forgetfulelephant
Well-known member
Nice work John. Sent you a pm.
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Upton Warren (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter andythomas
- Start date
Nice work John. Sent you a pm.
Paul Rhodes
Well-known member
Black stork a real possible Phil
Sy V
Well-known member
Didn't realise it got you THAT excited mate! :eek!:
Phil Andrews
It's only Rock and Roller but I like it
The three records for the West Midlands region are all clustered in a five day period between 29th May and 2nd June; Worcestershire's only record was along Dowles Brook in the Wyre Forest on the 31st May 1956
upstarts1979
Well-known member
Forgot to add these are Dave H's photos that are shown. Cheers Dave
stoneycurlew
Member
Avocet - Too many legs ?
http://youtu.be/hRVA7_1ip_Y
http://youtu.be/hRVA7_1ip_Y
binus1963
Well-known member
avocet with way too many legs!
Attachments
Spoonbill Finder
Well-known member
Today's Ups and Downs
I arrived at a very wet and empty Sailing Centre car park just before 5.30 this morning, hoping that the overnight rain might have brought down an interesting wader or two.
En route to the Avocet Hide I scanned the Sailing Pool; a Common Tern swooped gracefully over the water and a Grey Wagtail flew over my head, calling and landing on the jetty. Otherwise there were just small numbers of Mallard and Tufted Duck.
With great anticipation I entered the hide and opened one of the windows. After an exhaustive scan it soon became clear that nothing new had dropped in. The cast of characters was much the same as witnessed by Des the day before. It was pleasing to see the 4 new Avocet chicks feeding along the Southern shoreline, and gratifying to observe how much the other 8 chicks had grown since my last visit on Saturday morning.
The Oystercatcher pair appeared to still be in residence. Though I only saw the one bird, I think it is safe to assume that the female was still sitting on the nest, which is hidden behind the foliage on the island.
Of particular concern was the fact that the Little Ringed Plover which had been sitting in the cage nearest to the hide did not appear to be sitting on eggs any longer. Indeed, I only saw 4 birds - the other 2 sitting ones and presumably their partners - in the 2 hours I was there. Later in the day I spoke to Jared Tibbetts, who suggested that this pair's chicks were due to hatch today. Neither of us had seen any evidence of the chicks or indeed their parents!:C:C:C
In addition to the above the Flashes held 1 Lapwing, 4 Shelduck and 2 Gadwall (m). Later in the day I observed a Water Rail in front of the reed bed at the back of the 2nd Flash and an additional drake Gadwall. The number of adult Avocets was 26. The Garden Warbler sang and showed in between the Cuckoo and Hen Brook hides.
Over at the Moors Pool I saw 4 Oystercatchers plus 2 chicks, 2 Mute Swans with 6 cygnets, 2 Avocets, 1 Shoveler(m), 1 Gadwall(m), 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe and a Cuckoo over the North Moors Plantation. 9 Common Terns were present later on in the day, 6 of which were sitting on the rafts. The new large raft looked particularly impressive from the Jacobs' Hide.:t::t::t:
Finally, during a brief period of sunshine around lunchtime I saw Blue-tailed Damselflies (my first of the year), Azure Blues and a Broad-bodied Chaser on the North Moors Plantation, and several Banded Demoiselles on the footpath by the Salwarpe.
I arrived at a very wet and empty Sailing Centre car park just before 5.30 this morning, hoping that the overnight rain might have brought down an interesting wader or two.
En route to the Avocet Hide I scanned the Sailing Pool; a Common Tern swooped gracefully over the water and a Grey Wagtail flew over my head, calling and landing on the jetty. Otherwise there were just small numbers of Mallard and Tufted Duck.
With great anticipation I entered the hide and opened one of the windows. After an exhaustive scan it soon became clear that nothing new had dropped in. The cast of characters was much the same as witnessed by Des the day before. It was pleasing to see the 4 new Avocet chicks feeding along the Southern shoreline, and gratifying to observe how much the other 8 chicks had grown since my last visit on Saturday morning.
The Oystercatcher pair appeared to still be in residence. Though I only saw the one bird, I think it is safe to assume that the female was still sitting on the nest, which is hidden behind the foliage on the island.
Of particular concern was the fact that the Little Ringed Plover which had been sitting in the cage nearest to the hide did not appear to be sitting on eggs any longer. Indeed, I only saw 4 birds - the other 2 sitting ones and presumably their partners - in the 2 hours I was there. Later in the day I spoke to Jared Tibbetts, who suggested that this pair's chicks were due to hatch today. Neither of us had seen any evidence of the chicks or indeed their parents!:C:C:C
In addition to the above the Flashes held 1 Lapwing, 4 Shelduck and 2 Gadwall (m). Later in the day I observed a Water Rail in front of the reed bed at the back of the 2nd Flash and an additional drake Gadwall. The number of adult Avocets was 26. The Garden Warbler sang and showed in between the Cuckoo and Hen Brook hides.
