[Phil Andrews]

Originally Posted by UW82

FLASHES:
NO BIRDS!

Anything else happening at the Flashes today?

[UW82]

Originally Posted by Woodchat

Hopefully, that was because they were hard at work finishing the hide so it's ready for the weekend.

Ever the optimist Dave.


Des.

[UW82]

Originally Posted by Phil Andrews

Anything else happening at the Flashes today?

Hi Phil. Looking at John's photo' of the hide taken on Monday, there appears to be no change in appearance. I went to the Flashes at about 3.15pm and there was no sign of life, bird-wise or otherwise!


Des.

[Woodchat]

Originally Posted by UW82

Hi Phil. Looking at John's photo' of the hide taken on Monday, there appears to be no change in appearance. I went to the Flashes at about 3.15pm and there was no sign of life, bird-wise or otherwise!


Des.

I find that very concerning. There is only just over a week of January left and it's nowhere near finished. I think we need to have another word.

[geoffw1946]

I had to have a plan B today as the M5/M6 was closed to Middleton Lakes so I headed south to Upton Warren. It was nice to see the old place again and seeing what a good job the work parties have done.
I reckon the Avocet hide is still a few months away from being completed ,no workers were seen this afternoon but at least there were some birds including a Common Gull with a flock of Black-headed Gulls. Other highlights for me were 17 Curlew, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Snipe and a Kingfisher.
I may revisit when the hides completed.
Geoff

[woodwolf]

Originally Posted by geoffw1946

I had to have a plan B today as the M5/M6 was closed to Middleton Lakes so I headed south to Upton Warren. It was nice to see the old place again and seeing what a good job the work parties have done.
I reckon the Avocet hide is still a few months away from being completed ,no workers were seen this afternoon but at least there were some birds including a Common Gull with a flock of Black-headed Gulls. Other highlights for me were 17 Curlew, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Snipe and a Kingfisher.
I may revisit when the hides completed.
Geoff

Hidewatch...... Day 74

[upstarts1979]

Originally Posted by geoffw1946

I had to have a plan B today as the M5/M6 was closed to Middleton Lakes so I headed south to Upton Warren. It was nice to see the old place again and seeing what a good job the work parties have done.
I reckon the Avocet hide is still a few months away from being completed ,no workers were seen this afternoon but at least there were some birds including a Common Gull with a flock of Black-headed Gulls. Other highlights for me were 17 Curlew, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Snipe and a Kingfisher.
I may revisit when the hides completed.
Geoff

Geoff you know you love Upton more no need to make excusesJohn
I think common gull might be new for the year. Phil will tell us

[Woodchat]

Originally Posted by upstarts1979

Geoff you know you love Upton more no need to make excusesJohn
I think common gull might be new for the year. Phil will tell us

Nah! I've seen a couple of Common Gulls at least this year.

[geoffw1946]

Originally Posted by upstarts1979

Geoff you know you love Upton more no need to make excusesJohn
I think common gull might be new for the year. Phil will tell us

You may find more rarities than us but we have more variety.
I have just received an email from Nick Martin of RSPB Middleton Lakes saying they have agreed to hold a sponsored bird watch on the 5th of May and we may have our first hide in April or May so things are all go.
May the best reserve win.
Geoff

[upstarts1979]

Originally Posted by geoffw1946

You may find more rarities than us but we have more variety.
I have just received an email from Nick Martin of RSPB Middleton Lakes saying they have agreed to hold a sponsored bird watch on the 5th of May and we may have our first hide in April or May so things are all go.
May the best reserve win.
Geoff

bring it on Geoff
May 5th it is then will contact Steve Nuttall and have your mobile number to text during the day
john

[wheatearlp]

Originally Posted by geoffw1946

I had to have a plan B today as the M5/M6 was closed to Middleton Lakes so I headed south to Upton Warren. It was nice to see the old place again and seeing what a good job the work parties have done.
I reckon the Avocet hide is still a few months away from being completed ,no workers were seen this afternoon but at least there were some birds including a Common Gull with a flock of Black-headed Gulls. Other highlights for me were 17 Curlew, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Snipe and a Kingfisher.
I may revisit when the hides completed.
Geoff

See you next year then Geoff

[Phil Andrews]

Originally Posted by geoffw1946

You may find more rarities than us but we have more variety.
I have just received an email from Nick Martin of RSPB Middleton Lakes saying they have agreed to hold a sponsored bird watch on the 5th of May and we may have our first hide in April or May so things are all go.
May the best reserve win.
Geoff

Is this now a race to see has a hide first?

Geoff, your Common Gull is the first that I have been made aware of (bit of Droitwich supression from Woodchat! ). Common Gulls have been becoming increasingly uncommon over recent years; I probably could count the incidents of multiple occurences on one hand last year.

Now 80 species for the year (think Middleton is 93ish?)

