Upton Warren (2 Viewers)

[Woodchat]

27/03/10

A Blackcap was singing from the education reserve when I got there at about 7am. I didn't see the bird so I won't tick it just yet. Two Siskins flew over and two Willow Warblers were seen there (edy) and another was singing in the hedge opposite the hen pool. Ten Avocets, two Redshanks, four LRP's and two Oycs were on the flashes. A Kestrel was seen distantly.

A few Sand Martins were seen in various parts, the maximum count being five over the sailing pool and the number of singing Chiffchaffs has built up since last week.

On the moors, four more Oystercatchers, two Little Grebes, two Little Egrets, three Shelducks and a pair of Sparrowhawks were present. Lots of Common Buzzards all over.

Below is a selection of early spring flowers seen at Upton today:

 

[Gertatron]

A Blackcap was singing from the education reserve when I got there at about 7am. I didn't see the bird so I won't tick it just yet. Two Siskins flew over and two Willow Warblers were seen there (edy) and another was singing in the hedge opposite the hen pool. Ten Avocets, two Redshanks, four LRP's and two Oycs were on the flashes. A Kestrel was seen distantly.

A few Sand Martins were seen in various parts, the maximum count being five over the sailing pool and the numbers of singing Chiffchaffs has built up since last week.

On the moors, four more Oystercatchers, two Little Grebes, two Little Egrets, three Shelducks and a pair of Sparrowhawks were present. Lots of Common Buzzards all over.

Below are a selection of early spring flowers seen at Upton today:[/QUOTE

10 Avocet! Marvelous. Got Swallow over home in Bromsgrove today so should be over Upton soon! Great photos - Butterbur, Dog Violet, Dogs Mercury, Lesser Celandine and Ground Ivy if I'm not mistaken !:t:

 

[Woodchat]

Yes - well done Gert. I was expecting Swallow at Upton today but no show. I had a singing Blackcap in my garden this morning - didn't see that one either. Will be down early at UW tomorrow (southerly winds!)

 

[upstarts1979]

Birding at Upton 27th March 2010

Dave has already mentioned the highlights.

So here are the reserve totals for listed species

F = Flashes : M = Moors: SP = Sailing Pool

GCG : M =16, SP = 8: = 24
Teal : M =14, F = 12: = 26
Pochard : M = 8 ( 5 birds arrived at 3.30)
Tufted : M = 46, F = 19 : = 65
Lapwing : M = 3, F = 5 : = 8
BHG : M = 117, F = 93: = 210
Oystercatcher : M = 4, F = 2: = 6
Chiffchaff : M =1, SP = 2, F = 2: = 5
Willow Warbler: M = 1, SP = 2, F = 1 : = 5
At least 12 Buzzards were seen throughout the day.

At the Moors this afternoon the were also 18 Shoveler, a pair of Gadwall, 3 Common Snipe and at least 7 Sand Martins.

 

[Woodchat]

A Little Owl sitting on top of a hedge near Hobden Hall Farm this morning was a nice bonus. Thanks to Gert and Dave Jackson for pointing it out. Another highlight today included a Swallow east of the moors with Sand Martins - Mike pointed that one out - I'll have to start finding my own birds.:t:

Five Willow Warblers, great views of male and female (unringed) Cetti's Warblers, an extra Redshank (on moors) and two Little Egrets still.

My UW year list is now 90.

 

[warrener]

I had a nice morning at Upton today. On the flashes were Redshanks, Little Ringed Plovers & Avocets among others. Not too many birds around the feeders at the flashes, Bullfinch, Tits & Reed Buntings. On the Moors Little Egrets were hanging in the strong wind infront of the East hide-wonderful! Snipe, Shovelers, Shelduck, Oystercatchers, Herons, Little Grebe were amongst the birds. A Mink was also spotted being mobbed by the gulls.

View attachment 250006

Forgot to say what a great capture Pam!

Stuart

 

[warrener]

A Blackcap was singing from the education reserve when I got there at about 7am. I didn't see the bird so I won't tick it just yet. Two Siskins flew over and two Willow Warblers were seen there (edy) and another was singing in the hedge opposite the hen pool. Ten Avocets, two Redshanks, four LRP's and two Oycs were on the flashes. A Kestrel was seen distantly.

A few Sand Martins were seen in various parts, the maximum count being five over the sailing pool and the number of singing Chiffchaffs has built up since last week.

On the moors, four more Oystercatchers, two Little Grebes, two Little Egrets, three Shelducks and a pair of Sparrowhawks were present. Lots of Common Buzzards all over.

Below is a selection of early spring flowers seen at Upton today:

Lovely images Dave, I thought if only I knew what I was looking at, so thanks Gert!

