What an ugly beast, its a wonder the ladybird didn't faint!3
Nice pics Mary, keep them coming.:t:
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Upton Warren (138 Viewers)
- Thread starter andythomas
- Start date
Nice pics Mary, keep them coming.:t:
Phil Andrews
It's only Rock and Roller but I like it
Is the third photo JTB's head?
Stone Snapper
Warrener till i snuff it
Is the third photo JTB's head?
what ya (PRATIN ABOUT) at thought u was upton till ya die :t:
upstarts1979
Well-known member
Sunday work party at Flashes
Thanks to everyone today for a great effort.
19 of us with another Newbie Neil Duggan - thanks mate:t:
Mike (wheatearlp) , Des (UW82), Gaz (biking Birder), Rich (Skeleton Man), Ian (Muntjac), Matt, Si (hairy Birder), Guy (not so Hairy), Phil W (PHW), Tim and Mary (Gladys), Tracy (Binus 63), Tony H, Neil D, Graham Lab, Mike Y, Phil Q, Derek and Dave (woodchat) as an observer .
Phase 1.
We started along the southern border hedgerow of the climbing frame. We tackled the eastern side 2 years ago. Today we tackled the central section.
The hedge consists of mostly maple and hawthorn. Some of it has died off, also some of it was getting 'leggy'. We laid a small section and pollarded other parts.
The rationale: These trees cast a shadow over the important herbaceous area between the hen brook and hedge. The hedge line is good for passing migrants and we have made it more 'scrubby' for breeding birds.
The cuttings were carried to the bridge boardwalk, where we created a dead hedge hurdle. Other brash was piled up against our border fence to form a dead hedge.
From here we moved on to the Feeding station. for Phase 2
pic 1 before work on the hedge
2. after the work
3. the dead hedge hurdle.
Thanks to everyone today for a great effort.
19 of us with another Newbie Neil Duggan - thanks mate:t:
Mike (wheatearlp) , Des (UW82), Gaz (biking Birder), Rich (Skeleton Man), Ian (Muntjac), Matt, Si (hairy Birder), Guy (not so Hairy), Phil W (PHW), Tim and Mary (Gladys), Tracy (Binus 63), Tony H, Neil D, Graham Lab, Mike Y, Phil Q, Derek and Dave (woodchat) as an observer .
Phase 1.
We started along the southern border hedgerow of the climbing frame. We tackled the eastern side 2 years ago. Today we tackled the central section.
The hedge consists of mostly maple and hawthorn. Some of it has died off, also some of it was getting 'leggy'. We laid a small section and pollarded other parts.
The rationale: These trees cast a shadow over the important herbaceous area between the hen brook and hedge. The hedge line is good for passing migrants and we have made it more 'scrubby' for breeding birds.
The cuttings were carried to the bridge boardwalk, where we created a dead hedge hurdle. Other brash was piled up against our border fence to form a dead hedge.
From here we moved on to the Feeding station. for Phase 2
pic 1 before work on the hedge
2. after the work
3. the dead hedge hurdle.
Attachments
Last edited:
upstarts1979
Well-known member
Phase 2
Today we also revamped the feeding station.
We cut back the advancing blackthorn on the east side of the feeding station, on the reed bed side. This will allow views across parts of the Hen Pool and brook and we will also to able to see along more of the new fence line. Where one day we will have a goodie, shrike or the like, it will also attract brown hairstreaks to lay their eggs on the fresh growth.
pic 1. before blackthorn was cut, as viewed from the cuckoo hide.
2. after the work.
3. feeding station before work.
4. after revamp.
also thanks to Claire (Ian's wife) for quality lemon drizzle
and Rich for the piping and Mary for running the 'cafe'. B
Today we also revamped the feeding station.
We cut back the advancing blackthorn on the east side of the feeding station, on the reed bed side. This will allow views across parts of the Hen Pool and brook and we will also to able to see along more of the new fence line. Where one day we will have a goodie, shrike or the like, it will also attract brown hairstreaks to lay their eggs on the fresh growth.
pic 1. before blackthorn was cut, as viewed from the cuckoo hide.
2. after the work.
3. feeding station before work.
