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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Upton Warren (24 Viewers)

The two areas you've worked on were holding birds last Sunday, the opening up of the channel in particular seeming to be good for many species seen feeding either side - nothing scarce but there's always the chance. Keeping the 'secret garden' cut to encourage the grassy areas would be a great benefit come spring. Those who have been birding the reserve less than 15 years would not know this area was largely an open grassy area with scattered scrub - exactly the type of habitat that is being re-created now.
 
wheatearlp said:
The two areas you've worked on were holding birds last Sunday, the opening up of the channel in particular seeming to be good for many species seen feeding either side - nothing scarce but there's always the chance. Keeping the 'secret garden' cut to encourage the grassy areas would be a great benefit come spring. Those who have been birding the reserve less than 15 years would not know this area was largely an open grassy area with scattered scrub - exactly the type of habitat that is being re-created now.
Click to expand...

agree Mike :t:
 
upstarts1979 said:
A very misty start, finally clearing when we started the work, although it rained for the rest of the morning.
However most conspicuous of all the species was the water rail. October is usually when we get an influx from elsewhere, but this year conditions were not conducive. But today was the start of an influx, several groups of 2 and 3 birds were involved in territorial disputes. Many other birds were calling from all the peripheral vegetation.
Click to expand...

Yes, the water rails are very visible at the Moors; we saw them in the open yesterday in front of both the east and west hides. If anyone comes at the moment they can almost be guaranteed a sighting - famous last words - as they are nearly as regular as the kingfishers.

If only we could say that of the Cetti's ...

Peter
 
Today's highlights during a shorter visit than usual:

MOORS:
Little Egret (2)----------------------Pintail (5)
Shoveler (36)-----------------------Teal (63)
Tufted Duck (10)--------------------Snipe (16)
Grey Wagtail------------------------Kestrel
Kingfisher---------------------------Greylags (30)
G C Grebe (4)-----------------------Little Grebe (4)
Coot (218)---------------------------Canada Goose (258)
Cormorant (21)---------------------Cetti's WArbler (2)
Water Rail (3)-----------------------Goldcrest
Mistle Thrush------------------------Sparrowhawk

FLASHES:
Teal (35)----------------------------Shoveler (6)
Lapwing (c120)---------------------Redwing (6)
Moorhen (28)-----------------------Snipe (2)


Des.
 
upstarts1979 said:
Species count MOORS:
GCG 2, Little grebe 9, Little egret, greylag 30, mute swan 5 juvs, Shoveler 80+, Teal 90, pintail 6, tufted 16, coot 280, water rail 14+, snipe 45+ , jack snipe 4 min, lapwing 120, curlew 10, common gull ad, large gulls 145 (65% LBBG), BHG 650, Kestrel, green woodp, great spotted w, kingfisher 3, redwing 20, plenty of greenfinch, bullfinch , reed bunting at feeding station. Cettis w 4 at least,

FLASHES
Teal 70, shoveler 31, mallard c125 most arrived late on.
coot 18, moorhen 52, water rail 2, snipe 20, green sand (arrived 5pm), curlew 13, lapwing 155,
Roosting gulls: -BHG 1000, LBBG 21, herring gull 26, common gull 1st winter,
green woodp,
pied wag 20+ roosted in 1st Flash reed bed, starling 70, redwing 11
Click to expand...

Presumably some duplication in duck numbers?
 
Dave J has just texted me with the following from the reserve. Flashes is quiet.
Moors: 3 Little Egrets, 3 Pintail, Chiffchaff, Common Gull, Green Sandpiper, Redpoll and siskin over .Also 2 wader sp high SE, looked medium sized, but only saw from behind.
61 Species.
 
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update from Moors

Cool wet ssw wind.
GCG 2 Little grebe 6. Little egret 3. pintail 5. wigeon 1. shoveler 65 min. teal 64. tufted 16. coot 280. snipe 20+. mistle thrush. fieldfare 10. redwing 40+. cettis 3 singing.


Other species at the Moors:
cormorant 21, Mute swan pr + 5 juvs , ad + juv chased off by the resident male, coot 280, water rail widespread, greylag 4, lapwing 120, curlew 7,
kingfisher 2,
 
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kittiwake ad and 70 snipe at flashes

Kittiwake came in at 2pm, with a small group of BHG's. It preened briefly and then swam on to the 1st Flash, before flying off west. Luckily I managed to get 3 other birders on to it. Although one birder did sigh at my excitement, stating that he sees 100's at the coast.. He did however appreciate it after I explained the scarcity of the species at the reserve.;)

The Flashes Today:
The water level has risen to 0.44, even with the sluice open. The grassy areas in front of the hide was alive with dabbling ducks(teal and mallard), moorhens, coot and many snipe. When I first arrived in the hide the snipe had taken flight, for some unknown reason. After a few minutes they arrived en-masse, landing in the saucer and grassy knoll area. There were many more than had initially taken flight and unusually they all landed in the open in a very tight flock. These later 'swarmed' over the grassy areas probing as they advanced - much to the delight of the other birders present and myself of course. The persistent rain had enticed them from their roost to feed on the swampy ground. When the rain stopped some of them returned to their roosting site. On the Meadow small pools were forming attracting many coot , moorhen and teal. Unfortunately I had to leave at 3.30pm by which time, more gulls and ducks were arriving.

Species counts FLASHES
Teal 70+, shoveler 40, mallard 50, coot 15+, moorhen 50+, snipe 70 - 75 ( a total of 100 on the reserve), Lapwing 145, BHG 200, Kittiwake ad winter plumage, buzzard 2, green woodpecker, stock dove few, jackdaw 300+, cettis warbler singing, meadow pipit, starling 65, redwing,
 
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