Upton Warren (3 Viewers)

[midlands birder]

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

Hi MB

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

tim
, not made clear in my post, but my h martins were not at upton(just hapened it made it on this thread) they were in fact near the bittel res..
i know this is about upton, but it is a bit of banter after all!!!
my bad:-O
MB

 

[Sy V]

Dave

Are you referring to the grey one a bit further away from the hide?

Stuart

That's a corker - regardless of your assessment.

Here are a couple more of my low-light endeavours.
One of the Snipes. The Shellducks as close as they came but boy, was it dark then.
And, the Lapwing just as he extracted the worm...

 

[Woodchat]

Dave

Are you referring to the grey one a bit further away from the hide?

Stuart

That's a corker - regardless of your assessment.

Here are a couple more of my low-light endeavours.
One of the Snipes. The Shellducks as close as they came but boy, was it dark then.
And, the Lapwing just as he extracted the worm...

Hi Sy,

Yes, there is a specially placed pipe leading to a buried box on the flashes for Shelduck. Don't think they've ever used it though - not even the year they bred (a few years ago now - 2006 I think). They seem to prefer natural rabbit holes and the like. We think they may have chosen holes excavated by rabbits in the piled up grass mounds (from the mowing of the sewage meadow) that year.

Hi Stuart,

Another great pic.

 

[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!

Sy, it may be your Sandpiper from yesterday. Pic attached (not the best light today) of Green Sandpiper that was on the Flashes this afternoon.

Stuart

 

[Sy V]

Another nice shot Stuart.
I had just checked Brian's site and thought that I'd got away lightly as I wasn't able to visit UW due to attending a course today. Then low and behold you have a Green Sand!
Oh well, let's hope he's still there with other visitors at daybreak tomorrow.

Ciao Sy.

 

[dln424]

Hello

Just a quick question which hopefully should be easily answered. I am not a member of the WWT and so need a day permit to visit Upton Warren. I have previously gotten one from the sailing centre but if i wanted to visit the reserve early on a Sunday morning for example, what options would i have with regards to getting a permit and gaining access as i assume the sailing centre wouldn't be open until a bit later?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks |=)|

 

[Veracocha]

Hello

Just a quick question which hopefully should be easily answered. I am not a member of the WWT and so need a day permit to visit Upton Warren. I have previously gotten one from the sailing centre but if i wanted to visit the reserve early on a Sunday morning for example, what options would i have with regards to getting a permit and gaining access as i assume the sailing centre wouldn't be open until a bit later?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks |=)|

Hi, you can just turn up and pay on the day as I understand it; one of the wardens will relieve you of your £3. Sailing centre does not issue permits on a Sunday as I tried this myself before becoming a member.

 

[Woodchat]

Hi, you can just turn up and pay on the day as I understand it; one of the wardens will relieve you of your £3. Sailing centre does not issue permits on a Sunday as I tried this myself before becoming a member.

That is correct. If you're not a member, please feel free to continue onto the reserve. If you see a warden (wearing a white badge) you can offer your contribution. If no wardens are present, have one on us!

 

[Sy V]

Redshank and LRP (had to magnify the camera's preview screen to confirm yellow eye ring) were the highlights of my Flashes visit this morning.
Other noteworthy species were a Greylag on the Sailing Pool (let's hope they breed again this year) and a male Sprawk that I inadvertently flushed from its roost in the two trees at the corner of the sailing pool next to the wooden pontoons - it flew within 4 feet of my face.
Can I ask the amateur topiarists not to leave their thorn-ridden cuttings on the board walk and paths, please. They're particularly startling to encounter in the dark and nobody's around to listen to my Anglo-Saxon vernacular outbursts at that time of the morning!

 

[upstarts1979]

Hello

Just a quick question which hopefully should be easily answered. I am not a member of the WWT and so need a day permit to visit Upton Warren. I have previously gotten one from the sailing centre but if i wanted to visit the reserve early on a Sunday morning for example, what options would i have with regards to getting a permit and gaining access as i assume the sailing centre wouldn't be open until a bit later?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks |=)|

Three Options .
*If you like the place join the trust and help preserve the place for the future.
*Pay a warden on site
* If you feel guilty send me your money and I will send you a retrospective permit (send me a private email for my details and give me yours) You could also contact any of the wardens on this site who are :- woodchat, warrener and wheatearlp
* you could also send it to the worcestershire wildlife trust who own the site

ps we will catch you one day:-O

Joking apart
every penny goes into the running of the reserve
This last year we have bought a strimmer, 2 specialised rakes, several tonnes of shingle , 50mtrs of fox fencing and other sundries. All from money taken from permits . We have also gained many new members

Have a good birding day
cheers John

 

[upstarts1979]

Can I ask the amateur topiarists not to leave their thorn-ridden cuttings on the board walk and paths, please. They're particularly startling to encounter in the dark and nobody's around to listen to my Anglo-Saxon vernacular outbursts at that time of the morning!