Stuart

 

[Gertatron]

A Little Owl sitting on top of a hedge near Hobden Hall Farm this morning was a nice bonus. Thanks to Gert and Dave Jackson for pointing it out. Another highlight today included a Swallow east of the moors with Sand Martins - Mike pointed that one out - I'll have to start finding my own birds.:t:

Five Willow Warblers, great views of male and female (unringed) Cetti's Warblers, an extra Redshank (on moors) and two Little Egrets still.

My UW year list is now 90.

Glad you got Swallow Dave - I felt a little guilty telling you that you'd missed it at the Flashes this morning! Still 4 behind - now on 86:t:

 

[upstarts1979]

Glad you got Swallow Dave - I felt a little guilty telling you that you'd missed it at the Flashes this morning! Still 4 behind - now on 86:t:

Into 2nd place now Gert I give up:-C.

Until next week when I will be back
game on

 

[upstarts1979]

A Little Owl - Mike pointed that one out - I'll have to start finding my own birds.:t:

QUOTE]

Mike 2 Days on the trot:eek!:

whats going on|:S|

 

[Woodchat]

A Little Owl - Mike pointed that one out - I'll have to start finding my own birds.:t:

QUOTE]

Mike 2 Days on the trot:eek!:

whats going on|:S|

He's obviously earning his 'brownie points'. BTW he texted to say a Dunlin came in on the flashes - wasn't there mid-day - so a bit of movement late on.

 

[upstarts1979]

He's obviously earning his 'brownie points'. BTW he texted to say a Dunlin came in on the flashes - wasn't there mid-day - so a bit of movement late on.

Dave if we could just get a taste of suffolk - Alpine swift, pallid swift or lesser Kestrel. There must be some good stuff inland somewhere:-C

mind you I would be happy with just a wheatear at the moment (Black eared of cause )
B john

 

[Woodchat]

Dave if we could just get a taste of suffolk - Alpine swift, pallid swift or lesser Kestrel. There must be some good stuff inland somewhere:-C

mind you I would be happy with just a wheatear at the moment (Black eared of course)
B john

If only I could manage a day in Suffolk tomorrow:C

 

[Gertatron]

If only I could manage a day in Suffolk tomorrow:C

You were looking a bit pale this morning Dave - I'm sure you must be coming down with something that means you'll be off sick tomorrow! Come to think of it I'm not feeling too well myself - must be catching..

 

[upstarts1979]

If only I could manage a day in Suffolk tomorrow:C

I was thinking of the suffolk stuff coming to us more than going there -
I reckon if we sat on the sailing pool bank all day something would fly over
-you go first. I will rota me in for May 1st:t:

 

[upstarts1979]

Here is a link off the Met office site that might be useful this coming spring.

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/europe/surface_pressure.html

 

[mickbe74]

Had a good day at U W today over 50 species including 6 life ticks,Avo,LRPlover,L Owl (kindly pionted out)S Martin,Willow Warbler and Chiff Chaff(have only been birding 8-9 months)also saw the Swallow.Its a really nice,well managed site.

 

[Woodchat]

Had a good day at U W today over 50 species including 6 life ticks,Avo,LRPlover,L Owl (kindly pionted out)S Martin,Willow Warbler and Chiff Chaff(have only been birding 8-9 months)also saw the Swallow.Its a really nice,well managed site.

That's what I like to hear - a happy customer.:t: If you visit UW regularly over the next 8 weeks you're sure to add quite a few more species to your list. On the management side, we're always aiming to improve things - we're getting there and the habitats are generally in good shape at the moment but we have ambitions for even greater things - a truly 'flagship reserve' -we just need 'buy-in' from the Trust and allocation of necessary funds / resources. Cheers.

 

[timmyjones]

Looks like I'm starting to slip behind a bit on the year list as I haven't been to Upton for over a week!

Where about was the Little Owl seen on the farm halls? On the furthest terracotta tiled roof? I've never seen one at Upton!

 

[Woodchat]

Looks like I'm starting to slip behind a bit on the year list as I haven't been to Upton for over a week!

Where about was the Little Owl seen on the farm halls? On the furthest terracotta tiled roof? I've never seen one at Upton!

Hi Tim,

The Little Owl was sat on a hedge to the right (east) of Hobden Hall Farm - that's the one on the hill to the north-east of the flashes. To be honest the light wasn't great and it was a bit distant - just about tick-able for the year. Before they chopped them down, I regularly used to see them perched in the fruit trees around that farm. The other 'hotspot' in recent years has been around the barns at Sagebury Farm - the one just south of the flashes. Maybe watch that area later in the year.