Stone Snapper
Warrener till i snuff it
the banter was brill your shots came out well ive just put one on Flickr no point in repeat shots on here Alan cya soon :t:
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Upton Warren (40 Viewers)
- Thread starter andythomas
- Start date
the banter was brill your shots came out well ive just put one on Flickr no point in repeat shots on here Alan cya soon :t:
binus1963
Well-known member
he could probz see your bloody owl hat o
when he kept going round in circles it reminded me of someone earlier in the day! 8-P
upstarts1979
Well-known member
weather for work party
Had a look at the weather (local site based at Stoke Prior - see link below); There is a window of opportunity up to 12 noon, with only a 10% chance of rain. If we can make head way in the first couple of hours, I think we will sort all the tasks. It is our last chance and the Avocets are getting frisky, so I think we will be motivated for their sake. I will be there early as poss to get the tools and equipment ready. Its only water, come on 'boys' and GIRLS we can do it.:smoke:
http://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:00000.8.03526
Had a look at the weather (local site based at Stoke Prior - see link below); There is a window of opportunity up to 12 noon, with only a 10% chance of rain. If we can make head way in the first couple of hours, I think we will sort all the tasks. It is our last chance and the Avocets are getting frisky, so I think we will be motivated for their sake. I will be there early as poss to get the tools and equipment ready. Its only water, come on 'boys' and GIRLS we can do it.:smoke:
http://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:00000.8.03526
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the wicker man
Well-known member
Ha! Yes... By the way saw you got the YBW. Well done on that. Wish I'd had me boots now!
Mike
Stone Snapper
Warrener till i snuff it
15 Avocet today
Skeleton man
Well-known member
Work Party
I've been on the work party today and continue to be amazed by the planning and commitment of the organisers and workers, both on Tuesdays and Sundays.
The reasons for the different tasks become so obvious when explained and is so beneficial to the reserve.
Many of these guys have been working tirelessly on the reserve for many years and their enthusiasm is endless.
As a relative newcomer, just over 12 months visiting UW, I'm sure I'm not alone in saying a massive thank you to these guys for years of hard work and hopefully the next few months will attract some great birds for all to enjoy.
Cheers!
Rich
I've been on the work party today and continue to be amazed by the planning and commitment of the organisers and workers, both on Tuesdays and Sundays.
The reasons for the different tasks become so obvious when explained and is so beneficial to the reserve.
Many of these guys have been working tirelessly on the reserve for many years and their enthusiasm is endless.
As a relative newcomer, just over 12 months visiting UW, I'm sure I'm not alone in saying a massive thank you to these guys for years of hard work and hopefully the next few months will attract some great birds for all to enjoy.
Cheers!
Rich
keithr
Relapsus resurgam
Seconded.......I was helping out at K.N.N.R. myself this morning.....only chance I have had to put a little back.
Keith :t:
upstarts1979
Well-known member
Arrrrr that's nice Rich - only because you won 4-1. 8-P
joking apart Rich, very much appreciated what you said , but we couldn't do it without you lot. :t:
I was about to say thanks to everyone for today's brilliant effort, given the conditions - both under foot and out of the sky. I would also like to say thanks to everyone who has helped this season. I know a few of the lads couldn't come today , through health and other commitments. Since October we have achieved a lot, a new area of shingle a couple of new 'arms' to the spit etc. I will post later with photos B
B 
Phil Andrews
It's only Rock and Roller but I like it
As John as just said many thanks to the 19 who turned out today. We started the work at quite a pace and kept in up throughout the morning so most of the tasks were completed by 1pm. Work undertaken was as follows:
- Mending and strengthening the fox proof fence in a number of weak areas
- Clearance of further breeding islands
- Laying pea shingle to create more breeding opportunities for LRP
- Improving the fox-proofness (if thats a word) and the opening of the gate from the sewage work and creating a feeding stockade just inside the gate (to allow the grazier easy access and reducing the need to walk over the sewage meadow to minimise disturbance) *
- Strimming all phragmite bordering the second flash (to create additional shoreline that waders will feel secure feeding along)
- Strimming the southern (right-hand) end of the second flash reed bed (to improve views into the third flash)
