RSPB Middleton Lakes (1 Viewer)

[Phil Andrews]

No hiding place

For £60k I would want an automated identification system which announces each species you are looking at!

John - do you have the dimensions of the new hide?

 

[geoffw1946]

It sounds like your desperate to get in that new hide Geoff.
Will be good in bad weather you will be able to see any birds drop in and keep dry at the same time, a luxury at Middleton lakes.

Regards, John

As you say it will be OK if it's snowing or raining but I think I prefer the benches around the reserve for a good all round view. The new screens aren't much good as the benches in them are too close to the screens (no room for a tripod and scope) and no shelter from the elements, but they look good.
Geoff

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

The new hide

For £60k I would want an automated identification system which announces each species you are looking at!

John - do you have the dimensions of the new hide?

Hi Phil,
Nick Martin has the plans, I would only be guessing at the dimensions. John

 

[rollingthunder]

The RSPB do not do things by halves - not always a good approach IMHO.

They are not believers in the KISS approach with this sort of thing (Keep It Simple, Stupid!).

A series of simple hides would be much better but instead they have to cater to the lowest denomination i.e those 'casual' birdwatchers that require the greatest amount of comfort. This sort of edifice will be regard as a 'challenge' by the local 'pondlife' that target this sort of thing for vandalism or worse.

I hope it's well-insured:C

I do'nt wish to appear negative and the well-intended work that has been carried out will probably yield dividends in the fullness of time. I remember visiting when the BBS was mooching about and thinking how much i like this sort of thing. Yes there were working equipment, the odd employee and infrastructure everywhere but there was plenty of water here and there, the odd yob and plenty of scrub and semi-wild habitat. I could take the dogs without fearing a run in with anybody, no mention of permits and the possiblity of finding something interesting for yourself.

As for the Iranian consortium that 'owns' Muddleton Hall - you could'nt make it up! The RSPB means well but they do'nt always get things right and they are not the font of all knowledge and often show a complete lack of common sense and a grasp of the bleedin' obvious.......

I would like to know the total cost of all operations there at present?

When i first started visiting i had to mark LRP nests for the quarry staff are they breeding @ present?

Laurie:t:

 

[Periwinkle]

Great-White Egret Jubilee Wetlands - Middleton RSPB

 

[geoffw1946]

Gt White Egret flew in from north then rested on the Jubilee Wetlands for 15 minutes but being pushed around by a Grey Heron it then flew to scrape by west screen then disturbed by workman. It then flew to Fishers Mill Pool and is probably still there.
1 Redshank on JW's.
Geoff

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Great White Egret

Gt White Egret flew in from north then rested on the Jubilee Wetlands for 15 minutes but being pushed around by a Grey Heron it then flew to scrape by west screen then disturbed by workman. It then flew to Fishers Mill Pool and is probably still there.
1 Redshank on JW's.
Geoff

Not seen at Fisher's mill bridge pools later unless hidden in phragmites. John

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

My first visit since Sunday, north jubilee wetlands the water is starting to go down now this is linked direct to the river and the river is low.
3 Moderate floods so far into jubilee wetlands and all breached the bund between North jubillee and south jubilee wetlands. A major flood would be classed as the river flooding over it's banks in a number of places.
The wetlands are working opposite to what the RSPB predicted once over the mid bund water is held there with no escape, the 2 sluices let water into the SW and SE lagoons these are full of water. South Jubilee wetlands, SW and SE lagoons need water letting out, but with no facility to do so.
Unless a floating sluice can prevent water going over the middle bund the whole series fails.

Regards, John

 

[Periwinkle]

The egret again this evening along with a Med Gull. Further details on my blog.

