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Upton Warren (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter andythomas
- Start date
upstarts1979
Well-known member
Work party today
Due to the torrential rain all day and the fact that the area we were going to work in was flooded I had to cancel the work party. For all those regulars that I didn't text then I guess you knew the score and we wouldn't have worked in these conditions . However I turned up to make sure that anyone that appeared would not be left in the lurch. I was surprised that three lads turned up Neil, Graham and Ray who took 25 years to come on his first work party what a day to choose 8-P
Anyway we managed a couple of hours taking all the cobbles, shingle and other equipment ready for Novembers work party. :t:Lads
Whilst drying out I put in 3 hours birding with continuous rain and the strong wind shifting from southerly to westerly I was hoping for a bit of movement but alas apart from a few gulls, 3 House martins and a large tit flock that contained a few Goldcrest and a chiffchaff that was it.
There was a lot activity in and around the pools with ducks and waders constantly moving around the feeding zones. At this time of year the salt-plants supply not only shelter for roosting snipe but also food for a variety of species. You will see Teal and mallard grabbing bill full's of seed heads and then sieving out the unwanted bits in the water. The linnet and goldinch flocks also feed on the dropped seeds and 2 years ago a shorelark did the same. So hopefully a bird from the national influx of lapland buntings will find its way to our reserve.
Species today included 67 Shoveler, 72 Teal, 2 Tufted, water rail (juv), 17 Snipe , Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper, The Pectoral Sandpiper was present for its 10th day tucked well up against the sewage works field reed bed.
Also seen were Sedge warbler , 2 singing Cettis and 15 Linnets
B
John
ps A juv Sandwich tern went through c10.30am and a juv Yellow legged gull was seen later (both Dave J)
Due to the torrential rain all day and the fact that the area we were going to work in was flooded I had to cancel the work party. For all those regulars that I didn't text then I guess you knew the score and we wouldn't have worked in these conditions . However I turned up to make sure that anyone that appeared would not be left in the lurch. I was surprised that three lads turned up Neil, Graham and Ray who took 25 years to come on his first work party what a day to choose 8-P
Anyway we managed a couple of hours taking all the cobbles, shingle and other equipment ready for Novembers work party. :t:Lads
Whilst drying out I put in 3 hours birding with continuous rain and the strong wind shifting from southerly to westerly I was hoping for a bit of movement but alas apart from a few gulls, 3 House martins and a large tit flock that contained a few Goldcrest and a chiffchaff that was it.
There was a lot activity in and around the pools with ducks and waders constantly moving around the feeding zones. At this time of year the salt-plants supply not only shelter for roosting snipe but also food for a variety of species. You will see Teal and mallard grabbing bill full's of seed heads and then sieving out the unwanted bits in the water. The linnet and goldinch flocks also feed on the dropped seeds and 2 years ago a shorelark did the same. So hopefully a bird from the national influx of lapland buntings will find its way to our reserve.
Species today included 67 Shoveler, 72 Teal, 2 Tufted, water rail (juv), 17 Snipe , Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper, The Pectoral Sandpiper was present for its 10th day tucked well up against the sewage works field reed bed.
Also seen were Sedge warbler , 2 singing Cettis and 15 Linnets
B
Johnps A juv Sandwich tern went through c10.30am and a juv Yellow legged gull was seen later (both Dave J)
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timmyjones
Well-known member
Must be a record breaking year for records of Sandwich Terns I can think of 5 separate records off the top of my head and also the 2 birds in the spring that lingered for 2 days? All be it not breaking the 1988 record of 28 birds in one day!
midlands birder
Well-known member
Roost 7/10/10
the PECTORAL SANDPIPER feeding in the reeds at the back of the flash in front of the sewage works all evening, the dunlin was feeding along the bank from the sewage works to the south shore, as was 8 snipe, 1 green sand and 2 common sand, 33 curlew roosted, an AD peregrine landed in the north field, 2000c BHG and a adult COMMON GULL on the deck briefly before flying off SE, and just as we walked off from the bordwalk, the Barnicle goose was heard calling from the flashes after a flock of cananda's had arrived.....
