[Duck_Pond]

Changing the subject from this maths and statistics lesson for a sec...

A friend of mine was asking about gaining a permit to Westwood Pools - anyone here know how, in terms of who to contact and the cost?

[Woodchat]

Originally Posted by Duck_Pond

Changing the subject from this maths and statistics lesson for a sec...

A friend of mine was asking about gaining a permit to Westwood Pools - anyone here know how, in terms of who to contact and the cost?

Hi Pete,

Very difficult (virtually impossible) to gain a permit for Westwood I'm afraid. The site is privately owned but a few permits have been granted (probably less than ten these days). I had a permit until recently when I relinquished it as I wasn't using it enough and thought it only fair to give someone a chance who has the time to spend there. I guess Wayne Dutton is tthe person to approach but it's likely that your friend will be on a very long waiting list.

Having said that, if something good is found at WW they often open it up to non-permit-holders for a short time (after negotiating with the owners).

[Duck_Pond]

Thought as much - cheers Dave. Much like Bittell then, as I've asked both the old (retired) and new managers for access and been refused both times, annoyingly. The latter said I'd need to wait for one of the existing permit holders to peg it, before I could join. Nice.

[wheatearlp]

Pete,

Unless they've introduced a waiting list at Bittell over last couple of years, as far as I know you need to apply and pay. You may however have to go through some sort of interview/chat with the committee that run the place.

If you get in you will have a set a 'rules' printed on your membership card, one of which is that you should not release news of any birds to anyone other than other permit holders; hence there is at times not much news coming out of Bittell. That was the main reason I gave up my permit two years ago, the other one being the cost that went up to £30 per year and I didn't go there that much.

Cheers
Mike

[upstarts1979]

Originally Posted by upton-till-i-die

Whilst birders are very eager to record the first summer migrants of the year, we are normally very lax in making a note of departure dates. This has led to a great many holes in the records for Upton Warren and the annual reports.

As we are about to enter the second week of September can I ask that any summer migrants seen are entered into the log book - whilst it may not appear to be a late date at this stage your sighting might be the final one for the year!

Thanks
Phil

Hi Philip
Went down today after Steve P (wmtlx) texted me about the Black Tern (juv) at the Moors performed well and was still there 30 mins ago. Also Common Tern

At Flashes the thunderstorms didn't bring anything new. But before they arrived there was a Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat at least 5 chiffchaffs in the hedge to the right of the hide.
John

ps the felt on top of the hen pool hide has finally given up so no go area in rain for the moment - I will email the Trust

[Gertatron]

Originally Posted by upstarts1979

Hi Philip
Went down today after Steve P (wmtlx) texted me about the Black Tern (juv) at the Moors performed well and was still there 30 mins ago. Also Common Tern

At Flashes the thunderstorms didn't bring anything new. But before they arrived there was a Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat at least 5 chiffchaffs in the hedge to the right of the hide.
John

ps the felt on top of the hen pool hide has finally given up so no go area in rain for the moment - I will email the Trust

Hi John,

Juv Black tern at Moors still this evening - thnks for the text. Also Hobby and incredibly about 310 Canada Geese!

Cheers

Gert

[Woodchat]

went straight to the moors where the black tern was still performing well when i left it at 7pm. That puts me on 128 for the year. As i was walking down to the flashes i could hear yellow wagtails calling. I managed to see two as they flew close by over the transmitter field. A further four possible yellow wags flew more distantly and i couldn't really get enough on those before they disappeared off flying due north

[hagar1]

Juv BLACK tern also seen very briefly on the flashes this evening at 7.10 bird was being harrased by BHG's

[Sy V]

Originally Posted by upstarts1979

...the felt on top of the hen pool hide has finally given up so no go area in rain for the moment - I will email the Trust

John

Please tell them that the broken plank in the floor also needs replacing before someone breaks an ankle and takes them to the cleaners.

[Phil Andrews]

If and when the discussion around investing in new hides comes the fruition, the proposal is to relocate the North Moors hide to the Hen Pool and potentially re-site the hide and the access path so it is further right of the current arrangements. This would give it more height to look down onto the pool.

[wmtlynx]

Hi all

Had a great day at UW again. Started off on the Flashes at around 8am and was greeted by Long-tailed Tit, Grey Heron, Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff, Grey and Pied Wagtail, the Peregrine on the transmitter, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Green and Common Sandpiper, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Lesser Whitethroat, Magpie Whinchat (which had gone by around 0815 - and thanks to the guys in the hide for pointing it out!), Robin, Whitethroat, Dunnock, Moorhen, Teal, Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Jay, Stock Dove, Gadwall, Swallow, House and Sand Martin, Great Tit, Blackbird, Carrion Crow and Canada Goose.

