Upton Warren (1 Viewer)

[upstarts1979]

Cheers John - what sort of numbers is the BHG roost getting? Wont be long before we start thinking about Meds again. Would be nice if the Common Tern roost of recent years at the Flashes was repeated this year; after breeding we were getting flock of 30+ in previous years.

Not massive as yet Phil c100 when I left, but I think the presence of LBBG could be the reason that the LRP chicks were moved away. I think once the majority of BHG at the Moors have finished nesting there will be a sudden influx on to the Flashes.:t:
ps according to some of the Photographers at the Moors there are 3 lots of common terns chicks at present. Also still 2 water rail chicks seen from the concrete hide.
Not a great deal at the Moors today, other than sightings of garden warbler and lesser whitethroat.In the secret garden plenty of reed warblers and a couple of chiffchaffs. A 'tumbling' raven performed for a few minutes high above the north moors. On the butterfly front there was a very welcome and numerous showing of small tortoishell and also a white letter hairstreak.

 

[toadoftoadhall]

Great day at Upton again

Had a superb day, came up to see the Heron, saw 4 on the moors, along with the kingfisher, reed bunting showing and singing well.
Was a bit shocked at how large now the dry area is at the Flash, is it likely to get much worse?
Saw the black tailed godwit ?, how red can it get!
Also, walking back from the hide, I met a guy with a scope on the redstart so got to see that too.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Had a superb day, came up to see the Heron, saw 4 on the moors, along with the kingfisher, reed bunting showing and singing well.
Was a bit shocked at how large now the dry area is at the Flash, is it likely to get much worse?
Saw the black tailed godwit ?, how red can it get!
Also, walking back from the hide, I met a guy with a scope on the redstart so got to see that too.

Hi TOTH - the next step in the drought progression would be the drying up of all channels linking the first and second flashes and yes, there is always the danger of the second flash drying out. With the Avocets arriving earlier and earlier every year (and commencing nesting virtually straight away) it is getting difficult the hold the water high throughout March as we have traditionally done. The flip side is that early nesting Avocets should have vacated the reserve by early July, leaving the way clear to return passage waders to feed unharrassed.

PS Was it the male or female Redstart that you saw?

Phil

 

[Woodchat]

Had a superb day, came up to see the Heron, saw 4 on the moors, along with the kingfisher, reed bunting showing and singing well.
Was a bit shocked at how large now the dry area is at the Flash, is it likely to get much worse?
Saw the black tailed godwit ?, how red can it get!
Also, walking back from the hide, I met a guy with a scope on the redstart so got to see that too.

I think the water levels are holding up pretty well this year on the flashes compared to 2006, for instance. Storms over the next few days should top them up. The current level is about 0.33 (arbitrary scale). Last August, the level was as low as ~0.28 (again, pretty normal for that time of year).

 

[upstarts1979]

Had a superb day, came up to see the Heron, saw 4 on the moors, along with the kingfisher, reed bunting showing and singing well.
Was a bit shocked at how large now the dry area is at the Flash, is it likely to get much worse?
Saw the black tailed godwit ?, how red can it get!
Also, walking back from the hide, I met a guy with a scope on the redstart so got to see that too.

The level you see now is how it used to look back in the 80's in early spring. In those day's the water table was much lower, in fact there was never any water in front of the sewage works. Only after heavy rain would there be any water beyond the now dead hedge. But saying that the water table was always topped up by winter rains, which this year never materialised. In 1996 the dam at the outlet sluice was raised by a couple of feet. This enabled us to have more control of the outflow of water and also flooded areas that were never previously wet. In the last 15 years the land has sunk and allowed salt water to eat away at the grassy areas. The replacement saltmarsh is excellent for waders as it keeps the vegetation low. However the grass is also good for marbled white butterflies but this year we have noticed its food plant (knapweed) as well as the grass is very sparse. This might also be as a result of the low rainfall in the spring, this is also affecting the previously lush 'spit' in front of the hide, which is looking 'dried out' and salt marsh is now thriving there.

The conditions of the last 3 months would have certainly rendered the 2nd flash dry back in the 80's. But if we don't get enough rain soon I do worry that it might dry up.B John

 

[toadoftoadhall]

PS Was it the male or female Redstart that you saw?

Phil

Female. Kept popping out of the hedge into the field, onto the fence and back into the hedge again. I would guess the Hawthorn hedge is the one oposite to the hide.

