[woodwolf]

Rob
The dead tawny was there monday, I presume it is the RTA bird, been left for Gert

[upstarts1979]

[quote=discors;2373174
Found a road kill Tawny Owl on the A38 Just past the bromsgrove island coming to upton showed a few people and I have left it beneath the reserve sign in the Moors car park presumably one that had a territory close by Incredible feathering[/QUOTE]


Rob you my have missed this from Saturday


John

[forgetfulelephant]

Originally Posted by upstarts1979

Rob you my have missed this from Saturday


John

Thanks I did wonder if it may have been that bird. Thought it would be too terrible to have twoin an area in a week.

[Woodchat]

Originally Posted by beyonder

I'm sure you're right and I checked with the RSPB and the prey species is actually quite wide and will even include seeds and plant material. For all you other informaniacs out there here are the full details:

Prey species for Avocets include crustaceans such as Palaemonetes, Gammarus, Daphnia, Erichthonius, Neomysis, Corophium, Artemia, Branchonecta, Idotea, copepods, ostracods and cladocerans. Insect prey includes: adults, pupae and larvae of flies (Diptera) and beetles (Coleoptera). Flies include Ephydridae, Dolichopodidae, Chironomidae, Culicidae and Tilpulidae. Beetles include: Dytiscidae, Hydrophilidae, HalipIidae and Staphylinidae.

Other insects recorded include: water-bugs and nymphs of stoneflies. They will also east tubificid and polycheate worms as well as small fish such as Pomatoschistus microps, seeds and other available plant materials.

In breeding areas, Diptera and Coleoptera, polycheate worms and small crustaceans make up the bulk of prey species.

My thanks to Mrs Thomas for taking the time to get me the info.

Given that it would appear the flashes should have plenty of food from that extensive menu, I'd guess that these early Avocets are en route to other locations.

(Which also means, obviously, that UW is of vital, national importance and should have loads of money invested into it )

Paul

Excellent data there, Paul. The Diptera prey are interesting given the recent survey.

I suspect the prey 'species-mix' changes through the season depending on the conditions favouring successive emergences / hatches.

You're right about the national importance - migration staging posts are essential for many species and UW seems to be fulfilling that role for Avocets at this time of year and other species (e.g. RN Phal) later in the spring.

[upstarts1979]

Originally Posted by beyonder

I'm sure you're right and I checked with the RSPB and the prey species is actually quite wide and will even include seeds and plant material. For all you other informaniacs out there here are the full details:

Prey species for Avocets include crustaceans such as Palaemonetes, Gammarus, Daphnia, Erichthonius, Neomysis, Corophium, Artemia, Branchonecta, Idotea, copepods, ostracods and cladocerans. Insect prey includes: adults, pupae and larvae of flies (Diptera) and beetles (Coleoptera). Flies include Ephydridae, Dolichopodidae, Chironomidae, Culicidae and Tilpulidae. Beetles include: Dytiscidae, Hydrophilidae, HalipIidae and Staphylinidae.

Other insects recorded include: water-bugs and nymphs of stoneflies. They will also east tubificid and polycheate worms as well as small fish such as Pomatoschistus microps, seeds and other available plant materials.

In breeding areas, Diptera and Coleoptera, polycheate worms and small crustaceans make up the bulk of prey species.

My thanks to Mrs Thomas for taking the time to get me the info.

Given that it would appear the flashes should have plenty of food from that extensive menu, I'd guess that these early Avocets are en route to other locations.

(Which also means, obviously, that UW is of vital, national importance and should have loads of money invested into it )

Paul

Brilliant Paul
I will add this to the Upton warren manual - very informative. Looks like I am now redundant . It would be interesting how many species they find in the survey.
It would also be interesting (if a bit scientific) to find out, when these food items become available and what are the limiting/controlling factors of their numbers. ie water/air temperature, depth of water and salinity levels and at what time of year (possibly temperature related anyhow) do they peak.
John

[forgetfulelephant]

The mystery of the missing bench from the concrete hide is solved! Apparently taken away by the Trust for refurbishment without telling anyone!



Rob

[upstarts1979]

Originally Posted by forgetfulelephant

The mystery of the missing bench from the concrete hide is solved! Apparently taken away by the Trust for refurbishment without telling anyone!



