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Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter wmtlynx
- Start date
keithr
Relapsus resurgam
Sunday 9th Feb
Sorry to all the people who traveled 1/2 way accross the country and left without seeing the Shrike.
I was there from about 12 till 1pm and some people were looking from their car and think it was them who informed the people who were on the road from London to Lincoln that they were looking at wrong layby.Also think it was them who saw it at the back of fields.....not sure what time though.
We all left as the rain set in at 1pm without a sighting but I was sure it was hiding behind the middle Oak.
I returned around 2.30 but again no sightings.Did get the Buzzard 1/2 way up towards Hopwood through the high thorn hedge...ouch.
Left to look for the Wythall Egret without a sighting.
Keith
Sorry to all the people who traveled 1/2 way accross the country and left without seeing the Shrike.
I was there from about 12 till 1pm and some people were looking from their car and think it was them who informed the people who were on the road from London to Lincoln that they were looking at wrong layby.Also think it was them who saw it at the back of fields.....not sure what time though.
We all left as the rain set in at 1pm without a sighting but I was sure it was hiding behind the middle Oak.
I returned around 2.30 but again no sightings.Did get the Buzzard 1/2 way up towards Hopwood through the high thorn hedge...ouch.
Left to look for the Wythall Egret without a sighting.
Keith
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keithr
Relapsus resurgam
Returned from NOT seeing the Egret ready for the Starlings at Hopwood......
Walked all around looking for a good vantage point to observe their dancing.
Went along the towpath and carried on to the back fields as I was early.
A very wet walk as the path is well used by all sorts with deep mud in parts.
Again no joy with the Shrike and had thoughts it was sitting on the road gate looking at its picture.....lol....but did get the Buzzard on the top of the middle Oak .....and when it soared off and around by the hedges the Shrike came out from the hedge behind the Oak and up on its fave treetop.
It stayed just a minute before flying to another one further away to the left...(the right from the road).
Had to get back to Hopwood for the Starlings so said bye to it.
Keith :t:
1 and 2..Buzzard.
3 and 4 .Shrike on fave treetop (full frame)
5 On to one on left...full frame.
Walked all around looking for a good vantage point to observe their dancing.
Went along the towpath and carried on to the back fields as I was early.
A very wet walk as the path is well used by all sorts with deep mud in parts.
Again no joy with the Shrike and had thoughts it was sitting on the road gate looking at its picture.....lol....but did get the Buzzard on the top of the middle Oak .....and when it soared off and around by the hedges the Shrike came out from the hedge behind the Oak and up on its fave treetop.
It stayed just a minute before flying to another one further away to the left...(the right from the road).
Had to get back to Hopwood for the Starlings so said bye to it.
Keith :t:
1 and 2..Buzzard.
3 and 4 .Shrike on fave treetop (full frame)
5 On to one on left...full frame.
Attachments
keithr
Relapsus resurgam
UP at Hopwood its a case of trying to find a way to see the Starlings with a clear view......won't sat where though as the people who live around won't be happy.....
They start slowly and only dance just before they settle down...must be knackered by then....lol
Keith :t:
They start slowly and only dance just before they settle down...must be knackered by then....lol
Keith :t:
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keithr
Relapsus resurgam
Been snowed and flooded the last few days with hardly a sighting of the Shrike....and then only way back on far bushes by the canal.
Me and a few others there this morning. ..one chap got it in bins but gone before got scope on it just as he got there.
It remained lost until I got it about 12.05 on brown leaved saplings to left of the Vee Oak....then to 1st tree as you look from canal.
Still there as I left at 12.25.
Nice sun for a change.
Lower Bittell at highest level ....almost covering concrete "arms" on overflow.
Keith
Me and a few others there this morning. ..one chap got it in bins but gone before got scope on it just as he got there.
It remained lost until I got it about 12.05 on brown leaved saplings to left of the Vee Oak....then to 1st tree as you look from canal.
Still there as I left at 12.25.
Nice sun for a change.
Lower Bittell at highest level ....almost covering concrete "arms" on overflow.
Keith
keithr
Relapsus resurgam
This is the state we have had to put up with for a couple of years now on the causeway at Lower Bittell but as you can see the gales have breached the barriers...so maybe it might be fixed by Cameron as he has promised the money....lol
But at least I could see the water without wire in the way...but nowt to see though...he he.
This is the level of the water...I have seen it above the concrete in the past so not at a high yet.
Keith :t:
But at least I could see the water without wire in the way...but nowt to see though...he he.
This is the level of the water...I have seen it above the concrete in the past so not at a high yet.
Keith :t:
Attachments
keithr
Relapsus resurgam
Shrike Spotters
For the people who might not have visited the Shrike.......and new people are still arriving from quite far away sometimes - here's a couple of pics showing a few of the usual places it frequents.
