Upton Warren (2 Viewers)

[Emma]

Upton this afternoon:

The Moors ~ Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Shoveller, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Lapwing, BH Gull, Cormorant.

The Flashes ~ 11 Golden plover in the ploughed field with the Lapwing, 2 Common Snipe, 14 Curlew, BH Gull, Grey Heron. The Little Egret was also seen flying towards the sailing lake/Moors Pools at 16.15.

 

[Woodchat]

Upton this afternoon:

The Moors ~ Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Shoveller, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Lapwing, BH Gull, Cormorant.

The Flashes ~ 11 Golden plover in the ploughed field with the Lapwing, 2 Common Snipe, 14 Curlew, BH Gull, Grey Heron. The Little Egret was also seen flying towards the sailing lake/Moors Pools at 16.15.

11 Golden Plover - Nice!! Missed those today. There seem to be a fair few passing through the county (vis mig!!) just now.

 

[Woodchat]

Hi Des
I told you its a tactic, they keep others occupied so they don't hear species that they have already got on the list. .:-O
Mind you at this rate I have heard but not seen 2 owl species lets hope I see the other 3 owls cause I don't think anyone will believe me if I just hear them.
Dave is streaking ahead now though

Normally I'd agree with you John. However, I felt a bit sorry for Wheatearlp's pathetic list so today I helped him search out a Goldcrest and 2 Treecreepers to add for the year.:-O:-O:-O In doing so, it looks like I missed a nice big flock of Golden Plovers - not that I need them though.:t:

By the way, Wheatearlp also raised a moot point - are we really allowing 'only heard' records? He, being a purist, wouldn't dream of such a thing. o

 

[UW82]

Woodchat!! Take that smirk off your face! All of the UW regulars are getting together whilst you're in the States to devise a way of knocking you off your perch (so to speak).

Des.

 

[upstarts1979]

Normally I'd agree with you John. However, I felt a bit sorry for Wheatearlp's pathetic list so today I helped him search out a Goldcrest and 2 Treecreepers to add for the year.:-O:-O:-O In doing so, it looks like I missed a nice big flock of Golden Plovers - not that I need them though.:t:

By the way, Wheatearlp also raised a moot point - are we really allowing 'only heard' records? He, being a purist, wouldn't dream of such a thing. o

Very commendable and charitable, but wheatearlp only counts seen birds because He doesn't know the calls:-O:-O:-O:-O
I still need Gplover, goldcrest and mipit

 

[upstarts1979]

Woodchat!! Take that smirk off your face! All of the UW regulars are getting together whilst you're in the States to devise a way of knocking you off your perch (so to speak).

Des.

When are you off woodchat :flyaway: the smiley is not a reference to us kicking any new birds before you come back........|:$| Honestoo

 

[Woodchat]

Very commendable and charitable, but wheatearlp only counts seen birds because He doesn't know the calls:-O:-O:-O:-O
I still need Gplover, goldcrest and mipit

Good point John - he was complaining that his hearing 'wasn't what it used to be' - poor chap!:-O

 

[Woodchat]

When are you off woodchat :flyaway: the smiley is not a reference to us kicking any new birds before you come back........|:$| Honestoo

Flying over tomorrow pm. If I'm not delayed, I should land back at Heathrow next Saturday 22:30 and get back home ~2am Sunday morning. I'll be at the work-party - may be a little late though. If a good bird turns up on the flashes, I'll make sure I get down there before you kick it!

Staying near Niagara Falls (very good for Gulls) - but don't think I'll have much time for any birding, unfortunately. :t:

 

[upstarts1979]

Flying over tomorrow pm. If I'm not delayed, I should land back at Heathrow next Saturday 22:30 and get back home ~2am Sunday morning. I'll be at the work-party - may be a little late though. If a good bird turns up on the flashes, I'll make sure I get down there before you kick it!

Staying near Niagara Falls (very good for Gulls) - but don't think I'll have much time for any birding, unfortunately. :t:

Have a good one woodchat see you next week
Me and phil are going to be at upton most of Friday preparing for the work party ....next Sunday 7th March at Flashes come and help us if you can excuse the plug there.

 

[wheatearlp]

Good point John - he was complaining that his hearing 'wasn't what it used to be' - poor chap!:-O

... and it was never very good in the first place

I'll just stick to counting big 'plastic' ducks. What were those attractive white ones again? :-O:-O:-O

 

[Martyn Yapp]

I forgot about the Shearwater, saw that one too.

Yes I think you are right regarding the assimilation, what I don't really agree with with is the reintroduction of species, what happens when one of the Great Bustards is found in Worc's in five years time?

Penduline Tit then at Upton soon?

I can tell you where the 5 Osprey's I have seen at upton came from and that is Africa or Scotland as they were all prior to the Rutland introduction scheme . I haven't seen Red kite at upton so as far as I am concerned it could be wales or oxford we will never know. My point is that once they have assimilated does it matter where they come from they were once a part of the UK avifauna.
With many southern european species moving north Little egret is a prime example, could Glossy ibis be the next...there are lots of species knocking on the door and if they all want to appear at upton thats ok by me.
My upton list 207 and counting
cheers John
mind you the lesser flamingo, sacred ibis, hottentot teal, and manx shearwater (released by a vet after it was rescued elsewhere) are not on my list actually I wonder if Brian will let me have the shearwater, it was flying around the Flashes and we didn't know it had been released:flowers:

 

[Woodchat]

Woodchat!! Take that smirk off your face! All of the UW regulars are getting together whilst you're in the States to devise a way of knocking you off your perch (so to speak).

