Upton Warren (122 Viewers)

[timmyjones]

Is it an Intermedius then, Dave? I read up on the fuscus being the darker but had it been cross refferred to Baltic I would not have even mentioned it!

I think the angles of the wings and the sunlight are making it look very dark, got any photos of it perched?

 

[Sy V]

Yes, Tim.
When I get home...

 

[Brian Stretch]

Is it the one that, as opposed to calling tooo-eee, calls yeehah?

Yeah, particularly in flight. But when on the ground, it's noticeable how much more they eat compared with their European counterparts......

Brian
___________
Birding Today

 

[Brian Stretch]

Had a five hour stay at the Moors this morning. Thirty-eight species, no show stoppers. Here are a few pictures hastily resized...

I included the Tufted Duck as that's the closest I've seen one in ages,
I have the Gull down as 3CY LBBG fuscus but I'm happy to be re-educated.
A couple of shots of contrasting Cormorant (adult Vs, Juvenile) plumage and,
strange bevaviour that lasted about 30 seconds by a Little Grebe, really lucky that it chose to do it right in front of the hide!

As Dave has said, Baltic is mega in Britain, but probably over looked and difficult to prove, even though adults have a distinctive rakish profile with very long primaries.

There is one proven record that I can recall: an adult was the first for Britain just down the road at Gloucester landfill site in April 2007. However, it was the bird's Finnish ring which sealed the deal.

Brian
___________
Birding Today

 

[Sy V]

This bird is far from rakish, and if I may reiterate, it was never a claim.
Here's a perched shot... there are more if in the unlikely event that they are required...

 

[Sy V]

Yeah, particularly in flight. But when on the ground, it's noticeable how much more they eat compared with their European counterparts......

Brian
___________
Birding Today

See, I'm good, me...

 

[Woodchat]

This bird is far from rakish, and if I may reiterate, it was never a claim.
Here's a perched shot... there are more if in the unlikely event that they are required...

I'd say that is a pretty typical Larus fuscus intermedius - a very podgy chap he is too. :t:

 

[Sy V]

Good man. Cheers Dave.

 

[Phil Andrews]

I regret to announce that the replacement of the main hide at the Flashes will now not be completed until the 9th December. If anyone has any queries regarding this please contact the Trust direct on 01905 754919.

Phil

 

[timmyjones]

I'd say that is a pretty typical Larus fuscus intermedius - a very podgy chap he is too. :t:

I'd go for more graellsii I think, no offence to Sy, that the effects in photoshop have created a darker look in this bird, a quick bit of lightening shows the 'true' mantle shade of this bird and how much it contrasts with the primaries. intermedius or even fuscus would show a completley different body shape being far more elongated and show a lot less contrast between the mantle shade and primary colour. Have a read of Martin Garner's Birding Frontiers Blog to see how much digital images can change the shade and hue of a birds colouration.

If were delving into dodgey gulls here's one I'll dig up from Upton. Seen on 30th March 2010 at the Moors, was sure it was something better than Herring at the time, but no one seemed interested. Having gained a lot more experience I thought I'd have another look at the photos, it now looks a lot more obvious 1w Yellow-legged Gull!

Photos attached below, have labeled onto one of them what features make it a Yellow-legged Gull and not a Herring or a Lesser.

 

[Sy V]

I'd go for more graellsii I think, no offence to Sy, that the effects in photoshop have created a darker look in this bird, a quick bit of lightening shows the 'true' mantle shade of this bird and how much it contrasts with the primaries...

Tim, your feedback is never likely to offend me mate. I love these in-depth discussions, even if I know the "√ of FA" about anything.
I'll post another frame of the bird without any Photoshopping (which is easy, 'cos I don't use it) then you won't have to lighten it to see the true mantle shade.
I see what you mean, in my attempt to pretty-up the original picture I've inadvertantly darkened the bird. I'll have to watch out for that - especially with Gulls.
I'll also add a distant photo of a Reed Bunting with a strangely coppery head, which I'll readily admit to having thrown me initially.
A shot of a Curlew that pleased me as there are certain species that I find harder to get a decent shot of than others - I've always struggled with Curlews for some reason.
The Shovelers are looking their resplendant best now, so they deserve inclusion.
And judging by his facial scar tissue I'd wager that this fellah has survived a recent dose of Myxomatosis - either that or he's been scrapping.

 

[J_Caswell]

I like the detail in the Curlew,nice

 

[Phil Andrews]

Dave's just reported Great White Egreat at the Moors Pool - am going to break all speed limits!

 

[Woodchat]

Great White Egret Moors Now!!!!

That's an Upton tick for me and the record!

Many thanks to Simon for alerting us to it. :t:

 

[toadoftoadhall]

is it likely to hang around?

 

[Gert Corfield]

Great White Everyone still present 9.50am. Click on Flickr link below for phone scoped pic!!

 

[timmyjones]

is it likely to hang around?

If I remember correctly last one only dropped in briefly at the Flashes in 2007?

 

[Woodchat]

is it likely to hang around?

This is only the second record for upton. The previous one only stayed about 30 minutes so don't bank on it staying all day. This one has now been present over 1 hour. It is getting some hassle from a Grey Heron.

 

[Duck_Pond]

Is it only visible from the East Hide?

 

[Woodchat]

Now on flashes per Woodwolf