Upton Warren (1 Viewer)

[rollingthunder]

The little area of mixed fields that i do regularly at West Hagley is just in Worcs and i get up to 30+ Yellowhammers with 1-2 Corn Buntings in the Winter - The CB's sometimes sing in the Spring (but not this Spring) but i do'nt know if they manage to breed - i will make more of a note re the YH's i had'nt realised that they appear to be scarce:C

Laurie -

 

[Sy V]

Before I begin to take it for granted I must comment on the friendly and helpful atmosphere in the hides at Upton. I have only recently returned to birdwatching after a gap of many years and am rather rusty in certain areas of identification but whenever I ask for help it is always forthcoming. Today, for example, a chap at the Hen Pool hide spent a long time patiently guiding me on the identification of warblers and someone else at Amy's Marsh sorted out some waders and terns for me. It adds considerably to the pleasure of birdwatching to learn from the expertise of others or merely to have one's attention drawn to an interesting bird. I do appreciate such help.

As one who only returned to the birding fold a couple of years ago, this very much reflects my views too Peter.
The "friendly and helpful atmosphere in the hides at Upton" is a pleasure to frequent, such is the camaraderie amongst the regulars.
However, as time goes by you can look forward to the helpfulness decreasing in inverse proportion to the mickey taking increasing!

 

[Duck_Pond]

Had a good couple of hours on Sunday evening at the Moors from the Water Rail Hide. Saw the Arctic tern and a common one. Kingfisher dropped by for all of about 10 secs, and the majority of the time I tried and failed (due to the rubbish light *cough* ) to get shots of the swallows feeding on insects on the water.

The local Canada geese were being hassled by a swan constantly, which was amusing. Was going to post a record shot of the terns but Dave's shot above came out better than mine. So much for £4000+ worth of gear eh?!

 

[midlands birder]

Before I begin to take it for granted I must comment on the friendly and helpful atmosphere in the hides at Upton. I have only recently returned to birdwatching after a gap of many years and am rather rusty in certain areas of identification but whenever I ask for help it is always forthcoming. Today, for example, a chap at the Hen Pool hide spent a long time patiently guiding me on the identification of warblers and someone else at Amy's Marsh sorted out some waders and terns for me. It adds considerably to the pleasure of birdwatching to learn from the expertise of others or merely to have one's attention drawn to an interesting bird. I do appreciate such help.

were you the person with the purple scarf in the amys marsh hide, if so i was the teenager who found the dunlin and the common tern(shame we couldent turn it into an arctic)
MB
and i remember the time when there was only me and pam_m posting on this fourum:smoke:, its buzzing now.......(and shame that gropper wasent:-O)
MB

 

[PeterE]

Hi MB,

It wasn't me you spoke to (I have no purple scarf) but I look forward to you pointing interesting but difficult birds to me.

Peter

 

[upstarts1979]

new tern raft for Flashes

Made a Tern raft for the flashes to join Sy's (well they are joined on the grass at the back of the bench at the moment - awaiting the launch when the tide is right8-P).
Thanks to Roger Hill and Dave for helping me make it.:t:
Our reward was oh so quick.We drove from the sailing centre down to the steps on the southern end of the sailing pool.
Getting out of the car I noticed a rather ungainly flock of terns on the sailing pool that weren't there a minute before. They had literally dropped out of the sky, lacking any dark primary 'wedge' and having extremely long tail streamers and translucent primaries immediately identified them as arctic terns 14 in all. The birds were in total disarray not knowing what to do. Then after 2 or 3 minutes they reorientated themselves and moved off as one, northwards. I quickly phoned Dave at the Moors who managed to see them drop down low over the Moors pool, but immediately they gained height and continued north.
Considering the weather didn't seem conducive to this type of movement it just goes to show that in spring birds can drop in for literally seconds.

coincidentally there were 14 arctic terns at Severn Beach earlier B john

pic of tern raft 1200mm x1100mm

 

[upstarts1979]

Lists at upton

Just had a text from the Crofty boys telling me "that benchmarks have been set" with their lists. They are birding in Norfolk and it would appear that the birding aint great if this is all they have to tell me:-O:-O the Saddo's

The highest Day List for Upton is now held by Paul Croft this was achieved on this Saturday's All-dayer' May 1st 2010, Total = 81:smoke:

The highest Year list is held by Paul's older cousin Stuart Croft
I will get the year it was held Total = 142

The highest upton list is held by myself (although Arthur Jacob's is probably higher but he wont tell us what his is) = 207:king:

Doesn't mean anything really just a bit of friendly rivalryo

B john
Dave only 29 to go to beat Stu's total and its gettable with the amount of time you are putting in. Dodgy going to Scotland for a few days you might miss sommet.:eek!:

 

[upstarts1979]

Some pics from the ringing session on Saturday
pic 1. shows fem sedge with a much more pronounced supercillium this was obvious in all the females caught. A male is on the right

pic2. shows the true shape of a reed warblers head almost triangular

pic 3.A female cettis how tatty is that tail

pic 4 Who are ya

 

[Woodchat]

Year List and More Wild Flowers

Stuart had his best year list in 1994 according to the text he sent me yesterday. I'm currently on 114 (not including Ruddy Shelduck) - something tells me those 29 to beat Stu are going to be difficult.

Incidentally, Terry Hinett told me there was a drake Ruddy Duck at Westwood this morning!

