Upton Warren (145 Viewers)

[Stone Snapper]

Snaps from todays trip to the Moor's.

Simon P :t:

shhhhhhhhhhhhhtunning mr p:t::t::t:

 

[upstarts1979]

The quality of pics are brill lads (Trace, Simon ,Vern) who needs kingfishers8-P

 

[Bob O.]

The quality of pics are brill lads (Trace, Simon ,Vern) who needs kingfishers8-P

I'll second that, a series of stunning shots from you all. Keep 'em coming!:t:

 

[ADRIANS PHOTOGRAPHY]

Great photographs and great to see such a varied group of species keep them coming

 

[upstarts1979]

Ist Work party at te Flashes this season

Considering the conditions today was a great turn out, with 13 of us battling against the elements. No pics I'm afraid as the hide was being worked on all day.
1.The blackthorn to the right of the hide that has been obscuring the view to the south was coppiced today. The brash was piled up into the gap along the western border hedge to form a dead hedge. When the hide has been sorted the views should be un-restricted.
2. The grass/sedge/reed cuttings in the marshy area at the southern end of the 2nd flash, were raked up and piled up on the dryer high ground to the south.
3. The remaining phragmites along the southern periphery of the 2nd flash was strimmed off. This combined with the work in 2 will enable views of this ideal snipe area.
4. We also started to clear the area in and around the FLASHES feeding station. We are planning to resurrect this facility at the next work party.
5. Sy also erected a few more bird boxes
So anybody other than the usual crew who wants this to be a success, come along and give us a hand in December. :t:
This for Mike (wickerman) - promise no more raking, we will make sure the Trust get a tractor in there.

 

[Yibble]

Unusual birdsong - from Westonbirt...

Hi all,

I'm sure that this isn't the right place, but as I have been impressed by the knowledge on display since I've been perusing this Forum over the past few weeks, I thought I'd give it a go...

... can anyone identify the bird song in the attached sound file? It was recorded yesterday at Westonbirt Arboretum.

Regards,

Andy

 

[upstarts1979]

Birding at the Flashes

Very quiet today. We flushed only 2 snipe and a jack from the southern area where we later raked.
Overhead a couple of meadow pipits flew through. 4 groups of linnet landed in the hedge along the boardwalk, each group had 25 to 30 birds. Periodically part of the flock would land on the saltmarsh to feed but they were very nervous. A conservative estimate would be of at least 100 and up to 120 birds, which constitutes the largest flock I have ever seen on the reserve.
Other birds recorded were 2 raven, goldcrest, bulfinch, mistle thrush, redwing. Have I forgotten anything lads. :t:

 

[UW82]

Very quiet today. We flushed only 2 snipe and a jack from the southern area where we later raked.
Overhead a couple of meadow pipits flew through. 4 groups of linnet landed in the hedge along the boardwalk, each group had 25 to 30 birds. Periodically part of the flock would land on the saltmarsh to feed but they were very nervous. A conservative estimate would be of at least 100 and up to 120 birds, which constitutes the largest flock I have ever seen on the reserve.
Other birds recorded were 2 raven, goldcrest, bulfinch, mistle thrush, redwing. Have I forgotten anything lads. :t:

Green Sand and Buzzard, John.


Des.

 

[upstarts1979]

birding at the Moors

While getting the tools this morning a Brambling called, luckily after a bit of searching we found it in the hawthorn behind the tool shed. It flew off north but then circled back towards the feeding station, there was also an increase in greenfinch with 23 counted on the feeders.
After the work party, back at the new hide water rails performed in front. A brief 'trill' from the reeds was almost certainly a cetti's warbler. The shoveler 'circles' were growing in strength with 52 today. For some reason the Broadmeadow pool is holding good numbers of dabblers and it seems to be favoured by the wigeon, which makes it difficult to count them accurately.
Species count for Moors:
GCG 6, little grebe 5, cormorant 18 min, shoveler 86 min, wigeon 5, gadwall, pintail imm male, teal 50, mallard c60, Tufted c30min, pochard 5, greylag 23, Snipe c15, Jack snipe 2, lapwing 180 - 200, 3 water rail seen and heard around east hide plus others calling at dark along west side. A flock of 250 starlings circled the pool, but not sure if they actually roosted or not.

