Glovershaw 15-08-2005

Hi Paul
Thanks for your kind comments Paul. Any record of skylark at this time of year most interesting, especially if there are larger numbers. They have now gone, from the moors around the watchpoint (that I can see) since c mid July, (to where?) although there are still a few about round the edges of the moor, but not that many. House Martins will be a while before they start to "get out", but Swifts I suspect are nearly gone. Mipits will be just about on the shuffle, but the "big push" wont come until mid / end Sept – Oct, a most exciting time!! To me one of the seven wonders of migration!

Many thanks for the info, any more most welcome. The col between Baildon Moor and Rombalds Moor (to give it a nome, Glovershaw Gap), near Golcar, is a known migration watchpoint, albeit a bit too broad (both MP and SR have tried it). If you fancy doing a bit of vis as the season progresses, I would suggest watching initially from somewhere a little elevated on the south-east side, with the morning light behind (that’s if its not all golf course?) so you can over view the full width of the gap, with scope as well as binoculars. It does, however have the disadvantage of not supporting movements / passage from the north-west to south east which rules out a lot, often but not always dependant on the day and species, so you may have somewhere else in mind? I know from my own experience that it is very good for thrushes on days they are moving from NE to SW (not always as obvious as the direction you think they should be moving!!) There are lots of ideas for everyone here:

http://www.bradfordbirding.org/VIS-MIG/vismap2.html

The "blogger" has been playing up to night and has cost me a night at the watchpoint!
bahhhh
Dave.

----- Original Message -----
From: "PAUL KING"
To: "David Barker"
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2005 2:57 PM
Subject: A few sightings
David,
Today I walked around my 'patch'. There were over 20 House Martins and one Swift (going south) feeding over the Glen. Golcar Farm was also interesting with a good flock of about 30 birds feeding on the thistles, mostly Goldfinch with Linnets and Greenfinch. By the farm there was a Spotted Flycatcher and two willow warblers. The moor was quiet with just a few mipits and a skylark which I flushed.
Cheers,
Paul King.

ERROR

Sorry about this multiple posting, The correct title is "Canada Geese in August". I will delete the incorrect post when the "blogger" will let me!!
Dave.

Canada Geese in August.

Hi Brian et al
Great interest in your record yesterday 14th August.

""an unusually high count of Canadas with 103 coming in from the > E and landing on the water and in the fields. These were,nt like the usual resident birds which are reasonably tame, instead they were very mobile, moving from one dam to the other and into the fields with the least disturbance.""

My Canadas (51) at the watchpoint yesterday afternoon, were just the same, very jittery and wary, always moving in a tight group or line of geese close together, with frequent head pumping and as you say very different temperament to the few birds (about eleven here) that have stayed nearby since the summer with the young birds. Also we had a group flying SW past the watchpoint yesterday morning.

For those interested and not knowing, there are at least two things happening locally with the Canadas at this time of year. Firstly the moulters are beginning to return from Scotland, with the 17th August, being a good early date for Beauly Firth ringed birds to be back in Yorkshire, but with the main return being ten days to either side of 1st September, so our influx now is right on cue!! Also by / during early August there are records of birds from high ground sites commuting to the lower waters.

So any counts of Canada influx, flight directions / movement will be very interesting, even flying birds on unusual routes, especially to see how and at what time of day they move at this time of year. Somebody must be seeing Canadas?

Canadas back ? (c)

Dave