 

[Periwinkle]

GWE Flew off to South at 8.40pm over Ski Pit - Steve Pick

 

[geoffw1946]

Gt White Egret flew in from north then rested on the Jubilee Wetlands for 15 minutes but being pushed around by a Grey Heron it then flew to scrape by west screen then disturbed by workman. It then flew to Fishers Mill Pool and is probably still there.
1 Redshank on JW's.
Geoff

I also had a Bar-headed Goose (counts as an escape), 1 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 Jay on the feeders.
According to TVB Greenshank, Green Sand, Snipe, Dunlin and LRP were also seen, it look's as though things are picking up.
I'd forgotten we had already had a GWE in January so they are getting quite common!
Geoff

 

[geoffw1946]

This afternoon 3 Turnstone were on the Jubilee Wetlands with 1 Dunlin, 1 LRP, 6 Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper. The Gt White Egret and the nice looking Bar-headed Goose were still around.
Geoff

 

[geoffw1946]

The Gt White Egret was still hanging around the new reedbed this morning and 5 Little Egret were on various pools. New in were 2 Garganey on north pit and a very early Goldeneye. Waders seen included 1 Dunlin, 6 Snipe and a few LRP and Ringed Plover.
Geoff

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Middleton lakes

The Gt White Egret was still hanging around the new reedbed this morning and 5 Little Egret were on various pools. New in were 2 Garganey on north pit and a very early Goldeneye. Waders seen included 1 Dunlin, 6 Snipe and a few LRP and Ringed Plover.
Geoff

Water levels on the water controlled waders scrapes, SW, SE Lagoons jubilee wetlands still full of water the RSPB can let water in but not let it out. North jubilee wetlands connected to the river, mud showing around the spits and pulling in waders. The Grey lags like the mid-bund jubille wetlands with 161 in that area today and also the Bar-headed Goose. The female type Goldeneye was a surprise.

Regards, John

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Footpath Closed

Footpath closed sign at Fisher's mill today, however no worries as the footpath leads to a bridge over to Dosthill lake that was washed away in the 1960's, although Warwickshire County Council have a legal obligation to convey the footpath, build another bridge, they have not done so, another example of the state not following the law.

Regards, John

 

[rollingthunder]

That's an interesting one John, had the path been used by people on their way to, let's say, a mosque then i'm sure something would have been done

Have you tackled them about it? If they have a legal obligation then it should be cut and dry particularly as it has been some time since the full length of the path has been able to be used as such.

Laurie:t:

 

[baggie_dave]

Spent a couple of hours there this morning, very busy!! This was partly down to the Great White Egret but also quite a lot of families sleeping over in their tents as part of the latest RSPB drive. It is good to see so many families motivated to get their children enthusiastic and closer to nature, can only be a good thing!!

Highlight of the day was of course the Great White Egret!! Missed on the way up to North Pit but caught it on the way down for a few mins on Jubilee Wetlands on the side near the river. It was right next to a Little Egret too which showed the difference in size quite well.

Also seen were at least 6 different Little Egret, a Kingfisher, Reed Bunting, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, at least 1 Common Tern, GSW.

My eyesight is terrible and spotting waders is a huge weak point, once this hide gets open i am going to have to spend some time perfecting my technique, i just hardly ever see any!!

I did get site of a BOP but was quite some way away, fairly dark with pointed wings but was bigger than a Kestrel, had quite a long thin tail so guessing Sparrowhawk?

Also had a juvenile chat, I would have assumed Stonechat based on probability but the supercilium seemed very pronounced and having looked at pictures of both i would have said juvenile Whinchat but unfortunately it wouldn't stay still long enough to get a pic. It was on the posts to the left separating the path from the field just before you get to the North Pit. I'll put it down as a chat and leave it at that!

Thanks :t:

PS: Thank you for all of the feedback regarding names of pools and locations etc, very much appreciated.

 

[Periwinkle]

Whinchat is much more likely in early August - nice record.

 

[Moocher]

Footpath closed sign at Fisher's mill today, however no worries as the footpath leads to a bridge over to Dosthill lake that was washed away in the 1960's, although Warwickshire County Council have a legal obligation to convey the footpath, build another bridge, they have not done so, another example of the state not following the law.

Regards, John

Perhaps if enough of us brought the issue up with WCC they would rectify the situation.

 

[Moocher]

Public Footpaths

This is an extract from WCC's own guidance on footpaths.