I then moved on to the Moors to join the work party for the first time. Had a great morning with the team, cutting back the Willows on the edge of the North Moors. Got a good close view of a Reed Warbler, and heard Cetti's Warblers calling from very close by. Thanks to everyone in the team for welcoming me, and letting me get involved. It was great fun and I will be there next week for more of the same!

Once my work had been done, I moved on to the concrete hide and was informed by the guys clearing the reeds in front that there was a Black Tern in the vicinity. The small bird showed very well, and was joined by 2 Common Terns, one of them still in summer plumage. To add to my "day list" were Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Coot, Hobby (another tick, and for several weeks my bogey bird - thanks to Rhian for finding it perched in a tree), Cormorant, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Tufted Duck and Little Grebe. A Domestic / Hybrid Goose was amongst the Canadas, too, along with a Ross' Goose.

Thanks again to the work party for letting me have a go - It was most enjoyable. Also, thanks for letting me know about the Black Tern, another tick in the book and a fantastic bird to watch!

Regards,
Steve

[Phil Andrews]

Sounds like a very productive day - both in terms of birds and work undertaken!

[upstarts1979]

Originally Posted by wmtlynx

Hi all

Had a great day at UW again. Started off on the Flashes at around 8am and was greeted by Long-tailed Tit, Grey Heron, Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff, Grey and Pied Wagtail, the Peregrine on the transmitter, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Green and Common Sandpiper, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Lesser Whitethroat, Magpie Whinchat (which had gone by around 0815 - and thanks to the guys in the hide for pointing it out!), Robin, Whitethroat, Dunnock, Moorhen, Teal, Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Jay, Stock Dove, Gadwall, Swallow, House and Sand Martin, Great Tit, Blackbird, Carrion Crow and Canada Goose.

I then moved on to the Moors to join the work party for the first time. Had a great morning with the team, cutting back the Willows on the edge of the North Moors. Got a good close view of a Reed Warbler, and heard Cetti's Warblers calling from very close by. Thanks to everyone in the team for welcoming me, and letting me get involved. It was great fun and I will be there next week for more of the same!

Once my work had been done, I moved on to the concrete hide and was informed by the guys clearing the reeds in front that there was a Black Tern in the vicinity. The small bird showed very well, and was joined by 2 Common Terns, one of them still in summer plumage. To add to my "day list" were Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Coot, Hobby (another tick, and for several weeks my bogey bird - thanks to Rhian for finding it perched in a tree), Cormorant, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Tufted Duck and Little Grebe. A Domestic / Hybrid Goose was amongst the Canadas, too, along with a Ross' Goose.

Thanks again to the work party for letting me have a go - It was most enjoyable. Also, thanks for letting me know about the Black Tern, another tick in the book and a fantastic bird to watch!

Regards,
Steve

Nice day Steve and thanks for letting me know about black tern which then allowed others to see it as well - a year tick for most us.
See you next Tuesday at the work party.

[upstarts1979]

Forgot to mention the counts at the Flashes

A massive increase in Teal with at least 88 on the Flashes, plus 25 Shoveler
and 31 Curlew

[Duck_Pond]

Originally Posted by upton-till-i-die

If and when the discussion around investing in new hides comes the fruition, the proposal is to relocate the North Moors hide to the Hen Pool and potentially re-site the hide and the access path so it is further right of the current arrangements. This would give it more height to look down onto the pool.

As long as it's placed with the sun in mind, that would be fine. A lot of hides seem to be in spots where the sun is shining directly at them, making photography almost impossible for much of the day.

Is there still going to be a hide at the North Moors?

[warrener]

Originally Posted by wmtlynx

Hi all

Had a great day at UW again. Started off on the Flashes at around 8am and was greeted by Long-tailed Tit, Grey Heron, Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff, Grey and Pied Wagtail, the Peregrine on the transmitter, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Green and Common Sandpiper, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Lesser Whitethroat, Magpie Whinchat (which had gone by around 0815 - and thanks to the guys in the hide for pointing it out!), Robin, Whitethroat, Dunnock, Moorhen, Teal, Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Jay, Stock Dove, Gadwall, Swallow, House and Sand Martin, Great Tit, Blackbird, Carrion Crow and Canada Goose.

I then moved on to the Moors to join the work party for the first time. Had a great morning with the team, cutting back the Willows on the edge of the North Moors. Got a good close view of a Reed Warbler, and heard Cetti's Warblers calling from very close by. Thanks to everyone in the team for welcoming me, and letting me get involved. It was great fun and I will be there next week for more of the same!

