Upton Warren (151 Viewers)

[UW82]

What are your thoughts on the juvenile GC Grebe Des - young enough to have secretly been raised on the reserve or likely to have flown in from another site?

The latter Phil.

Des.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Black-tailed Godwit

Des's flock of 21 Black-tailed Godwit yesterday was the fourth largest occurrence of this species at Upton Warren:

1. 69 - 12th April 2013 (Flashes) *
2. 27 (min) - 23rd August 2010 (Moors Pool)
3. 23 - 29th June 1998 (Amy's Marsh, Moors Pool)
4. 21 - 27th July 2016 (Flashes)
5. 20 - 9th July 1992
5. 20 - 4th July 2007 (Flashes)
7. 18 - 2nd July 2002 (Flashes)
8. 17 - 5th July 2000 (Flashes)
8. 17 - 1st May 1998
8. 17 - 7th July 2011 (Flashes)

* 46 birds flew over the Moors Pool earlier in the day but have been assumed to be part of the same flock

 

[Phil Andrews]

4 Black-tailed Godwit this morning at the Flashes as per Andy Ambrose

 

[Peregrine Trousers]

Two visits to the flashes today....

0700-1100

Whitethroat (2)
Egyptian Goose (2)
Greylag (flock of c20 flew over)
Oystercatcher (1)
Avocet (34)
LRP (8 plus chick)
Lapwing (c100)
Dunlin (3)
Black-tailed Godwit (4)
Redshank (3)
Green Sandpiper (7)
LBB Gull (4)
Herring Gull (2)
Common Tern (1)
Swallow (1)
Pied Wagtail (3)
Starling (c20)
Linnet (1)

1230-1500

Dunlin (+2...5 in total)
Curlew (10)
Sand Martin (1)

 

[Phil Andrews]

Also at the Flashes: 8 Green Sand, 7 juvenile Shelduck and juvenile Redstart still as per Terry Hinett

 

[UW82]

Also at the Flashes: 8 Green Sand, 7 juvenile Shelduck and juvenile Redstart still as per Terry Hinett

A comment on Green Sand numbers: I saw four fly into the third flash area (a flash that is becoming even more difficult to see given the spread of phragmites) from the second flash and I do wonder whether total counts would be higher depending on when an observer counts and how long they are observing.

Des.

 

[Phil Andrews]

A comment on Green Sand numbers: I saw four fly into the third flash area (a flash that is becoming even more difficult to see given the spread of phragmites) from the second flash and I do wonder whether total counts would be higher depending on when an observer counts and how long they are observing.

Des.

Numbers also always seem higher as the day progresses

 

[Peregrine Trousers]

Numbers also always seem higher as the day progresses

I counted them 3 times over 4 hours and then again this afternoon..there were only 4 at 7am but they did increase...always possible that others may be hidden from time to time, especially if they retire to the 3rd flash

 

[UW82]

Numbers also always seem higher as the day progresses

That appears to be the rule but rules are often broken eg there were eight yesterday morning and eight in the evening, that's why I wonder whether the third flash is holding a few.

 

[Phil Andrews]

I counted them 3 times over 4 hours and then again this afternoon..there were only 4 at 7am but they did increase...always possible that others may be hidden from time to time, especially if they retire to the 3rd flash

Don't worry Andy - it won't be a problem in a few years when the reed spread is complete

 

[wheatearlp]

Nothing much to add this evening - 4 Common Terns on Sailing Pool, adult Water Rail & couple of Reed Warblers on Hen Pool. Juv & ad Water Rail east side second flash, Raven on mast, 18 Curlews in to roost As reported earlier otherwise.

 

[upstarts1979]

A comment on Green Sand numbers: I saw four fly into the third flash area (a flash that is becoming even more difficult to see given the spread of phragmites) from the second flash and I do wonder whether total counts would be higher depending on when an observer counts and how long they are observing.

Des.

On Tuesday there were 8 in the saucer and 3 along the gulley/ meadow shore. Then 4 flew on to the 3rd Flash. Later all 11 were in the saucer.

 

[wheatearlp]

Only saw six Green Sands at any one time this evening. Nothing of great excitement in the roost. Large moth along path between hides looked like a Drinker or Oak Eggar... but then what do I know about moths 😃

 

[Phil Andrews]

Maximum wader counts - updated

Its been four years since I last posted this summary so ahead of the main wader return passage commencing shortly I thought it was worth providing an updated version:

Oystercatcher - 14 - 20th July 2012
Black-winged Stilt - 1 - 21st to 22nd May 2006
Avocet - 57 - late June 2015
Little Ringed Plover - 31 - Late June 2002
Ringed Plover - 20 - 15th May 1994
Golden Plover - 150 - 25th February 1994
Grey Plover - 6 - 7th to 8th October 1991
Lapwing - 3,000 - February 1977, 31st July 1995, early February 1985, early 1994, late 1994, December 1995
Knot - 3 - 21st August 1965
Sanderling - 3 - 15th May 2006
Little Stint - 37 - 25th September 1996
Temminck’s Stint - 6 - 25th to 27th May 1975
Least Sandpiper - 1 - 13th to 15th August 1988
Pectoral Sandpiper - 2 - 15th September 2003
Curlew Sandpiper - 16 - 26th August 2000
Dunlin - 35 - 14th May 2007
Ruff - 16 - 2nd May 1994
Jack Snipe - 35 - 25th February 2014
Snipe - 200 - 28th March 1971
Woodcock - 2 - 1st March 1986
Black-tailed Godwit - 69 - 12th April 2013
Bar-tailed Godwit - 23 - 30th April 2011
Whimbrel - 32 - 9th August 1992
Curlew - 122 - September 1988
Spotted Redshank - 7 - 26th August 1966
Redshank - 27 - 10th May 2016
Greenshank - 13 - 21st August 2000 & 10th May 2016
Green Sandpiper - 31 - 19th August 2001
Wood Sandpiper - 6 - August to September 1965
Common Sandpiper - 18 - 25th August 1971
Turnstone - 8 - 2nd September 1988
Wilson’s Phalarope - 1 - 2 records
Red-necked Phalarope - 2 - 30th April 2011
Grey Phalarope - 1 - 4 records

 

[Spoonbill Finder]

6 Blackwit & 5 Dunlin at Flashes this morning. Also 8 LRP + chick, Redshank + 3 juvs, 5 Green Sands, 2 Egyptian Geese & juv Redstart.

 

[Spoonbill Finder]

Wheatear at Flashes for about 10 mins from 4pm. Looked like an adult male autumn bird.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Early morning update from the Sailing Pool by Rob Guest:

6 Common Terns, 2 Egyptian Geese, 18+ Curlews left the Flashes roost.

 

[Phil Andrews]

From the Flashes Rob reports:

No godwits :eek!:, 11 LR Plover plus chick (best count of the year), 2 Dunlin, 4 Redshank (adult + 3 fledged young), 2 Common Sandpiper, 8 Green Sandpiper, 70+ Lapwing, 3 juv Shelduck, 50+ Stock Dove, Peregrine, Redstart (the eighth consecutive day one has been seen)

Edit: Rob has just had 3 Blackwits drop into the Flashes; also 1 Egyptian Goose.

 

[Phil Andrews]

MARSH HARRIER at the Flashes (Dave Walker as per Paul Rhodes)

 

[Woodchat]

The Marsh Harrier showed again - flew low towards moors. Mainly a dark brown bird but with small amount of grey in the wing. Immature male??