One behavioural note was : Shovelers diving for food, 3 or 4 birds are doing this regularly off the southern shore of the main pool close to the 'lagoon' - see Rob for the future map explaining the different areas:t:

 

[nokemyster]

A few shots taken yesterday at the Moors.

Simon P :t:

absolutely love the pic of the goldcrest....what a beautiful bird.

 

[Phil Andrews]

While getting the tools this morning a Brambling called, luckily after a bit of searching we found it in the hawthorn behind the tool shed. It flew off north but then circled back towards the feeding station, there was also an increase in greenfinch with 23 counted on the feeders.
After the work party, back at the new hide water rails performed in front. A brief 'trill' from the reeds was almost certainly a cetti's warbler. The shoveler 'circles' were growing in strength with 52 today. For some reason the Broadmeadow pool is holding good numbers of dabblers and it seems to be favoured by the wigeon, which makes it difficult to count them accurately.
Species count for Moors:
GCG 6, little grebe 5, cormorant 18 min, shoveler 86 min, wigeon 5, gadwall, pintail imm male, teal 50, mallard c60, Tufted c30min, pochard 5, greylag 23, Snipe c15, Jack snipe 2, lapwing 180 - 200, 3 water rail seen and heard around east hide plus others calling at dark along west side. A flock of 250 starlings circled the pool, but not sure if they actually roosted or not.

One behavioural note was : Shovelers diving for food, 3 or 4 birds are doing this regularly off the southern shore of the main pool close to the 'lagoon' - see Rob for the future map explaining the different areas:t:

John - in addition to the above this morning I had 7 Pochard, 22 Snipe, 2 Grey Heron and a female Gadwall. Dave J had a House Sparrow in the Moors car park.

 

[the wicker man]

Considering the conditions today was a great turn out, with 13 of us battling against the elements. No pics I'm afraid as the hide was being worked on all day.
1.The blackthorn to the right of the hide that has been obscuring the view to the south was coppiced today. The brash was piled up into the gap along the western border hedge to form a dead hedge. When the hide has been sorted the views should be un-restricted.
2. The grass/sedge/reed cuttings in the marshy area at the southern end of the 2nd flash, were raked up and piled up on the dryer high ground to the south.
3. The remaining phragmites along the southern periphery of the 2nd flash was strimmed off. This combined with the work in 2 will enable views of this ideal snipe area.
4. We also started to clear the area in and around the FLASHES feeding station. We are planning to resurrect this facility at the next work party. So anybody other than the usual crew who wants this to be a success, come along and give us a hand in December. :t:
This for Mike (wickerman) - promise no more raking, we will make sure the Trust get a tractor in there.

Ha, it was good fun today. Good bunch of people there and feel good that we all contributed to helping the reserve along. I shall be there in December don't worry!

Mike

 

[Sy V]

John

I had a Green Sand and a Great Spot early doors yesterday (I thought I heard a Brambling by the steps too, but failed to connect with it).
The three boxes that went up yesterday are; on the second fir tree to the left of the boardwalk; in a coppiced willow beyond the sleeper stacks and on the coppiced crack-willow adjacent to the feed station.

 

[upstarts1979]

John

I had a Green Sand and a Great Spot early doors yesterday (I thought I heard a Brambling by the steps too, but failed to connect with it).
The three boxes that went up yesterday are; on the second fir tree to the left of the boardwalk; in a coppiced willow beyond the sleeper stacks and on the coppiced crack-willow adjacent to the feed station.

Hi Sy have added your work on the work party post, just before I saw this post:t:John

 

[Stone Snapper]

is this your common house sparrow? at upton behind new hide

 

[ADRIANS PHOTOGRAPHY]

good photograph and yes it's a house sparrow

 

[binus1963]

nuthatch

phil nuthatch was regular around feeders by new hide for around an hour sat morn,also green woodpecker seen on track on way up.

 

[Stone Snapper]

water rail

 

[forgetfulelephant]

Large Shoveler 'whirlpool'. This morning.






Rob

 

[upstarts1979]

Large Shoveler 'whirlpool'. This morning.
Rob

I count 58 Rob, :t:john