland small population of Corn Bunting and Grey Partridge.
Belvide also takes the birding professionaly under Steve Nuttall and his team.
Regards, John