Upton Warren (2 Viewers)

[Brian Stretch]

Pictures of the Marsh Harrier, courtesy of Stuart, now online here:

http://www.uptonwarrenbirding.co.uk/raptors_39.html

Brian
________________________
www.worcesterbirding.co.uk

 

[Phil Andrews]

Marsh Harrier

I know we say this every time but ..... great pictures Stuart!!

 

[waterrailus]

Hi All, just a note to say what a great day i had at UW today. Got to moors before light proper ie 6.15 and immediately saw an otter on the causeway. made my way over to main hide and at 7 am saw a heron take what is the biggest perch i have ever seen. A titanic tussle took place over the next 5 minutes whilst i tried every trick i know to get a photo (still not light) before said fish was swallowed, eventually by pushing iso up and up, came up with a few passable records. then joined by Stuart who provided some great company as we watched kingfishers disputing territories and fishing before being mugged by gulls. then Barnacle came down with big group of Canadas. I then left to go home as a breathless Stuart came racing over the causeway saying Marsh harrier on flashes. we rushed over to a hide full of folk. we set up and Stuart then dutifully asked everyone for membership whilst i concentrated on last known area. within minutes a couple of hikers had flushed Harrier and we snapped away. Excellent day thanks. Dennis

 

[upstarts1979]

Just back from an evening birding at the Flashes
Very few summer visitors on show apart from reed warbler and a couple of chiffchaffs.
The grass and sedge has been cut between the 2nd and 3rd flash so plenty to rake up on this sunday's work party :t:
This might be the reason why the snipe numbers are up slightly to 7.
Other waders were 2 Green sand, a single common sand, juvenile Dunlin, 153 Lapwing and 34 Curlew.
The gull roost included 1700 Black heads, 10 LBB and 1 herring.
The juv water rail continued to show well in the reeds in front of the oak tree.
Ducks included 54 Shoveler and 84 Teal and the little grebe was still fishing on the 1st Flash.
B John

 

[Phil Andrews]

Also the first winter Yellow-legged Gull was again reported at the Moors Pool today.

 

[warrener]

I know we say this every time but ..... great pictures Stuart!!

Thanks Phil

Stuart

 

[warrener]

Hi All, just a note to say what a great day i had at UW today. Got to moors before light proper ie 6.15 and immediately saw an otter on the causeway. made my way over to main hide and at 7 am saw a heron take what is the biggest perch i have ever seen. A titanic tussle took place over the next 5 minutes whilst i tried every trick i know to get a photo (still not light) before said fish was swallowed, eventually by pushing iso up and up, came up with a few passable records. then joined by Stuart who provided some great company as we watched kingfishers disputing territories and fishing before being mugged by gulls. then Barnacle came down with big group of Canadas. I then left to go home as a breathless Stuart came racing over the causeway saying Marsh harrier on flashes. we rushed over to a hide full of folk. we set up and Stuart then dutifully asked everyone for membership whilst i concentrated on last known area. within minutes a couple of hikers had flushed Harrier and we snapped away. Excellent day thanks. Dennis

Really enjoyable morning for me also Dennis! Very pleased you Heron pics turned out so well, pity you couldn't get the hugh portion of chips in your pics that went with the fish!

Stuart

 

[Duck_Pond]

Excellent news on 2 fronts - would love to have seen either the otter or the harrier, let alone both. Super stuff.

 

[Woodchat]

Marsh Harrier (male) again late this morning on flashes (according to Worcesterbirding) - looks like Phil and John might get that one back tomorrow...

Nice to see that Wayne D got it - I think it was a bit of a bogey bird for him in Worcestershire.

NEWSFLASH: Just heard there's a Pectoral Sandpiper at the flashes (13:09)

 

[Sy V]

Pectoral Sandpiper on the Flashes too (13:06 -three minutes sooner than you know who)!

 

[midlands birder]

Pectoral Sandpiper on the Flashes too!

Anybody whats the weather tonight?????
MB

 

[Sy V]

Anybody whats the weather tonight?????
MB

Craig

Please see attached...

 

[upstarts1979]

Pec sand still present showing well in front of hide at Flashes:t:John
Don't forget your membership cards:smoke:

 

[hagar1]

Can you bring a guest on one card ? (my wife wants to come along for the trip)

 

[upstarts1979]

Can you bring a guest on one card ? (my wife wants to come along for the trip)

All your household members are allowed mate bring your 6 kids as well :t:

Hope you see it mate
B John

 

[hagar1]

All your household members are allowed mate bring your 6 kids as well :t:

Hope you see it mate
B John

Cheers buddy leaving the kids at homeB

 

[upstarts1979]

I arrived at the Sailing at 12.15ish to be greeted by Jason K, Tony S and Andy (spoonbill finder) telling me all about the Marsh harrier and how it was flushed by the farmer:C. and how sorry they were that it had gone :-C...yes right.
Anyway I continued on my merry way unloading the cobbles etc for Sunday's work party. I heard that Rob P was in the hide so I knew if the Harrier reappears he would text Brian.
After half an hour I arrived at the hide to be instantly told in a pretty cool manner by:king: Rob that a PEC had just literally dropped in as I walked up the stairs:eek!:
We have now reserved the end seat for Rob as everytime he goes to the mecca he finds something
After getting some great close views and even attempting to get some pics of my own, my thoughts switched to the earlier meeting with the three amigo's who had by now all gone home.
Oh how I cried for them 8-P.
It was a great pleasure to see them an hour later panting up the stairs to the hide ...just a pity it stayed (only joking lads:smoke
And the moral of the story is he who laughs last laughs longest or is it loudest::-O:-O...Dont mess with the boys8-P
Oh yeh and the other moral of the story is everytime Rob P goes I will follow

 

[upstarts1979]

Getting back to the birding
The cold northerlies are certainly pushing the summer migrants south with a noticeable movement of swallows and sand martin (to a lesser degree). The arrival of 2 juv common terns was noteworthy for the date and they looked distinctly out of place in the somewhat cold miserable autumnal setting.
Two cettis warblers continued to sing. and one or two chiffchaffs called along the track.
Other waders apart from the Pec sand included Common and green sand, snipe and 150 Lapwing. Several herring gulls were amongst the LBBG's.
A raven flew above and sparrowhawk and buzzard were about but no sign of the Marsh Harrier.
B John

 

[Sy V]

All your household members are allowed mate bring your 6 kids as well :t:
Hope you see it mat
B John

I shan't bother getting Gail separate membership next year then, wish I'd known that a few years ago. :h?:

 

[warrener]

Getting back to the birding
The cold northerlies are certainly pushing the summer migrants south with a noticeable movement of swallows and sand martin (to a lesser degree). The arrival of 2 juv common terns was noteworthy for the date and they looked distinctly out of place in the somewhat cold miserable autumnal setting.
Two cettis warblers continued to sing. and one or two chiffchaffs called along the track.
Other waders apart from the Pec sand included Common and green sand, snipe and 150 Lapwing. Several herring gulls were amongst the LBBG's.
A raven flew above and sparrowhawk and buzzard were about but no sign of the Marsh Harrier.
B John

Hi John

Another great day at Upton eh!

Link below to the Pec images, there are four, just click on this image to see the others. May add some more tomorrow pm after I have had time to look at all of the ones taken today.

Stuart


http://stuartandrews183.fotopic.net/p67360956.html