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

RSPB Middleton Lakes (4 Viewers)

SteveAtkinson said:
That's puzzling Steve................
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Steve

Had an email from Chis Cooke this morning and he's as confused as the rest of us to how they got there. He found them on the East scrape late afternoon yesterday. At least we know that two of them are now behind an electric fence. I still can't understand why the adults have split the brood unless it's to do with available food. If so that shows that the reserve will struggle to support more pairs. As for the dog owner he left the reserve over the stream by the two benches. The dogs didn't have collars and at first I thought they were strays. My wife has told me to stop policing the reserve as it nearly always ends up in a fight and ruins the visit.

Steve
 
Mystery solved they walked them from NP to the East scrape. Just watched an adult escort the 3rd chick down the length of JW. Other two chicks on East scrape still with the other adult. There were also two further adults on JW and a 5th on NP. Saw them all at the same time. I think we only have 3 chicks but please prove me wrong. I also think they've moved them because of the algae on NP which is preventing them wading/eating at the waters edge.

Steve
 
SteveAtkinson said:
That's puzzling Steve. They have webbed feet and can swim from an early age I know but that is a big distance. Maybe they moved over a day or two.
I can't believe that dog owner. Its been one of the fears of regular birders at Middleton that the RSPB won't be able to manage irresponsible 'visitors' especially once the bridge over the river was installed. Mind you I've seen dog owners and cyclists access the reserve from the canal directly to the north pit over the ditch - there's no signs there.

All the best

Steve
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The dog walker I have seen recently comes in from the canal at Fisher's Mill. Three dogs, a Pointer, a Labrador and a Spaniel. He walks up to the North with none of them on a lead. I have seen quite a few dogs around the North, very few under control. I do bring my own dog over the bridge, but that is a public right of way and she is under total control. I have also seen the Farm Collie on the North a few times, it just takes a liking to people and follows them.
 
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Piccalilli said:
My wife has told me to stop policing the reserve as it nearly always ends up in a fight and ruins the visit....

Steve
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I have the same problem Steve. I've had one or two interesting 'conversations' with dog walkers but its not worth getting into a row with them as you just end up not enjoying the birding. I've not seen anything as serious as what you reported though. I wonder if RSPB are aware of some of these happenings and if they intend to do anything about it. When I've seen dog walkers coming on to the reserve via the farm track from the canal by the north pit I've told volunteers but I don't know if it gets back to the warden. Better signage might help I guess.

I'm not able to get to the reserve now until Sunday pm and I'll have a good look to see how many Avocet young are about then. They should be flying at about 35 -42 days, so not long now and they'll be relatively safe.

All the best

Steve
 
SteveAtkinson said:
I have the same problem Steve. I've had one or two interesting 'conversations' with dog..........
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Steve

Moocher correctly identified the owner in his post. It was the Pointer that was running riot on North Pit. Anyway much quieter up the reserve tonight just the one dog but that could hardly walk and was partially sighted so wasn't up to any chasing.

The 3 chicks are well settled on the East scrape with both adults in attendance. They are now in a perfect viewing position but looking more like adults with every visit. 3 other adults still around the reserve plus 6 Redshank and the usual scattering of LRP and RP.

Steve
 
A day of two visits. Went at 10am in the rain and got soaked through. Water levels at that time were low although the river was high but it usually takes 8 hours to come through. Nothing much about except for the 3 Avocet chicks and at least 4 adults about the reserve. An interesting Dunlin size wader dropped in on the East scrape but was despatched by an adult Avocet before I could get the scope on it.

Returned this evening to see what damage the rain had done. JW and NP flooded. couldnt get to hide as 4" running over path and the pipe bridge was flooded such that the level gauge was fully submerged.

Many nests have been wiped out again.

Steve
 
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Piccalilli said:
A day of two visits. Went at 10am in the rain and got soaked through. Water levels at that time were low although the river was high but it usually takes 8 hours to come through. Nothing much about except for the 3 Avocet chicks and at least 4 adults about the reserve. An interesting Dunlin size wader dropped in on the East scrape but was despatched by an adult Avocet before I could get the scope on it.

Returned this evening to see what damage the rain had done. JW and NP flooded. couldnt get to hide as 4" running over path and the pipe bridge was flooded such that the level gauge was fully submerged.

Many nests have been wiped out again.

