Upton Warren (90 Viewers)

[Phil Andrews]

Little Ringed Plover

LRPs are the traditional vanguard of spring migration at Upton Warren. With records over 33 springs, the average return date is the 20th March. The earliest ever was the 11th March in 1995, 2003 and 2009. The latest return date was the 9th April in 1974.

More telling, the average return date for the first ten years recorded (1970-1989) was the 30th March with the most recent ten year's records (2002-2011) averaging the 16th March.

Did we do an exercise a few months ago linking return dates with previous year's breeding success or was that just for Common Tern?

 

[Woodchat]

LRPs are the traditional vanguard of spring migration at Upton Warren. With records over 33 springs, the average return date is the 20th March. The earliest ever was the 11th March in 1995, 2003 and 2009. The latest return date was the 9th April in 1974.

More telling, the average return date for the first ten years recorded (1970-1989) was the 30th March with the most recent ten year's records (2002-2011) averaging the 16th March.

Did we do an exercise a few months ago linking return dates with previous year's breeding success or was that just for Common Tern?

Yes, there is no correlation between LRP breeding success at UW and arrival date but there is a correlation between breeding population size and arrival date - speculated to be due to high adult site fidelity but low natal philopatry (see post 8197).

BTW Phil, one of your calculations is slightly out - unless you've sent me inaccurate data.8-P Just checked, probably a difference in rounding - my excel spreadsheet returns (both) median and mean return of 15th March when I plug in the dates for 2002 - 2011.

 

[Phil Andrews]

BTW Phil, one of your calculations is slightly out - unless you've sent me inaccurate data.8-P

Which one?

 

[Woodchat]

Which one?

Mean arrival 2002 - 2011 is 15th March. I think the discrepancy is due to the rounding logic used in Excel. If I plug in dates then it rounds down to 15th. If I plug in numeric data then it returns 15.6 which is obviously closer to 16 than 15. However, in date form, 15.6 days into the month of March is still on the 15th. Hope that makes sense.

 

[kingfisherajh]

My prediction for the LRP`S is 19th March.B
A couple of photo`s from last year.


Chris

I like your Lapwing scrapping image. Good action shot. Well done!

 

[Woodchat]

I like your Lapwing scrapping image. Good action shot. Well done!

I think u mean LRP scrapping - but you are right about one thing, that is a damn fine photo by Cooky.

 

[Sy V]

Pair of Oystercatchers @ Flashes...

 

[forgetfulelephant]

The far eastern subspecies of Curlew, Numenius arquata orientalis has on average paler ground colour cf. nominate eurasian subspecies Numenius arquata arquata, plus plumage variation and biometric differences that are often difficult to assess in the field. They are clinal with no sharp boundaries between forms. Add to this, the individual variations that exist within each subspecies and you get one very tough little cookie. Even with pin-sharp photos I'm guessing it would be very difficult to prove a geniuine orientalis form unless it was trapped. Maybe others know better.

Thanks for this. Very informative. So I'm thinking from this-it could be but almost impossible to tell! :t:

Rob

 

[Spoonbill Finder]

Trust you Dave! All entries will go in my little black book so watch this space 8-P

As there's ale involved I suppose I'd better have a go. Put me down for 16th March please Gert.

 

[Sy V]

Six hour stint at the Flashes complete; here are some hide shots.

First of all a view as seen on approach to the hide.


A shot of the door to the ground floor.


A view looking back along the boardwalk.

 

[Sy V]

Moving inside; a pair of views of the ground floor with wheelchair recesses (under the windows) and movable benches for ease of access.

And the top floor layout with large windows and fixed benches.


Log Book required in Hide.

 

[Sy V]

Here are a series of views of the Flashes from downstairs:



Species count to follow later...

SJV

 

[upstarts1979]

New Hide

Sy overall what is your opinion, from a photographers perspective?

 

[Sy V]

Downstairs will afford classic low angle views of birds close in on the grass... and the mega windows upstairs are fantastic for us gifted BIFfers!

 

[Neil Duggan]

Looks great, shame it has taken so long.

Are we now fully operational........just need some quality birds to arrive now I guess

 

[woodwolf]

Fair play, it looks pretty smart inside, look forward to getting back in the saddle

 

[hagar1]

I am going out on a limb and say the 6th March

 

[Woodchat]

I am going out on a limb and say the 6th March

Very brave guess Mark - a return date on or before 6th March would be a 'two sigma event' - only likely to happen once in the next 60 odd years by my reckoning.

 

[upstarts1979]

Just to let people know before they visit the Flashes, that there are two very large windows in the new hide. These are quite heavy and unless the hide is full might be best left shut. If you are opening them please read the instructions on how to lock them in, there is a garden latch and an extra bolt type lock above. (Sy I think there are instructions aren't there.|:$|; )
I will clean the windows tomorrow. The views through the large windows will also enable people behind the seat to set up a tripod. The hedge watching from the side window now allow at least 4 people to be seated rather than the 1 previously. All in all I personally think the hide will add to the experience of the Flashes.
The area behind could also be planted up with thorns and array of plants. But not including Mike's hanging baskets 8-P
B John

 

[Gert Corfield]

Downstairs will afford classic low angle views of birds close in on the grass... and the mega windows upstairs are fantastic for us gifted BIFfers!

And also from that twig that someone stuck in the first channel