Glovershaw 18-09-2005

Glovershaw 18-09-2005
Hi Paul
You’ve just got back in time to catch much of the fun!! Not bad for just and hour in the afternoon. You know I’m kicking myself now for stopping in this afternoon as I knew it would be better than this morning was despite the still grey skies. Good afternoons quite often follow poor mornings! Many thanks for making vis one of your priorities today!
Dave.

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul King
To: Daveb
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2005 8:44 PM
Subject: Glovershaw

Dave,
Just returned from the east coast of Canada with tales of Bald Eagles and Chimney Swifts. However, I"ve just had time to visit Glovershaw this afternoon and begin my contribution to the vis. I could only spare an hour but in that time about 25 Swallows went south, and a flock of 25 Mipits left the moor and flew in a SW direction. There were two pairs of Stonechat, one with a juvenile bird flitting about on the ferns, which seems to be their most favoured place. I'll have a closer look this week when I've fully recovered.
Cheers,
Paul King.

Kex Gill 17-09-2005 photos

Many thanks Andy for your wonderful photographs, hope these will be a regular inclusion on these pages. Dave.
----- Original Message -----
From: Andy Jowett
To: daveb
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2005 5:24 PM
Dave
The pictures from Saturday from Kex Gill as proimised. Ive included a pic of a robin because there seemed to be a local influx. Some of the pics show the med covert pattern which can be quite instructive when ageing mipits.
Cheers
Andy

Meadow Pipit Kex Gill (c) Andy Jowett 

Meadow Pipit Kex Gill (c) Andy Jowett 

Meadow Pipits Kex Gill (c) Andy Jowett 

Meadow Pipit Kex Gill (c) Andy Jowett 

Meadow Pipit Kex Gill (c) Andy Jowett 

Meadow Pipit Kex Gill (c) Andy Jowett 

Meadow Pipit Kex Gill (c) Andy Jowett 

Long Tailed Tit (c) Andy Jowett 

Long Tailed Tit (c) Andy Jowett 

Robin (c) Andy Jowett 

Long Nab 18-09-2005

Long Nab 18-09-2005
0905 - 1030hr (Rod Procter)
Cloudbase almost to ground 8ok but visibility alright below.
Meadow Pipits (not counted) often heard calling, out of sight above cloudbase.

Otherwise:
Meadow Pipit 31 seen > W
Whinchat 1
Also Snipe

A following visit to Fly Flat was unproductive with cloudbase plus or minus ground level.
Many thanks for your info Rod,
Dave.

Wharfe Valley 18-09-2005

Valuable constant effort info Andy, Dave.

Wharfe Valley 18-09-2005
----- Original Message -----
From: Andy Jowett
To: Daveb
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2005 12:07 PM
Subject: Re: Saturday 17th
Dave
At the sewage works where we ring between Otley and Burley there was a Ring Ouzel this am (left to the east). There has been quite a considerable increase in Blackbirds, Robins and Song Thrushes down there since last Sunday - I have some nice robin pics too which I will send - always brighten things up. there was "ticking" everywhere - a sure sign that autumn is upon us.
cheers
Andy

----- Original Message -----
From: Andy Jowett
To: Daveb
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2005 12:10 PM
Subject: Re: saturday mipits @ kex and pics
Dave
Yes all mipits yesterday through Kex Gill between west and SW. I think mipits are fascinating birds. In the hand every single bird is different. Also a real "passage bird" epitomising September movement.
cheers
andy

----- Original Message -----
From: Daveb
To: Andy Jowett
Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2005 8:58 PM
Subject: saturday mipits and pics
Hi Andy,
Would very much like to include the pics of mipits and mipit wing moult stages etc. the detail of the in hand pics certainly adds to the interest. Despite what others may think I do love the mips!
Very many thanks in anticipation.

Dave

Cold Edge Dams 18-09-2005

Many thanks Brian, Dave.
----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Sumner
To: vismig
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2005 12:01 PM
Subject: [vismig] Cold Edge Dams

18/09/05 0715-1045hrs
Cool W > F4-5 dropping 3-4 late morning. Early drizzle and low cloud remaining damp throughout watch. Visibility acceptable.

SWALLOW 17 >SW
MIPIT 156 >W
CHAFFINCH 18 >W
SKYLARK 4 >W
ALBA WAG 3 >W
SNIPE 22 >W
WIGEON 5 > SE

OTHER :-
5 Teal
2 Heron
1 Common Sand.
1 f Stonechat.
Brian

Watchpoint 18-09-2005

Members only watchpoint 18-09-2005
Sunday 18th September 2005
0755 - 1115hr (DCB, HC, PC)
Weather and Sky:
A very moist grey morning with little improvement, almost static temperatures and some intermittent drizzle. Wind: W F3, remaining similar with occasional gusting F4 / 5. Temp: 12 @ 0640, to 14 by 1100hr. Visibility: Exceptionally clear to SSE (Belmont, Anglia TV mast, Donnington-on Bain, central Lincs) and E (Humber Bridge) but to W and NW persistent cloud block over Pennines (c10km max). Cloud: stratus with base c 1600ft asl (less than 1500ft block over Pennines), clear edge to strato ceiling however out far beyond Leeds to the east. Pressure: very slight rise over night with 1025 by 0630 and 1027hpa by 1100hr.

Hard work to get the birds this morning despite good conditions, with ever moving Pipits after an initial slow down, coming only at well spaced intervals. Nearly all were low and going to the west with none at all of yesterdays high south birds in evidence. Only two hirundines were seen, both Swallows and both up in the cloudbase, moving fast. Three parties of Snipe were also up in the cloudbase and moving west. Otherwise, just a handful of finches including a single party of Siskin heard high overhead but not seen. A check of the woods on the way out located at least six Goldcrests and 15 Coal Tits, both sp fresh in today. Yet another Grey Squirrel was picked up moving determinedly north-west along the long wall, but no birds came within range of the camera!!

Moving Birds:
Meadow Pipit 126 > W
Chaffinch 10 > W
Snipe 6 > W
Swallow 1 > S and 1 > W
Tree Pipit
alba 3 > SW
Siskin calls from one party O/H > SW
Grey Wagtail 1 > W
Starling 1 > E and 1 > W
Linnet 10 > W
Grey Squirrel 1 > NW
Coal Tit 15
Goldcrest 6

Other:
Carrion Crow c40 mobbing party.
Lesser Black backed Gull 34
Dave.

Yet another squirrel > NW (c) 

The sky this morning (north-west) 18th September 2005 (c)

The sky this morning (east) 18th September 2005 (c) 

Watchpoint Jay and Skylarks 17-09-2005

Saturday 17th September 2005
(lunchtime)
MD and SJ had a Jay leaving the wood upon their arrival. Also had skylarks later in the afternoon.
Dave

Following observations over the last two weeks any other reports of moving Jays, or Jays in unusual places very gratefully received. Post as a comment to this mail if you wish.
Dave

Jays (Bingley) and Skylark

Very Many thanks for this Simon, exactly the part that casual observations can play. Dave.
----- Original Message -----
From: Simon Goodwin
To: daveb
Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2005 11:37 PM
Subject: Bingley vismig

Dave
17th Sept - Was chopping leylandii this am (This is what comes of having a retired wife who is full of get up and go.) and had 7 (5+2) Jay up valley (ie NW) which ties in with other sightings.

16th Sept - Walking up Sharp Haw, Flasby (This is what etc etc) from the south and disturbed 42 Skylark - a few breeding Skylark only normal here.
Simon