Oxenhope Watchpoint 21-10-2007

Pre Sunrise at the Watchpoint (c) 2007

Sunrise (c) 2007

0730 - 1030hr (Dave Barker / Howard Creber / Chris King)
SSW F3, 4degC rising 10, 6km Haze, 3/8, QNH 1031 falling.

Haze clouding visibility this morning and not conducive to a good count. At first light Dunnocks (not present previously) were trilling in the wood at the last gate. With the exception of Starlings a poor morning with only the post sunrise rush of birds. The winter thrush migration of the last few days is now finished here with most of the thrushes recorded today moving at lower levels and in varying directions. Woodpigeons initially a bit similar with several flocks moving north and east, however the primary direction was always SW. Starlings however were the strongest movers with all in tight squadrons of up to 90 and all moving hard north. Long after the other species had slowed down and stopped the Starlings were still pounding through in small numbers. Canada Geese have not been in evidence here for some while so a small group of 10 > NW complete with a possible feral Barnacle was interesting. A skein of Greylags was head but not seen. Radio communication with Mark on the opposite side of Bradford at East Bierley, initially thought doubtful was a great success!

Moving Birds:
alba wagtail 8 > SW
Starling 513 > N
Fieldfare 193 > Various
Redwing 135 > various
Meadow Pipit 29 > S
Reed Bunting 5 > W
Woodpigeon 490 > mainly SW
Grey Heron 1 > E
Siskin 8> S and another group heard
Redpoll 1 > W
LBB Gull 5 > S
Common Gull 4 > S
Lapwing 2 > NW
Greenfinch 8 > W
Greylag Goose skein heard but not seen
Canada Goose 10 > NW
Barnacle Goose 1 > NW with Canadas
Stock Dove 1 > S
Chaffinch 25 > S and W
Goldfinch 10 > S

Dave


A Quiet Time at the Watchpoint (c) 2007