The Arctics today were a nice bonus but very brief. I had good views of Garden Warblers on the moors and in the education reserve today. Lesser Whitethroat and Common Whitethroats also showed well.

I'll be down to do the rounds tomorrow morning and then off to Scotland for a few days -bound to miss something!

Some more wild flower shots taken around the reserve below:

 

[wheatearlp]

The highest Day List for Upton is now held by Paul Croft this was achieved on this Saturday's All-dayer' May 1st 2010, Total = 81:smoke:

The highest Year list is held by Paul's older cousin Stuart Croft
I will get the year it was held Total = 142

The highest upton list is held by myself (although Arthur Jacob's is probably higher but he wont tell us what his is) = 207:king:

Just wondering how come nobody saw/heard more than 81 in 1994 when we got 92 species overall? My total that day was 73 ... and I had to leave at 12.30:eek!:

Best I can offer is:
79 in a day (out of 89 in 1996)
133 in a year (also in 1996)

Cheers
Mike

 

[Sy V]

...Who are ya

Thanks for that, mate!

...then off to Scotland for a few days -bound to miss something!

Don’t worry, I’ll send you a picture, Dave!

 

[Sy V]

...pic 3.A female cettis how tatty is that tail

You're right John, it is a mess.
The condition of the tail feathers, especially the tips and their shape is indicative of age in a lot of passerines (I'll let you have a look at my Svennson's if you want - it's a rivetting read). However, the formula can get seriously influenced in the case of skulking Warblers (such as the Cetti's) who spend hour upon hour in thickets.
To my embarrassment, I can't remember what we decided vis-à-vis age for this particular bird (is this the small female that we processed late on?), sorry.

On a connected note, not only did Fergus phone me to thank me on Sunday (I was already asleep when he called) he phoned me again yesterday afternoon. Methinks he has indeed got the bug back! We were talking about how best to 'attack' the Flashes and when (after the Cettis's and other Warblers have bred we think). We'll have to plan where to put the rides in the reed beds to maximise effect, and ensure that they can be used again in subsequent years with the minimum of preparation.

BTW John. Nice work with the rafts - now get 'em launched you slack bladder! (seriously, give me a bell if you need to co-ordinate some man power).

 

[upstarts1979]

You're right John, it is a mess.
The condition of the tail feathers, especially the tips and their shape is indicative of age in a lot of passerines (I'll let you have a look at my Svennson's if you want - it's a rivetting read). However, the formula can get seriously influenced in the case of skulking Warblers (such as the Cetti's) who spend hour upon hour in thickets.
To my embarrassment, I can't remember what we decided vis-à-vis age for this particular bird (is this the small female that we processed late on?), sorry.

On a connected note, not only did Fergus phone me to thank me on Sunday (I was already asleep when he called) he phoned me again yesterday afternoon. Methinks he has indeed got the bug back! We were talking about how best to 'attack' the Flashes and when (after the Cettis's and other Warblers have bred we think). We'll have to plan where to put the rides in the reed beds to maximise effect, and ensure that they can be used again in subsequent years with the minimum of preparation.

Hi Sy
I seem to remember that was the short winged female.

Re 'rides' in reed beds. I read sometime ago that having physical borders - ie channels cut into the reedbed helps define the reed warbler territories it makes the territory smaller but you get more pairs in the same area of reeds.
B john

 

[Sy V]

...Re 'rides' in reed beds. I read sometime ago that having physical borders - ie channels cut into the reedbed helps define the reed warbler territories it makes the territory smaller but you get more pairs in the same area of reeds. B john

Fergus is definitely the guy to speak to about this, John. He did his dissertation on the territorial interaction of Sedge and Reed Warblers. Guess where he did all his research... UW!

 

[mike nesbitt]

Two Cuckoos present at the N Moors at 7.00am. One was seen off by a Woodpigeon, the other was still present, very vocal and showing very well till 8.00am at least. I will post an image at the weekend.
best regards, Mike.

 

[Jason K]

Hi folks,

Just to let you know, I have set up my own bird blog "The Shenstone Birder".

http://shenstonebirder.blogspot.com/

Please visit and let me know what you think.

Cheers
Jase

 

[midlands birder]

Hi folks,

Just to let you know, I have set up my own bird blog "The Shenstone Birder".

http://shenstonebirder.blogspot.com/

Please visit and let me know what you think.

Cheers
Jase

hey jase good to see someone ha started a blog from an area so close to my local patch.
on monday evening there were 2 wheatear(1 male) in the fields adjacent to the paddock, got a few very crappy, distant photos, also 4 corn bunting and about 5 yellowhammer
MB

 

[timmyjones]

Just had a text from Brian to say that there is an adult Little Gull on the Moors now! And a Whinchat!

 

[Sy V]

Yes, I saw Des driving off having just arrived at the Sailing Complex presumably to twitch them. I wanted to have a go at some BIF shots, so I stayed at the Sailing Pool.
Didn't expect to see this Sparrowhawk trying to do a 'Hobby' on me though! Not long after that I had my chance against what I'd come for, but whilst there were almost always 4 Common Terns knocking about, the light and general overcast conditions weren't doing me any favours. I do like the challenge of Birds in Flight photography though.

 

[UW82]

Sy. When you saw me the birds hadn't been found at that point. I went to the Moors by chance and shortly afterwards, c16.45, I was told about them.

Des.