Oxenhope Watchpoint 29-10-2007

Not too bad a morning - observation period 07.00 hrs to 09.00 hrs. Clear skies in the main - 1 okta. F3 W. What stratocumulus there was, evolved into fractus with cirrus/cirrocumulus/cirrus floccus above and cumulonimbus calvus to the west over Lancs. Most noticeable birds were Woodpigs (12 parties totalling 174 birds with the two larger parties amounting to 51 and 32 birds).10 small parties of Starling (totalling 66 birds) were seen coming through like silver bullets (sun reflecting off plumage) with a party of 4 birds speeding past within 10 feet of the observer. Not one Fieldfare or Redwing in sight !!

 

Mipits - 32 > S   

Chaffinch - 21 > W & NW

Greenfinch - 8 > W & NW

Alba Wag - 3 > W

Redpoll - 8 > W

Starling - 66 > W

Woodpigeons - 174 > S & SW

Golden Plover - circa 70 high N

Skylark - 2 > E

Merlin - 1 > from N to S at high speed, journey interrupted momentarily by abortive foray after a very elusive Greenfinch. 

 

Others :-

 

Stonechat - pair on rock pile

Raven - 2 over Oxenhope Moor south towards Fly Flatts

Cormorant - 1 > S (from Denholme area, possibly the tarn) 

Mistle Thrush - 3 on embankment and wires over sandpits

S/hawk - 1

Kestrel - 1

 

Cheers

 

Howard Creber