4. after revamp.
also thanks to Claire (Ian's wife) for quality lemon drizzle
and Rich for the piping and Mary for running the 'cafe'. B
Attachments
upstarts1979
Well-known member
Birds seen today at the Flashes . Before and after the work a large flock of redpoll were either feeding in alders or flying around. A minimum of 50 birds were joined by 30ish goldfinch. Also treecreeper and goldcrests were close by.
At the Moors this afternoon.
Little grebe 2. Teal c30 most in SW marsh. Shoveler c10. Pochard 40. Plenty of water rail. Onlt 20 coot, a sign that there is very food in the Moors is birds feeding under the feeders and grazing on the SW marsh grassland. 300 starlings circled briefly before flying off to the Flashes. Also 11 curlew. 200 lapwing.
Sailing pool: goldeneye female. Tufted 12. Coot 15.
At the Moors this afternoon.
Little grebe 2. Teal c30 most in SW marsh. Shoveler c10. Pochard 40. Plenty of water rail. Onlt 20 coot, a sign that there is very food in the Moors is birds feeding under the feeders and grazing on the SW marsh grassland. 300 starlings circled briefly before flying off to the Flashes. Also 11 curlew. 200 lapwing.
Sailing pool: goldeneye female. Tufted 12. Coot 15.
Last edited:
Phil Andrews
It's only Rock and Roller but I like it
Nothing that looked Mealy-esque?
Neil Duggan
Well-known member
Good enjoyable morning with the work party. Very welcoming environment and would urge anyone to come and try it. Some rescheduling of my own boys sporting taxis's enabled me to come down and try my best.
Will be back again for sure. Not sure whether I'm too sold on John renaming me Noel but I'll give it a think it might be a grower !
Will be back again for sure. Not sure whether I'm too sold on John renaming me Noel but I'll give it a think it might be a grower !
Skeleton man
Well-known member
Good enjoyable morning with the work party. Very welcoming environment and would urge anyone to come and try it. Some rescheduling of my own boys sporting taxis's enabled me to come down and try my best.
Will be back again for sure. Not sure whether I'm too sold on John renaming me Noel but I'll give it a think it might be a grower !
It's just for the Christmas period mate 3
upstarts1979
Well-known member
Good enjoyable morning with the work party. Very welcoming environment and would urge anyone to come and try it. Some rescheduling of my own boys sporting taxis's enabled me to come down and try my best.
Will be back again for sure. Not sure whether I'm too sold on John renaming me Noel but I'll give it a think it might be a grower !
8-PI just Can't spell Noel I mean Neil:-O
upstarts1979
Well-known member
yep that's it Rich:smoke:.....Its just that I was getting into the Christmas spirit a bit too early.:king:It's just for the Christmas period mate 3
Neil Duggan
Well-known member
Good work lads !
Janner Falcon!
Well-known member
Saturday's late offering!
Flashes: (am) About 20 linnets and goldfinches (no redpolls!) formed a close knit flock flying from the top of the hedge to the grass and mud by the fox fence for a short while before they flew off towards the cuckoo hide.
Moors: (pm) 12 curlew regularly commuted between the shingle island, where they stood or washed, and the grass field behind the east hide, where they hunted for worms.
Four fieldfares sat in one of the trees bordering that field for a short while just before sunset.
A Cetti's warbler called from the Broadmeadow area and another was very loud and vociferous in the rushes and hedge to the right of the east hide.
Six water rail dashed after each other (running and swimming) from the left to right on the water's edge in front of the east hide, disappearing into the rushes as the light disappeared. There was a lot of squealing from the left and the right after this so just how many there actually are is debatable.
Last photo is of two cormorants flying south in the sunset.
(I now see that all attached photos are currently displaying larger than usual and need to be scrolled for full viewing - I haven't found a way around this - hence late posting.)
Flashes: (am) About 20 linnets and goldfinches (no redpolls!) formed a close knit flock flying from the top of the hedge to the grass and mud by the fox fence for a short while before they flew off towards the cuckoo hide.
Moors: (pm) 12 curlew regularly commuted between the shingle island, where they stood or washed, and the grass field behind the east hide, where they hunted for worms.
Four fieldfares sat in one of the trees bordering that field for a short while just before sunset.
