Upton Warren (103 Viewers)

[upstarts1979]

Reed mace (bullrushes)

In a wetland in Bedford yesterday, two Penduline tits were found feeding on bullrush heads. These birds, are part of an influx into the country or could even be British bred birds. We have a lot of reed mace around the pools, so if you see any birds feeding on reed mace have a closer look at them, I know its a long shot but you never know:smoke:John
http://www.kentos.org.uk/ http://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Remiz-pendulinus - listen to the first recording for their high pitched call.

mind you bearded tits would do nicely

 

[Grayman]

Waxwings

Long-tailed Duck today at Bittell; would be a nice addition to the year list if it relocated to UW. Have the trees at Webbs been checked for incoming Waxwings?

About 3 years ago it was suggested putting some rowan trees on the pathway going up from the car park to the new hide, to encourage Waxwings to feed on the reserve.

If it's cash then I'd be more then willing to fund a tree.

Regards

Graham

 

[biking birder 2010]

re - the diving shovelors.

Great links John. Maybe no big deal but interesting reading. As you go down the Wild About Birds link, a few things give a few clues.

'So, the plot thickens. I suspect it has something to so with the water level in the lagoon at Grafham in front of the hide. Today the water level was appreciably higher.'

Has our water level been higher than normal and I wonder if their food plant/invertebrates prefer a certain depth hence the reason for chosing only the areas where this behaviour is to be seen.

'I've witnessed up to eight diving Shoveler (five drakes and three ducks). On average they dive for 5-6 seconds. The record while I've been watching is 9 seconds. They are definitely feeding: they return to the surface with bits of weed in their bills and often dip the tip in the water briefly before swallowing, like you or I might take a sip of water for the same purpose.'

My observations yesterday recorded a variety of times within the same time frame for the dives. Actually I did get a couple diving for 10 seconds so maybe we should announce a new shovelor diving record!

I've started a new thread on the WILD ABOUT BRITAIN forum site.

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/f...-worcs-wildlife-trust-reserve.html#post961982

Be interesting to see what transpires. In the meantime keep watching the diving shovelors. Rare birds and maybe a new sub-species -

Anas clypeata uptonwarrenensis

 

[biking birder 2010]

Well done Graham. I'd also pay for a tree. Maybe we could get an avenue of Rowans with each one having a dedication.

Now how about organising that John? Good idea?

 

[Sy V]

I'm happy to co-ordinate the purchase (contacts within NFU) if we put do the Rowan thing. But I expect we'll have to get the OK through the Trust from Natural England.

SJV

 

[Rob Swift]

WMBC/BTO Local Conference

Hi everybody,

there's still time to get tickets for this Saturday's conference....should be a very interesting day of talks and presentations.

www.bto.org/news-events/events/2012-11/west-midland-bird-clubbto-conference

Everybody welcome!


cheers

Rob Swift

 

[billbox]

Rowan Trees

You can put me down for a Rowan as well.

As an aside; the Rowan is a variety of Ash....it is also known as a Mountain Ash...and ,as such, could be vulnerable to the fungal disease that is causing so much concern. I'm not suggesting that it this should deter the Reserve from planting Rowan but it would be a sad loss of winter food resource if it did fall victim to the disease.

 

[Claudy Banks]

In name only I'm afraid. The true Ash, Fraxinus excelsior, belongs to the Oleacea family, whereas the Mountain, Ash Sorbus aucuparia, is a member of the Rosaceae family. This is one of the pitfalls of using common names.The Moutain Ash would never grow into the rugged, habitat rich specimens that the true Ash is capable of. Far better to replace with native oaks i.e. Quercus robur. The various Sorbus species have their place of course, not least as providers of food for berry eating birds. As an aside, one of the Waxwings alternate food sources in poor berry years is (and soon maybe will cease to be), Ash keys.

 

[Woodchat]

Re. Planting of Rowan Trees.

It is my opinion that there should not be a proliferation of tree planting on the reserve / SSSI. UW is primarily a wetland reserve and any fresh planting should be carried out judiciously and restricted to areas well away from the main wetland areas. The existing plantation areas may be able to take one or two more low-growing trees (of which Rowan may be a suitable species) but the thought of creating 'avenues' is inappropriate IMO and such ideas should be restricted to gardens and parks - not nature reserves like UW - there simply isn't the space and any planting could eventually result in a very enclosed effect if it is not carried out with due care. Just my opinion for what it's worth. :t:

 

[Sy V]

Waxwings in Bromsgrove (albeit it north Bromsgrove) apparently flew over Braces Lane towards Marlbrook pub this morning.
This means that in all likelihood they flew over or perhaps were even feasting on my fields' hedgerows...

 

[Sy V]

Re. Planting of Rowan Trees.

It is my opinion that there should not be a proliferation of tree planting on the reserve / SSSI. UW is primarily a wetland reserve and any fresh planting should be carried out judiciously and restricted to areas well away from the main wetland areas. The existing plantation areas may be able to take one or two more low-growing trees (of which Rowan may be a suitable species) but the thought of creating 'avenues' is inappropriate IMO and such ideas should be restricted to gardens and parks - not nature reserves like UW - there simply isn't the space and any planting could eventually result in a very enclosed effect if it is not carried out with due care...

I agree with Dave. My comment above (apart from referring to WWT & NE) should have included a statement that such a programme should only be undertaken if it fits into the Reserve's long-term Management Plan.

