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RSPB Middleton Lakes (1 Viewer)

JHDraytonbassettpits

Well-known member
On the subject of bittern, I read in this months birdwatching magazine they are undergoing a huge prpject in burton to re introduce breeding bittern! The door step as a bittern hotapot would be great.

Still many years off, the area has to be landscaped then reeds planted could be good in 10-15 years time if you can wait that long.
 

JHDraytonbassettpits

Well-known member
RSPB Snettisham Closed Badly damaged 1 hide gone
Cley 1 hide gone inundated withs Sea Water
RSPB Titchwell Parrinder hide open, have the new defences worked.

At Titchwell the new sea wall held up , so money well spent, however the boardwalk to the beach has been wrecked.
Pictures of Cley and Salthouse now on the Norfolk thread.
 
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JHDraytonbassettpits

Well-known member
Big storm caused damage on the reserve with the East screen jubilee wetlands collapsed.
Siberian and comon Chiffchaff on sallowed pool just East of East Screen Jubilee wetlands.
Mealy Redpoll and 4 Lesser Redpoll feeding low and appeared tame in young birches by Fisher's mill bridge by the first bench.

Regards, John
 

JHDraytonbassettpits

Well-known member
9/12/13 Arriving at the reserve today I spoke to a couple looking over Fisher's mill bridge pool, they said another couple had seen a Bittern in the NW Corner but they could not see it, then a Bittern got up from this area and flew to the southern area of newreedbed pools.
Only 550 Starling roosted in the reeds Fisher's mill pool today.

Regards, John
 
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JHDraytonbassettpits

Well-known member
11/12/13 Plumes of smoke over Fisher's mill as the volunteer led group by the get stuck in winter assistant warden Fergus Mosey cleared islands ( we need an assistant warden all year I believe).
I noticed Geoff had infiltrated the work party and was probably looking for Jack Snipe and Bittern whilst doing so.
3 Stonechats (2m amd female) seen again around jubilee wetlands, they think the fence posts are great. The Long Horn's are gaining confidence now and wandering all over jubillee wetlands. The EA are still working on the bund so looks like Christmas or later before they finish working here.

Regards, John
 

JHDraytonbassettpits

Well-known member
From Facebook
Please note that from Monday 16th December there will be a team of tree surgeons working along the bridleway and woodland removing a number of very large trees. These trees have been identified as either being in a dangerous condition or deemed unsuitable for the reserve (non-native). This work will mean the temporary closing of paths in the vicinity. Our wardens will be on hand to warn visitors and to offer advice about the work.

The work will be completed no later than Friday 20th inst.
 

JHDraytonbassettpits

Well-known member
Great White Egret

16/12/13 Seen today on the north pit by Steve Cawthray http://tamevalleybirding.blogspot.co.uk/
I did not put my mobile phone on yesterday and today putting the phone on, I had a message from John Fincham saying yesterday 15/12/13 morning Ladywalk 10:45 he saw a Great White Egret flying along the river in the direction of the carpark.


Regards, John
 
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geoffw1946

Well-known member
16/12/13 Seen today on the north pit by Steve Cawthray http://tamevalleybirding.blogspot.co.uk/
I did not put my mobile phone on yesterday and today putting the phone on, I had a message from John Fincham saying yesterday 15/12/13 morning Ladywalk 10:45 he saw a Great White Egret flying along the river in the direction of the carpark.


Regards, John
A Great White Egret was reported for yesterday on the RSPB website.
 

JHDraytonbassettpits

Well-known member
17/12/13 Along Mill plantation tree removal continues but the path is still open, a Peacock butterfly was seen along here today.
Starlings did not roost however 480 went south at dusk.
Today's sightings on the Staffs thread.

Regards, John
 

JHDraytonbassettpits

Well-known member
The Staffordshire County recorder has mentioned that Bittern is still at the moment a rare bird for Staffordshire and a description is required for record acceptance.
Fisher's mill pool no longer exists as the RSPB removed a N-S bund separating 2 pools, the fathest East pool was Fisher's mill pool and was entirely in Warwickshire. I now call this larger single pool Fisher's mill bridge pool, as you come over Fisher's mill bridge the reeds along the West side of the pool are in Staffs and also reeds along the NW shore are also Staffs.

Regards, John
 

Phil Andrews

It's only Rock and Roller but I like it
The Staffordshire County recorder has mentioned that Bittern is still at the moment a rare bird for Staffordshire and a description is required for record acceptance.
Fisher's mill pool no longer exists as the RSPB removed a N-S bund separating 2 pools, the fathest East pool was Fisher's mill pool and was entirely in Warwickshire. I now call this larger single pool Fisher's mill bridge pool, as you come over Fisher's mill bridge the reeds along the West side of the pool are in Staffs and also reeds along the NW shore are also Staffs.

Regards, John

Bittern remains a description species in all four of the WMBC counties.
 

geoffw1946

Well-known member
One or two Great White Egret were seen this afternoon, 1 was showing well around Fishers Mill Pool and the new reed bed pool and later 1 flew south over the north pit. On the way back 1 was seen to fly from NRP over to the Dosthill side. 2 or 3 Little Egret were around.
574 Lapwing and 4 Snipe were on the NP and a Lesser spotted Woodie was reported on the feeders.
Geoff
 

JHDraytonbassettpits

Well-known member
20/12/13 I noticed a few new additions at the feeding station today 3 young chickens from the farm feeding on sunflower hearts that had dropped from the feeders, like a Sikh Temple to them with free food available at all times.
The other Collie dog came around the corner onto the Heronry view platform and started barking, then Bob the collie dog came around also, I patted Bob on the head then the other dog moved back to the farm. It may work for others that's if you know which of the 2 dogs is Bob.
The tree surgeons had removed a large Ash by the feeders where I had seen Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the past.
Trees cleared by the RSPB Woodland walk will provide more light for flowers, no doubt Bluebell and Wood Anemone will benefit.
Sightings on the Staffs and Warks threads.

Regards, John
 

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