[upstarts1979]

There are 2 pintails on the Moors pool found this morning by Dave J.
Rob (forgetfulelephant) over to you for some Pictures
John

[Gertatron]

Originally Posted by upstarts1979

There are 2 pintails on the Moors pool found this morning by Dave J.
Rob (forgetfulelephant) over to you for some Pictures
John

Still there mid day, plus 2 Wigeon and 2 Common Gull.

[upstarts1979]

Originally Posted by Gertatron

Still there mid day, plus 2 Wigeon and 2 Common Gull.

Now's the time to strike while Dave is in Norfolk . Oh at least some movement..at last.

[upstarts1979]

The impromptu work will start from 9.30ish at the Flashes
Anybody coming along to help meet at the 1st Flash hide to help take the tools and barrows down

Apologies to anyone birding at the Flashes, but its a bit quiet anyway, well that's before we flush a goody hiding in the grass

See you all TomorrowJohn
ps I've got squash and biscuits sorted.
to reiterate the work will involve digging out the soft ditches in the central area and sluice basin. Shouldn't be too heavy and weather will be kind

[Woodchat]

With all the recent discussion about cameras and photography, did anyone manage to get any images of today's pintail.

I just hope they're still around tomorrow. On our way back from dipping in Norfolk - only brief views of RFBT and YBW saved the day.

[midlands birder]

Originally Posted by Woodchat

With all the recent discussion about cameras and photography, did anyone manage to get any images of today's pintail.

I just hope they're still around tomorrow. On our way back from dipping in Norfolk - only brief views of RFBT and YBW saved the day.

Here you go dave a nice video grab for the lot of ya ;P
3 Common Gull (all 1st winter) were landed on the deck with a LARGE amount of gulls from 3:30 onwards.
Single PINTAIL shown untill just before dark, when it was lost (and not seen again), and a single mobile (or 2 different) Wigeon were on the pool, with one by the islands and another (or the same) ata the north end of the pool,
4!! Kingfishers seen, 2 Green sands just before dusk
MB

[midlands birder]

And 1 of the 3 Common Gull

MB

[cooky1]

Hi all,

It was gull photography day today for me and Rob as not much else wanted to play, especially the Pintails.

[woodwolf]

Common Gulls ..so MB ..there were 5 today ?

[upstarts1979]

Originally Posted by woodwolf

Common Gulls ..so MB ..there were 5 today ?

look like 2x 2nd winters Mark

[Phil Andrews]

Report of a probable Rock Pipit today - does anyone know which side of the reserve and whether it was a flyover or on the deck?

Ta Phil

[Brian Stretch]

Originally Posted by upton-till-i-die

Report of a probable Rock Pipit today - does anyone know which side of the reserve and whether it was a flyover or on the deck?

Ta Phil

Hi Phil,

Heard only at the Moors Pool by DJ.

Brian
___________
Birding Today

[Phil Andrews]

Originally Posted by Brian Stretch

Hi Phil,

Heard only at the Moors Pool by DJ.

Brian
___________
Birding Today

Thanks Brian - appreciated.

[midlands birder]

Originally Posted by woodwolf

Common Gulls ..so MB ..there were 5 today ?

the front bird is a 2nd winter as john said, but what makes you think the 2nd bird in the background is a 2nd winter john. looks like standard adult to me? if i dare to chalenge you!
add this to the 3 1st winters i saw in the flock that would mean at least 5 at the moors pool yday, there wasnt any adult/2nd winter types when i was there
MB

[upstarts1979]

Originally Posted by midlands birder

the front bird is a 2nd winter as john said, but what makes you think the 2nd bird in the background is a 2nd winter john. looks like standard adult to me? if i dare to chalenge you!
add this to the 3 1st winters i saw in the flock that would mean at least 5 at the moors pool yday, there wasnt any adult/2nd winter types when i was there
MB

Hi Craig I'm no Gull Guru these days so, you have every right to challenge me mate
Looking closer there is more white on the primaries indicative of adult, but the bill looks to have a bit too much black and the tip doesn't seem yellow enough (but that could be the light) also blotching seems a bit too extensive around the neck again could be the light. Gulls are highly variable as you know , so you could well be right. John

[upstarts1979]

A great work party today with 13 of us creating some great habitat.
Will post photos and details later.John

[Gertatron]

Originally Posted by upstarts1979

A great work party today with 13 of us creating some great habitat.
Will post photos and details later.John

Great day and my first Fieldfare of the autumn. A few pics per Flickr link below.

[Woodchat]

At least 3 Yellowhammers (2 male, 1 female) on the flashes mid-day. This species seems to have become quite regular of late. 1 Coal Tit in trees near the sailing centre. 6+ Little Grebes on moors, 5+ Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Gull and good views of Water Rail from the west hide.

