Upton Warren (87 Viewers)

[upstarts1979]

Was good to finally catch up and looks like I might get a membership as its costing me a fortune in day tickets.
Took the wife and daughter but after a few hours they were bored and wanted to go to webbs over the road.

So looks like I need to come back again next week, can I pick membership up on the same day?

Yep good to meet you mateB

 

[Phil Andrews]

Hi Phil, Is there less mud showing nowadays? My local patch in Lincs, Manby Flashes has only had 16 Green Sands this July compared to 30 in July 2013 but I had 42 in August 2013 so numbers could still improve.
Geoff

Hi Geoff - overall the amount of mud available hasn't been significantly different to previous years. What is different (sorry to bang on about it) is the loss of the shoreline on the second Flash from the sewage works down towards the third Flash due to encroaching phragmites; a decade ago this stretch would have held 6 to 8 Green Sands.

 

[geoffw1946]

Hi Geoff - overall the amount of mud available hasn't been significantly different to previous years. What is different (sorry to bang on about it) is the loss of the shoreline on the second Flash from the sewage works down towards the third Flash due to encroaching phragmites; a decade ago this stretch may have held 6 to 8 Green sands.

Hi Phil,
Well, get it sorted this winter, (I know easier said than done, the RSPB are as bad).
Geoff

 

[Phil Andrews]

Juv Med Gull again in the Flashes roost this evening (Clive Lee as per WorcesterBirding)

 

[Phil Andrews]

A very productive July saw 95 species racked up for the month but the year list looks rather paltry at 131 species.

August should produce a total of well over 100 species. Potential additions for the year list in the next 31 days include Mandarin Duck, Marsh Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Turnstone, Yellow-legged Gull, Little Owl, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Spotted Flycatcher and Yellowhammer with an outside chance of something a bit tastier such as Spotted Crake or Pec Sand.

 

[Janner Falcon!]

A selection from the Moors, yesterday and today

1 & 2. Dunnock taking advantage of yesterday's sun to get rid of mites
3. Bullfinch eating green blackberries
4. Female blackcap foraging
5. Male blackcap foraging

 

[Janner Falcon!]

West hide feeder area - a very bald greenfinch!

 

[Janner Falcon!]

??

I thought this was a chiffchaff, but the more I look at it, and the more I think of its behaviour and sound makes me think it's a juvenile willow warbler. I followed it up the path a little later as it chased flies quite positively, like a flycatcher.
Have included 'failures' as they may clarify some details. The legs don't look particularly dark in 1 & 2.

Thanks in advance!

Margaret

 

[Phil Andrews]

I thought this was a chiffchaff, but the more I look at it, and the more I think of its behaviour and sound makes me think it's a juvenile willow warbler. I followed it up the path a little later as it chased flies quite positively, like a flycatcher.
Have included 'failures' as they may clarify some details. The legs don't look particularly dark in 1 & 2.

Thanks in advance!

Margaret

I would go with Willow Warbler - quite a strong super, pale cheek, pale belly and the best clincher, a decent primary projection

 

[Sy V]

...
3. Blackcap eating green blackberries...

I'll give you the fact that it has a black cap!

 

[upstarts1979]

update Flashes

Med Gull 1st Summer. dunlin summer plum. Green sand 5. LRP chick still being brooded at 23 days. Lapwing 98. peregrine calling from masts...gadwall, small influx of Teal now 8. more later hopefully

also shoveler, tufted well grown chick on 3rd flash looking very scaup like - with white blaze, rounded head, pale cheek patch, and smallish black nail on bill. But when it finally stopped its continuous diving, we finally had a chance to get good views. When the bird flapped it revealed stumpy wings of an undeveloped bird.
water rail chick on hen pool, adult called on 3rd flash, mallard fresh brood of 6,
raven, kingfisher, green and great sp woodp, stock dove 35+,
swift - over a couple of hours c200 moved south above and behind the sewage works , many flying down the valley beyond the railway tracks
whitethroat, and pheasant

forget singing WILLOW WARBLER behind main Flashes hide
Sailing Pool: GCG , tufted fem + 4 well grown chicks, common tern 3,

 

[wheatearlp]

At Moors Pool one Avocet briefly. All tern chicks/juvs seem OK following John's rescue yesterday. Best sighting was an Otter, quite large so probably male, performing well for 15 minutes plus along the west side.

 

[Janner Falcon!]

...
3. Blackcap eating green blackberries...

I'll give you the fact that it has a black cap!

:-O:-O O.K. It was nearly 1 am when I posted ......and I checked it:storm:

 

[Janner Falcon!]

I would go with Willow Warbler - quite a strong super, pale cheek, pale belly and the best clincher, a decent primary projection

Thanks Phil, much appreciated.

Margaret

 

[upstarts1979]

wind has shifted to southerly plenty of swifts drifting south and a wheatear dropped in briefly

 

[Squeelia]

...
3. Blackcap eating green blackberries...

I'll give you the fact that it has a black cap!

It was originally described, correctly, as a Bullfinch By Margaret

 

[upstarts1979]

now little egret on flashes

 

[upstarts1979]

predictably a redstart has just shown in the usual hedgerow. not a bad 6 hours. off for a cuppa

 

[Phil Andrews]

predictably a redstart has just shown in the usual hedgerow. not a bad 6 hours. off for a cuppa

Now 3 eclipse drake Garganey reported though not sure which side of the reserve

 

[upstarts1979]

Now 3 eclipse drake Garganey reported though not sure which side of the reserve

where's the report come from Phil.