Upton Warren (3 Viewers)

[upstarts1979]

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?

Hi Sy
Not sure what to think about it really.
On one hand it is holding back the water to create a deep feeding area for kingfishers.
The area from there to the sewage works is where the stream broadens and an area on the other side of the hen brook is a damp marshy area that will be back filled by the dam thus keeping it wetter than when the stream is low ( as it is at present)

The only negative aspect is that when the stream is in flood it might 'back up' and flow into the First flashes. and thus raise the level of the flashes.

Cheers John

 

[upstarts1979]

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

Thanks Stuart on behalf of all the people who have attended the work parties on the 1st Sunday of the month from October to March inclusive. :t:

And a special thanks to you Stuart and Gordon, Paul and all the Tuesday work party team who have made the Moors such an impressive place. I hope people realise how much effort goes into the management of the reserve - It doesn't bear thinking of how it would look if we didn't bother to make that effort especially as we are all volunteers.

For anyone interested in helping out work parties take place throughout the year at the MOORS POOL area on every Tuesday morning start at 9am until 1pm

cheers John

 

[warrener]

Thanks Stuart on behalf of all the people who have attended the work parties on the 1st Sunday of the month from October to March inclusive. :t:

And a special thanks to you Stuart and Gordon, Paul and all the Tuesday work party team who have made the Moors such an impressive place. I hope people realise how much effort goes into the management of the reserve - It doesn't bear thinking of how it would look if we didn't bother to make that effort especially as we are all volunteers.

For anyone interested in helping out work parties take place throughout the year at the MOORS POOL area on every Tuesday morning start at 9am until 1pm

cheers John

Today John we created more potential nesting sites by putting chippings in several places on the large east island (on top of poly matting). We also added more rubble to the dams we formed last week on the same island to prevent further erosion where the small pool was forming.

The number of Tuesday volunteers has increased recently with us being joined by another three people, two of which are ladies who are now joining in with all the usual banter!

See you soon

Stuart

 

[Woodchat]

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

Stu,

That is a truly cracking shot - probably the best I've seen so far. Have you considered entering it in the competition Gert alluded to in one of his earlier posts?

Just checked - see post #934 (WWT photo competition for next year's calender)

 

[upstarts1979]

Today John we created more potential nesting sites by putting chippings in several places on the large east island (on top of poly matting). We also added more rubble to the dams we formed last week on the same island to prevent further erosion where the small pool was forming.

The number of Tuesday volunteers has increased recently with us being joined by another three people, two of which are ladies who are now joining in with all the usual banter!

See you soon

Stuart

hi Stuart
Sounds like another good days work - lets hope the birds appreciate it as much as we do.
cheers John
ps - also echo Dave's sentiments
Stu,

That is a truly cracking shot - probably the best I've seen so far. Have you considered entering it in the competition Gert alluded to in one of his earlier posts?

 

[Sy V]

Spent another hour or so at the Flashes this morning.
The day's highlight awaited me and (because it was warmer than of late this morning the windows were clear) I could make out a smaller wading bird feeding with three Snipe near to the hide.
This was definitely a Sandpiper but due to it being very dark (it was overcast and I was 15 minutes earlier than I have been so far this week) I couldn't make out any plumage detail (despite using my new bins). By it's giss alone I'd wager that it was a Common (due to it's continual bobbing exposing a white vent area whilst feeding) but I wasn't entirely sure so I reported it as a 'probable'. If one of you hardcore boys had been there I'm sure you'd have confirmed my call. But, such is life - there'll be more of them throughout the coming weeks.
Still only 4 Avocets, 3 Oystercatchers though and the presence of a third stimulated the resident pair into frantic piping! Three Snipe fed and foraged for my entire stay in the open; at times making the most of the lawn-like short grass by holding their version of the Olympics (not the best picture but they were so funny running around like automatons).
The Shellduck were practice mating and showing interest in the pipe on one of the islands.
Oh, and a Lapwing had a hearty breakfast!
Please excuse picture quality - not my usual software.

N.B. I hear that Sand Martins and an LRP have been reported over the Moors today - it's crankin' up!

 

[PeterE]

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

John,

You are quite right to check but it was an eye stripe, rather than a supercilium, as it went through the eye; it was also broad in that it was at least the height of the eye.

Thanks for the interest.

 

[Gertatron]

N.B. I hear that Sand Martins and an LRP have been reported over the Moors today - it's crankin' up![/QUOTE]

Obviously after I left the Moors this morning - typical!

 

[midlands birder]

N.B. I hear that Sand Martins and an LRP have been reported over the Moors today - it's crankin' up!

Obviously after I left the Moors this morning - typical![/QUOTE]

i take it you missed the house martins too :-O
MB

 

[Gertatron]

Obviously after I left the Moors this morning - typical!

i take it you missed the house martins too :-O
MB[/QUOTE]

House Martins - that's really early! Still made up for it with Green Sandpiper at the Flashes tonight!

 

[midlands birder]

i take it you missed the house martins too :-O
MB

House Martins - that's really early! Still made up for it with Green Sandpiper at the Flashes tonight![/QUOTE]

i had house martins on the 13th or 14th last year, the 1st time i have logged h martin before sand....
got sand the next week though:t:
soon.....
MB
is the green piper a year tick at upton

 

[Gertatron]

Nice one MB! I think its the first this year (I'm sure I'll be corrected if not!)- Des mentioned someone else had seen it earlier in the day though.
Cheers
Gert

 

[UW82]

A quick resume of todays birds.

