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

Upton Warren (11 Viewers)

May continued this Spring's excellent run of sightings, culminating in the current run of Red-necked Phalarope records and the sighting of a Common Rosefinch, the 143rd species for the reserve in 2011 (and a first for the reserve and Worcestershire assuming submission to and acceptance by the County Rarities Committee).

Whilst the pace may have slowed a little, at 143 we are still three species ahead of the best total recorded at the end of May.

Potential new birds in June include Little Egret and Garganey.

Other birds that may be recorded later in the year include Little Stint, Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Woodcock, Rock Pipit and Pintail.
 
One thing I noticed yesterday re the differences between the two birds was the apparent extent of white on the flanks - as seen in the photos below:

The newer bird appeared to show more extensive white on flanks - how did today's bird compare in this respect?

Todays bird showed a distinct white central breast patch, this showed front on appearing almost as a white spot above the water line. I also thought mantle lines where cleaner and more distinct than the First bird. Flanks were not as dark as the first bird with more white 'blotching'. The white around the throat was more extensive than the first bird and as I mentioned earlier swept up to the rear ear coverts.
:t:john
 
Prediction List for Upton warren's next new bird
those in are Red paid members.
Des if the winner has not paid up by the time new bird turns up, the winnings will be passed to the treasurer to buy more cakes for the 'cake club' :-O:-O
3:)
Whiskered Tern: Tim Jones
Green-winged Teal: Trevor Jones

Red-necked Grebe, Mike Wakeman
Glossy Ibis, Andy Gibb
Ring-billed Gull, Stuart Croft

Wryneck, Craig Reed
Cattle Egret, Dave Walker
Common Rosefinch, Des Jennings
Night-heron, Phil Andrews
Long-billed Dowitcher, Gert Corfield
Lesser Yellowlegs, John Belsey
Cirl Bunting, Simon Vickers
Black-throated Diver, Roger P
Spotted Sandpiper, Andy Warr
Caspian Gull , Kay D
Aquatic Warbler, Phil Quiney
Bean Goose, Graham LaB
Red Footed Falcon: Andy Pitt
Marsh Sandpiper: Mark Peacock
Purple Sandpiper: Terry Hinett
Great Reed Warbler: Gary Prescott


Up-dated 1st June 2011
 
May continued this Spring's excellent run of sightings, culminating in the current run of Red-necked Phalarope records and the sighting of a Common Rosefinch, the 143rd species for the reserve in 2011 (and a first for the reserve and Worcestershire assuming submission to and acceptance by the County Rarities Committee).

The Common Rosefinch sounds a bit sketchy to me. Other than the person who claimed it (experienced birder or not), no-one else managed to get on bird to confirm identity. As a county first it will have to be a very good full written description of a 1st summer bird that could have, possibly been a Linnet. Perhaps a bit soon to claim 143 species on what has been an incredible year so far for Upton.
 
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R N Phal still present.

Des.

Having been in the hide since 6.30 it wasn't until Des arrived at 8am that the Red Phal turned up - I hadn't seen it so probably need an eye test..8-P

Over at the Moors got great views of a Garden Warbler by the West Hide , but no Rosefinch.. Also lots of insects on show on plants along the Salwarpe per link below - some are easy to id, some not - an interesting long horn type beetle - answers on a postcard

Cheers

Gert
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildgert/5786019374/in/photostream
 

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Hi Gert,

Just checked out you Flickr photos...nice shots. The insect in question is a Scorpian Fly (Panorpa communis). Hope That helps.

Jase

Hi Jase. Thanks. Check out some of the other photos - there are about 15. Other easy ones are the Ladybirds but there are some tricky flies and a couple of beetles. I think one's a Cardinal Beetle.
Cheers
Gert
 
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The Common Rosefinch sounds a bit sketchy to me. Other than the person who claimed it (experienced birder or not), no-one else managed to get on bird to confirm identity. As a county first it will have to be a very good full written description of a 1st summer bird that could have, possibly been a Linnet. Perhaps a bit soon to claim 143 species on what has been an incredible year so far for Upton.

You're absolutely right, it will take a good description for this to get accepted as it's a potential county first and extremely rare bird at inland localities. It's a real shame it was only seen by two people, though.

For me, something rang true about the verbal description I was given, relating to the appearance and song - it seemed very genuine and the behaviour as it sang (raising head feathers) was spot on. They said the song was loud, distinctive and the views obtained were relatively close.

