Upton Warren (14 Viewers)

[keithr]

Is it April the 1st.


Keith:t:

 

[Sy V]

I seem to recall seeing this somewhere recently but I'm not sure if it was in this thread...
http://www.bromsgrovestandard.co.uk/2013/03/26/news-Worcestershire-Wildlife-Trust-gets-cash-boost-for-reserves-66612.html

 

[Brian Stretch]

The Upton record fits in well with the regional run of records from the last few days:-

26.03.13 Northants: Male at Summer Leys NR at 9am.
26.03.13 Oxon: Female still at Otmoor RSPB.
25.03.13 Oxon: Male between Curbridge and Brize Norton at 11.10am.
25.03.13 Oxon: Female at Otmoor RSPB.
24.03.13 Staffs: Male at Aqualate Mere in afternoon.
24.03.13 Staffs: Male at Doxey Marshes NR at 2.35pm.
23.03.13 Staffs: Male at Doxey Marshes NR at 1.30pm.
22.03.13 Warks: Male at Brandon Marsh NR at 2.15pm.

Brian

 

[Phil Andrews]

Out of interest, when I drove past the Moors on the A38 this evening the regular Kestrel was hovering 10 feet over the kerb to the left and dropping down to catch something to the extent I had to swerve to avoid it. As did cars behind me. It must be desperate.

Bearing Gert's comments in mind, it is sad to report that in addition to seeing yestetdays Marsh Harrier, the Lewis' also found the darker of the two recent Barn Owls dead in the A38 fields. I hope it wasnt breeding locally. :-C

 

[Brian Stretch]

Bearing Gert's comments in mind, it is sad to report that in addition to seeing yestetdays Marsh Harrier, the Lewis' also found the darker of the two recent Barn Owls dead in the A38 fields. I hope it wasnt breeding locally. :-C

Another one found dead on Castlemorton Common this morning. Seems this recent bad weather is taking its toll.

Brian

 

[rollingthunder]

Must be tough, expending body fat to look for food and not finding it - the law of diminishing returns. I remember a Redfoot being found moribund a couple of years ago. Presumed to have starved to death:C

Laurie:t:

 

[woodwolf]

Another one found dead on Castlemorton Common this morning. Seems this recent bad weather is taking its toll.

Brian

Can't believe how much snow there is lying around still..fields in the Trimpley area still have significant snow coverage. No sign of any let up in the next week either..bleak, very bleak :C

 

[rollingthunder]

According to the BBC's weather 'guru', Philip Eden, a slight lull over the weekend and then Easterlies until at least next Friday........

Laurie:t:

 

[Sy V]

Another one found dead on Castlemorton Common this morning. Seems this recent bad weather is taking its toll.

Brian

All very sad, but (as my report to Brian from yesterday includes), there are Barn Owls in the local rural area hunting and catching successfully (and whilst not the priority, giving enjoyment to spectators too).

 

[upstarts1979]

Bearing Gert's comments in mind, it is sad to report that in addition to seeing yestetdays Marsh Harrier, the Lewis' also found the darker of the two recent Barn Owls dead in the A38 fields. I hope it wasnt breeding locally. :-C

I would like to add some positive news, me and Tony H had a 'pale' bird tonight at the Flashes.:t:

 

[upstarts1979]

Birding at the Moors today

Whilst carrying out some final maintenance work today on the east side, a kingfisher called and then landed 30 feet up a tree in the field behind the east hide. Also along east side were calling Cettis warbler and goldcrest. A flock of 40 + redpoll landed in trees, as well as singing birds, again frequented the east track. It was also good to see some lapwings, with a flock c35 strong circling mid morning, but none on the deck.
On to the new hide where water rails were everywhere at least 5 birds in and around the sluice basin and feeding station as well as calling birds. Late afternoon we moved to the east hide. The was still a very wintery feel to not only the weather but the birding, with winter thrushes still present and snipe seemingly increasing. Two jack snipe fed together in the open on the southern scrape island. Two water rail continued to feed in the field left of the hide. Shoveler had increased slightly.
species count at MOORS
GCG 4, little grebe 3, cormorant 12, mute swan pr, shoveler 17, (7 prs + 3 males), gadwall 6 (3 prs), teal 12, shelduck, tufted 25+, snipe 40, jack snipe 2, lapwing 35, oystercatcher 4 (2 prs), BHG 120, herring gull 3, LBBG 20, kestrel hovering all around Moors, kingfisher, fieldfare 20, redwing 5, redpoll 50+, cettis warbler, goldcrest,

 

[upstarts1979]

Saw what looked like a bird floating 'dead' in the SW marsh. Had a suspicion what it was and when I fished it out unfortunately I was right, looked like it had broken its neck and had probably flown into the overhead cables.
:-C

 

[upstarts1979]

At the Flashes this evening.

The cold NE wind strengthened and it was eye watering walking along the southern side of the sailing pool. Plenty of birds on here including GCG 9, little grebe 3 all together - the most I have ever seen on here. Tufted pr, BHG's, coots, mallards and cormorant. A flock of c50 winter thrushes flew through towards the Moors to roost.
On the Flashes the penetrating NE wind forced most of the birds to shelter along the sewage meadow shore line. The gulls flushed, and ended up on the lagoons, but no Med Gull just an adult common gull. Then at 6.55ish a Barn Owl appeared to the right of the sewage works and flew along the southern field and then around the back of the hide.
species count at FLASHES
Teal c10, shelduck pr, coot 8, Avocet 4, oystercatcher pr, Curlew 21, BHG 1000, common gull ad, starling 20,

 

[Phil Andrews]

Inbox cleared John :t:

 

[Stone Snapper]

Saw what looked like a bird floating 'dead' in the SW marsh. Had a suspicion what it was and when I fished it out unfortunately I was right, looked like it had broken its neck and had probably flown into the overhead cables.
:-C

what a bummer :C

 

[Phil Andrews]

Saw what looked like a bird floating 'dead' in the SW marsh. Had a suspicion what it was and when I fished it out unfortunately I was right, looked like it had broken its neck and had probably flown into the overhead cables.
:-C

This is not the first Great Crested Grebe to have suffered this fate. Given all the effort that went into moving the wires on the eastern side of the Moors could a similar exercise be considered in the south west marsh?

 

[upstarts1979]

Just a record shot of the 2 jack snipe, today in the southern section of Amy's marsh 'scrape' ,on island in front of sand martin bank.

 

[Stone Snapper]

Just a record shot of the 2 jack snipe, today in Amy's.

you will be wearing camo soon and getting them close ups :-O

great shot johno

 

[upstarts1979]

Tuesday work party

Today 8 of us tied up all the loose ends
1. The east boundary fence was shored up. This is to stop any local kid incursions and stop the grazing stock from getting out.
2. The previously cut reed piles in the section along the western side, were raked up and transported to the west hedge row.
From now on we will only be carrying out maintenance and urgent work on Tuesday's. We will still be meeting each Tuesday for birding and banter and hopefully some cake tasting.....Rob are you listening 8-P:eat:

 

[upstarts1979]

you will be wearing camo soon and getting them close ups :-O

great shot johno

we'll see kid