 

[Woodchat]

I agree with Dave. My comment above (apart from referring to WWT & NE) should have included a statement that such a programme should only be undertaken if it fits into the Reserve's long-term Management Plan.

Well said Sy. My comments weren't meant to sound like a kill-joy and there is no doubt that the Mountain Ash is a very beautiful tree in its natural habitat / the appropriate setting as well as being very attractive to birds such as Waxwings. Let's not get carried away, though - that's all.

 

[wheatearlp]

Aside from the (very valid) arguments already put forward for not planting any trees, never mind an 'avenue', would they even take in what is a very wet area, certainly the first 80-100 yards from the car park?

There are rowans in the North Moors plantation. Perhaps thinning of other competing trees in that area would result in good berry crops on trees that we already have?

In conclusion, having spent the best part of 30 years helping to reduce the closed-in effect that we had in the 80s, I'd not be happy to see any trees planted anywhere around the Moors Pool, or the Flashes for that matter.

 

[upstarts1979]

Re. Planting of Rowan Trees.

It is my opinion that there should not be a proliferation of tree planting on the reserve / SSSI. UW is primarily a wetland reserve and any fresh planting should be carried out judiciously and restricted to areas well away from the main wetland areas. The existing plantation areas may be able to take one or two more low-growing trees (of which Rowan may be a suitable species) but the thought of creating 'avenues' is inappropriate IMO and such ideas should be restricted to gardens and parks - not nature reserves like UW - there simply isn't the space and any planting could eventually result in a very enclosed effect if it is not carried out with due care. Just my opinion for what it's worth. :t:

Firstly to plant any trees or bushes on the reserve would be up to English Nature. As Dave has already alluded to, the reserve is a wetland and woodland is only a peripheral but in the correct place a welcomed habitat. Forty years ago the east side of the North Moors was planted up with Yew trees, but was predominantly covered in Rowan trees. For the first 10 years these trees attracted many thrushes and it was especially frequented by mistle thrushes with over 40 seen on one occasion. However, since those heady days the area has been left to grow out of control. If you have walked around the NM trail you will see 40 foot tall rowans that have al-but died. There are plans to manage and try to rejuvenate both the yews and rowans, in this area. Most of the trees here are dying off as they are all competing for light, so until the corrective management is implemented, there is no point in planting it up just yet. Once this area is sorted it would be ideal to re-plant it with rowans and other indigenous berry bearing bushes.
To plant more trees close to the wetland areas would be counter-productive, especially as we are endeavouring to re-invigorate the wetland areas. The main obstacle to us achieving this, is the ever presence of un-wanted trees. This can be seen all around Amy's Marsh and the Broadmeadow pool. The causeway reed bed is full of trees that are drying out the reed bed.
As and when we re-plant the rowan thicket at the North Moors , I am sure your donations will be most welcome. The thing about rowans though, is that by the time the waxwings arrive the berries have all been eaten, as they ripen earlier than most berry bearing bushes. The waxwings usually depend on non native, exotic berry bushes.B John

 

[forgetfulelephant]

If, & I stress if, it was to be decided to plant more berry-bearers on the reserve would it be a better idea to start a small nursery project to take cuttings from trees/shrubs already on the reserve. Long-term I know but that would preclude the possibilty of bringing diseased stock in & possibly sidestep having to go through the rigamarole of asking for permission from English Nature?

Rob

 

[upstarts1979]

If, & I stress if, it was to be decided to plant more berry-bearers on the reserve would it be a better idea to start a small nursery project to take cuttings from trees/shrubs already on the reserve. Long-term I know but that would preclude the possibilty of bringing diseased stock in & possibly sidestep having to go through the rigamarole of asking for permission from English Nature?

Rob

good point Rob, I think there are some self seeded rowans getting established around the reserve. These could be used as and when required.
Re-berry bushes: last year we planted 40 hawthorns along the salwarp trail. This was in an area devoid of any valuable vegetation, these have all survived and within a short time should be bearing fruit.

 

[AlanH46]

5 hours around the Moors Pool this morning in dull rainy weather.

1m & 1f Wigeon and immature m Pintail.

It was fascinating to watch the diving Shoveller, at least 8 birds, giving good imitation of Velvet Scoter in terms of how thay dive.

1 Grey Wagtail in newly cut area at end of causeway.

With the heavy rain most small birds were keeping low with the exception of 1 bedraggled Goldfinch in front of concrete hide.

Several flocks of about 40 winter thrushes went through. Mainly Fieldfare with just a few Redwing mixed in.

 

[biking birder 2010]

I like the idea of our own tree nursery. On many RSPB reserves I saw the self same thing in practise. The one at Haweswater for instance has produced 1,000s of trees. I'm not advocating that scale of production and where the trees we produce could go is another matter. Maybe pot them up and sell them to the TOGS. etc. Have your own 'Upton Warren' tree in your garden. [Disease free?]

 

[upstarts1979]

Talking of the 'plantation' .
the 4 pics are of the NM eastern plantation.
1. 1988 viewed from the original hide looking NE, note the reed bed was much larger in those days
2. 1989 same view.
3. 1990 as viewed from the NW corner looking SE , This was taken when the north end of the NM was being excavated ( known as Dr Rowes pool).
4. The plantation as viewed from the seasonal pool Nov 2011

 

[wheatearlp]

Amazing to see how sparse the plantation was in the late 80s/early 90s. I know I was there, but obviously I took far less notice of the habitat in those days!

Trying to get somewhere half-way between then and now would be good, giving the berry-bearing trees and shrubs more chance of producing good crops each year.