A Cetti's warbler called from the Broadmeadow area and another was very loud and vociferous in the rushes and hedge to the right of the east hide.
Six water rail dashed after each other (running and swimming) from the left to right on the water's edge in front of the east hide, disappearing into the rushes as the light disappeared. There was a lot of squealing from the left and the right after this so just how many there actually are is debatable.
Last photo is of two cormorants flying south in the sunset.
(I now see that all attached photos are currently displaying larger than usual and need to be scrolled for full viewing - I haven't found a way around this - hence late posting.)
Attachments
keithr
Relapsus resurgam
Stone Snapper
Warrener till i snuff it
lesser kestrel
Well-known member
A couple of hours spent at the Moors, west hide yesterday pm.
Goldeneye, at least 2 cettis, one calling from the Broadmeadow, the other active in the reeds by the feeders.
Starlings and pied wagtails still going into roost 4.45.
Goldeneye, at least 2 cettis, one calling from the Broadmeadow, the other active in the reeds by the feeders.
Starlings and pied wagtails still going into roost 4.45.
upstarts1979
Well-known member
Tuesday Work Party at North Moors
Today 14 of us continued the rejuvenation of the NW thicket.
As we delved deeper into it, it become more obvious that the majority of the blackthorns were dead from 4 feet upwards. We have left a few dead specimens to rot down in situ and provide insect food for insectivorous birds.
Others were cut down and left as either a pollard or coppice. This will give us structural diversity. The tall leggy specimens at the front of the thicket have been cut down to allow light inside, this will help any saplings break through and sprout next spring. All the thorn bushes on the north and NW boundary line have been left untouched, whether dead or alive. This will act as a corridor for roving passerine flocks, providing food and shelter.
We have also left many logs scattered about, these will rot down naturally, again insects will thrive, with the obvious benefits.
Pics 1. before work inside the thicket looking north east.
2. after work same area as 1
3. Before work from middle of NM trail (by seasonal pool) looking NW.
4 after work same area as 3
5. inside thicket looking north
Over the last 8 days we have had 35 different people on the 3 work parties , 2 at the Moors and 1 at the Flashes. B and thanks to everyone from Paul M and myself, a truly great effort.
Today 14 of us continued the rejuvenation of the NW thicket.
As we delved deeper into it, it become more obvious that the majority of the blackthorns were dead from 4 feet upwards. We have left a few dead specimens to rot down in situ and provide insect food for insectivorous birds.
Others were cut down and left as either a pollard or coppice. This will give us structural diversity. The tall leggy specimens at the front of the thicket have been cut down to allow light inside, this will help any saplings break through and sprout next spring. All the thorn bushes on the north and NW boundary line have been left untouched, whether dead or alive. This will act as a corridor for roving passerine flocks, providing food and shelter.
We have also left many logs scattered about, these will rot down naturally, again insects will thrive, with the obvious benefits.
Pics 1. before work inside the thicket looking north east.
2. after work same area as 1
3. Before work from middle of NM trail (by seasonal pool) looking NW.
4 after work same area as 3
5. inside thicket looking north
Over the last 8 days we have had 35 different people on the 3 work parties , 2 at the Moors and 1 at the Flashes. B
and thanks to everyone from Paul M and myself, a truly great effort.Attachments
upstarts1979
Well-known member
Birding at the Moors today
Only briefly 'birded' today, from the west hide.
Shoveler 14, teal 40+, Pochard 40, Tufted 45, lapwing c20, snipe 40+ came out of roost at dark mostly from Amys marsh, but double figures from the west side by concrete hide. Curlew no count c10, BHG 50, Peregrine, buzzard, coot c15 (no accurate count), water rail 6 or so around west hides. Cettis warbler 2, fieldfare 30,
Only briefly 'birded' today, from the west hide.
Shoveler 14, teal 40+, Pochard 40, Tufted 45, lapwing c20, snipe 40+ came out of roost at dark mostly from Amys marsh, but double figures from the west side by concrete hide. Curlew no count c10, BHG 50, Peregrine, buzzard, coot c15 (no accurate count), water rail 6 or so around west hides. Cettis warbler 2, fieldfare 30,