Rob

Hopefully it'll come back with a nice cushy seat.
and the new bridge and boardwalk behind the tool shed is the dogs danglies

[forgetfulelephant]

Originally Posted by upstarts1979

Hopefully it'll come back with a nice cushy seat.
and the new bridge and boardwalk behind the tool shed is the dogs danglies

Yes they have made a cracking job of it. Take a mighty flood to move that!

[rollingthunder]

Havnt looked at the forum for a few days - nice to see some vanguard Avocets - a mate of mine had 500+ in Devon around the general Bowling Green Marsh area at the weekend.

With regard to Wilden and 'management' - I was not using Wilden as a 'pawn' in the UW work-party debate! - I do'nt believe anybody could perceive it in that way? I merely used it as an example and a fairly obvious one IMO on how an area can change, drastically, in a very, very short period of time. 5 years ago i could record 8 species of Warbler in mid-May. Whether it is deep dredging in the Stour, destruction of the water-holding bunds by BSC or lack of rainfall the effect has been drastic. There is no longer enough water to sustain the wetland habitat of the marsh and the meadows, this is an important assemblage of relict plant spp in the Stour Valley and the wet Alder carr type woodland is drying out. Whether the new culverts will stem this only time will tell. It is a great pity that this habitat is now gone as Worcs has enough scrub.

If you want a nice 'quiet' walk then Wilden awaits.......

Laurie

[Phil Andrews]

JTB reports 5 Avocet and a Redshank - new for the year - at the Flashes this morning.

[upstarts1979]

Although the easterly breeze was a cooling factor, in the hides it felt like spring was here.
The Moors was awash with raucous displaying BHG's. Reed bunting were the most conspicuous of the passerines and seemed to be singing from everywhere, also singing were chaffinch, bullfinch and tits as well as 2 great spotted woodpeckers drumming.
Skylark passed over and fieldfare and redwing fed behind the east hide. Duck numbers were holding up and several coot and GCG were nest building.
Species count at the Moors:
GCG 5, Little grebe, cormorant 15, mute swan pr, shoveler 21 (14 males), Teal 12, Shelduck male, Pochard 12 (6 males), Tufted 45
Lapwing few, Snipe 6, Oystercatcher 4 (2 prs),
BHG c300, LBBG c10 (including a pair setting up territory), Herring gulls 3 x 1st Summers, Water rail, Stock dove 2, great sp woodpecker 2, green woodpecker, Fieldfare 3, redwing 2, skylark plus garden birds.

[upstarts1979]

The water level had dropped to 0.47 but there was a good area of mud in front of the hide. The 5 Avocets were gathered in the 'central area' but at first only fed just off shore from the sewage works field. After a while a pair fed in the area where we had dug out a channel from the 1st Flash to the 2nd flash in the autumn. Initially they were pecking the surface but then nearer to the dug channel , they started picking up large items juggling them in their bills prior to swallowing. This was very reassuring to see that there was plenty of food, after previous droughts the subsequent springs have seen a dearth of waders, almost as a result of a depleted food supply. Many Lapwings were displaying and our 1st Redshank of the year fed quite close to the hide. The remnants of the wintering thrush flock continued to feed in the old orchard behind the 3rd flash.
Species counts for the FLASHES
Teal 42, Gadwall pr, Avocet 5, Oystercatcher 2, Redshank, curlew 6, lapwing 54, BHG c150, Green woodpecker, redwing 30, fieldfare 5, treecreeper by bridge in alders, Pied wagtail singing on the flashes not far from Sy's open-fronted nest box, Long tailed tit building a nest . and several tits showing interest in the new boxes.
John

[Phil Andrews]

Hi John - I will ask the same question as earlier in the week; was that 4 or 6 Oyks across the reserve today?

[Jason K]

In addition to John's round up, myself and Tony Smith clearly heard a Marsh Tit call its "pitchoo, chickabeebeebee" call 3 or 4 times whilst sat in Hen pool hide at approx mid-day. Unfortunately it didn't call again after we left the hide and we were unable to locate said bird.

[UW82]

Originally Posted by Jason K

In addition to John's round up, myself and Tony Smith clearly heard a Marsh Tit call its "pitchoo, chickabeebeebee" call 3 or 4 times whilst sat in Hen pool hide at approx mid-day. Unfortunately it didn't call again after we left the hide and we were unable to locate said bird.

Rarer than a Willow Tit at Upton!