Its main lookout spot the dead spindly tree just left of the main Oak has been destroyed in Wednesday nights gale.
It did show quite close around 11-12 for 2 days running at the start of the week so I think a few visits or longer stays might be rewarding.
Keith
For the people who might not have visited the Shrike.......and new people are still arriving from quite far away sometimes - here's a couple of pics showing a few of the usual places it frequents.
Its main lookout spot the dead spindly tree just left of the main Oak has been destroyed in Wednesday nights gale.
It did show quite close around 11-12 for 2 days running at the start of the week so I think a few visits or longer stays might be rewarding.
Keith
Attachments
keithr
Relapsus resurgam
Thanks T**t
Live at the Shrike......some t*** has taken my info sign down...I thought it was helping people know they were at the correct place.If it was that idiot in the LR I sympathize with your pettiness....if thats a word.
Still people turning up to get a 1st sighting of it and its the closest I have had this week.....but still only by the Oaks.Great light so come on and get over here Shrike....lol
Live at the Shrike......some t*** has taken my info sign down...I thought it was helping people know they were at the correct place.If it was that idiot in the LR I sympathize with your pettiness....if thats a word.
Still people turning up to get a 1st sighting of it and its the closest I have had this week.....but still only by the Oaks.Great light so come on and get over here Shrike....lol
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keithr
Relapsus resurgam
Peregrine Falcon
Stayed till about 11am and dashed off to see if the egret was at Wythall but not so came back and got a Kingfisher and a Pair of Goosander on Mill Shrub before more of the same with the Shrike.....More first timers and we managed to winkle out a few sightings for them.
Also a Kestrel,Buzzards, reed Bunting,Wren Blue Tit ,Great Tit,Long Tailed Tit,Robin,Crow,Jackdaw,Wood Pigeon,GSWoody,Jay,Herons and the star of the show was a bit of a display from a Peregrine which took the thermals overhead before getting quite high and then off.Brill.....
Keith :t:
1..Wythall Buzzard
2...Heron.
3-5 ..Peregrine...crap shots.
Stayed till about 11am and dashed off to see if the egret was at Wythall but not so came back and got a Kingfisher and a Pair of Goosander on Mill Shrub before more of the same with the Shrike.....More first timers and we managed to winkle out a few sightings for them.
Also a Kestrel,Buzzards, reed Bunting,Wren Blue Tit ,Great Tit,Long Tailed Tit,Robin,Crow,Jackdaw,Wood Pigeon,GSWoody,Jay,Herons and the star of the show was a bit of a display from a Peregrine which took the thermals overhead before getting quite high and then off.Brill.....
Keith :t:
1..Wythall Buzzard
2...Heron.
3-5 ..Peregrine...crap shots.
Attachments
keithr
Relapsus resurgam
4 more 1st timers saw the Shrike today ...with a bit of help from Paul (lesser kestrel) and me.
Still staying on the line of the Oaks but also a lot of the time behind them.
One notable sight was it fighting with a Magpie .....and winning.
Extreme rain and sunshine at times but a good session...before some more Starling Murmuration just up the road till dark.
Keith :t:
Still staying on the line of the Oaks but also a lot of the time behind them.
One notable sight was it fighting with a Magpie .....and winning.
Extreme rain and sunshine at times but a good session...before some more Starling Murmuration just up the road till dark.
Keith :t:
Brian Stretch
Well-known member
Yes, still there today. All the latest sightings from across Worcs are updated throughout the day here.
Brian
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keithr
Relapsus resurgam
Hi Max ,,,its still around but does not usually come any closer than the line of Oaks....and its quite hard to pick out at times.
I have been there each day from about 3pm and its not been showing at 1st.It has stayed by the middle Oak and the little bushes and looks like it roosts here around 5 -5.30pm.
I have met many 1st time visitors each day and eventually all have seen it after I have managed to scan its usual places ....I go each day with high hopes of it popping up near the road like it used to but the field is so wet and the grass so matted that I think it has given up on catching anything here.
Keith :t:
Jason K
Well-known member
It was still present late morning today and was favouring the trees to the left of the oaks...views were fairly distant mind and was obscured now and again by the branches/leaves in front blowing in front of the bird.
Would def. recommend using a scope when viewing from gate and scanning the tree lines
Jason
keithr
Relapsus resurgam
2 Months Of Trying......
Nice one Jason....Yes a scope is a good idea....I only have cheap bins and despite being able to get a fix most times when someone has kindly let me look through their scope ( everyone) the difference is remarkable.....like 3D. :t:
I could not get here until about 4pm today ( taxi-ing wife) and the light was crap with drizzle and wind.When the sun broke through it did not really help.It's been the same all week.
