Upton Warren (14 Viewers)

[wheatearlp]

Moors Pool maybe?

 

[Stone Snapper]

I wonder where the remaining three are?

Des.

there wasn't any on the moors this morning while peter was on flashes

 

[upstarts1979]

I wonder where the remaining three are?

Des.

Hi Des.
I wonder if the reserve acts as a staging post. Our breeding birds arrive from their wintering grounds with their congeners, some of which latch on to our birds for a few days and then move off to their breeding sites. Others could be dropping in on route to elsewhere. With so many birds raised over the last 11 years, not all of them can stay and breed. Until we have identified individuals (such as ringed birds), we can only conjecture as to what is really happening.

 

[Spoonbill Finder]

I had a quick visit to the Flashes this morning. Splendid work done by the Sunday crew. I am sure the birds will appreciate the changes at the water margins while birders will enjoy better sight-lines and the ingenious optical orientation system. Well done everyone.

12 Avocets were on view.

Peter

There were also 2 Shelduck, 1 Oystercatcher (in addition to those at the Moors Pool) and 5 Curlew at the Flashes this morning.

Over at the Moors Pool 2 Ravens flew over, 4 Oystercatchers were very vocal and the Cetti's Warbler with the red ring showed well in the reed bed to the south of the causeway. At least a dozen Snipe were seen on the Promontary (but no Jacks).

 

[UW82]

There were also 2 Shelduck, 1 Oystercatcher (in addition to those at the Moors Pool) and 5 Curlew at the Flashes this morning.

Over at the Moors Pool 2 Ravens flew over, 4 Oystercatchers were very vocal and the Cetti's Warbler with the red ring showed well in the reed bed to the south of the causeway. At least a dozen Snipe were seen on the Promontary (but no Jacks).

The only male Cetti's seen seems to be the one with the red ring and it often sings along the east and north sides of the Moors. There never seems to be a vocal second male singing roughly at the same time in suitable weather. One to argue over.

Des.

 

[upstarts1979]

Little egret in sw marsh found by Bob p and keith M. Earlier ad med gull clive. 10 jacks but no organised flush so could be more.

 

[Bob O.]

Spring has sprung!

Pic from the North Moors today.:t:

 

[midlands birder]

Hi Des.
I wonder if the reserve acts as a staging post. Our breeding birds arrive from their wintering grounds with their congeners, some of which latch on to our birds for a few days and then move off to their breeding sites. Others could be dropping in on route to elsewhere. With so many birds raised over the last 11 years, not all of them can stay and breed. Until we have identified individuals (such as ringed birds), we can only conjecture as to what is really happening.

Funny you should say that John, it would appear from my project on Avocets that the young don't show much of a tendency to return to the area they were raised to breed (Some do though), and it is actually the adults who have bred at a site that return.

That would suggest that it is young adult birds that have migrated with the breeding birds on site and have stayed on to breed!
MB

 

[upstarts1979]

Funny you should say that John, it would appear from my project on Avocets that the young don't show much of a tendency to return to the area they were raised to breed (Some do though), and it is actually the adults who have bred at a site that return.

That would suggest that it is young adult birds that have migrated with the breeding birds on site and have stayed on to breed!
MB

The 'alpha' pair/s were kicking off the BHG's from THEIR ISLAND tonight.:t:

 

[upstarts1979]

Birding at the Moors today

Plenty of breeding activity today. Both grebe species were vocal with GCG's displaying. The BHG colony was starting to build up and many individuals were flight displaying. Strangely the late breeding(June) tufted were gathered in a large flock in the SW, where a lot of males were chasing the females. Coot moorhen and Canadas were all involved in territorial disputes. The Oystercatchers insessant calling was heard throughout the day. On the passerine front cettis, reed bunting, redpoll and song thrush were all singing.

Species count Moors
Little Egret, Med Gull seen at 8.10am
GCG 9, Little grebe 3, shoveler c20, teal 6, pochard 10 (7M + 3F), Coot 24 min, water rail on track to left of hide, Oystercatcher 3, lapwing, snipe 20, Jack snipe min 10,

 

[upstarts1979]

Work party Moors

Today the 14 of us concentrated on clearing areas for the breeding birds.

pic 1. The east bank was strimmed along its whole length.
pic 2. The 'hook' was strimmed, willows were cut and treated within the reed
bed on the north side of the fox fence.
pic3. The southern end of the promontory was strimmed to remove the
encroaching phragmites, this will increase snipe habitat.
pic 4. The islands in the scrape were also cleared and willow saplings were
treated.

we also brought the tern rafts in for refurbishment. The debris on the Broadmeadow was burnt. The 100's of cut saplings were piled up behind the east hide to create habitat piles.