- Strimming the northern (left-hand) end of the second flash reed bed (to expose the area in front of the oak tree which is a very interesting area of damp grass with extensive juncas)
We acknowledge that this work has reduced in the reduction of the reed bed areas at the Flashes. The justification is as follows:
- Controlling the main reed bed is the only way to prevent reed beds spreading along the shoreline with its negative impact on breeding and migratory waders
- The reed beds removed were of poor quality, very dry and brittle. In the approx 200 sq metres cut, only one Reed Warblers nest was noted. Therefore the likely impact is the loss of a few pairs of Reed Bunting
- The Moors Pool holds the reserve's principle reed beds and are appropriately managed to maximise their potential
- The cutting of the reed beds now will permit the cattle to graze of the emerging fresh new shoots (they are unlikely to feed on the existing dry, woody stems)
- The cutting opens up a number of wet, boggy areas vegetated with grass and juncas that would be suitable to breeding Lapwing and Redshank with potential for Snipe, Curlew and Yellow Wagtail
* We later observed Ben the grazier visit to feed his cattle hay; the new set-up worked a treat with no real disturbance and no need to venture outside the feeding stockade erected. Obviously he will, on occasions, need to venture out onto the sewage meadow to refill the trough (troth / troff?) but this is still a significant distance from the shoreline (the view is very fore-shortened from the hide)
- Mending and strengthening the fox proof fence in a number of weak areas
- Clearance of further breeding islands
- Laying pea shingle to create more breeding opportunities for LRP
- Improving the fox-proofness (if thats a word
) and the opening of the gate from the sewage work and creating a feeding stockade just inside the gate (to allow the grazier easy access and reducing the need to walk over the sewage meadow to minimise disturbance) *- Strimming all phragmite bordering the second flash (to create additional shoreline that waders will feel secure feeding along)
- Strimming the southern (right-hand) end of the second flash reed bed (to improve views into the third flash)
- Strimming the northern (left-hand) end of the second flash reed bed (to expose the area in front of the oak tree which is a very interesting area of damp grass with extensive juncas)
We acknowledge that this work has reduced in the reduction of the reed bed areas at the Flashes. The justification is as follows:
- Controlling the main reed bed is the only way to prevent reed beds spreading along the shoreline with its negative impact on breeding and migratory waders
- The reed beds removed were of poor quality, very dry and brittle. In the approx 200 sq metres cut, only one Reed Warblers nest was noted. Therefore the likely impact is the loss of a few pairs of Reed Bunting
- The Moors Pool holds the reserve's principle reed beds and are appropriately managed to maximise their potential
- The cutting of the reed beds now will permit the cattle to graze of the emerging fresh new shoots (they are unlikely to feed on the existing dry, woody stems)
- The cutting opens up a number of wet, boggy areas vegetated with grass and juncas that would be suitable to breeding Lapwing and Redshank with potential for Snipe, Curlew and Yellow Wagtail
* We later observed Ben the grazier visit to feed his cattle hay; the new set-up worked a treat with no real disturbance and no need to venture outside the feeding stockade erected. Obviously he will, on occasions, need to venture out onto the sewage meadow to refill the trough (troth / troff?
) but this is still a significant distance from the shoreline (the view is very fore-shortened from the hide)
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upstarts1979
Well-known member
work party photos BEFORE WORK
1. to 3. The reed bed along the 2nd Flash east side from north to south
4. the southern side of the 2nd Flash.
I would also like to add
Tim has devised a method of locating birds along the eastern and meadow shorelines. He installed a series of wooden markers, these have been placed approx 50metres apart. The markers spell FLASHES, this should help us give directions to birds on the far shorelines. ie left of the 'L'. :t:Nice one Tim
1. to 3. The reed bed along the 2nd Flash east side from north to south
4. the southern side of the 2nd Flash.
I would also like to add
Tim has devised a method of locating birds along the eastern and meadow shorelines. He installed a series of wooden markers, these have been placed approx 50metres apart. The markers spell FLASHES, this should help us give directions to birds on the far shorelines. ie left of the 'L'. :t:Nice one Tim
Attachments
upstarts1979
Well-known member
The AFTER WORK Pics
1.The whole east reeds after cuttin
2. the southern shore of 2nd Flash
3. A closer view of the area in front of the oak tree.
4. a view of the same area in pic 3 from the blackthorn thicket looking south.