I could not locate it anywhere in the main field and did my usual routine of walking up the road to get different angles stopping every few yards as he could pop up and down without you seeing.Went as far as the 40 sign but not seen it here for many many weeks.A further 15 mins of waiting watching and hoping (and freezing) I went down to the bottom field - another part of my routine.It has not been here for many weeks either until TODAY....O.M.G. it was sitting on a sapling at a nice distance away...I saw it without bins as I came around the trees.
A mild panic as I ran back to car and got Camera and tripod providing some entertainment to the rep parked in the layby.
Got some shots off but it started going further away and never really posed other than back view....this went on for 10 mins then suddenly it turned and flew left and closer.....and then closer ...then really close ---BUT it may have been closer to the hedge but further up the road so I had to move along as well.It kept diving down and then back up for only seconds and could not get any pics before it went back into the middle area.....then into the denser trees and right down low.Too many branches for any pics so just used bins as it disappeared for about 10-15 secs to appear again with a CATCH....then straight away flew off up up and over the River trees and I thought into the big tree opposite the lay by.....but most likely over the road to put it in its larder.....even though I did not see it cross over.
There is a hole at the top of the main trunk of the tree but don't think it put it there.
Oh by the way the catch was some king of Shrew/Vole ...quite big and grasped in the claws as it flew off.
Only took me 2 MONTHS OF TRYING -but finally saw it definitely catch something.A B***** that I could not get any pics though....
Keith :t:
1..The 1st sighting distance...full frame.
2 ..The closest distance....full frame.
3...crop of above.
Nice one Jason....Yes a scope is a good idea....I only have cheap bins and despite being able to get a fix most times when someone has kindly let me look through their scope ( everyone) the difference is remarkable.....like 3D. :t:
I could not get here until about 4pm today ( taxi-ing wife) and the light was crap with drizzle and wind.When the sun broke through it did not really help.It's been the same all week.
I could not locate it anywhere in the main field and did my usual routine of walking up the road to get different angles stopping every few yards as he could pop up and down without you seeing.Went as far as the 40 sign but not seen it here for many many weeks.A further 15 mins of waiting watching and hoping (and freezing) I went down to the bottom field - another part of my routine.It has not been here for many weeks either until TODAY....O.M.G. it was sitting on a sapling at a nice distance away...I saw it without bins as I came around the trees.
A mild panic as I ran back to car and got Camera and tripod providing some entertainment to the rep parked in the layby.
Got some shots off but it started going further away and never really posed other than back view....this went on for 10 mins then suddenly it turned and flew left and closer.....and then closer ...then really close ---BUT it may have been closer to the hedge but further up the road so I had to move along as well.It kept diving down and then back up for only seconds and could not get any pics before it went back into the middle area.....then into the denser trees and right down low.Too many branches for any pics so just used bins as it disappeared for about 10-15 secs to appear again with a CATCH....then straight away flew off up up and over the River trees and I thought into the big tree opposite the lay by.....but most likely over the road to put it in its larder.....even though I did not see it cross over.
There is a hole at the top of the main trunk of the tree but don't think it put it there.
Oh by the way the catch was some king of Shrew/Vole ...quite big and grasped in the claws as it flew off.
Only took me 2 MONTHS OF TRYING -but finally saw it definitely catch something.A B***** that I could not get any pics though....
Keith :t:
1..The 1st sighting distance...full frame.
2 ..The closest distance....full frame.
3...crop of above.
Attachments
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keithr
Relapsus resurgam
Some more views...
Keith.
p.s....it started raining again and as it was about 5pm it was really gloomy now but I waited for it to appear again....but the Peregrine did instead....through steamed/rained up bins.It flew around over the field then I lost it.
Went back to car to wait but no good.....neither showed up.
Desperate for a leek I ENTERED THE FIELD....and did the did hidden by the hedge.....only to see the Peregrine again flying along the hedgeline by the layby quite high up then suddenly darted off after a small flock of Pigeons that scattered as I lost then all behind the River trees.
Could see all the Jackdaws/Crows/Gulls/Winter Thrushes (Redwing mostly) and Starlings flocking around the different parts of the area with the Startling going off to Hopwood for their nightly Murmuration display.
Keith.
p.s....it started raining again and as it was about 5pm it was really gloomy now but I waited for it to appear again....but the Peregrine did instead....through steamed/rained up bins.It flew around over the field then I lost it.
Went back to car to wait but no good.....neither showed up.
Desperate for a leek I ENTERED THE FIELD....and did the did hidden by the hedge.....only to see the Peregrine again flying along the hedgeline by the layby quite high up then suddenly darted off after a small flock of Pigeons that scattered as I lost then all behind the River trees.
Could see all the Jackdaws/Crows/Gulls/Winter Thrushes (Redwing mostly) and Starlings flocking around the different parts of the area with the Startling going off to Hopwood for their nightly Murmuration display.
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rollingthunder
Well-known member
Nice shots Keith, considering the distance, have you tried from the canal towpath - it would be considerably nearer?
Laurie:t:
Laurie:t:
