Upton Warren (3 Viewers)

[Gertatron]

Here are a few pictures from this morning's visit. Apart from the GSW shot the pictures are unprocessed. The colours are a true reflection of what was on offer this morning at dawn.

Nice one Sy - great time of the day! Looks like you're getting the bug !

 

[upstarts1979]

Ha ha, I like that: "Adam of Upton film making fame".

I didn't noticed all the scratches I had gotten from the blackthorn spikes; on my wrists from lopping, until I was finished.

It looked like I self harmed or like that I was attacked by a Wildcat or something. I think I showed my wrists to Tim?

It was great fun and sort of a good work out too and the weather was lovely.

I have a few pictures somewhere, must get them sorted and put them on here.
:t:

Hi Adam
Hope you are not too scarred and it repairs by October - when we start all over again. More projects in the pipeline so will be a bit more interesting next time. Hope to see you around in the spring
cheers John

 

[upstarts1979]

Here are a few pictures from this morning's visit. Apart from the GSW shot the pictures are unprocessed. The colours are a true reflection of what was on offer this morning at dawn.

Put that fire out:smoke:
A real capture of the atmosphere there Sy. Not that many people get to see the Flashes like this - worth getting out of bed for.
cheers John

 

[upstarts1979]

A bit random but topical . Saw country file last night and it featured Fox deterrent Fencing using thorn cuttings piled up along wire fence line and into water for wader protection (a bit cheaper) and also Tern raft construction. We are going to attempt to build 1 or 2 in the next few weeks ready for mid May. If anybody wants to build one let me know
see link article starts at 33 minutes

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00rlcjg/Countryfile_14_03_2010/

 

[Woodchat]

A bit random but topical . Saw country file last night and it featured Fox deterrent Fencing using thorn cuttings piled up along wire fence line and into water for wader protection (a bit cheaper) and also Tern raft construction. We are going to attempt to build 1 or 2 in the next few weeks ready for mid May. If anybody wants to build one let me know
see link article starts at 33 minutes

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00rlcjg/Countryfile_14_03_2010/

Hi John,

Yeah - I was half-watching that last night while trying to do other things - at Slimbridge with Martin McGill wasn't it?

I was looking over at the first flash the other day and thought it might be good to build a big raft (similar to those on the Moors) and put it in the middle - with the Black-headed Gulls increasingly nesting in other suitable areas, it would probably be a good option for the Common Terns - as it would be floating it would be less likely to be washed out by floods.

 

[PeterE]

Hi,

I wonder if any of you regulars could help me identify I bird I saw fleetingly yesterday at about 2.30 from the large hide at the Flashes. It was a small, mainly brown, bird flitting around in the thorn bush just outside the window. I could only see it from above. It had a narrow black (or possibly dark brown) cap over the brow and top of the head and a similarly coloured broad eye stripe.

I have scoured the books to no avail and would welcome any suggestions.

 

[Sy V]

Peter

None fit your description perfectly but those bushes/brambles are frequented by Long-tailed Tits, Wrens, Reed Buntings and Dunnocks at this time of year. The Dunnocks and Wrens have been singing like billy-oh of late.
Look back at page 44 of this thread and my pictures of a couple of the species at post# 1086 - any good?

 

[Sy V]

This morning's numbers:
4 Avocet
34 Curlew
30 Lapwing
11 Mallard
2 Shellduck
2 Shoveler
2 Reed Bunting
1 Dunnock
1 Wren
1 Blackbird
1 Heron
1 Pied Wagtail
20-odd BHG
A cock Pheasant was calling from beyond the sewage works.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker drummed from high up in the dead tree behind the feeding station.
A number of Canada Geese were present.
A small mixed flock of Tits were flitting around I.V.O. the steps.
A flock of Goldfinches flew around I.V.O. the climbing apparatus.
1 Song Thrush sang from atop one of the fir trees near Hen's Brook.
4 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Cormorant on the Sailing Pool on my way back to the car.