5. the grassland in front of sewage works and Matt
1.The whole east reeds after cuttin
2. the southern shore of 2nd Flash
3. A closer view of the area in front of the oak tree.
4. a view of the same area in pic 3 from the blackthorn thicket looking south.
5. the grassland in front of sewage works and Matt
Attachments
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upstarts1979
Well-known member
Birding Today
FLASHES:
before and during work party.
Avocet 15, curlew 16, Oystercatcher 2, Jack snipe 2, common snipe 1, lapwing few, common gull 2 ads,
sparrowhawk, buzzard,
coot 17,
skylark 2 singing, fieldfare and redwing 150+, meadow pipit, pied wag,
lesser redpoll,
After work and again this evening till dark.
Teal 52 (when a Severn Trent worker appeared this evening he flushed a large flock from the filter beds and hen brook), shelduck pr, tufted pr 3rd Flash, coot 22, water rail called from 3rd flash reed bed,
curlew 20,
BHG 500 roosted, LBBG 12,
Starling 50+,
News from yesterday 25 Curlew at Flashes am - per Dave J
FLASHES:
before and during work party.
Avocet 15, curlew 16, Oystercatcher 2, Jack snipe 2, common snipe 1, lapwing few, common gull 2 ads,
sparrowhawk, buzzard,
coot 17,
skylark 2 singing, fieldfare and redwing 150+, meadow pipit, pied wag,
lesser redpoll,
After work and again this evening till dark.
Teal 52 (when a Severn Trent worker appeared this evening he flushed a large flock from the filter beds and hen brook), shelduck pr, tufted pr 3rd Flash, coot 22, water rail called from 3rd flash reed bed,
curlew 20,
BHG 500 roosted, LBBG 12,
Starling 50+,
News from yesterday 25 Curlew at Flashes am - per Dave J
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Neil Duggan
Well-known member
Great effort by all this morning. Good company, top organisation, fresh air and a great cause. Not mentioning the worldie Chocolate cake.
Will Mary's downstairs hide shop be open on all Sunday mornings ?
A couple of phone pics attached (Not really my finest idea to have it in my pocket all morning given the water we was working in)
Bring on the migrants !
Will Mary's downstairs hide shop be open on all Sunday mornings ?
A couple of phone pics attached (Not really my finest idea to have it in my pocket all morning given the water we was working in)
Bring on the migrants !
Attachments
upstarts1979
Well-known member
Moors
GCG 9, little grebe in lagoon and Broadmeadow pool, Shoveler 29, teal 2, tufted 51 plus 2 NM pool, pochard 9,
Phil and Mike might have more to add,
GCG 9, little grebe in lagoon and Broadmeadow pool, Shoveler 29, teal 2, tufted 51 plus 2 NM pool, pochard 9,
Phil and Mike might have more to add,
upstarts1979
Well-known member
wheatearlp
Well-known member
Very little to add. Teal increased to 6, a good count of 18 Reed Buntings on the feeding station plus small numbers of Greenfinch and Chaffinch and 3 Bullfinches (2 males). Cetti's Warbler sang from the east side as I headed back to the car park at c.17.45. A small flock of thrushes - 70+ - (Fieldfare and Redwing) were seen in the field behind the hide/in alders to the right of the hide.
Phil Andrews
It's only Rock and Roller but I like it
As Mike has stated, not much!
7 Lapwing, 3 Oystercatcher, 5 Cormorant, 9 Moorhen, 15 Coot, 3 Little Grebe, 13 Avocet before they headed back to the Flashes, 2 Lesser Redpoll on Lifestyles feeders
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I had a quick visit to the Flashes this morning. Splendid work done by the Sunday crew. I am sure the birds will appreciate the changes at the water margins while birders will enjoy better sight-lines and the ingenious optical orientation system. Well done everyone.
12 Avocets were on view.
Peter
12 Avocets were on view.
Peter
