[Phil Andrews]

Originally Posted by rollingthunder

IIRC - Westwood is strictly permit only with, literally a handful issued. A new permit only becomes available when somebody rescinds an existing one. You will have no chance of acquiring one based on the current system. Permit holders are allowed a 'guest' but i think they have to visit at the same time. If a 'good' bird is found then the place is opened up for a short period and a donation is made.

I do'nt all of the present permit holders, just a couple, and based on these all holders will be noted birders not newbies, casuals or birders of unknown provenance.

What surprises me is how much is found there but does'nt make it a few yards along at UW.....

ATB Laurie

Wayne has done an excellent job in getting the owner to agree to open access (albeit for limited periods) for such goodies as RN Phal, Spotted Sand and Surf Scoter in recent years.

[CorvusCorax]

Originally Posted by rollingthunder

IIRC - Westwood is strictly permit only with, literally a handful issued. A new permit only becomes available when somebody rescinds an existing one. You will have no chance of acquiring one based on the current system. Permit holders are allowed a 'guest' but i think they have to visit at the same time. If a 'good' bird is found then the place is opened up for a short period and a donation is made.

I do'nt all of the present permit holders, just a couple, and based on these all holders will be noted birders not newbies, casuals or birders of unknown provenance.

What surprises me is how much is found there but does'nt make it a few yards along at UW.....

ATB Laurie

Thanks for that. I thought it all seemed a bit clandestine when I was looking around for info on the Internet. Just have to wait for something good to pop up I guess and see if I can get in then!

[woodwolf]

Right, I'm ready for a bit a decent Birding again...Lets have some ( however hopefully optimistic) predictions/ possibillities for the weekend Mr Andrews ! Personally I would welcome a Curlew Sand for starters ?
See you the weekend

[upstarts1979]

Originally Posted by Birder Gladys

hi John
The speed of the hide going up is surprising and pleasing ,just a quick question ,the distance between the windows look large and the corner distance between windows ,I know I'm looking at it from the photos , is different close up.Tim

Yes Tim I think the distance is slightly wider than the old hide.John

[upstarts1979]

Originally Posted by woodwolf

Right, I'm ready for a bit a decent Birding again...Lets have some ( however hopefully optimistic) predictions/ possibillities for the weekend Mr Andrews ! Personally I would welcome a Curlew Sand for starters ?
See you the weekend

It will be good to see you at 5am tomorrow Mark (yes am not pm)

[woodwolf]

Originally Posted by upstarts1979

It will be good to see you at 5am tomorrow Mark (yes am not pm)

Be there early doors ! ( ish )

[upstarts1979]

either side of us have a black tern Westwood and Bittell, anybody there at the Mecca.

[Kingfisher-kid]

8 swift just on north moors

[billbox]

Two Hobbies at the Flashes perched on dead branch of oak tree 1.45 to 1.50. then flwew south.

[tonyellis]

Thursday 16th August - saw a Slow Worm at the Flashes on the path by the Bird Feeders/Cuckoo Hide,

[steve_zodiac]

Swifts, House Martins and Swallows moving south over the Flashes this afternoon.

[Phil Andrews]

Originally Posted by tonyellis

Thursday 16th August - saw a Slow Worm at the Flashes on the path by the Bird Feeders/Cuckoo Hide,

Nice one Tony - I am sure there must of been previous Slow Worm records from the reserve but I am struggling to think of one.

[forgetfulelephant]

A couple of views of the new hide. The West track is now open right through but the new hide won't be open until passed by Building Control. Early next week hopefully. The doors are locked so please do not try to go in.

Rob

[Phil Andrews]

Rob Allen of the Trust advises that construction of the hide finished at around 3pm today. However, due to the rain today it has not been possible to glue the Fibregrid/safety surface onto the stairs. The forecast looks good for Monday, so it is proposed to undertake this final element then. Building Control did their first inspection today and were pleased with it; they are due back on Tuesday morning. Once their final sign-off the hide can be opened, hopefully later on Tuesday.

However, for this weekend the hide will remain closed / locked although the track along the Salwarpe had been opened as is the track from the car park to the concrete / Water Rail hide.

I think the Trust deserve great credit in this instance for the swift erection of what appears so far to be a quality structure. We have a management meeting with the Trust this coming Thursday when we hope to nail down a definitive timetable for corrective works to the hide at the Flashes.

[forgetfulelephant]

A view of the stairs.

Rob

[UW82]

Originally Posted by Phil Andrews

Nice one Tony - I am sure there must of been previous Slow Worm records from the reserve but I am struggling to think of one.

I think today's record might be the first official one Phil.



Des.

[Phil Andrews]

Originally Posted by UW82

I think today's record might be the first official one Phil.

Des.

Is it in fact the first ever record of a lizard on the reserve Des?

[Woodchat]

Originally Posted by Phil Andrews

Is it in fact the first ever record of a lizard on the reserve Des?

I have seen Slow -worms myself at Upton on several occasions. I have heard of several reports also - e.g. From Paul Anthony. About ten years ago, two were by the steps of the flashes and I was lucky enough to see them.

[UW82]

Originally Posted by Phil Andrews

Is it in fact the first ever record of a lizard on the reserve Des?

As far I know, yes.


Des.

[jackied]

That's amazingly quick work compared to the delays and fuss of the Flashes hide, b****y well done to the builders. I was there on Monday and the old hide was still in place then.
Jackie

[Phil Andrews]

Originally Posted by jackied

That's amazingly quick work compared to the delays and fuss of the Flashes hide, b****y well done to the builders. I was there on Monday and the old hide was still in place then.
Jackie

Just shows what happens when you procure a proper hide builder.

[UW82]

Originally Posted by Phil Andrews

Is it in fact the first ever record of a lizard on the reserve Des?

No it isn't Phil !


Des.

[Woodchat]

Originally Posted by Phil Andrews

Just shows what happens when you procure a proper hide builder.

It's a real pity that an experiment with un-tested builders /designers was carried out on what is arguably the most important hide at Upton - we, the amateur enthusiasts, will have to live with that experiment on the flashes for many years to come. The people who took the decision won't have to live with it because they aren't birders - that's why we need representation otherwise the corporate 'conservation professionals' will continue to make a mess of things. It is a shame that these people who have the power to make such critical decisions are never seen birding at Upton in their own free time. If they were then maybe they would understand our frustrations with them.

Having said that, I am glad to see that lessons seem to have been learned and the new hide on the moors looks to be of a much higher quality.

[wheatearlp]

Saw a slow worm to the left of the steps down from the Sailing Pool a few years ago. Was with Paul Antony at the time.

[Phil Andrews]

Originally Posted by wheatearlp

Saw a slow worm to the left of the steps down from the Sailing Pool a few years ago. Was with Paul Antony at the time.

If you saw it a few years ago you were probably with Paul Curry at the time