Upton Warren (1 Viewer)

[rollingthunder]

John - is House Sparrow not found around the houses by the Chesnut Parking tree ?

Laurie -

 

[Alun Hatfield]

This is probably the best birdwatching spot in the world :t:

 

[Sy V]

"The Best Birdwatching Spot in the World"

Another satisfied visitor, I see! If perhaps a touch exaggerated in his views. B
Welcome to the Jewel in Worcestershire's Birding Crown, Alun.

 

[simbird]

Hi Simon
I didn't see you in the hide mate sorry if I ignored you .
B John
yes it was a good day - it appeared that Steve's group enjoyed it., judging by the comments from the people I spoke to outside.

Hi John ~ Its ok you were helping with IDing Birds for us ~ I was hiding amongst the 12 other birders on the *Birds for Beginners* course in the hide

I've uploaded the Avocet video with their 3 chicks... here ~ http://www.youtube.com/user/simbirdcom with talk and explanations on birds caught on the sound recording... You can hear a Cuckoo being spotted too !

 

[midlands birder]

hey guys
my upton year list is 91 species, not including a certain bird today, grrrrrrrrrr
MB

 

[upstarts1979]

This is probably the best birdwatching spot in the world :t:

Is that the Alan Hatfield I know from many years ago . If not nice of you to say that about the reserve I agree.:t:
If it is the Aan I Know how are you mate?
B John

 

[upstarts1979]

John - is House Sparrow not found around the houses by the Chesnut Parking tree ?

Laurie -

Not these days mate. But the last week or so there has been a bit of a show, in front of the east hide and sailing pool car park.
B john

 

[timmyjones]

Just had one of the best birding moments of my life so far.

Arrived at the LEO site to see that the bird had flew onto a stump to the left and was showing out in the open! Then dropped down onto the floor where it stayed for a few minutes then flew round to the right a bit more and perched up fairly high in a willow. Stayed here for another 2 mins then flew around at the top of the open area there briefly before flying around the corner and out of sight. Crippling views and the a chap there said it was the best he'd had in 49 years of birding.

Walked round to the causeway to see if it was visible but no sign, then went to the east hide to see what was around managed 2 Common Sand 1 Female teal and loads of Hirundines and swifts.

Walking back to the car as I turned the corner just past the chesnut tree and looking across the reeds to the left the LEO was was hunting above them. It veered along the small channel that's in the reeds there as I got onto it with my bins it was looking down obviously hunting then it looked up with its big orange eyes straight at me as it carried on flying towards me then it flew right over my head and over towards the north moors, MEGA!!!

It then flew round and was hunting over the north moors for a while then back over the causeway over the trees. Waited around for a bit to see if I could see it again but decided to walk back to the car, from the car park as I was putting my stuff back looked around for it again and it flew up and perched on top of the North Moors hide!!! Stayed there for about a minute then was mobbed by a Magpie off then flew round towards the Moors.

Amazing birding experience really reminds me of exactly why I'm a birder!

 

[upstarts1979]

Just had one of the best birding moments of my life so far.

Arrived at the LEO site to see that the bird had flew onto a stump to the left and was showing out in the open! Then dropped down onto the floor where it stayed for a few minutes then flew round to the right a bit more and perched up fairly high in a willow. Stayed here for another 2 mins then flew around at the top of the open area there briefly before flying around the corner and out of sight. Crippling views and the a chap there said it was the best he'd had in 49 years of birding.

Walked round to the causeway to see if it was visible but no sign, then went to the east hide to see what was around managed 2 Common Sand 1 Female teal and loads of Hirundines and swifts.

Walking back to the car as I turned the corner just past the chesnut tree and looking across the reeds to the left the LEO was was hunting above them. It veered along the small channel that's in the reeds there as I got onto it with my bins it was looking down obviously hunting then it looked up with its big orange eyes straight at me as it carried on flying towards me then it flew right over my head and over towards the north moors, MEGA!!!

It then flew round and was hunting over the north moors for a while then back over the causeway over the trees. Waited around for a bit to see if I could see it again but decided to walk back to the car, from the car park as I was putting my stuff back looked around for it again and it flew up and perched on top of the North Moors hide!!! Stayed there for about a minute then was mobbed by a Magpie off then flew round towards the Moors.

