Still Plenty Pipits in the Pennines

Norr Hill... the Skylark Rough (c) 2007

Norr Hill... the Pipit Rough (c) 2007

Just been on Norr Hill Wilsden to check out the grounded Pipits and Skylarks. Not much in the sky at all and certainly no Redwings seen. The rough on the hill and surrounding fields are again full of Meadow Pipits (c150) presume waiting for suitable conditions for off..... maybe tomorrow? The Skylark rough this afternoon held at least 56 which flushed sequentially as I walked across the area. I have no idea as to the status of these birds as this is the first year I have checked the Hill out out in the vis season. They certainly seemed to be able to fly alright in a very noisy manner. Unless they are different birds on each visit the Skylark flock is still building. It is interesting that so far as the mipits go that a build up of numbers here seem to indicate a good mipit day to come at the watchpoint and it almost seems that Norr Hill is an indicator in this respect! After a good mipit vis day the mipits on the Hill have always gone. It is interesting that the Skylarks are always on the same patch, on the top sholder of the hill whereas the mipits favour the rough at the other end of the Hill and in the high fields surrounding.

Interesting Clive that your mipits have fallen to 10% in eastern Scotland and also that there is snow on the Cairngorms Jef. Could all this mean that we are likley to still get some sort of a mipit push in the Pennines? despite the dwindling numbers seen on vis during the past week?

Dave

Norr Hill.... Pipit Fields Typical (c) 2007

Norr Hill.... Gorse on the Hill (c) 2007