Sy what happened and where
Obviously cut since yesterday as you didn't get pricked before or where you swaying off the path this time B B B again .

 

[upstarts1979]

http://www.xcweather.co.uk
Checked the above sight for more distant weather and it looks good southerlies and SE all over western europe today. Tomorrow will hopefully bring stuff in and the rain could be grounding it at Upton

 

[Woodchat]

http://www.xcweather.co.uk
Checked the above sight for more distant weather and it looks good southerlies and SE all over western europe today. Tomorrow will hopefully bring stuff in and the rain could be grounding it at Upton

Cheers John,

The weather looks perfect for bringing migrants down. I'll be there nice and early tomorrow. (Hoopoes, Ospreys and Alpine Swifts now turning up in the UK - but I won't get too excited!)

 

[Sy V]

Sy what happened and where
Obviously cut since yesterday as you didn't get pricked before or where you swaying off the path this time B B B again .

Didn't go yesterday matey; had a Waste Management course to attend. So I've now officially got 'all my sh*t in one sock' (as the jocks would say).

There was a pile right next to (and in the middle of the path) the last thorny bush before you reach the boardwalk for the hide and another couple of pieces on the boardwalk. Great that someone cares to trim the hedge a bit but would have been the easiest job in the world to chuck the offcuts aside.
Incidentally, when coming away from the hide I thought that someone's being trying to gain access around the end of the panel fencing - just got that impression.

 

[Sy V]

Cheers John,

The weather looks perfect for bringing migrants down. I'll be there nice and early tomorrow. (Hoopoes, Ospreys and Alpine Swifts now turning up in the UK - but I won't get too excited!)

Oh gawd!

Bacon or sausage sarnies? :t:
Or are you treating us to breakfast from that greasy spoon you frequent down the road?

South Easterlies are good for bringing 'em in but South Westerlies to North Westerlies are better for photography from the Avocet hide.

 

[Gertatron]

Oh gawd!

Bacon or sausage sarnies? :t:
Or are you treating us to breakfast from that greasy spoon you frequent down the road?

South Easterlies are good for bringing 'em in but South Westerlies to North Westerlies are better for photography from the Avocet hide.

Bacon please - no sauce!

 

[Woodchat]

Oh gawd!

Bacon or sausage sarnies? :t:
Or are you treating us to breakfast from that greasy spoon you frequent down the road?

South Easterlies are good for bringing 'em in but South Westerlies to North Westerlies are better for photography from the Avocet hide.

Hi Sy,

Not sure I'll be there quite as early as you tomorrow morning.

Either bacon or sausage for me would go down a treat - cheers.:t:

BTW they do do a nice bacon, sausage and egg sandwich at the 'Pit Stop Cafe' (by the Garage) for a couple of quid.:eat:

 

[upstarts1979]

Hi Sy,

Not sure I'll be there quite as early as you tomorrow morning.

Either bacon or sausage for me would go down a treat - cheers.:t:

BTW they do do a nice bacon, sausage and egg sandwich at the 'Pit Stop Cafe' (by the Garage) for a couple of quid.:eat:

:eek!:Why pay £2 when Sy does em for nout:t:

re thorns I removed some fencing opposite the bench on Saturday for the fox fence and did break off a couple of daed branches maybe they have been moved or something else at work -will have alook TomorrowB

 

[timmyjones]

Went up Upton today, will do full write up on my blog later tomorrow highlights being-

Flashes- 1 LRP, 4 Sand Martin over, 4 Avocet still and a 2nd winter Common Gull.

Moors- 1 LRP, 1 Chiffchaff, Little Egret and 1 1st winter Common Gull.

4 year ticks takes me to 80.

 

[upstarts1979]

Went up Upton today, will do full write up on my blog later tomorrow highlights being-

Flashes- 1 LRP, 4 Sand Martin over, 4 Avocet still and a 2nd winter Common Gull.

Moors- 1 LRP, 1 Chiffchaff, Little Egret and 1 1st winter Common Gull.

4 year ticks takes me to 80.

Hi Tim any Redshank if so 4 for me tomorrow
cheers John