Once my work had been done, I moved on to the concrete hide and was informed by the guys clearing the reeds in front that there was a Black Tern in the vicinity. The small bird showed very well, and was joined by 2 Common Terns, one of them still in summer plumage. To add to my "day list" were Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Coot, Hobby (another tick, and for several weeks my bogey bird - thanks to Rhian for finding it perched in a tree), Cormorant, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Tufted Duck and Little Grebe. A Domestic / Hybrid Goose was amongst the Canadas, too, along with a Ross' Goose.

Thanks again to the work party for letting me have a go - It was most enjoyable. Also, thanks for letting me know about the Black Tern, another tick in the book and a fantastic bird to watch!

Regards,
Steve

Hi Steve

Your help was most appreciated and look forward to seeing you next week.

Many thanks

Stuart

[Woodchat]

Originally Posted by Duck_Pond

As long as it's placed with the sun in mind, that would be fine. A lot of hides seem to be in spots where the sun is shining directly at them, making photography almost impossible for much of the day.

Is there still going to be a hide at the North Moors?

Hi Pete,

You'll appreciate that there are many constraints with respect to positioning of the hides at Upton warren, which may include ease of access from existing paths, minimisation of disturbance to the wildlife (this is paramount IMO) and also possible planning regulations. You're right that some of the hides don't always provide optimum views or suffer from poor light at certain times of the day. When it comes to renewing the hides, I'm sure input from all interested parties would be appreciated (birders and photographers) - perhaps we should all put together a wish-list (just a thought). However, there will always be compromises due to the abovementioned factors - you may not be able to get exactly what you would want in an ideal World. Cheers.

[Gertatron]

Sneaky visit this afternoon revealed juv Ruff still, 3 Green Sands and a couple of Commons as well as the juv LRP. 24 Curlew and a bit of a warbler fest with Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Chiff Chaff, Blackcap and Lesser Whitethroat (last 2 seen by 3 lads in the hide earlier).
A large flock of Swallow and House Martin where about and there was a report of a Swift at the Moors.
Cheers
Gert

[UW82]

Originally Posted by Gertatron

Sneaky visit this afternoon revealed juv Ruff still, 3 Green Sands and a couple of Commons as well as the juv LRP. 24 Curlew and a bit of a warbler fest with Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Chiff Chaff, Blackcap and Lesser Whitethroat (last 2 seen by 3 lads in the hide earlier).
A large flock of Swallow and House Martin where about and there was a report of a Swift at the Moors.
Cheers
Gert

Thanks Gert. I can add very little to your sightings other than Little Egret which was at the Moors early morning, but could not be found during the afternoon + a Nuthatch which I heard calling briefly from the Ed Res.

Des.

[Duck_Pond]

A wish list... I wonder if

1. Heated seats
2. Mini-bar

would be considered...? :)

Point taken regarding the hides - goes without saying the wildlife is most important and thinking about the Hen Pool, if it was moved to the right, it'd be okay for the sun anyway I reckon.

[Phil Andrews]

Hi Pete - the positioing of the hides is always going to be an issue; our latest discussions with the Trust have centred around angled hides which give decent views into two directions; particularly important on the west side of the Moors Pool where you often strain to look up to the northern end. I think the regular and close sightings of Bittern in recent winters have meant that a hide will be maintained at the North Moors. Unfortunately the sheer sums involved for a quality professional hide (ie something that doesnt leak like the Flashes' Tower Hide) will always mean it will be a rolling programme of repair and replacement unless a regular wins the lottery ....

[Gertatron]

1. Heated seats
2. Mini-bar

Yes please

[Woodchat]

Originally Posted by Duck_Pond

.......

Point taken regarding the hides - goes without saying the wildlife is most important and thinking about the Hen Pool, if it was moved to the right, it'd be okay for the sun anyway I reckon.

Yeah, if I remember rightly - exactly that has been suggested to the Trust on various walk-about sessions in the last few years. Nothing done so far but fingers crossed.

[Phil Andrews]

Hi Gert - just been on your flickr account - is that really the name of a mountain in Germany or are you just pulling the legs of us poor Englanders?

Cheers Phil

[Gertatron]

Originally Posted by upton-till-i-die

Hi Gert - just been on your flickr account - is that really the name of a mountain in Germany or are you just pulling the legs of us poor Englanders?

Cheers Phil

Haha- it is indeed and , as you can imagine, caused much merryment with the family!