Amazing birding experience really reminds me of exactly why I'm a birder!

Hi Tim a very enthralling account mate.
Better views than me. :-C
Find it if you can in my pics,

We were there when it was found.
I had a phone call from Dave W who was in the east hide, saying that he was going to be taken to see a Long eared Owl (thinking he was going elsewhere in worcestershire), he then repeated "on the Moors". I shouted to the Crofty Boys whom I was with raptor watching from the causeway "long eared owl". stunned and disbelieving we met Dave with the geazer who had claimed it. He said that it was perched on a stump at the edge of the reed bed 30 metres from where my car was parked. He said it opened its eyes and they were bright orange and it had long ear tufts but flew into the reed bed immediately after it woke up. This area behind the willows is the old tree line where now dead alders stand and fall, we only usually check it for woodpeckers but the area it is mostly ignored.
Sceptically we checked the nearby trees without luck. Then we decided to organise a closer inspection by the original 'stump'. Within a couple of minutes Dave W shouted Iv'e got it and there it was perched on a short stump just inside the reeds....the rest is history.
While we were watching it a reed warbler stood about a foot away and just stared at it :eek!: - a lucky escape.
A classic example of because you don't know someone it doesn't mean he doesn't know what he is on about...always worth following up any claims!

B John

 

[Emma]

Visited Upton Warren this afternoon with my Mum (Pam_m) and on arriving at the Moors car park we were informed by a kind gentleman that a LEO was on the reserve today, many thanks to Dave :t:for showing us where the LEO was.....it was a super bird to see!!! It was really strange to see a LEO in amongst a reed bed as I am used to seeing them in rough grassland at a Winter LEO roost site in Norfolk but todays was even more special as it was on my local patch!! The LEO seemed quite content to stay on its stump while we were viewing it from afar, I just hope that other birdwatchers/photographers will be considerate in not disturbing the bird while it is still on the reserve!

Also at the Moors 3 Greenshank were in amongst the BH Gulls, LRP, Lapwing, Oystercatchers, Tufted Duck, 2 Common Terns put on a super show over the water!

Over at the Flashes the Avocets were staking there territory around their 3 chicks whilst 2 other Avocets were seen to be sitting on nests, 2 LRP were also sitting on nests. Other notable birds seen included 1 Greenshank, 2 Redshank. From the Hen Brook hide super views were had of Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Common Whitethroat.

*******

Good to read about your super views of the LEO Tim!!!!:t:

 

[PeterE]

Can someone help with an identification? I find gulls with their different seasonal and age plumages difficult to sort out. This morning (Sunday) about 11.30 there was a gull sitting in the grass just below the large hide on the Flashes; it was about the size of a BHG but the bill was more heavy-duty and the head was more upright too. It was mainly whitish on its upper parts but with dark smudging in front and behind the eye.

I think it was a Mediterranean Gull but would be grateful if anyone else could confirm the ID either because they saw it or because my rather inadequate description suggests an identification.

Peter

 

[rollingthunder]

There has been 1 poss 2 1st-Summer type Med Gulls at UW recently (i think there are some pics on a previous page) so it sounds like you have seen one of them...

Laurie -

 

[upstarts1979]

Can someone help with an identification? I find gulls with their different seasonal and age plumages difficult to sort out. This morning (Sunday) about 11.30 there was a gull sitting in the grass just below the large hide on the Flashes; it was about the size of a BHG but the bill was more heavy-duty and the head was more upright too. It was mainly whitish on its upper parts but with dark smudging in front and behind the eye.

I think it was a Mediterranean Gull but would be grateful if anyone else could confirm the ID either because they saw it or because my rather inadequate description suggests an identification.