 

[Sy V]

JB/Phil

Have a look at the unplanned dam in Hen's Brook just before the confluence with the sluice outlet.
Does it need removing?

 

[PeterE]

Sy,

Thanks for the interest in my unidentified LBJ but the narrow cap and thick eye-stripe remain a mystery.

 

[Sy V]

Here are a few pictures from this morning. When we get some new visitors in, I'll endeavour to get 'em!
I think I've sussed this upload (with regards to limits).
With .jpgs and .jpegs the overriding governing factor is the maximum filesize. As long as you stay under the 297.7 KB limit, the pixel width/height appears to ignored.

 

[midlands birder]

Here are a few pictures from this morning. When we get some new visitors in, I'll endeavour to get 'em!
I think I've sussed this upload (with regards to limits).
With .jpgs and .jpegs the overriding governing factor is the maximum filesize. As long as you stay under the 297.7 KB limit, the pixel width/height appears to ignored.

like the song thrush:t:
MB

 

[Sy V]

Sy,

Thanks for the interest in my unidentified LBJ but the narrow cap and thick eye-stripe remain a mystery.

I haven't given up yet, Peter. Female Linnet (they've been quite plentiful in the area of late)?
Maybe one of the hardcore would like to make a theoretical offering.

 

[Sy V]

like the song thrush:t:
MB

Cheers Craig.
I listed that tree as a fir - it isn't. What is it, do you know? Is it a Larch?

 

[Gertatron]

Cheers Craig.
I listed that tree as a fir - it isn't. What is it, do you know? Is it a Larch?

Its a Larch Sy - on the mystery bird - it could be an over wintering Blackcap but the eye stripe makes it tricky. Winchat - especially female is another possibility but it would be a very early one...

 

[warrener]

Hi Dave did you get any pics of the Bittern I know Pete and Bob got some pics yesterday hopefully they will put some on
Cheers John

Hi John, link below to my best Bittern image yet taken yesterday on the North Moors.

Also just want to say as I haven't seen you since, what a great job you and your team did on the last work party-the Flashes look absolutely brilliant!

http://stuartandrews183.fotopic.net/p63747744.html

 

[Gertatron]

Hi John, link below to my best Bittern image yet taken yesterday on the North Moors.

Also just want to say as I haven't seen you since, what a great job you and your team did on the last work party-the Flashes look absolutely brilliant!

http://stuartandrews183.fotopic.net/p63747744.html

Brilliant and a great looking Roach too!!:t:

 

[Sy V]

Just saw that, Stuart. Superb - you get a nine (I don't do tens!).

 

[upstarts1979]

Hi John, link below to my best Bittern image yet taken yesterday on the North Moors.

Also just want to say as I haven't seen you since, what a great job you and your team did on the last work party-the Flashes look absolutely brilliant!

http://stuartandrews183.fotopic.net/p63747744.html

Hi Stuart
I've just shown the pics to my wife and her response was exactly the same as mine B****Y H**L surely can't get better, what fish is that?
:t: nice one
cheers John
ps what did you do at the work party today
I think between us the reserve looks the best I have ever seen it in my 33 years on the reserve

 

[upstarts1979]

Hi,

I wonder if any of you regulars could help me identify I bird I saw fleetingly yesterday at about 2.30 from the large hide at the Flashes. It was a small, mainly brown, bird flitting around in the thorn bush just outside the window. I could only see it from above. It had a narrow black (or possibly dark brown) cap over the brow and top of the head and a similarly coloured broad eye stripe.

I have scoured the books to no avail and would welcome any suggestions.

HI Peter
. When you say eye stripe are you referring to the area from the base of the bill (the lores) through the eye and behind forming the upper ear coverts and the brow do you mean supercillium. Eye stripe is a term wrongly used to describe the supercillium by some people. Just a technicality I know, but it can make a difference when giving a description. (NOT trying to be patronising just hopefully assisting - as I don't know you I cannot know your birding experience)

I think you have seen the pair of Dunnocks that are breeding there .The word flitting is the give away as they constantly flitter their wings during the courtship display at this time of year .:t:

cheers John