Des.

[Phil Andrews]

Originally Posted by UW82

Rarer than a Willow Tit at Upton!


Des.

Dont know about rare - its an absolute MEGA!

There have only ever been three sightings at Upton Warren and I have yet to meet anyone who is convinced by any of them.

The last sighting was in 1986 when the annual report simply stated "a bird thought to be of this species was seen in the Spring".

[Jason K]

Originally Posted by UW82

Rarer than a Willow Tit at Upton!


Des.

I didn't realize that until John B informed me when we spoke at the Flashes. In fact I was knid of matter of fact about it when I mentioned it, not realising its scarcity in Upton terms.

In 5 years of recording at Shenstone I have only had one Marsh Tit and that was a one day bird in early Spring a couple of years back

[UW82]

Originally Posted by Phil Andrews

Dont know about rare - its an absolute MEGA!

There have only ever been three sightings at Upton Warren and I have yet to meet anyone who is convinced by any of them.

The last sighting was in 1986 when the annual report simply stated "a bird thought to be of this species was seen in the Spring".

Quite right Phil, but Willow Tit is so rare at Upton that the implication of MEGA status is in my statement................well that's my interpretation anyway.


Des.

[upstarts1979]

Originally Posted by Phil Andrews

Hi John - I will ask the same question as earlier in the week; was that 4 or 6 Oyks across the reserve today?

The 4 at the Moors seemed to be settled on their respective territories, where as the 2 on the Flashes were either asleep or feeding in the surrounding field.
Thus I would say there were 6.

[Phil Andrews]

Originally Posted by UW82

Quite right Phil, but Willow Tit is so rare at Upton that the implication of MEGA status is in my statement................well that's my interpretation anyway.

Des.

Where would the internet be without mis-interpretation and the splitting of hairs!

[Woodchat]

Originally Posted by Phil Andrews

Dont know about rare - its an absolute MEGA!

There have only ever been three sightings at Upton Warren and I have yet to meet anyone who is convinced by any of them.

The last sighting was in 1986 when the annual report simply stated "a bird thought to be of this species was seen in the Spring".

All I will say is that, without a visual description to support this claim, it is probably inadmissible as a credible record. However, please understand that this is not to detract from the competence of any of the observers. In the recent past I have been convinced that I've heard the distinctive nasal 'tzaarr tzaarr' call of a Willow Tit in the education reserve only to be disapointed when it turned out to be one of the very varied calls of a Great Tit.

[woodwolf]

I guess the fact it was heard, rather than only seen, dismisses any doubt as to whether it was Marsh or Willow.

[Jason K]

Originally Posted by Woodchat

All I will say is that, without a visual description to support this claim, it is probably inadmissible as a credible record. However, please understand that this is not to detract from the competence of any of the observers. In the recent past I have been convinced that I've heard the distinctive nasal 'tzaarr tzaarr' call of a Willow Tit in the education reserve only to be disapointed when it turned out to be one of the very varied calls of a Great Tit.

Having heard many Marsh Tits over the years during my many years birding regularly in both Eymore Wood and Wyre Forest, where they are still reasonably common breeding birds, I can tell you that it definitely was a Marsh Tit calling (not a Great Tits odd ball call).

I respect the fact that you state that you dont wish to detract from the competance of the observers Dave. But I am no novice and what I heard is what I heard. I am not trying to claim anything or prove apoint I thought I would let folk know so that they would be aware of the possibility of one being around!

[woodwolf]

I seem to have cross posted with Dave and Jason here, but my point would be, a visual description would be open to great debate where as a call could not be.

[Woodchat]

Originally Posted by Jason K

Having heard many Marsh Tits over the years during my many years birding regularly in both Eymore Wood and Wyre Forest, where they are still reasonably common breeding birds, I can tell you that it definitely was a Marsh Tit calling (not a Great Tits odd ball call).

I respect the fact that you state that you dont wish to detract from the competance of the observers Dave. But I am no novice and what I heard is what I heard. I am not trying to claim anything or prove apoint I thought I would let folk know so that they would be aware of the possibility of one being around!

OK We'll keep an eye out for it. As I said, a visual (in addition to vocal) is definitely required to pin down this and Willow for positive ID. I know you are no novice Jase. I'm not either but I've been surprised in the past by unexpected vocalisations. I appreciate the 'heads up'.