Upton Warren (50 Viewers)

Jason K said:

Hi Paul,
Yes it is on green belt!!!!

I actually attended a residents action group meeting yesterday morning. Over 120 people turned up and it was fairly productive. They have paid for the services of a legal consultant who’s company deals with planning issue involved with traveller/show people sites. And highlighted a number of areas where this proposal could be fought on.

I also addressed the meeting and spoke about the potential impact on red data breeding species such as Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, Skylark and also did an interview for the local evening newspaper (The Express & Star) afterwards.

Kirsty Brannan the RSPBs Farmland conservation officer for the Midlands region is already involved and in contact with me.

The local free newspaper has also contacted me for some info regarding the potential environmental impact at this site.

Jase

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Paul Rhodes said:

Noted thanks Jason I suspected as much which makes the application inappropriate development. I will set out my objection from a planning and ecological stand point. If you gett he story into the local media then local TV often pick up these stories. However,you have made a good start and engaging a planning consultant is a sound move and as one myself is what I would strongly have advised.Please keep us all posted it may be given the sites importance Brian S may wish to give the issue some prominence through his wider contacts. Good luck Paul

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binus1963 said:

here's the picture of the presumed jack snipe, not too good, too far away so can you all flush one a bit closer next time at least i'm in the forgetful elephant flying jack snipe picture club.

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binus1963 said:

here's the picture of the presumed jack snipe, not too good, too far away so can you all flush one a bit closer next time at least i'm in the forgetful elephant flying jack snipe picture club.

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Sy V said:

Fantastic work John et al. :t:
Did the nest box that was in the tallest Willow on your second photo survive? B (I think I can just make it out, but I'm not sure)

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upstarts1979 said:

Hi Sy
... Unless you have any more beer festivals to organise8-PB B B B B
... John

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upstarts1979 said:

I have just spoken to Paul M and tomorrow we will be working on Amy's marsh. We will be cutting the grass around the Broadmeadow pool. Therefore there will be some disturbance in the morning.
sorry for any inconvenience this causes, but we are running out of time before the breeding birds return.
B John

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Woodchat said:

View attachment 426823On last Sunday's work-party, John (Upstarts) asked me what causes the 'oily film' that occurs in small patches on the stagnant water around the edges of the flashes. These patches have exactly the same 'rainbow' appearance as when petroleum spirit is spilled on puddles of rain-water (i.e. colourful interference patterns from two reflecting surfaces separated by small distances, of similar magnitude to the wavelength of the incident light). See image attached.

However, the cause in this case is entirely natural and is directly related to the smelly 'marsh gas' that often arises when these areas are disturbed. Both are caused by anaerobic decomposition of accumulated vegetation (i.e. plants decaying underwater in the absence of oxygen). Methanogenic bacteria digest this organic matter and convert it into methane, which escapes as gas bubbles into the atmosphere. Similar bacterial processes can also produce higher molecular-weight liquid hydrocarbons, which float/collect on the surface of water. Chemically, these are indeed similar to the alkanes (paraffins) and alkenes (olefins) found in petrol.

Another (rarely seen) phenomenon is called 'ignis fatuus' , whereby similar anaerobic processes can form pyrophoric (spontaneously combusting)mixtures - thought to contain reduced phosphorus compounds (phosphine/diphosphane). These are said to have an eerie appearance and are thought to be responsible for the malevolent swamp sprites of folklore, known as 'Will o the Wisp' (and other superstitious phenomena associated with marshes/wetlands).

Personally, I'd love to see a 'Will o Wisp' - maybe on an 'all-night Baillons Crake' survey this spring/summer - eh, Des? :t:

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Sy V said:

Dave

Brilliant stuff (as always) but I can't help thinking you've got more chance of seeing a 'Will o the Whisky' if an all-nighter and Des are involved! B

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Phil Andrews said:

Will be interested in the Snipe count that you flush as a result; numbers very disappointing at the Flashes on Sunday.

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Woodchat said:

View attachment 426823On last Sunday's work-party, John (Upstarts) asked me what causes the 'oily film' that occurs in small patches on the stagnant water around the edges of the flashes. These patches have exactly the same 'rainbow' appearance as when petroleum spirit is spilled on puddles of rain-water (i.e. colourful interference patterns from two reflecting surfaces separated by small distances, of similar magnitude to the wavelength of the incident light). See image attached.

However, the cause in this case is entirely natural and is directly related to the smelly 'marsh gas' that often arises when these areas are disturbed. Both are caused by anaerobic decomposition of accumulated vegetation (i.e. plants decaying underwater in the absence of oxygen). Methanogenic bacteria digest this organic matter and convert it into methane, which escapes as gas bubbles into the atmosphere. Similar bacterial processes can also produce higher molecular-weight liquid hydrocarbons, which float/collect on the surface of water. Chemically, these are indeed similar to the alkanes (paraffins) and alkenes (olefins) found in petrol.

Another (rarely seen) phenomenon is called 'ignis fatuus' , whereby similar anaerobic processes can form pyrophoric (spontaneously combusting)mixtures - thought to contain reduced phosphorus compounds (phosphine/diphosphane). These are said to have an eerie appearance and are thought to be responsible for the malevolent swamp sprites of folklore, known as 'Will o the Wisp' (and other superstitious phenomena associated with marshes/wetlands).

Personally, I'd love to see a 'Will o Wisp' - maybe on an 'all-night Baillons Crake' survey this spring/summer - eh, Des? :t:

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upstarts1979 said:

A JACK snipe was on snipe island before we started plus a handful of commons. As soon as we entered the Broadmeadow pool east bank, snipe were flying from everywhere. Before we started strimming we did a flush so we wouldn't kill any and Jacks were coming from everywhere with 3 or 4 from one area. A conservative estimate of 8 Jack's and 90 - 100 commons and after that another 2 jacks were flushed, so there were at least 10. We were all knocked out by the sheer numbers involved, a real site to behold considering the small area of land involved.
This is interesting in many ways.
As Phil has already alluded to, the Flashes was traditionally the snipe capital of Upton. Unfortunately the ideal 'juncus' habitat has almost completely disappeared, beneath the relentless advance of phragmites reeds.
Also the area on the east side of the Broadmeadow pool, has received 3 nor 4 years of intense management. This has involved annual strimming of the large bramble patch and cutting back the dry herbaceous vegetation. The willow saplings were treated last year and they have declined by 50% this year. These actions coupled with a very wet 6 months have encouraged a vigorous growth of juncus. Today's snipe totals is testamant to positive management paying dividends.
Species count on Moors
GCG 4, Litlle grebe 1 broadmeadow pool, mute swan 2, cormorant 20, shoveller 4 (2 prs), teal 25, gadwall pr, shelduck pr, wigeon, pochard 20 (19 males), tufted 25+, water rail several, snipe 90-100, Jack's 10, lapwing 200+, curlew 11, herring gull ad, mistle thrush 2 in paddock, siskin and redpoll along east track,

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