[Woodchat]

JTB had a first winter Little Gull on moors pool at ~2pm per Brian

[upstarts1979]

Just back from the Mecca. Arrived at 9.30 and spent an hour in the east hide with Andy P (spoonbill finder) all pretty quiet.
Then met Andy H to finish off the NE woodland, with his chainsaw. Apparently as I left Terry N found a little egret which quickly disappeared. From 11am until 1pm did a bit of work ( details and pics later).
After this had lunch in concrete hide (water rail hide I think ?), with Jason K and his Mrs. At about 1.45pm a first winter Little Gull appeared at the north end of the pool. It flew about a bit in front of the east hide, over the islands where it flushed all the lapwing. It then sat on the water in front of the east side reed bed, did another circuit and was then lost (stayed for 10 minutes in all).
Andy and Jase had looked for the lesser pecker, without success, but a flock of siskins were seen.
Species count: GCG 3, little grebe, Cormorant 39, Mute swan pr, Shoveler 8, Teal 78, Tufted 27, pochard 5 (3 males), Coot 125, water rail at least 3, Snipe 2, lapwing 80, Herring gull 3, LBBG 2, BHG c50 {a big clear out of gulls}, Little Gull, plus good numbers of the usual passerines.
John

[Phil Andrews]

Now 81 for the year - bring it on! Wonder if this is the same first winter Little Gull that was wandering various West Midlands waters a few weeks ago?

[Brian Stretch]

Originally Posted by Phil Andrews

Now 81 for the year - bring it on! Wonder if this is the same first winter Little Gull that was wandering various West Midlands waters a few weeks ago?

I was wondering the same Phil. Would be good to see any pics of it to compare with the Grimley bird on December 23rd.

A new bird in at Farmoor this afternoon so may be the Upton bird is new too........

Brian
___________
Birding Today

[upstarts1979]

Originally Posted by Brian Stretch

I was wondering the same Phil. Would be good to see any pics of it to compare with the Grimley bird on December 23rd.

A new bird in at Farmoor this afternoon so may be the Upton bird is new too........

Brian
___________
Birding Today

No photos Bri
only stayed 10 minutes and was too distant.
John

[upstarts1979]

Today myself, Andy H and Anna from the Trust finished off the cutting process
(with chainsaws) in the NE woodland.
The tall parallel lines of Ash trees at the front of the wood were coppiced and many were treated (because they are simply in the wrong place). The large ash tree in the middle of the wood was also coppiced and treated. This resulted in an immediate visual impact, 'opening' up the northern part of the wood. After these selective clearings, most of the scrub species will now be opened up to the south facing sunlight in spring and summer. This should increase the number and diversity of butterflies and other insects into this previously 'barren' area.
Several large logs have been left in situ, to break down and create micro habitats. The dead hedge was also built up today, to limit any wanderings and minimise disturbance.

The photos show before and after today's work
Pic 1 - shows the 'parallel' line of ash trees at the front of the wood shading out the scrub.
pic 2 - shows how the are looks after the work
pic 3 - This is the large ash tree in the centre of the northern section, the area around this tree is devoid of any scrub.
pic 4 - this is how the area looks after the work, the trunk will be left in situ.
John

[Phil Andrews]

Just seen what worryingly looks like Arthur's car smashed into a lamp post by the roundabout at the southern end of Bromsgrove - anyone know anything?

[upstarts1979]

Originally Posted by Phil Andrews

Just seen what worryingly looks like Arthur's car smashed into a lamp post by the roundabout at the southern end of Bromsgrove - anyone know anything?

Phil I meant to email you all.
On Tuesday afternoon I drove past a white car that had smashed into a lamp post at the small roundabout down from the Hanbury turn. I went passed yesterday and noticed the Upton stickers on the car. It's front was all smashed up and the airbag had been activated. There was also police tape around it.
I rang him yesterday and again today, but no answer phone clicked in, having let it ring for a couple of minutes each time. Didn't see him at the reserve either. I am not quite sure where he lives in the village but when I find out I will call round. If anyone has seen him since Tuesday could you let us know, to make sure he is OK.
John

[Gertatron]

Originally Posted by upstarts1979

Phil I meant to email you all.
On Tuesday afternoon I drove past a white car that had smashed into a lamp post at the small roundabout down from the Hanbury turn. I went passed yesterday and noticed the Upton stickers on the car. It's front was all smashed up and the airbag had been activated. There was also police tape around it.
I rang him yesterday and again today, but no answer phone clicked in, having let it ring for a couple of minutes each time. Didn't see him at the reserve either. I am not quite sure where he lives in the village but when I find out I will call round. If anyone has seen him since Tuesday could you let us know, to make sure he is OK.
John

Just walked past it on the way back from the Warren and saw the Upton stickers too. I reckon it is Arthurs. Hope he's OK

[Woodchat]

Blimey I hope AFJ is alright.

Just had a 1w GBB Gull fly over the north moors

[UW82]

Originally Posted by Gertatron

Just walked past it on the way back from the Warren and saw the Upton stickers too. I reckon it is Arthurs. Hope he's OK

I did some calls of care-homes in Bromsgrove and established that he is with his wife after a brief spell in hospital. Apparently he is ok, just a few bruises. His car is going to be recoverd soon.


Des.

[Matt Griffiths]

Originally Posted by Brian Stretch

I was wondering the same Phil. Would be good to see any pics of it to compare with the Grimley bird on December 23rd.

A new bird in at Farmoor this afternoon so may be the Upton bird is new too........

Brian
___________
Birding Today

MB got some photos of the one he found at Earlswood on December 7th - http://midlandsbirder.blogspot.com/2...arlswoood.html

[Phil Andrews]

Birding was painfully slow this morning:

MOORS POOL
4 Pochard 16 Shoveler 2 Grey Heron 69 Teal 19 Tufted Duck 34 Cormorant 3 Mute Swan 1 Little Grebe 3 GC Grebe Peregrine 5 Canada G

SAILING POOL
1 GC Grebe 21 Greylag G 145 Canada G 2 Mute Swan

FLASHES
8 Teal 50 Lapwing