Anyway, let's all wait for the description to come forward before making any judgements either way. Cheers. :t:
 
Hi Jase. Thanks. Check out some of the other photos - there are about 15. Other easy ones are the Ladybirds but there are some tricky flies and a couple of beetles. I think one's a Cardinal Beetle.
Cheers
Gert

I have to pop out this afternoon...but I will have a proper butcher's through them later Gert..see if I can Id any. Very good photos though...the macro mode on these digital cameras is superb. I seem to be spending more and more time around Shenstone looking at and photographing invetibrates, especially during this summer lull between bird migrations.
 
You're absolutely right, it will take a good description for this to get accepted as it's a potential county first and extremely rare bird at inland localities. It's a real shame it was only seen by two people, though.

For me, something rang true about the verbal description I was given, relating to the appearance and song - it seemed very genuine and the behaviour as it sang (raising head feathers) was spot on. They said the song was loud, distinctive and the views obtained were relatively close.

Anyway, let's all wait for the description to come forward before making any judgements either way. Cheers. :t:

Bit like this one then!

Brian
_________________________________________
Birding Today - Midlands Birding Review April 2011
 
Hi Jase. Thanks. Check out some of the other photos - there are about 15. Other easy ones are the Ladybirds but there are some tricky flies and a couple of beetles. I think one's a Cardinal Beetle.
Cheers
Gert
An interesting series of pics Gert. Makes birding look easy. Bumble bee looks like a Buff tail. If you post those pictures on the Insect section of the forum the experts there will ID them. Scroll down the Forum past the local patch section.
The Red necked Phal pics show very distinct neck markings of the 1st bird, especially when front on. I'm sure there are other features on the birds to distinguish them and if there are pictures of today's (presumably the same as Yesterday's) then we will know for sure if there were 2 or 3.

B :)John

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=2156590#post2156590
lads/ girls this will pee you off:C
 
Having been in the hide since 6.30 it wasn't until Des arrived at 8am that the Red Phal turned up - I hadn't seen it so probably need an eye test..8-P

Over at the Moors got great views of a Garden Warbler by the West Hide , but no Rosefinch.. Also lots of insects on show on plants along the Salwarpe per link below - some are easy to id, some not - an interesting long horn type beetle - answers on a postcard

Cheers

Gert
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildgert/5786019374/in/photostream


Some stunning photos there, Gert. :eek!:

I reckon you're right - one of them is a longhorn beetle of some type (a very impressive one, too) - but you'll need someone much more expert than me to confirm its ID to species level.
 
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I have to pop out this afternoon...but I will have a proper butcher's through them later Gert..see if I can Id any. Very good photos though...the macro mode on these digital cameras is superb. I seem to be spending more and more time around Shenstone looking at and photographing invetibrates, especially during this summer lull between bird migrations.

Like you say Jase the macro facility makes insects more accessible and interesting. Perhaps we could blitz (photographically) the abundant insect life at present to give us a bigger understanding of the reserve. We could ID them at a later stage.
B :)John
 
Like you say Jase the macro facility makes insects more accessible and interesting. Perhaps we could blitz (photographically) the abundant insect life at present to give us a bigger understanding of the reserve. We could ID them at a later stage.
B :)John

I reckon sweep netting a couple of areas would produce loads. I'm getting the id books out this afternoon.. Sorry about the non bird diversion..
 
A spot of insect hunting this morning.

ID's so far;

Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle - what a name! Apparently common in south and south east so Upton Warren likely to be on the edge of its range. Pics here;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildgert/5786018034/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildgert/5785461819/in/photostream/

Cardinal Beetle
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildgert/5785460291/in/photostream/

Not good news this one - as there were lots of them;
Harlequin Ladybird
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildgert/5785832837/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildgert/5785456115/in/photostream/
and a dark form;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildgert/5786010008/in/photostream/

Male Nursery Web Spider (I think!);
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildgert/5785460995/in/photostream/

Click Beetle - I think it's dead, deceased, curled up it's mortal coil and gorne to heaven..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildgert/5786014438/in/photostream/

I'll let Des id this one !;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildgert/5786018816/in/photostream/

May attempt the flies later
Cheers
Gert

BTW - feel free to disagree as I'm no expert..
 
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