Over at the Moors Pool I saw 4 Oystercatchers plus 2 chicks, 2 Mute Swans with 6 cygnets, 2 Avocets, 1 Shoveler(m), 1 Gadwall(m), 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe and a Cuckoo over the North Moors Plantation. 9 Common Terns were present later on in the day, 6 of which were sitting on the rafts. The new large raft looked particularly impressive from the Jacobs' Hide.:t::t::t:
Finally, during a brief period of sunshine around lunchtime I saw Blue-tailed Damselflies (my first of the year), Azure Blues and a Broad-bodied Chaser on the North Moors Plantation, and several Banded Demoiselles on the footpath by the Salwarpe.
wheatearlp
Well-known member
Nothing much to add to Andy's summary above in a cold 90 minutes this evening at the Flashes. Main increases were:
Tufted Duck - 12 pairs plus 4 males
Gadwall - 2 pairs plus 1 male
There was little in the way of singing passerines, presumably due to the colder conditions, other than Chiffchaff, Robin, Reed Bunting and Reed Warblers.
Tufted Duck - 12 pairs plus 4 males
Gadwall - 2 pairs plus 1 male
There was little in the way of singing passerines, presumably due to the colder conditions, other than Chiffchaff, Robin, Reed Bunting and Reed Warblers.
upstarts1979
Well-known member
3 little egrets just dropped into flashes also common sand and 5th brood of avos
Record shot of the three Egrets plus one of the Moors depth marker for Phil Andrews.:t:
Attachments
Just a reminder that the Absolute Beginners' Birdwatching course is taking place on the reserve tomorrow. Just to repeat the earlier post:
We start the day with an indoor talk off site and then drive to the flashes to use the upper deck of the Avocet Hide from about midday for about an hour or so and then walk over to the Moors to use the upper deck of the Jacobs' Hide.
There will be 14 of us so we will inevitably cause some disruption to those who've gone for a quiet afternoon! It will be a bit of a squeeze! Particularly in the Jacob's hide. You may want to organise your visit to avoid us!
If you are in the hide I'm sure we'd be grateful for any help or comments you'd like to make; it's all part of the experience if we show people how helpful U/W birders can be.
If previous years are anything to go by these people will be absolute beginners; my aim is to help them work out for themselves what they are looking at rather than just point out everything at once!
Many apologies for the disruption and thanks in anticipation of your understanding.
Roger
We start the day with an indoor talk off site and then drive to the flashes to use the upper deck of the Avocet Hide from about midday for about an hour or so and then walk over to the Moors to use the upper deck of the Jacobs' Hide.
There will be 14 of us so we will inevitably cause some disruption to those who've gone for a quiet afternoon! It will be a bit of a squeeze! Particularly in the Jacob's hide. You may want to organise your visit to avoid us!
If you are in the hide I'm sure we'd be grateful for any help or comments you'd like to make; it's all part of the experience if we show people how helpful U/W birders can be.
If previous years are anything to go by these people will be absolute beginners; my aim is to help them work out for themselves what they are looking at rather than just point out everything at once!
Many apologies for the disruption and thanks in anticipation of your understanding.
Roger
upstarts1979
Well-known member
Spent all my 6 hours at the Flashes, from 9am till 3pm.
The easterly was strong and cold, forcing many hirundines and swifts low over the lagoons. Three little egrets came from behind the hide and attempted to drop into the nearest channel, but they thought better of that after the avocets had a 'word'. They did however land on the opposite shore for half an hour or more. The only migrant wader was a common sand, unless lapwing is classed as a migrant these days:-C.
The garden warbler continued singing opposite the first bench. The 5th brood of avocet hatched today.
Species count Flashes :
Little Egret 3 summer plumaged plumes an all.
Shoveler male, gadwall 6 ( fem + 5m), shelduck 4 (the territorial male was joined by its female mid day. This happened at the same time last Friday, when she frantically fed and also became aggressive to the nearby avocets. This behaviour would indicate that she has been sitting on eggs somewhere and occasionally takes a break. Hopefully within the next two weeks she will bring the 'kids' along. tufted 20, Avocet 26 ads + 13 chicks (4:2:2:4:1). Lapwing 1, common sand, LRP 4, Oystercatcher 2, Herring gull 10, LBBG 15, BHG 300 + min of 120 young, with the first few now flying. Stock dove 15, swift 60, skylark, house martin 70, sand martin 1, swallow 3, Garden warbler, linnet 12,
Easterlies, showers and still they don't come, but I will back for more tomorrow.
The easterly was strong and cold, forcing many hirundines and swifts low over the lagoons. Three little egrets came from behind the hide and attempted to drop into the nearest channel, but they thought better of that after the avocets had a 'word'. They did however land on the opposite shore for half an hour or more. The only migrant wader was a common sand, unless lapwing is classed as a migrant these days:-C.
The garden warbler continued singing opposite the first bench. The 5th brood of avocet hatched today.
Species count Flashes :
Little Egret 3 summer plumaged plumes an all.
