Upton Warren (1 Viewer)

[Phil Andrews]

I must have just missed you mate. Got there at 5.50pm stayed until 7.20pm at Flashes (dark)
Moors very brief visit: GCG 4, Little grebe 2, shoveler 1, teal 2, lapwing 70.

Flashes water level - 0.41/42
Little grebe, shoveler 80, teal 94, Wigeon male, gadwall 5 (3 males), mallard 250, canadas 300 roosted, greylag 20+,
The 22 snipe were all feeding on the fresh mud in the 'saucer' and 'delta' where most of the 5 green sands were feeding. 18 curlew roosted on the spit and 35 lapwing were also about.
BHG 300 and LBBG 9 roosted. coot 2 ads and a juv in 3rd flash. 12 pied wags gathered prior to roosting.

Sorry I couldnt make it today John. I was assisting the next generation of Upton birders catch up with previous records (my report writing style must have sent him to sleep):

 

[upstarts1979]

Sorry I couldnt make it today John. I was assisting the next generation of Upton birders catch up with previous records(my report writing style must have sent him to sleep): :gn::

sorry Phil did you say something I fell asleep8-P
Fair play mate, nice to have known you see you in a couple of years, it looks like you will be busy for a while. .

Looks like the A team are close to a goody on the Shets - Petchora:t:

we need a guddy before they get back n Thursday.:t:

 

[PeterE]

Sorry I couldnt make it today John. I was assisting the next generation of Upton birders catch up with previous records (my report writing style must have sent him to sleep):

A fine record shot, Phil. Congratulations and best wishes to all concerned.

Peter

 

[upstarts1979]

A fine record shot, Phil. Congratulations and best wishes to all concerned.

Peter

I don't think Phil had a lot to do with it8-P:-O

 

[Ravenwing]

Shots from the Flashes this afternoon.

Poor light but I managed a few pictures.

 

[rollingthunder]

You ca'nt start 'em too young....

Laurie -

 

[Bob O.]

Sorry I couldnt make it today John. I was assisting the next generation of Upton birders catch up with previous records (my report writing style must have sent him to sleep):

Def Ahhhh pic. Congrats. You'll have to buy some compact binos, the ones in the pic are too big!:t:

 

[Bob O.]

Poor light but I managed a few pictures.

Nice pics, are you using auto WB or setting your own?

 

[Phil Andrews]

Important development

This may be one of the most important developments in Upton Warren's history:

http://www.bromsgroveadvertiser.co...._Outdoor_Education_Centre_saved_from_closure/

I am hoping that the Trust has agreed with the County Council something concrete regarding use of the Sailing Centre car park by visitors, access along the southern shore and vehicular access at the Flashes for maintenance work. The fact that the current staff are being retained will hopefully make the transition easier.

It will be interesting to see if there will be an intensification of use at the weekends and a further spreading of development / activity into the campsite field and Education Reserve.

For those interested please find a link to Rock UK's website: http://adventures.rockuk.org/

 

[upstarts1979]

Sailing Centre

I have spoken to the Trust this morning and they are aware of the situation. There are on-going negotiations between the Trust and the centre, regarding access and other aspects of the land and how it impacts on us. The SSSI status of the land is also an aspect that is integral to the take over.
As soon as anything is known, the Trust will inform us.
B John

 

[Sy V]

I can confirm what John has said above as I have had an e-mail dialogue with the Trust on this very matter.

 

[upstarts1979]

Anybody got any news...snipe numbers anything will doB john

 

[Phil Andrews]

Will round-up today's sightings (me this afternoon; Andy P this morning) later this evening.

