Upton Warren (142 Viewers)

[Phil Andrews]

Andy A reports the 2 Sanderling are still present at the Flashes this morning, plus 2 Dunlin and 2 Redshank.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Andy A reports the 2 Sanderling are still present at the Flashes this morning, plus 2 Dunlin and 2 Redshank.

Also the Black-tailed Godwit still present at the Flashes early morning as per Dave Walker

 

[Phil Andrews]

2 Sanderling and Black-tailed Godwit still at the Flashes at 10:30 as per Max Silverman

 

[reedwarbler]

The Greek Island Of Lesvos

http://www.ispyabird.co.uk/blogs/5201

 

[upstarts1979]

Sanderlings and the pair of Redshank (a rarity at this time of year) still present 4pm per Paul Anthony B

 

[Gert Corfield]

Sanderlings and the pair of Redshank (a rarity at this time of year) still present 4pm per Paul Anthony B

Also Blackwit still present

 

[Peregrine Trousers]

Some pics of the redshanks from this morning. They returned twice to the same point just in front of the Avocet hide, and were seen to be 'tidying' two locations in the grass (about 2m apart). Given that they had only appeared overnight I guess it's unlikely that they are settled on Upton as home...but you never know.

When was the last breeding of Redshank at Upton....if ever!!

 

[Phil Owen]

Literally a "flying visit" after work at 6.15pm.

2 Sanderling still present
1 Black-tailed Godwit
2 Redshank both having a bit of a battle in front of the hide with a Lapwing...worth keeping an eye on things assuming they stay of course!
6 Little-ringed Plover
1 Cetti's Warbler
amongst the usuals.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Some pics of the redshanks from this morning. They returned twice to the same point just in front of the Avocet hide, and were seen to be 'tidying' two locations in the grass (about 2m apart). Given that they had only appeared overnight I guess it's unlikely that they are settled on Upton as home...but you never know.

When was the last breeding of Redshank at Upton....if ever!!

Will post Redshank's breeding history at Upton Warren in the next day or two but certainly been successful breeding in last 10 years and traditionally was a regular(ish) breeder

 

[Phil Andrews]

Some pics of the redshanks from this morning. They returned twice to the same point just in front of the Avocet hide, and were seen to be 'tidying' two locations in the grass (about 2m apart). Given that they had only appeared overnight I guess it's unlikely that they are settled on Upton as home...but you never know.

When was the last breeding of Redshank at Upton....if ever!!

Hi Andy - the full answer (including a chart) was set out in post #5884 from 2011; there have been no attempts since the posting which is replicated below

"Redshank has been a highly erratic breeder at Upton Warren; it was first noted to have bred in 1965, when two pairs were successful. Since then breeding has been at best sporadic; the historic position is as follows: 1965 (two pairs), 1968 (one or two pairs), 1971 (known to have bred), 1972 (two pairs), 1973 (one pair), 1977 (breeding attempted), 1981 (one pair failed), 1982 (unsuccessful) and 1984 (two pairs unsuccessful).

Whilst up to five pairs have nested in the past, no more than one pair has ever been successful in a year since 1984 (when the annual reports commenced); in this period a total of 17 chicks have been raised. The peak of breeding activity was in the 1990s and attempts have been vastly reduced since with only 7 pairs attempting in the last 12 years [edit: now 17 years]. Of the waders competing for space at the Flashes Redshank seem the most timid and easily disturbed; as a result it tends to be forced to the extremities of the reserve where it is more prone to predation. Work at the Flashes has tried to create areas of long grass to assist nesting birds whilst the development of further feeding channels and bay areas have attempt to attract birds in the spring and provide suitable nursery areas should nesting occur. Unfortunately this year very few birds were present in April and May and nobreeding activity was observed."

 

[Peregrine Trousers]

Phil..Thanks for the Redshank data...let's hope they hang around for a bit...

 

[Birder Gladys]

another good evening with lots happening, Redshank still trying to settle in long grass,looks like canada geese lost a gosling c'est la vie.

 

[wheatearlp]

Blackwit & both Sanderling still present at dusk.

 

[upstarts1979]

Sanderlings both gone..not seen at all today. Still Blackwit and a one legged dunlin. Lapwing chicks all present apart from the little runt in the west meadow brood of 3. Thus 4 broods totalling 10. 2: 1 :3 in meadow and 4 in delta right of hide. The oystercatchers have got 3 chicks in the meadow. Redshank continues to give us hope of a late breeding attempt. Avocet now possibly 14 sitting birds just 1 chick so far. Another on the Right hand 2nd flash island is imminent.
Species count Flashes :
Teal fem. Shoveler male female appeared later. Gadwall. Shelduck 4. Tufted 39. mallard 5 broods. Canada down from 5 to 3 chicks. coot 3 broods.
Avocet 34 poss 35. LRP 5. Lapwing 14 +10 chicks. Oystercatcher 2 +3 chicks. Redshank 2. Blackwit. dunlin.
Kestrel. buzzard 3.
rook. swift 150 -180. song thrush 3. sedge w 3. reed warbler 5 singing. Cetti's Warbler. chiffchaff. blackcap.
Linnet 6. Starling 4.
reed bunting at least 5 males in and around cuckoo hide.

 

[upstarts1979]

Today at the Moors
I spent a good hour trying to get a true picture of the breeding waders progress.
Good and bad news. The bad news was. The pair of lapwing's futile battle with trampling Canada's, ended up with the lapwings removing their smashed eggs from the nest.
The good news was that 2 of the largest Oystercatcher chicks are doing well. The younger brood of 3 are all doing well.

Not a lot of other activity really, other than the constant battles between common terns and BHG's vying for the best breeding sites.

Species counts Moors:
GCG, little grebe only 2 seen, possibly most have settled down to breeding duties. Shoveler 3, gadwall 5, shelduck 2, Oystercatcher 4 + 5 chicks, Lapwing 4, SNIPE, Common tern 6, herring gull, swift c40, sand martin 15, house martin 10, swallow,
reed warbler 8, sedge warbler 4, cetti's 3, chiffchaff, whitethroat ( North Moors),
nuthatch, song thrush,

pic. one of the 2 large Oystercatcher chicks 14 days old

 

[keithr]

Great to finally manage to visit today for a few hours......I came to hopefully see my Fave Wader the Redshank and the one obliged by coming really close....JB said it was the female.....
Only had to wait an hour to nab a couple of the Hen hide Reed Warblers.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Caught up with Gary for an hour yesterday in Norfolk - he says hello to everyone at Upton and was very interested to hear of the status of this year's breeding season and also about "Shank Day". He is currently on 247 species for the year and is on target to break the European Green Birding record which is currently 304 species.

 

[Birder Gladys]

Blackwit. 2 Redshank. Dunlin (1 legged) strong SW wind and arctic tern (dj)

 

[Phil Andrews]

Dave J reports Arctic Tern at the Sailing Pool at 6am before flying to the Flashes where it was briefly present before heading off north-west.

In addition to Tim's sightings Dave also reports at the Flashes 38 Avocet with 1 chick still (a new record count of adult Avocets), 5 LRP and Cuckoo.

 

[Birder Gladys]

Moors. 4 Oyk can only see 3 chicks with one pair. Terns in rafts. Cettis calling