RSPB Middleton Lakes (1 Viewer)

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Old Bridge

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:

Hi Laurie,
The council were told by locals about the collapsed bridge in the 1960's, however nearby, there was an old sand coveyer bridge owned by Hanson's which was used by people to cross the river, but terrified most dogs as it had a meshed floor.
The visiting Council officials decided not to build another bridge which was completely inappropriate behaviour by Warwickshire County Council.
Hanson's put a sign on the sand conveyer bridge ''no public access'' however people used this bridge as there was no other bridge across the river. This bridge was sold for scrap by Hanson's and was taken away just before the Reserve was opened to the public.
Hanson's have yet to build a bridge for the RSPB as part of the final restoration of the gravel workings and are probably hanging onto the large sum of money, landfill tax which will be given to the RSPB on the completion of the bridge.
Warwickshire county council wanted the footpath to be altered so that it followed to the RSPB newbridge which will cross the river to Dosthill NR, basically so the council did not then have to build a new bridge. Nick Martin objected to these plans.

Regards, John

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Bridge

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

Hi Moocher,
The details on the bridge have been bought to the attention of Warwickshire County council by many people, the Council already know full well about their law breaking activities
They have told Nick Martin the building of the bridge is on a waiting list.

Regards, John

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Chat

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.

Hi Baggie Dave, sounds like a Whinchat why did you believe it was a juvenile. John

 

[Eddie the 'ed]

Was at the reserve this morning between 07.00 and 09.00. Managed to connect with the Great White Egret a few times in this period mostly on Fishers Mill and very prominently around the reedbed near the JWL viweing screen. Also seen was a Black-Tailed Godwit on the Jubilee Wetlands at 08.10, and a Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk over in quick succession at 08.00.

The Bar-headed Goose arrived with the Greylags on the Jubilee Wetlands at 08.20, also present in the flock was a Barnacle Goose.

Cheers,
Damian

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Barnacle Goose

Was at the reserve this morning between 07.00 and 09.00. Managed to connect with the Great White Egret a few times in this period mostly on Fishers Mill and very prominently around the reedbed near the JWL viweing screen. Also seen was a Black-Tailed Godwit on the Jubilee Wetlands at 08.10, and a Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk over in quick succession at 08.00.

The Bar-headed Goose arrived with the Greylags on the Jubilee Wetlands at 08.20, also present in the flock was a Barnacle Goose.

Cheers,
Damian

Hi Damien,
There has been a Barnacle X Canada Goose seen in the Tame Valley last year, so you need to check for this bird.

Regards, John

 

[Moocher]

Hi Damien,
There has been a Barnacle X Canada Goose seen in the Tame Valley last year, so you need to check for this bird.

Regards, John

There were two hybrids. I located the first on the river Tame by Borrowpit Lake in Tamworth By the Snowdome. I then found another at Kingsbury Water Park. Both ended up meeting at Dosthill Nature Reserve. Pictures here.

http://moochersmoor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/start-of-bank-holiday.html

 

[Eddie the 'ed]

There were two hybrids. I located the first on the river Tame by Borrowpit Lake in Tamworth By the Snowdome. I then found another at Kingsbury Water Park. Both ended up meeting at Dosthill Nature Reserve. Pictures here.

http://moochersmoor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/start-of-bank-holiday.html

Bingo!!! That's definitely the bird I saw this morning, the face markings were quite distinctive!! Cheers Moocher, thanks for the heads-up John. Another important lesson learned. I thought it looked a little funny at the time but don't really have the experience to make the distinction. To be fair I was with a more experienced birder and he didn't call it into question.

Thanks again,

Damian.

 

[Moocher]

Bingo!!! That's definitely the bird I saw this morning, the face markings were quite distinctive!! Cheers Moocher, thanks for the heads-up John. Another important lesson learned. I thought it looked a little funny at the time but don't really have the experience to make the distinction. To be fair I was with a more experienced birder and he didn't call it into question.

Thanks again,

Damian.

Glad it was of use to you.

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Hybrid Goose

There were two hybrids. I located the first on the river Tame by Borrowpit Lake in Tamworth By the Snowdome. I then found another at Kingsbury Water Park. Both ended up meeting at Dosthill Nature Reserve. Pictures here.

http://moochersmoor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/start-of-bank-holiday.html

Hi Moocher,
These are Canada X Greylag Hybrids. Regards, John

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Canada x Barnacle hybrid

Seen in the Tame Valley Last year. Regards, John

 

[Moocher]

Seen in the Tame Valley Last year. Regards, John

If you look back in my blog, that is what I first thought due to orange bills. Then changed my mind. I will amend my blog.

 

[geoffw1946]

The 2 Garganey were still on the north pit this morning, a Wigeon was also there but no sign of the Goldeneye. Waders seen included a few Ringed Plover and LRP, 4 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper and a Dunlin. A Greenshank was reported by SLC and I missed the Black-tailed Godwit.
A work party had a boat out clearing the islands on the north pit, so it should attract some waders.
Geoff

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Footpaths and the Law Ramblers Association

The council that has principal responsibility for rights of way in a particular area, known as the highway authority, is either the county council or the unitary authority (the latter term includes London and metropolitan borough councils).

These councils are also surveying authorities, which have the duty to prepare and maintain the definitive map (except in inner London; see also Q3).

Highway authorities may sometimes assign some of their responsibilities to other authorities. District councils may, by agreement, take over path maintenance and other duties from county councils. Parish and community councils also have the power to maintain paths. In National parks, the national park authority sometimes takes over some or all of the responsibilities for rights of way.

Highway authorities have a general duty “to assert and protect the rights of the public to the use and enjoyment” of paths in their area. They are legally responsible for maintaining the surface of the path, including bridges, and keeping it free of overgrowth. They have the power to require owners to cut back overhanging growth from the side of a path.
- See more at: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walki...f-rights-of-way-law.aspx#sthash.Z3Sko5om.dpuf

 

[rollingthunder]

Looks like the linking bridge is long overdue then. If Hansons also have an obligation then all the better. It would be nice for those of us that do not have/use cars to be able to cover both areas on foot rather than the long drive round and then attempt to park?

Laurie:t:

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Bridges

Looks like the linking bridge is long overdue then. If Hansons also have an obligation then all the better. It would be nice for those of us that do not have/use cars to be able to cover both areas on foot rather than the long drive round and then attempt to park?

Laurie:t:

Hanson's sand conveyer bridge was removed for scrap by salvages on 17/5/11, one RSPB volunteer with no car since then has had to walk around the roadway from Dosthill to Middleton. With Nick Martin refusing to have the public footpath changed to to access the Dosthill Hanson's Bridge it looks like there will eventually be 2 bridges across the river Tame.

Regards, John

 

[rollingthunder]

When the water's low you might be able to walk across, for those that ca'nt actually walk on water8-P. Trouble is............the water is never low

Laurie:t:

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

12/8/13 Visit today sightings on the Staffs thread, the guttering was going in on the hide today, also wicker screens will also go inbetween the bunds and hide. The fencers have started to put fenicing on the West side of the North pit.
Geoff Williams, it's his Lincs week and he's still about, saw him at Jubilee wetlands today the Great White Egret has held him in the Midlands.
Hundreds of Corn flower in flower by the East Jubilee wetlands screen, I was told by vols today it was in the grass seed mix, Corn Flower being very rare in this area now.

Regards, John

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Pollution in rivers going through Urban areas

http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=3901


Regards, John

 

[punta]

Only the 2nd Great White Egret I have ever seen, so well pleased.

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Winter Job at Middleton lakes

http://www.rspb.org.uk/vacancies/details/350396-assistant-warden


Regards, John