Shoveler male, gadwall 6 ( fem + 5m), shelduck 4 (the territorial male was joined by its female mid day. This happened at the same time last Friday, when she frantically fed and also became aggressive to the nearby avocets. This behaviour would indicate that she has been sitting on eggs somewhere and occasionally takes a break. Hopefully within the next two weeks she will bring the 'kids' along. tufted 20, Avocet 26 ads + 13 chicks (4:2:2:4:1). Lapwing 1, common sand, LRP 4, Oystercatcher 2, Herring gull 10, LBBG 15, BHG 300 + min of 120 young, with the first few now flying. Stock dove 15, swift 60, skylark, house martin 70, sand martin 1, swallow 3, Garden warbler, linnet 12,
Easterlies, showers and still they don't come, but I will back for more tomorrow.
upstarts1979
Well-known member
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/877/...eir-eggs/?z00m=21115572&redirectID=1363045071
What is a matter with this country, read this:C
What is a matter with this country, read this:C
keithr
Relapsus resurgam
Its been on facebook for ages (thought everyone would have heard about it)......had my rant and signed petition.
Keith :t:
p.s. ..heres a reason its happening............
http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/...wing-the-destruction-of-robin-eggs-and-nests/
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Spoonbill Finder
Well-known member
Spent all my 6 hours at the Flashes, from 9am till 3pm.
The easterly was strong and cold, forcing many hirundines and swifts low over the lagoons. Three little egrets came from behind the hide and attempted to drop into the nearest channel, but they thought better of that after the avocets had a 'word'. They did however land on the opposite shore for half an hour or more. The only migrant wader was a common sand, unless lapwing is classed as a migrant these days:-C.
The garden warbler continued singing opposite the first bench. The 5th brood of avocet hatched today.
Species count Flashes :
Little Egret 3 summer plumaged plumes an all.
Shoveler male, gadwall 6 ( fem + 5m), shelduck 4 (the territorial male was joined by its female mid day. This happened at the same time last Friday, when she frantically fed and also became aggressive to the nearby avocets. This behaviour would indicate that she has been sitting on eggs somewhere and occasionally takes a break. Hopefully within the next two weeks she will bring the 'kids' along. tufted 20, Avocet 26 ads + 13 chicks (4:2:2:4:1). Lapwing 1, common sand, LRP 4, Oystercatcher 2, Herring gull 10, LBBG 15, BHG 300 + min of 120 young, with the first few now flying. Stock dove 15, swift 60, skylark, house martin 70, sand martin 1, swallow 3, Garden warbler, linnet 12,
Easterlies, showers and still they don't come, but I will back for more tomorrow.
Hi John. After you left this afternoon a second Avocet chick from the most recent brood revealed itself, thus taking the count up to 14.
Species Count at Moors Pool this morning :
Oystercatcher 4 (+ 2 Chicks), Avocet 2, Common Tern (9 at least), Gadwall 2(m), Shoveler 1(m), GC Grebe 2, Little Grebe 2, Tufted Duck 36, Mute Swan 2 (+ 6 cygnets). All 3 hirundine species were present - House Martin being the most prevalent - and Swift probably outnumbered them all!
A pair of Common Terns were seen mating on the deluxe new raft early this afternoon, whilst another pair also appear to have stationed themselves there. 2 other pairs are using the smaller adjacent rafts and a further 2 pairs are sitting on the furthest shingle island from the East Hide. 2 Common Terns were over the North Moors Pool when I left and 3 were seen fishing the Sailing Pool at about 5pm. Whether these birds were additional to the 9 counted earlier is open to debate.
And finally here are a few record shots taken this morning:
1. Mute Swan with cygnets
2. Red-eyed Damselfly male (seen along the Salwarpe) - an Upton Warren life tick for me:t::t::t:
3. Large red spotty ladybird (also along the Salwarpe)
Attachments
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Phil Andrews
It's only Rock and Roller but I like it
Just re-read your write-up of Wednesday Des; do all the Whitethroat records refer to singing males?
upstarts1979
Well-known member
Update from a cold wet flashes.
Avocet 29 + 16 chicks 6th brood of 1 on shingle island in front of sewage works. Yesterdays new brood has risen to 3. Only migrants oystercatcher 3 in total and a flyover lapwing. Unfortunately 40 large gulls hanging around. Garden warbler at confluence
Paul C has had 3 whitethroat and a lesser whitethroat in edy reserve.
Avocet 29 + 16 chicks 6th brood of 1 on shingle island in front of sewage works. Yesterdays new brood has risen to 3. Only migrants oystercatcher 3 in total and a flyover lapwing. Unfortunately 40 large gulls hanging around. Garden warbler at confluence
Paul C has had 3 whitethroat and a lesser whitethroat in edy reserve.
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Phil Andrews
It's only Rock and Roller but I like it
Otter at the Moors Pool
Phil Andrews
It's only Rock and Roller but I like it
Further views of the Otter by the west hides