MB
the PECTORAL SANDPIPER feeding in the reeds at the back of the flash in front of the sewage works all evening, the dunlin was feeding along the bank from the sewage works to the south shore, as was 8 snipe, 1 green sand and 2 common sand, 33 curlew roosted, an AD peregrine landed in the north field, 2000c BHG and a adult COMMON GULL on the deck briefly before flying off SE, and just as we walked off from the bordwalk, the Barnicle goose was heard calling from the flashes after a flock of cananda's had arrived.....
MB
Gertatron
Well-known member
Due to the torrential rain all day and the fact that the area we were going to work in was flooded I had to cancel the work party. For all those regulars that I didn't text then I guess you knew the score and we wouldn't have worked in these conditions . However I turned up to make sure that anyone that appeared would not be left in the lurch. I was surprised that three lads turned up Neil, Graham and Ray who took 25 years to come on his first work party what a day to choose 8-P
Anyway we managed a couple of hours taking all the cobbles, shingle and other equipment ready for Novembers work party. :t:Lads
Whilst drying out I put in 3 hours birding with continuous rain and the strong wind shifting from southerly to westerly I was hoping for a bit of movement but alas apart from a few gulls, 3 House martins and a large tit flock that contained a few Goldcrest and a chiffchaff that was it.
There was a lot activity in and around the pools with ducks and waders constantly moving around the feeding zones. At this time of year the salt-plants supply not only shelter for roosting snipe but also food for a variety of species. You will see Teal and mallard grabbing bill full's of seed heads and then sieving out the unwanted bits in the water. The linnet and goldinch flocks also feed on the dropped seeds and 2 years ago a shorelark did the same. So hopefully a bird from the national influx of lapland buntings will find its way to our reserve.
Species today included 67 Shoveler, 72 Teal, 2 Tufted, water rail (juv), 17 Snipe , Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper, The Pectoral Sandpiper was present for its 10th day tucked well up against the sewage works field reed bed.
Also seen were Sedge warbler , 2 singing Cettis and 15 Linnets
B
ps A juv Sandwich tern went through c10.30am and a juv Yellow legged gull was seen later (both Dave J)
Hi John - is it worth a half day this Sunday? The Weather currently looks sunny for Sunday according to Metcheck..
upstarts1979
Well-known member
I have just looked at this site below Gert and it looks like easterlies from Friday through Sunday so hopefully there will be some good birds about:t:. Plus with the 'lads' are in Shetlands till Saturday I cannot give Phil another excuse to miss a work party8-P especially as he organises them:eek!:
With last weeks one off work party we managed to get in front of our selves so the work can wait until 7th November B
anyway.Johnhttp://magicseaweed.com/UK-Ireland-MSW-Surf-Charts/1/wind/in/
Gertatron
Well-known member
I have just looked at this site below Gert and it looks like easterlies from Friday through Sunday so hopefully there will be some good birds about:t:. Plus with the 'lads' are in Shetlands till Saturday I cannot give Phil another excuse to miss a work party8-P especially as he organises them:eek!:
With last weeks one off work party we managed to get in front of our selves so the work can wait until 7th November B
http://magicseaweed.com/UK-Ireland-MSW-Surf-Charts/1/wind/in/
Brilliant website and yes- looks a bit tasty for the weekend!
upstarts1979
Well-known member
Hi Gert
I forgot to add that we need to find a bird while they are away, there are lots up there at the moment apart from a mis-Id'd PG Tips (pallas's grasshopper warbler). So we need to get out and find summet. I will have a good try tomorrow after the Tuesday work Party:t:
Gertatron
Well-known member
Hi John - just read Gary's blog and sounds like they are getting some good birds - b...strds! Fingers crossed for the weekend at Upton then:-O
timmyjones
Well-known member
What can we pull out of the bag that will trump a Sykes's then? Some mega yank I'm thinking, maybe a Short-billed Dowitcher or maybe an Aluetian Tern! Okay so that's never gonna happen but these big westerlies etc could bring something like a Lesser Yellowlegs or something along?
midlands birder
Well-known member
THINK BIG TIM
my bet-------- nice adult male Townsends warbler please,mmmmmmmmmm
but the matter of fact is i may not be able 2 get down upton this weekend, saturday my dad has a fishing contest with his work and sunday im away for the same reason i couldnt make the work partyo
MB
upstarts1979
Well-known member
Work party at the moors today
Another good turn out in good conditions. I didn't realise the enormity of the task on Amy's marsh just keeping the status quo. The east bank of the Broadmeadow pool is covered in alder/willow saplings and low thick bramble growth as well as all the usual perennials and rank grass. It will take another 3 or 4 work parties just to clear the vegetation from this area. So if anyone can spare a Tuesday morning I'm sure Paul and the rest of us will appreciate the help:t:
The rationale for the work is to keep an open vista and short vegetated area for wintering and breeding waders next year.
