Oxenhope Watchpoint 30-09-2007

Early Morning Sky..... looking east (c) 2007

The Sky at Sunrise (c) 2007

0700 - 1100hr (Dave Barker / Howard Creber / John Suckley)
S F1 swinging ESE F2, 1.8degC (frost) rising 14, 100km reducing 60, 1/8 increasing 5/8, Dry, mist over the plain of York, QNH 1021 rising.

A wonderful morning in all respects with most importantly birds and fair weather. The Redwing migration here is exhausted with only three small groups west and totalling less than 20. Mipits however were back on the boil with a good passage south lasting through out the morning. Many were distant and in small groups and singles but one large group of over 100 was noteable. Skylarks also were very well represented with a total of 41west all very high, some so high that the calls could not be heard. The largest Skylark group was ten. A count totalling 95 Swallows south was pretty good for the time of year. It was specifically noted that the locally breeding Swallows in view of the watchpoint were not in evidence and were presumed to have left since last seen yesterday in thick fog!!!! Grey Herons were interesting with a total of five singles spread throughout the morning all going very very high to the north west. Both Chaffinch and Brambling were seen and heard as usual all going west. Albas were also exceptionally strong. Two skeins of PF Geese were seen totalling 103 > east. A third skein seen by Mark and Rod of 41 / 42 birds past both Paul Clough and Denholme Clough was missed. The best bird of the day was a single very late Tree Pipit heard tzee-ing its way SW.

Moving Birds:
Meadow Pipit 1240 > S
Brambling 8 > W
Chaffinch 34 > W
alba wagtail 44 > S
Grey Heron 5 > NW
Woodpigeon 14 > various
Skylark 41 > W
Siskin 8 > S
Redwing 19 > W
Swallow 95 > S
Golden Plover 4 > W
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 > W
Snipe 4 > W
Starling 7 > W
Goldfinch 3 > S
Greenfinch 23 > W
Canada Goose 10
Tree Pipit 1 > SW
Magpie 4 > various
Pink Footed Goose 103 > E
Linnet 26 > S
Stanechat 4
Sparrowhawk 1 > E
Mistle Thrush 19 > W
Redpol 2 > W
Song Thrush 2 > E

Dave

Morning Light..... looking east (c) 2007

On Guard!!! at the Watchpoint (c) 2007

Overcast by mid morning (c) 2007