Sand Martin-3 mid morning at the Moors.
Avocet- 4 (mating observed)
LRP- managed to avoid the bird on the Moors and Flashes.
Curlew - 21

Green Sand- this evening, although I had seen an image taken at the Moors by a photographer who was blissfully unaware of what the bird was. The Green Sand christened the newly shingled large island.

Oystercatcher-4
Little Egret- at the south western end of the Moors for most of the day.
Cettis Warbler- 3 including one at the Hen Pool.
Water Rail- calling at the North Moors and Hen Pool.
GCGrebe-18
Gadwall-pair
Shelduck-3
Tufted Duck-24
Teal- c60
Shoveler-6

So two UW year ticks-Sand Martin and Green Sand making a total of 73, someway behind Woodchat.

Cheers, Des.

 

[timmyjones]

House Martins - that's really early! Still made up for it with Green Sandpiper at the Flashes tonight!

i had house martins on the 13th or 14th last year, the 1st time i have logged h martin before sand....
got sand the next week though:t:
soon.....
MB
is the green piper a year tick at upton[/QUOTE]

Hi MB

Can you confirm what date you got House Martin on because the previous earliest date was the 16th.

 

[upstarts1979]

Three Snipe fed and foraged for my entire stay in the open; at times making the most of the lawn-like short grass by holding their version of the Olympics (not the best picture but they were so funny running around like automatons).
Oh, and a Lapwing had a hearty breakfast!
Please excuse picture quality - not my usual software.

N.B. I hear that Sand Martins and an LRP have been reported over the Moors today - it's crankin' up!

Next week on the 'lawn ' bromsgrove womens bowling team are booked in.

re hearty meal been chucking your sausage out there again sy

 

[Woodchat]

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,

I was wondering if you've ruled out Reed Bunting. This is a common bird around the flashes and can sport a number of plumages on the head. As well as the classic male and female plumages, which I'm sure you're familiar with, less common 'intermediate' type patterns may be seen. A fleeting glimpse could throw you with the combination of dark cap with paler supercillium and dark stripe running through the eye. From above the bird will also appear predominately brown and the species has a tendency to flick its tail and flit around in a rather nervous manner.

Next time you're in the feeder hide at the flashes, why not take a look at the range of (head) plumages on the Reed Buntings present and see if they fit what you saw the other day.

Best Regards,

Dave Walker

 

[Woodchat]

A quick resume of todays birds.

Sand Martin-3 mid morning at the Moors.
Avocet- 4 (mating observed)
LRP- managed to avoid the bird on the Moors and Flashes.
Curlew - 21

Green Sand- this evening, although I had seen an image taken at the Moors by a photographer who was blissfully unaware of what the bird was. The Green Sand christened the newly shingled large island.

Oystercatcher-4
Little Egret- at the south western end of the Moors for most of the day.
Cettis Warbler- 3 including one at the Hen Pool.
Water Rail- calling at the North Moors and Hen Pool.
GCGrebe-18
Gadwall-pair
Shelduck-3
Tufted Duck-24
Teal- c60
Shoveler-6

So two UW year ticks-Sand Martin and Green Sand making a total of 73, someway behind Woodchat.

Cheers, Des.

Sounds like there's been quite a bonanza of early migrants and vis mig today - shame I wasn't there! Still, for what it's worth, I managed to get the prediction re Sand Martins right (post #1108).

The LRP was probably overdue at this point but who'd have put money on House Martin on this date? (per Worcesterbirding)

At this rate, I might have to sneak an early moring visit!

 

[Woodchat]

The Shellduck were practice mating and showing interest in the pipe on one of the islands.
Oh, and a Lapwing had a hearty breakfast!

Hi Sy,

Interesting set of photos - I particularly like the Shelduck one. Let's hope they find the more suitable pipe nearby!

 

[warrener]

Spent another hour or so at the Flashes this morning.
The day's highlight awaited me and (because it was warmer than of late this morning the windows were clear) I could make out a smaller wading bird feeding with three Snipe near to the hide.
This was definitely a Sandpiper but due to it being very dark (it was overcast and I was 15 minutes earlier than I have been so far this week) I couldn't make out any plumage detail (despite using my new bins). By it's giss alone I'd wager that it was a Common (due to it's continual bobbing exposing a white vent area whilst feeding) but I wasn't entirely sure so I reported it as a 'probable'. If one of you hardcore boys had been there I'm sure you'd have confirmed my call. But, such is life - there'll be more of them throughout the coming weeks.
Still only 4 Avocets, 3 Oystercatchers though and the presence of a third stimulated the resident pair into frantic piping! Three Snipe fed and foraged for my entire stay in the open; at times making the most of the lawn-like short grass by holding their version of the Olympics (not the best picture but they were so funny running around like automatons).
The Shellduck were practice mating and showing interest in the pipe on one of the islands.
Oh, and a Lapwing had a hearty breakfast!
Please excuse picture quality - not my usual software.

N.B. I hear that Sand Martins and an LRP have been reported over the Moors today - it's crankin' up!

Hi Sy

A snatched distant shot of todays LRP at the Moors.

Stuart

 

[upstarts1979]

Hi Sy

A snatched distant shot of todays LRP at the Moors.

Stuart

Hi Stuart
looks like the new shingle is working already

cheers John