Birds seen today were wigeon (2), Snipe (2), Kinfisher and a couple of Cettis singing.
The photos show the lads and lassies at work and the rank vegetation totally useless to waders that will be cut in the next few weeks.
BJohn
Another good turn out in good conditions. I didn't realise the enormity of the task on Amy's marsh just keeping the status quo. The east bank of the Broadmeadow pool is covered in alder/willow saplings and low thick bramble growth as well as all the usual perennials and rank grass. It will take another 3 or 4 work parties just to clear the vegetation from this area. So if anyone can spare a Tuesday morning I'm sure Paul and the rest of us will appreciate the help:t:
The rationale for the work is to keep an open vista and short vegetated area for wintering and breeding waders next year.
Birds seen today were wigeon (2), Snipe (2), Kinfisher and a couple of Cettis singing.
The photos show the lads and lassies at work and the rank vegetation totally useless to waders that will be cut in the next few weeks.
B
JohnAttachments
Hi everyone,
Looks like some really good work has been going on on Tuesdays. Apologies for not making it recently, I've been busy at home removing vast quantities of soil in preparation for landscaping the back garden, while the weather and available light allows. I won't be available next Tuesday either, but should return the week after that for some assistance! Keep up the good work! I'll be down on Saturday morning for some Birding
Looks like some really good work has been going on on Tuesdays. Apologies for not making it recently, I've been busy at home removing vast quantities of soil in preparation for landscaping the back garden, while the weather and available light allows. I won't be available next Tuesday either, but should return the week after that for some assistance! Keep up the good work! I'll be down on Saturday morning for some Birding
upstarts1979
Well-known member
Birding at the Flashes after the work party
Spent the majority of the 4 hours in areas that I wouldn't normally spend time in . Firstly at the confluence of the hen brook and outlet channel . The scrub here was alive with tits at least 3 goldcrests and a chiffchaff, but no rarity to grip the shetland boys off with. I then sat in the hen pool hide hoping for a goody aquatic warbler or the likes :smoke: but alas still no joy. After this a good hour session in the 1st flash hide if you know what I mean 8-P. Plenty of activity on the water but no skulking crakes or striped phylosc's.
Down to the main hide overlooking the saline lagoons where after the weekends flooding the sluice pipe was fully opened and at least 1 inch has dropped of the level (now at 0.37) revealing fresh wet mud in abundance.
The Pec sand was still showing for its 12th day. The long billed Dunlin (alpina alpina) had the bill of a curlew sand and a good supercillium as well. One each of green and common sand , 250 plus lapwing and 32 Curlew. The recent autumn influx of snipe continued, as normal at this time of year the birds are more conspicuous with at least 33 feeding in the open.
The ducks were loafing and feeding mostly on the 2nd flash numbering 67 shoveler and 70+ teal. Passerine numbers are increasing noticeably the starling numbers have rocketed to 70ish feeding on the abundant berry crop. Linnets and pied wagtails fed in front of the hide and just as I was about to leave a large pipit dropped into one of the channels it didn't call and did not appear before I had left, it could well have been a rock
The 3 pics show the central area, the curlews just yards from the hide and the long billed dunlin
:-C.John
Spent the majority of the 4 hours in areas that I wouldn't normally spend time in . Firstly at the confluence of the hen brook and outlet channel . The scrub here was alive with tits at least 3 goldcrests and a chiffchaff, but no rarity to grip the shetland boys off with. I then sat in the hen pool hide hoping for a goody aquatic warbler or the likes :smoke: but alas still no joy. After this a good hour session in the 1st flash hide if you know what I mean 8-P. Plenty of activity on the water but no skulking crakes or striped phylosc's.