Des.

Hey Des, I'm just enjoying my moment while I can. You guy's are sure to overtake me soon. I guess we all love to see the birds on our local patch but, if we're honest about it, this competition is really about the 'bragging rights'!:king::-O:-O:-O

 

[upstarts1979]

I forgot about the Shearwater, saw that one too.

Yes I think you are right regarding the assimilation, what I don't really agree with with is the reintroduction of species, what happens when one of the Great Bustards is found in Worc's in five years time?

Penduline Tit then at Upton soon?

On that one Martin if its got rings all over it then No I wouldn't. It might be the same with cranes from the somerset levels soon. But in 50 years I'm sure the birders of that era will have em.
cheers John

 

[upstarts1979]

Hey Des, I'm just enjoying my moment while I can. You guy's are sure to overtake me soon. I guess we all love to see the birds on our local patch but, if we're honest about it, this competition is really about the 'bragging rights'!:king::-O:-O:-O

Hi Dave
It could be more a case of STRINGING rights :-O

The only bragging rights worth having are when Blues beat villha ha (Man U 2-1)
have a good trip mate cheers John

 

[Sy V]

...next Sunday 7th March at Flashes come and help us if you can excuse the plug there.

JB

If I'm not ringing I'll be there (I couldn't possibly endure a Summer of sarcastic digs!). Do you want strimmer or brush-cutter mode?

 

[upstarts1979]

JB

If I'm not ringing I'll be there (I couldn't possible endure a Summer of sarcastic digs!). Do you want strimmer or brush-cutter mode?

Hi Sy that will be very nice of you ...no sausage sarnies I'm afraid but cold drinks and bisuits might be a bar of chocolate though.
we might be up for sauisages on the 'all-dayer' though.
Grass cutting maode mate cheers
sarcastic digs ...who me and the boys never8-P
cheers John

 

[midlands birder]

2 snipe species at the moors
more on blog footer)o
(comments welcome)
MB
(how about now?)

 

[timmyjones]

Went to Upton this morning from about 9:30-12

Started out in the Education reserve trying to get Treecreeper and Goldcrest on the year list to no joy, plenty of the usual plus Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker. 11 Greylags were on the Sailing pool and a Rook flew over the car park so I headed over the flashes.

On the way to the hide I finally managed the Peregrine perched on the left hand mast.Getting in the hide a guy said that earlier there had been a few Golden Plover in the ploughed field but had flown off, probably while I was looking round the eddy! A quick scan revealed a pair of Redshank (first this year) a Cetti's sang along with lots of other birds and a real bright sunshine gave a real feel of spring. An Oystercatcher was in-between the 2nd and 3rd flash. Counts of other birds included 16 Curlew, 47 Teal, 157 Black-headed Gull (several displaying and defending territories), 7 Linnet, 2 Shelduck, 7 Coot and 15+ Snipe.

Walking over to the moors west hide the work party was out in front of the east hide so most birds where in the north corner. 2 Little Grebe and 2 Oystercatchers were the highlights and the Little Egret put in a brief appearance flying towards the sailing pool. Counts of other birds included 36 Coot, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 29 Shoveler, 19 Tufted (males were in pursuit of females definite sign of spring) 21 Pochard, 2 Mute Swan, 4 Teal, 45 Canada Geese (vast majority paired up) 18 Cormorant, 40+ Black Headed Gulls, 15+ Reed Bunting (males starting to get nice and dark now) 2 Cetti's, 1 Buzzard and 4 Lapwing.

All in all 2 year ticks with Redshank and Peregrine takes me to 73. Hopefully will get Golden Plover at the work party this weekend!

 

[upstarts1979]

Went to Upton this morning from about 9:30-12

Started out in the Education reserve trying to get Treecreeper and Goldcrest on the year list to no joy, plenty of the usual plus Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker. 11 Greylags were on the Sailing pool and a Rook flew over the car park so I headed over the flashes.

On the way to the hide I finally managed the Peregrine perched on the left hand mast.Getting in the hide a guy said that earlier there had been a few Golden Plover in the ploughed field but had flown off, probably while I was looking round the eddy! A quick scan revealed a pair of Redshank (first this year) a Cetti's sang along with lots of other birds and a real bright sunshine gave a real feel of spring. An Oystercatcher was in-between the 2nd and 3rd flash. Counts of other birds included 16 Curlew, 47 Teal, 157 Black-headed Gull (several displaying and defending territories), 7 Linnet, 2 Shelduck, 7 Coot and 15+ Snipe.

and 4 Lapwing.

All in all 2 year ticks with Redshank and Peregrine takes me to 73. Hopefully will get Golden Plover at the work party this weekend!

Nice account Tim
I always go to the Flashes first when I am doing an early one ..I just get paranoid I am going to miss something there.
Only 4 lapwings !! I hope we have more breeding birds than that.
I hope the BHG's are not breeding on your (Tim's) Island.
cheers John

 

[timmyjones]

Nice account Tim
I always go to the Flashes first when I am doing an early one ..I just get paranoid I am going to miss something there.
Only 4 lapwings !! I hope we have more breeding birds than that.
I hope the BHG's are not breeding on your (Tim's) Island.
cheers John

Cheers John, oh well lesson learnt and I was only chasing birds that im bound to get later on, GP could be a bit trickier!

I think that the work party had flushed most of the lapwing from the moors so don't worry too much.