 

[upstarts1979]

The Flashes 3.30pm till 6.40pm

The Flashes was alive this afternoon, with raucous BHG's dominating the scene. Both Oystercatchers and Avocet had their moments too, with lots of calling and last thing tonight two pairs of Avocet moved on to their usual island.
The freshly cut areas in front of the 'oaktree', were populated by teal, mallard and the cattle. To the south of the public footpath the fields are attracting many gulls, curlew, oystercatcher and mallard. It appears that the field is sodden and many worms are being caught there.

Species count Flashes:
Teal 12, shoveler 5, shelduck pr, mallard 25, tufted 3, mute swan pr, coot 22, water rail - very vocal in 3rd Flash reed bed. Curlew 23, lapwing 4, oystercatcher pr, snipe, avocet 9, BHG 550, LBBG 3, stock dove 3, fieldfare 90, redwing 45, song thrush singing, pied wags 2, starling 5,

pics
1. Teal
2. cattle grazing in front of oak tree, where now teal and mallard are feeding.
3. a view over the 'central area'
water level 0.53, down from the 0.58 on Sunday.

 

[UW82]

Redshank briefly at the Moors.

Des.

 

[forgetfulelephant]

9 Avocet. 1 Shelduck. 4 Oycs on Moors.

 

[UW82]

9 Avocet. 1 Shelduck. 4 Oycs on Moors.

Avocets disturbed from the Flashes. Eleven in total.

Des.

 

[UW82]

Today's highlights:

MOORS:
Redshank (early am)-------Snipe (7)
Oystercatcher (4)---------Shelduck (1)
Shoveler (13)-------------Pochard (15)
Tufted Duck (39)---------G C Grebe (6)
Little Grebe (2)-----------Avocet (9) displaced from the Flashes.
L Redpoll (8)--------------Mealy Redpoll (Lifestyles feeder)
Siskin (2)-----------------Herring Gull (pr)
Peregrine-----------------Cetti's Warbler (1 eastside)
Teal (5)------------------Winter Thrushes(c60) mainly Fieldfare

FLASHES:
Avocet (11)--------------Curlew (19)
Lapwing (3)--------------Oystercatcher (2)
Shelduck (2)-------------Wigeon (15) flew over at 18.00
Skylark-------------------L B B Gull (4ad)
B H Gull (c500)-----------Tufted Duck (6)
Sparrowhawk (f)---------Winter Thrushes (c50) mainly Fieldfare.
Teal (15)


Des.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Did the Wigeon look as though they could be dropping in at the Moors Pool Des? Is it likely that you had three pairs of Oystercatcher today?

 

[UW82]

Did the Wigeon look as though they could be dropping in at the Moors Pool Des? Is it likely that you had three pairs of Oystercatcher today?

The Wigeon were flying away from the Moors and there did appear to be three pairs of Oystercatchers.


Des.

 

[chrispp]

Pic from the North Moors today.:t:

Fantastic shot, made my day:t:

Chris

 

[Phil Andrews]

Returning Spring migrants

With the forthcoming days seeing a run of southerly winds and increasing temperatures there is the chance of a very early returning spring migrant. Set out below are the earliest ever arrival dates at Upton Warren:

Common Sandpiper - 21st February (1984)

Chiffchaff (singing) - 3rd March (2002, 2007)
Sand Martin - 5th March (2002, 2007)
Little Ringed Plover - 11th March (1995, 2003, 2009)
White Wagtail - 13th March (1977)
Wheatear - 15th March (2008)
Garganey - 15th March (1963, 1964)
House Martin - 16th March (2008)
Blackcap (singing) - 19th March (2007)
Swallow - 20th March (1998)
Ring Ouzel - 22nd March (1969)
Willow Warbler - 23rd March (2010)
Whimbrel - 26th March (1992)
Sedge Warbler - 29th March (1998)
Yellow Wagtail - 29th March ( 1993)
Osprey - 30th March (2002)
Marsh Harrier - 31st March (2008)

Common Tern - 2nd April (2002, 2011)
Redstart - 3rd April (2002)
Hobby - 4th April (1987)
Pied Flycatcher - 4th April (1980)
Whitethroat - 9th April (2010)
Reed Warbler - 9th April (2008, 2009)
Hoopoe - 9th April (2011)
Grasshopper Warbler - 10th April (2010)
Cuckoo - 12th April (1974, 2013)
Lesser Whitethroat - 13th April (2007)
Swift - 13th April (1996)
Tree Pipit - 13th April (1993)
Whinchat - 14th April (1971)
Wood Warbler - 14th April (2000)
Sandwich Tern - 15th April (1986)
Arctic Tern - 17th April (2008, 2009)
Black Tern - 17th April (2003)
Garden Warbler - 18th April (1998)
Little Tern - 18th April (2002)
Spotted Flycatcher - 22nd April (2006)
Greenland Wheatear - 24th April (2005)
Nightingale - 25th April (1999)
Bluethroat - 26th April (2011)
Blue-headed Wagtail - 26th April (1970, 1978)
Turtle Dove - 30th April (1986)

Golden Oriole - 13th May (2000)
Quail - 14th May (1992)
Red-necked Phalarope - 25th May (1999)