Down to the main hide overlooking the saline lagoons where after the weekends flooding the sluice pipe was fully opened and at least 1 inch has dropped of the level (now at 0.37) revealing fresh wet mud in abundance.
The Pec sand was still showing for its 12th day. The long billed Dunlin (alpina alpina) had the bill of a curlew sand and a good supercillium as well. One each of green and common sand , 250 plus lapwing and 32 Curlew. The recent autumn influx of snipe continued, as normal at this time of year the birds are more conspicuous with at least 33 feeding in the open.
The ducks were loafing and feeding mostly on the 2nd flash numbering 67 shoveler and 70+ teal. Passerine numbers are increasing noticeably the starling numbers have rocketed to 70ish feeding on the abundant berry crop. Linnets and pied wagtails fed in front of the hide and just as I was about to leave a large pipit dropped into one of the channels it didn't call and did not appear before I had left, it could well have been a rock
The 3 pics show the central area, the curlews just yards from the hide and the long billed dunlin
:-C.John
Attachments
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upstarts1979
Well-known member
Not been myself but a bit of news for today
A crossbill called several times flying over the sailing pool.
The Pec sand was still present
BJohn
A crossbill called several times flying over the sailing pool.
The Pec sand was still present
B
JohnBeautiful light this afternoon.
The most attractive birds were the starlings in the afternoon sun but always buried deep in the grass so no pictures.
Pectoral sandpiper finally flew in close to the hide but then chose to walk away for the next 20 mins so that it never showed its chest. (Story of my life!o)
Unable to get down again until Tues pm at the earliest so hope whatever the weather brings in stays around.
The most attractive birds were the starlings in the afternoon sun but always buried deep in the grass so no pictures.
Pectoral sandpiper finally flew in close to the hide but then chose to walk away for the next 20 mins so that it never showed its chest. (Story of my life!o
)Unable to get down again until Tues pm at the earliest so hope whatever the weather brings in stays around.
Attachments
upstarts1979
Well-known member
Birding at the Flashes Thursday 7th Oct 4.45pm till dark (7.15pm)
The water level had dropped a little more to (0.35 on the depth marker) this level is almost the lowest achievable by sluice control alone. The wet mud completely surrounds the 2nd flash and is enticing both ducks and waders to feed in this zone. At one point there was a continuous line of snipe and teal from the sewage works field to the oaktree in front of the reeds where also the Pec Sandpiper frequented. Whether as a result of the strong easterly winds or not there was a buzz about the place with birds calling and flying all over the place. In the distance a large passerine flock circled the sewage works, occasionally landing in the dead tree where I was able to ID them as mostly greenfinch and linnet.
A pre-roost flock of 30+ Pied wags landed on the temporary bridge to one of the islands, amongst them was an adult yellow wag a very late date for the reserve. Flying over were meadow pipits , grey wag, reed bunting and starlings and amongst the melee I caught the single drawn out note of a rock pipit but I couldn’t locate the bird amongst the flock.
The shoveler flock had on masse moved to feeding in the 1st flash having previously feeding solely on the 2nd flash(5th Oct). The curlew flock and large numbers of lapwing and BHG were feeding on presumably leather jackets on the east fields.
As the light faded the passerines were replaced by night feeding ducks and roosting geese and gulls. In the distance continuous lines of large gulls numbering 100’s if not 1000’s headed north to roost at Bartley reservoir some 10 miles away. But little did I know that they were also moving north behind me, only revealed when a crescendo of sound erupted as 100’s descended from a high to circle the flashes many continued north but 485 roosted all were LBB’s and only 5 Herrings. They joined the already settled 1200 BHG’s. along with 100 mallard , 65 Shoveler, 70 Teal, little grebe, 100+ canadas, 32 Curlew , 33 Snipe, 280 Lapwing, 2 green Sand, common sand and a dunlin.
Other species of note were 2 flocks of cormorants flying south to roost totalling 20 birds. Cettis warbler 2 singing. and a kingfisher.
For anyone who has never witnessed the evening roost at the flashes give it a go. With the sun setting behind you the light persists way into the evening and even when the light disappears, the sounds add a new dimension to the whole experience. This spectacle will tail off soon and by the end of October it will be all over until next July.
BJohn
In the log book was a report of a redstart in front of the hide.