Peter

Hi Pete
There has been a BHG sat in front of the hide for two days it has broken/damaged legs.
I can't remember what age it is but due to its lack of feeding it would not have advanced its plumage and is in suspended moult thus looks different to the others of similar age.
B john

 

[upstarts1979]

For those not subscribed to worcesterbirding site
http://worcesterbirding.co.uk/

Here is some updated info at 10am (I'm sure Brian won't mind)
At Upton this morning there was a bit more movement involving :-
Whimbrel, greenshank at moors and flashes and 2 Sandwich Terns at the Moors as well as the long eared owl.
remember non wildlife trust members will be charged £3

Can everyone be aware that the welfare of every bird comes first, not only the long eared owl but also breeding birds in the reedbed and grassland.
Unless the bird is 'staked' out please do not enter any part of the reserve away from permitted paths.
If all goes well on this mini twitch, any rare bird that appears in the future in sensitive areas, we will organise viewing as long as the wildlife is not compromised.
Please help us police this situation by acting responsibly and advising others to do so. :t:
B John

 

[Jason K]

Hi Folks,

Great to see Long-eared Owl yesterday, an absolutly cracking bird. I just thought I would forward one of my record shots. I like this one as it shows the birds orange iris.

Cheers
Jase

 

[upstarts1979]

Another satisfied visitor, I see! If perhaps a touch exaggerated in his views. B
Welcome to the Jewel in Worcestershire's Birding Crown, Alun.

take your glasses off Sy
you know it is the best, I think you need to get down more instead of p****** it up in the boozerB B , Wolves have stayed up so no worries now.

What happened to that geazer sitting in the corner of the hide before me at 4am every Saturday last spring.
Stamina mate 8-P

The last 2 weeks have made upton the place to be

B John

 

[upstarts1979]

Visible Migration

Spring migration at Upton can be a bit of a hit and miss scenario and sporadic at times. It can be weather dependant, down to a bit of luck or dependant on the amount of 'birder' coverage. But this years migration period has been unprecedented and sustained with movement of varying degrees on every day since 25th April when 2 Sandwich Terns stayed all afternoon. That week also saw 2 more single sandwich terns on 27th and 28th April. The change in weather to showery and north east saw an influx of waders with 5 Ringed plover and 2 dunlin and the first Med Gull of the year a 1st summer bird.
The traditional heady month of May has so far lived up to expectations.
Here is a summary of the more obvious migrants appearing this doesn't include the ever present Common Sands that have peaked at 7. The appearance of Hobby's is difficult to quantify as it may involve local breeders. There has also been an unprecendented amount of warblers on the reserve with highest counts of willow, sedge and garden warblers for many a year. Also good totals of lesser whitethroat, whitethroat and blackcap only reed warbler is down although they are still arriving.


MAY highlights
1st:- whimbrel, ringed plover, dunlin
2nd:- Arctic tern, Red Kite, Whimbrel, Ringed Plover
3rd:- Red Kite, Marsh Harrier (imm fem), Dunlin
4th:- Arctic Tern (14), Whimbrel, Yellow Wagtail, Redstart
5th:- Little Gull, whinchat
6th:- Black Tailed godwit (3), Whimbrel, Med Gull (different to 29th Apr bird), Yellow Wagtail and
wheatear (pr)
7th:- Marsh Harrier (imm male) , Arctic Tern
8th:- Kittiwake,Greenshank, Whimbrel (flocks of 23 and 18), Arctic tern 17(14 +1 +1 +1),
9th:- Long Eared Owl, Greenshank (3)
10th:- Greensnank 2 (1+1), Whimbrel, Sandwich tern (2)

long MAY it continue :t:
B John

 

[timmyjones]

Upton does seem to be in a real purple patch at the moment turning up some real good birds.

Anyone with a DSLR should try to get down this evening as if I had had one yesterday when the LEO flew right over my head I could have got some amazing shots of it looking straight at me as it flew low over the reeds, could really get some cracking photos.

 

[johnnybegood]

Hi all,having met some of you people i am going to ask you for a favour,i took this pic at cannock chase but i cant get a correct ID,could you clever lads help out,my own feeling is a willow warbler but the guys in the staffordshire section say chiff chaff,

Thanks for your help,
regards,
john.

ps: i saw the long eared owl yesterday at upton warren awesome bird.

 

[midlands birder]

i would go with willow warbler, pale legs and pronounced yellow wash
MB