 

[Paul Rhodes]

I have spoken to the Trust this morning and they are aware of the situation. There are on-going negotiations between the Trust and the centre, regarding access and other aspects of the land and how it impacts on us. The SSSI status of the land is also an aspect that is integral to the take over.
As soon as anything is known, the Trust will inform us.
B John

Hi John

Glad to see the Trust is engaged with this development it is important that you keep them on message, as any diminution in access should be resisted and that the Education Reserve is not intensified in its use i.e. rope walkways ,paint ballling et al. As you say the SSSI status of Upton is of great significance, but I am not sure if this includes the Education Reserve. If it isn't in the SSSI all efforts must be made to preserve its status as a "study area" but with access by WNT members for bird watching and Ecology. Perhaps the Trust could enter into a management agreement with the private company to ensure that the areas ecology and wildlife receive the necessary protection, or alternatively actively seek to acquire or manage this area in conjunction with the whole SSSI. Keep us posted.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Monday 1st October

MOORS POOL
2 Little Grebe, 4 GC Grebe, 13 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 20 Greylag Geese, 210 Canada Geese, 2 adult Mute Swans + 4 cygnets (not sure where the extra bird has come from!), 2 Pochard (both males), 2 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 70 Mallard, 16 Tufted Duck, 153 Coot, 6 Moorhen, 2 LBB Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 130 BH Gull, 4 Snipe, 56 Lapwing, 1 Lesser Redpoll, House Martin.

I also had possible Reed Warblers calling from the North Moors and along the east track but not clear enough to be sure

SAILING POOL
24 Mallard, 3 GC Grebe, 1+ Goldcrest in the larches

FLASHES
6 Green Sand, 13 Curlew, 11 Snipe, 60 Lapwing, 5 Gadwall (3m,2f), 72 Shoveler, 1 Wigeon, 97 Teal, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Tufted Duck, 4 Coot + 1 juv, 25 Moorhen, 20 LBB Gulls, first winter Common Gull, 2 Raven, 3 Rook (keep an eye on the newly ploughed fields), Peregrine, Swallow, Sand Martin. Water level is 0.42

Also at the Moors were two singles of high flying Jays. There is a thread elsewhere on BF regarding marked numbers coming over the Channel from the Near Continent into the South East; perhaps everyone could keep their eyes open and record any unusual numbers (which for Upton would probably mean any more than 4)

I will go scurrying away to check the records to see how often all three hirudine species have been recorded in the same year in October.

 

[forgetfulelephant]

To add to Phil's sightings at the Moors: Kingfisher Adult F. Sparrowhawk M. Kestrel. G Spotted Woodpecker. Water Rail calling. Chaffinch pr.
Plus along the west track I listened too what i think was a brood of Wrens calling to be fed. Adult seen in the undergrowth.
Brown Rat & Squirrel.

Rob

 

[upstarts1979]

Hi John

Glad to see the Trust is engaged with this development it is important that you keep them on message, as any diminution in access should be resisted and that the Education Reserve is not intensified in its use i.e. rope walkways ,paint ballling et al. As you say the SSSI status of Upton is of great significance, but I am not sure if this includes the Education Reserve. If it isn't in the SSSI all efforts must be made to preserve its status as a "study area" but with access by WNT members for bird watching and Ecology. Perhaps the Trust could enter into a management agreement with the private company to ensure that the areas ecology and wildlife receive the necessary protection, or alternatively actively seek to acquire or manage this area in conjunction with the whole SSSI. Keep us posted.

Hi Paul
I agree with all you say. Maybe an email to the Trust wouldn't go amiss B John

 

[Paul Rhodes]

Hi Paul
I agree with all you say. Maybe an email to the Trust wouldn't go amiss B John

Will do John, can other Upton regulars can send their concerns and opinions to the Trust in the same way.This change could be of real importance to Upton's long term development.]

 

[steve_zodiac]

In addition to the Flashes sightings (4pm-7pm):

16 Curlews
1 Buzzard
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Kestrel
25 Magpies roosting in trees at bottom of ploughed field
70+ Swallows flying south in several groups
1 Sand Martin
3 Rooks flew east over the flashes

 

[Brian Stretch]

Phil's September birding review is now online here.

Brian
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