The water level had dropped a little more to (0.35 on the depth marker) this level is almost the lowest achievable by sluice control alone. The wet mud completely surrounds the 2nd flash and is enticing both ducks and waders to feed in this zone. At one point there was a continuous line of snipe and teal from the sewage works field to the oaktree in front of the reeds where also the Pec Sandpiper frequented. Whether as a result of the strong easterly winds or not there was a buzz about the place with birds calling and flying all over the place. In the distance a large passerine flock circled the sewage works, occasionally landing in the dead tree where I was able to ID them as mostly greenfinch and linnet.
A pre-roost flock of 30+ Pied wags landed on the temporary bridge to one of the islands, amongst them was an adult yellow wag a very late date for the reserve. Flying over were meadow pipits , grey wag, reed bunting and starlings and amongst the melee I caught the single drawn out note of a rock pipit but I couldn’t locate the bird amongst the flock.
The shoveler flock had on masse moved to feeding in the 1st flash having previously feeding solely on the 2nd flash(5th Oct). The curlew flock and large numbers of lapwing and BHG were feeding on presumably leather jackets on the east fields.
As the light faded the passerines were replaced by night feeding ducks and roosting geese and gulls. In the distance continuous lines of large gulls numbering 100’s if not 1000’s headed north to roost at Bartley reservoir some 10 miles away. But little did I know that they were also moving north behind me, only revealed when a crescendo of sound erupted as 100’s descended from a high to circle the flashes many continued north but 485 roosted all were LBB’s and only 5 Herrings. They joined the already settled 1200 BHG’s. along with 100 mallard , 65 Shoveler, 70 Teal, little grebe, 100+ canadas, 32 Curlew , 33 Snipe, 280 Lapwing, 2 green Sand, common sand and a dunlin.
Other species of note were 2 flocks of cormorants flying south to roost totalling 20 birds. Cettis warbler 2 singing. and a kingfisher.
For anyone who has never witnessed the evening roost at the flashes give it a go. With the sun setting behind you the light persists way into the evening and even when the light disappears, the sounds add a new dimension to the whole experience. This spectacle will tail off soon and by the end of October it will be all over until next July.
B
JohnIn the log book was a report of a redstart in front of the hide.
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upstarts1979
Well-known member
Beautiful light this afternoon.
The most attractive birds were the starlings in the afternoon sun but always buried deep in the grass so no pictures.
Pectoral sandpiper finally flew in close to the hide but then chose to walk away for the next 20 mins so that it never showed its chest. (Story of my life!o
Unable to get down again until Tues pm at the earliest so hope whatever the weather brings in stays around.
Nice Pics Roger
especially the panoramic shot of the Flashes.
cheers John
upstarts1979
Well-known member
Update for today Friday 8th Oct
Pec sand, Yellow legged Gull (juv), Redstart - Rob P
Doing an all dayer tomorrow easterlies all day bit of misty and cloudy warming up later
so I have got to give it a go. It is also the last day the lads are on Shetlands so its all or nothing.
Hope to see some of you down there
BJohn
Pec sand, Yellow legged Gull (juv), Redstart - Rob P
Doing an all dayer tomorrow easterlies all day bit of misty and cloudy warming up later
so I have got to give it a go. It is also the last day the lads are on Shetlands so its all or nothing.
Hope to see some of you down there
B
John
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timmyjones
Well-known member
Update for today Friday 8th Oct
Pec sand, Yellow legged Gull (juv), Redstart - Rob P
Doing an all dayer tomorrow easterlies all day bit of misty and cloudy warming up later
so I have got to give it a go. It is also the last day the lads are on Shetlands so its all or nothing.
Hope to see some of you down there
B
Nice one John, realistic 'good' targets could be something along the lines of a Yellow-browed Warbler, flyover Richards Pipit or a Short-eared Owl moving south.
Hope you get something really good at Upton, I'm moving out to York tomorrow so won't be able to get back to Upton till around Christmas.
Best of luck and I look forward to hearing of the megas gracing Upton! Hopefully I'll still be able to get plenty of birding done on my Bike. Also hoping to get some ringing training done when I'm up there so hopefully it won't be too long before I can start doing it at Upton.
Moustached Warbler rung in Luxembourg recently, fancy it at Upton anyone?