Steve
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Is there any form of sluice that can react immediately to heavy rain at this time of year?
 
I must first apologise for the doom and gloom I was responsible for last night but my email on the flooding of the Avocet nest did carry a warning that I couldn't be sure that none had already hatched because the adults were sitting slightly out of full view watching the nest submerge.

EXCELLENT news - at least two chicks had already hatched. The nest is now 1-2 foot under water and the adults remain nearby. All that's left of the island is a bit of vegetation on the top and another reason I couldn't be sure last night as the chicks are well hidden and there may even be more than 2.

The water level at the pipe bridge is now half a metre below that of last night and you can get to the hide.

I've been waiting weeks to report that we have double figures of Avocet on site and now I can with 5 adults and 5 chicks today.

I've also been able to get a picture of the Silt Pool Turtle today which like the Loch Ness Monster I thought was just a myth.

Sorry for the mis-information last night

Steve
 
The two new Avocet chicks were still present on the North Pit this afternoon until at least 4:00pm. The water levels on there have receded drastically since Steve's earlier report with the nest site back above water and the adults and chicks still in the same place, one of the adults brooding the chicks.

The JWs is another matter - most of it being under water with just some islands showing, with the exception of the scrape by the east screen where the other family of Avocets is in residence. Plenty of mud and food there. Heard a cuckoo calling on south meadow but otherwise quiet.

I'll post a couple of pics of the now juvenile Avocets a bit later when I've sorted them, if they're any good - it's been a week since I last saw them and they have grown!

All the best

Steve
 
Periwinkle said:
See here for info about water level control:

http://www.tamevalleybirding.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/flooding-and-water-controls-at.html
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Thanks Tom for the info, I'd forgotten about that, perhaps Nick could give us an update surely the sluices must be getting close now? I did recently write to Katie asking her if they had a Plan B but as she didn't reply I assumed not.
The Western ditch which runs adjacent to JWs and North Pit is badly silted up and choked with weed which is causing flood water to run into the JWs instead of running down to Dallows Lake. I'm sure the local farmer would be willing to help clear it as it would also stop his field from getting too wet and increase his yield.
Geoff
 
Not much about tonight. Even stayed late for the chance of an Owl but nothing. The Avocets on NP have moved the chicks to the centre of the pool - similar position to where the other family were just prior to their trek. They didn't stay long on the West strip - obviously too much algae.

The East scrape family are now well relaxed and the chicks have mastered the art of sleeping on one leg.

Also Painted Lady plus another recorded in the log book. I'm told we are expecting a mass influx this year. The last big one I remember was 1996.

Steve
 
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Black-tailed Godwit on JWs. I got a good look at a Cuckoo that was moving from tree to tree along the river where I also saw a Kingfisher. All 10 Avocets were around. The youngest still on the North Pit in front of the Hide and the Juveniles in front of the East screen. Also a Redshank on JWs. Besides that there was a scattering of Ringed Plovers and LRPs.

All the best

Steve
 
SteveAtkinson said:
Black-tailed Godwit on JWs..........
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Steve

A further 3 Godwits dropped in on the North side of the JW division bank . Would have liked a closer look at them as they were in full orange summer plumage but it was a toss up between taking the scope or the wife tonight and unfortunately the wife won.

Steve
 
Piccalilli said:
Steve

A further 3 Godwits dropped in on the North side of the JW division bank . Would have liked a closer look at them as they were in full orange summer plumage but it was a toss up between taking the scope or the wife tonight and unfortunately the wife won.

Steve
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Ha ha. Don't think she would have been too pleased if you'd dumped her for your scope! The Blackwit I saw was in first summer plumage I think. Would have liked to have seen the others.
It was good to meet your family.

All the best

Steve
 
rollingthunder said:
For those that indulge in sub-specifics here's a link to Martin Garners take on Blackwits http://birdingfrontiers.com/2012/07/18/black-tailed-godwit-2/

Laurie:t:
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That's a very useful article Laurie.
My working theory at the moment, based on what I've read, is that the one I saw late yesterday afternoon was possibly a 1st summer Icelandic but I am not remotely an expert and I'm entirely expecting this to get shot down (the theory, not the bird!).
Hopefully it'll stick around and someone with some real experince will get a good look at it and the others that Piccalilli observed dropping in during the evening.

Steve
 

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