 

[geoffw1946]

The conditions of the last 3 months would have certainly rendered the 2nd flash dry back in the 80's. But if we don't get enough rain soon I do worry that it might dry up.B John

Wouldn't it be possible to raise the brook level by putting a temporary weir in?

 

[Jason K]

Hi Guys,

Popped to Upton today with TS to see the White-letter Hairstreaks. In total we counted 3 in the tops of the Willows by the Salwarpe. Also of interest was a Scarlet Tiger Moth that was in front of the West Hide at the Moors and 2 male Black-tailed Skimmers were chasing here. A Marbled White was in the clearing at the Education Reserve. There were also some nice Peacock butterfly larvae on the nettles by the Salwarpe.

Jase

 

[upstarts1979]

Wouldn't it be possible to raise the brook level by putting a temporary weir in?

We tried that many years ago but it back flooded the sewage works and the adjoining farmers field but never entered the Flashes . The problem is that we are not allowed to take water from the brook for two reasons1, you need an extraction licence and 2. the brook has got many impurities that could upset the balance of the flora and fauna in flashes.
B John

 

[JMikeB]

Second summer Med present on the flashes late afternoon

 

[upstarts1979]

Second summer Med present on the flashes late afternoon

Thanks for that Mike...do you still live in warrington . Are you the geazer that stays at the swan when on your travels.
B John
ps what waders were about, I know the blackwit and green sands numbered 5 .out else?

 

[JMikeB]

Thanks for that Mike...do you still live in warrington . Are you the geazer that stays at the swan when on your travels.
B John
ps what waders were about, I know the blackwit and green sands numbered 5 .out else?

That's me John

8 Green Sandpipers
5 LRP's plus 2 juveniles
14 Avocets
No sign of a Blackwit
Redshank on the Moors Pool
Peregrine on the mast

Cheers

 

[upstarts1979]

That's me John

8 Green Sandpipers
5 LRP's plus 2 juveniles
14 Avocets
No sign of a Blackwit
Redshank on the Moors Pool
Peregrine on the mast

Cheers

Thanks again Mike I will contact Brian on Worcester birding there could be a chance it might come into roost
:t:John

 

[JMikeB]

Thanks again Mike I will contact Brian on Worcester birding there could be a chance it might come into roost
:t:John

I thought it might have gone onto the Moors pool but nothing doing. It did pose nicely for pics though!

Cheers:t:

 

[Phil Andrews]

Cheers John - what sort of numbers is the BHG roost getting? Wont be long before we start thinking about Meds again. Would be nice if the Common Tern roost of recent years at the Flashes was repeated this year; after breeding we were getting flock of 30+ in previous years.

Does anyone want to know the numbers to this week's lottery or who's going to win Wimbledon?

 

[upstarts1979]

I thought it might have gone onto the Moors pool but nothing doing. It did pose nicely for pics though!

Cheers:t:

Mike
Did you take any pics? if so could you post them.
:t:John

 

[mickbe74]

Does anyone want to know the numbers to this week's lottery or who's going to win Wimbledon?

I know it won't be my numbers or Andy Murray !

 

[JMikeB]

Attached photo of the second summer Med on the flashes yesterday afternoon

Having looked at the images last night I was struck by the extent of black in the primaries. I know it varies quite a lot in birds of this age but am now wondering if this is too much?

Nothing else about the bird strikes me as hybrid and it gave the usual Med Gull call when flying off.

Thoughts anyone?

 

[midlands birder]

Attached photo of the second summer Med on the flashes yesterday afternoon

Having looked at the images last night I was struck by the extent of black in the primaries. I know it varies quite a lot in birds of this age but am now wondering if this is too much?

Nothing else about the bird strikes me as hybrid and it gave the usual Med Gull call when flying off.

Thoughts anyone?

Like you say, the extent to the Black/white on the priamarys varys alot, so i dont think that can be used as a hydrid origin.
It looks fine for a 2nd summer bird to me.

If it was a Med X BHG then usually the bill would be less chunky too, but as your photos show, its got the usual med heavy bill.

I think the reason john asked if you had any photos was because there was a long staying 2S Med at Upton over the Spring, and he was wondering if it was the same bird??

But i think the extent of the black in the primarys rules out that bird, I cant be certain about that though as i could have been 'our' bird which has lost the white spots it had in its primarys through wear.
A med would just be starting its moult now (or maybe a bit later into next month) and at this time it will lose its black/white Primarys to reveal white ones, lets hope it stays around for that,
Well done on your find
MB

 

[JMikeB]

Thanks for the feedback MB - I suspect I am being too cautious. The more I bird, the more questions I seem to have!

Ta