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| Treecreeper courtesy of Carl Stockwell |
Friday, 31 July 2026
Warburg Reserve - Friday 31st July 2026
For the second year in a row the Hawfinches have successfully bred here at Warburg This is due to the woodland management
by BBOWT in particular the Hornbeam. Witnessed today - Hawfinch x 3 (m f + juvenile), Bullfinch x 4 (2m f + juvenile),
Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Song Thrush, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Green Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch (m f + juvenile),
Red legged Partridges x 8.
I will add that the hide on the reserve is quite small and at 0600am today it was standing room only. I would ask that
photogtaphers be considerate to all that visit the hide in particular families now that the school holidays are with us.
Many thanks.
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Great news about the Hawfinches. Unfortunately by merely posting the location of the Hawfinches you have exacerbated the problem with the hide crowding. A lot of people are now aware of the birds at the pond and are travelling many miles to photograph them. It’s a shame now for locals because they can’t appreciate the birds for themselves. Maybe it’s time to allow BBOWT members only or introduce a timed ticket system as has happened at other popular hides.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteWe have already had this argument last year. Pictures have been appearing for weeks now on numerous sites.
Are the Hawfinches only for locals?
I beg to differ.
I spent a couple of hours there earlier this week late pm, just 3 people in the hide...all of the above birds bar Green Woodpecker put in an appearance . My main concern is the drastically low water level here & how to stop it drying out completely, seeing how it's man made & not spring fed !
ReplyDeleteI agree. It is indeed worrying but unfortunately fed only by the weather.
ReplyDeleteIt is BBOWT's policy not to interfere and what will be will be..
Having read some people stay for 9 hours, I wonder if they might consider reducing this to 1 or 2 hrs if they visit again to give the some opportunity for others to see these special birds. Controversial I am sure, but we could try to share. I think it should be alright for others to visit out of county, for example it is no secret about the long tailed shrike!
ReplyDelete👍
DeletePossibly it was me you are discussing sitting in the hide for 9 hours. As some background I have been a BBOWT member for 40+ years, did 5+ years conservation work on Sundays in the reserve as part of the Berkshire Conservation Volunteers Group in the early 1980s when Nigel Phillips was the reserve manager. Undertaking mainly ride coppice work for the flora and butterflies but many other tasks as well.
DeleteI have visited the hide many times over the years usually for 1 or 2 hours at a time. In May this year I was the only occupant on 3 visits.
The hide is busy now because the scarcity of water draws the birds in to bathe and drink. That said, all the birds are now visiting less frequently for the next month because they have started their feather moults. In the 9 hours I was there, the total number of birds probably visited for no more than 1 hour in total. There were stretches of 1 1/2 hours when nothing visited the pond.
For my session I was up at 4am and in the hide for 6.15 am. I achieved-the photographs I wanted so am unlikely to do such an extended session again.
The hide next to the visitor centre has reopened and is attracting many of the woodland birds seen at the pond hide.
I am not an out of area casual visitor but a long standing supporter of BBOWT/ BBONT (as was) living 10 miles from the reserve
It is kind of you to take the time to explain, and thank you for all the hard work that you have done for the charities and wildlife.
DeleteThe comment was a broader wish to remind all who visit that if others arrive at the door, to consider how long they may have been there, and perhaps offer up a front space if they have been there for hours and got some pictures.
But, I absolutely appreciate that at times the birds don’t come along, and so extended periods of waiting may be necessary. As you say, sometimes there is nobody there and it’s perfectly fine to sit for many hours.
The comment was not aimed at a specific person, though I had picked up that several people had spent long hours there and appreciate I don’t know their back story. I apologise if I caused you any offence with my comment.