RSPB Middleton Lakes (9 Viewers)

[geoffw1946]

There was a cream crown Marsh harrier hunting in the grass behind the canalside screen, around 8:30am. It was then seen againat about 11:30 flying over the reserve heading North. Also, a Jack snipe was flushed from the Jubilee Wetlands while the work party was out and about.

Hi Fergus,
So I missed a Jack Snipe as well.
Enjoyed the work party though.
Geoff

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

The first summer migrant was Oystercatcher on the 11th Jan.
It was work party day today so I got down the res. at 0740 to catch the early bird, not much difference from yesterday however, Dunlin had increased to 18, 2 Ringed Plover and a Redshank were on the JWs. I then went back to the carpark for the 10am work party, the work entailed raking up grass and rush on the JWs followed by a Fox hunt! The electric fence is due to be switched on shortly and they wanted to make sure no Fox will be trapped inside the fence. No Fox was seen but another search was planned for the afternoon. We did put up 6 Pheasant and 5 Snipe but no Jack Snipe.
I was told that the path between the two JWs screens may be closed for the breeding season.
The highlight of the morning was a Marsh Harrier that showed 2 or 3 times between 0830 and 1130 which I missed altogether.
Geoff

Oystercatcher quote from RSPB Handbook of British Birds, most British birds leave inland breeding sites between July and September. Although adults generally winter around our shores some juveniles reach Spain and Portugal. Are you 100% sure Geoff the Oystercatcher on the 11th January had left British shores.
Looks like you have competition there Geoff with Fergus (RSPB Winter warden).

 

[rollingthunder]

Unless the bird is, at the very least ringed, or Geo-tagged or whatever nobody knows where this indivdual has been and speculating on it is rather pointless? The RSPB, IMHO, is not the font of all ornithological knowledge and like a lot of 'conservation' organisations and other NGO and QUANGO's utilise a certain bias in who they employ.

This is not a slur on Fergus or anybody else who works for them but it is my experience and opinion.........

Laurie:t:

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Unless the bird is, at the very least ringed, or Geo-tagged or whatever nobody knows where this indivdual has been and speculating on it is rather pointless? The RSPB, IMHO, is not the font of all ornithological knowledge and like a lot of 'conservation' organisations and other NGO and QUANGO's utilise a certain bias in who they employ.

This is not a slur on Fergus or anybody else who works for them but it is my experience and opinion.........

Laurie:t:

So the Oystercatcher cannot be reliably counted as a Summer migrant, the BTO has the same view of that printed in the RSPB Handbook of Britsih birds ( maybe the RSPB got the information from the BTO).
Ringed Plover, Redshank, Dunlin also cannot be certain .
In the very mild winter so far to my knowledge no Sand Martins have been reported in Britain to be wintering, however a couple of Swallow have been reported along the south Coast. 2 Wheatears in winter on tidewrack on Cheshire beech. Any Wheatear to drop in to Middleton Lakes in the next few days would highly unlikely to be these 2 birds. No reports to my knowledge of LRP either in winter.

 

[rollingthunder]

2 Swallows did appear to be wintering 2/3 years ago and were feeding on local insects somewhere in Devon i think - they were roosting in an industral unit which somebody then closed the shutter doors and the both died. I read this somewhere it was'nt in the RSPB Handbook of British Birds

Laurie:t:

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

2 Swallows did appear to be wintering 2/3 years ago and were feeding on local insects somewhere in Devon i think - they were roosting in an industral unit which somebody then closed the shutter doors and the both died. I read this somewhere it was'nt in the RSPB Handbook of British Birds

Laurie:t:

The RSPB Handbook is an excellent guide and one that I recommend to a newcomer or general birder of UK Birds, also combined with the Collins guide 2nd edition the Birds of Britian and Europe, you would need no more general bird books only specialist books, if you wanted to go into species further like Pipits, Stonechats.
The Collins is an I.D and distribution guide, whereas the RSPB Handbook covers, I.D, Habits, Habitat, breeding, movement and migration, population and conservation, so full of knowledge

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Sand Martin seen at KWP today http://tamevalleybirding.blogspot.co.uk/

 

[geoffw1946]

Three species of butterfly were seen this afternoon in the warm sunshine, Brimstone, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell and a Comma was reported.
On the JWs were 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Redshank and a Dunlin. 2 Oystercatcher and 2 Herring Gull were on NP.
Late news for 7th March, a Black-tailed Godwit was reported on FMP.
Geoff

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

So still no summer migrants recorded, a Wheatear could drop in overnight, groups of Sand Martin should start coming through a LRP could drop onto the reserve and also a White Wagtail.

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

possible Slavonian Grebe repoted yesterday evening http://tamevalleybirding.blogspot.co.uk/

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

possible Slavonian Grebe repoted yesterday eveing http://tamevalleybirding.blogspot.co.uk/

Black-necked Grebes are more Commonly seen on the Reserve I have only seen one Slavonian Grebe on the Reserve at Dosthill NR, it was in the foot and mouth year, KWP was closed off and when the Park was open again it was found on Broomeycroft pool in breeding plumage.

 

[SteveAtkinson]

Enjoyed my first visit for a while this morning. It was good to bump into Geoff Williams.
Highlight was 2 Wheatear flying past on the North Pit, also heard Chiffchaff and saw Ringed Plover, Goldeneye, lots of Shoveler, and Shelduck.

All the best

Steve

 

[geoffw1946]

Waders seen today were, 2 Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Redshank and 2 Dunlin.
Geoff

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

16/3/14 Jubilee wetlands 3 Dunlin early afternoon, seen my first Orange Underwing moth of the year on the Reserve,
The only passage I noted was a male White Wagtail and 8 Pied Wagtail on the East meadow Dosthill lake.
Mill plantation a Chiffchaff singing in the large Ash by the farm paddock, one was singing here on my last visit on the 10/3/14 so looks like a summer migrant.
2 Small Tortioseshell nectaring on Goat Willow flowers at the start of Herony view platform these flowers would also attract moths at night particulary Common Quaker.

Regards, John

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

17/3/14 Visitor numbers are picking up now with a regular trail of people, I spoke to 2 men from Stafford who were impressed with the site and the size of the reserve, I explained the RSPB were having problems controlling water levels here and needed permission from the EA to do so. They said they would return later in Spring to see some passage waders.
On Jubilee wetlands were 5 Redshank and a Ringed Plover, Peacock, Small Tortoisehell Butterflies were seen and a Toad. Mealy Redpoll and 2 Lesser Redpoll on the feeders.

Regards, John

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

With most of the Long-tailed Tits nest now complete, with these cold March nights which can still be fatal to small birds, the Long-tailed Tits are no longer in groups so they cannot communual roost to save energy.
I bet the pairs will roost in the nest, with Lichens for camoflouge, a moss nest outer, which dried contains air so would it be like loft insulatiom material , then an inner lining of feathers.

 

[rollingthunder]

Long-Taled Tits?8-P

Laurie:t:

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

19/3/14 Black-tailed Godwit northpit today Bob Duckhouse.

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

20/3/14 Birdguides 15 Sand Martin over Fisher's Mill.

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

With Wheatear, White Wagtail and Sand Martin summer migrants already recorded on the Reserve the next contenders could be LRP, Willow Warbler and again Blackcap summer migrants and not wintering Birds.

Regards, John