[upstarts1979]

As I mentioned before, a great day, with good banter, good Vis Mig and brill work.
We split into 3 groups and worked on de-silting the old channels in the delta and hide channel. Unfortunately these two areas had baked hard and took a fair bit of effort to get the silt out. Both lots of silt were piled up to form extra 'high' areas for the breeding season. Also the spoil will help negate the erosive effects of the salt in areas that were formerly grassland.
In the wetter 'central' area we dug out a deep pool, and extended the width of the main channel. This extra width has allowed a view of water on the 2nd flash for the first time in 3 months. The spoil here was used to create high ground and will be a refuge in the deep water if it ever arrives.
Photo 1. The Delta channel
2. Hide channel
3. central channel extension
4. new pool excavation
5. some of the lads at work or are they eating the wealth of cakes that were on offer today.
Thanks again lads a great effort. If we get chance next month (ie still dry) we should be able to complete the de-silting of the channels. John

[upstarts1979]

We started the work about 9.45am and right from the off, birds were moving through. The cold, misty start had certainly stirred things up.
One feature of this Autumn is the sheer number of Meadow pipits hanging around all day. Recent years at this time, we have hardly heard a bird during the work parties, however this year at least 30 are ever present. They are feeding amongst the clumps of salt marsh plants and sewage works field.
Today's totals were:- Skylark 35, Meadow pipit 60+, Yellowhammer, Grey Wagtail, Pied wag 5, Linnet 6, Greenfinch small numbers, Fieldfare c20, redwing 1 or 2, Starlings small flocks and a flock of c80 rested briefly in the blackthorn thicket, redpoll, SWALLOW 2. all birds were moving south. By 11am the movement had almost stopped.
Also today at the Flashes a couple of Peregrines were calling for a good while, at least 7 buzzards and 2 sparrowhawks.
At the Moors highlights were: Little Grebe 6, Shoveler 36 plus Daves notes.
A group of 60+ Starlings probably roosted in the North Moors.
John

[oriole boy]

[At the Moors highlights were: Little Grebe 6, Shoveler 36 plus Daves notes.
A group of 60+ Starlings probably roosted in the North Moors.
John[/quote]

Too late (lazy) to actually do any work Sunday, but was immediately presented with a cup of tea and splendid date & walnut affair from Waitrose, courtesy of Woodchat (cheers Dave!).
What struck me again today was the fantastic and varied habitat that we have at Upton, and not just that, but also lots and lots of areas that are yet to reach their full potential. I would absolutely love to be involved every day, maintaining and creating ditches,scrub, reedbeds and shore-lines. If I could somehow lose the wife and kids and mortgage and all other responsibilities, I would live down Upton, working for free asking only for a morsel of cake and the odd cuppa from the Sunday-crew as way of recompense.
Nothing to set the pulses racing bird-wise, despite waiting till late dusk in the hope of an owl or roosting harrier - maybe next week. However, an unexpected bonus when i put my bins away was a packet of Cadbury chocolate biscuits, given to me earlier by Mr Belsey to safeguard on the way to the Moors - he wont see those again.

[Phil Andrews]

Thats brought tears to my eyes Paul - I might actually get round to attending a work party myself this year How many decamped to Grimley for the Barred Warbler?

[upstarts1979]

Originally Posted by oriole boy

[At the Moors highlights were: Little Grebe 6, Shoveler 36 plus Daves notes.
A group of 60+ Starlings probably roosted in the North Moors.
John

Too late (lazy) to actually do any work Sunday, but was immediately presented with a cup of tea and splendid date & walnut affair from Waitrose, courtesy of Woodchat (cheers Dave!).
What struck me again today was the fantastic and varied habitat that we have at Upton, and not just that, but also lots and lots of areas that are yet to reach their full potential. I would absolutely love to be involved every day, maintaining and creating ditches,scrub, reedbeds and shore-lines. If I could somehow lose the wife and kids and mortgage and all other responsibilities, I would live down Upton, working for free asking only for a morsel of cake and the odd cuppa from the Sunday-crew as way of recompense.
Nothing to set the pulses racing bird-wise, despite waiting till late dusk in the hope of an owl or roosting harrier - maybe next week. However, an unexpected bonus when i put my bins away was a packet of Cadbury chocolate biscuits, given to me earlier by Mr Belsey to safeguard on the way to the Moors - he wont see those again.[/quote]

That's what you think, in recompense, at the November work party you will have to provide the Boys with sustenance, in the form of your famous Banana cake .

[upstarts1979]

BARDSEY BIRD AND FIELD OBSERVATORY
SUNDAY, 16 OCTOBER 2011
Despite a breezy Westerly persisting throughout the day, a few bits and pieces were seen on the island. At least 24 Short-eared Owls were seen on the mountain and South end during the day,

Portland Bird Obs
16th Oct 2011
18 Short eared Owl

If we don't get SEO this year we never will

[forgetfulelephant]

Originally Posted by upstarts1979

There are 2 pintails on the Moors pool found this morning by Dave J.
Rob (forgetfulelephant) over to you for some Pictures
John

Sorry John I failed-this time!

Rob