Watchpoint 02-01-2006

Members only watchpoint
Monday 2nd January 2006
0745 - 1015hr (DCB)
Weather and Sky:
A grey and heavily overcast morning with good visibility, little wind and very occasional light drizzle. Wind: SSW / SW F2 – 3. Temp: +1C @ 0615hr, then +2C until 0930, rising +4C by 1000hr. Precipitation: occasional very light drizzle. Visibility: a hazy 60km+ (95km NE). Cloud: stratocumulus 7ok, with clean edge both far to NNW and E. Pressure: a strong rise continuing over night and through the morning with 1021hpa @ 0615 and 1023 by 1050hr.

Arrived well before sunrise this morning. After departure of the roosting masses, more or less silent skies (except for the Red Grouse) but plenty of distant birds, with some movement? noted. Interestingly more gulls getting up this morning than going to bed last night – some c500 more BHG and at least nine extra Herring Gulls!!, there must have been a lot of late arrivals. Roost deserted by 0820hr with main departure directions NW and E. Can only assume that mild weather has tempted two Golden Plovers back to the moor as well as last nights Curlew. Fieldfare totalling 75 in three distant groups went through WNW and 21 Woodpigeon in a single group, NE. A large group of Greylags totalling about 65 (thought at the moment to be locals) were far out to the NW and a few Canadas crossed the ridge. Groups of Lapwing in initial morning flight were far out in various directions but these were not thought to be movers. All that was heard from the wood was Robin. Blue Tit, Mistle Thrush and Wren. A total of 31 Goosanders was seen in various directions.

Fieldfare 75 > WNW
Woodpigeon 21 > NE
Lapwing 765
Kestrel 1
Golden Plover 2
Mistle Thrush 1
Wren 1
B Tit 2
Robin 1
Greylag 65
Common Gull c1000
BH Gull c1500
Herring Gull 12
Stonechat 2
Goosander 31
Goldeneye 3
Mallard 4
Teal 6
Canadas

For more skyscapes and landscapes see:
http://skyscapeyorks.blogspot.com/
or click on the "Skyscape Yorkshire" link above the "Visible Migration" logo.
Dave.