Norr Hill Wisden 22-07-2007

After the Edge on the Rain, looking East (c) 2007

Norr Hill Wilsden 22-07-2007

0910 - 1130hrs
W F3/4, 20km, 9degC, 8/6ok, Showers.

Initially a dead morning with rain and low cloud for the first part of the watch, then rain gradually withdrawing to the north. This was the signal for floods of Swifts pouring west on a broad front, into the wind, as they followed the edge of the better weather. Most of the birds were at low to medium height (difficult to put a figure on it... some were much higher) but all passed straight through on a broadening front as the weather improved. All came in from the east from over Airedale and birds were still passing at the end of the watch. Along with the Swifts at least six Sand Martins (singles and a two) were located as they twinkled ginger and white in the at times bright sunlight. Whilst lots of young Swallows were feeding over the fields on the walk up, none were seen moving from the watchpoint. Still a few Skylarks about but last weeks big numbers of Mipits had all moved on. Otherwise just a few finches, a Mistle Thrush and a Sparrowhawk.

Moving Birds:
Swift 516 > W (at least, no scope)
Sand Martin 6 > W (probably more but no scope)
Skylark 2 > W
Mistle Thrush 1 > W
Linnet 10 > W
Goldfinch 4 > W
Greenfinch 7 > W
Lesser BB Gull 1 > E

Other:
Skylarks (a few)
Rook 1
Sparrowhawk

An fullfilling morning for this site.

Dave

Fly Flatts 22-07-2007

0730-0930hrs
W>4 Banks of fog moving across with heavy rain in between. Driving drizzle later with low scud. Brightened up after watch finished. All movement took place early on before 0815 with Swallows and Swifts flying fast and low over the water in the mist.

71 Swallows >W
5 Swift >W
4 Skylark >W

Other birds present
220 Canada Geese
Lots of feeding Swallows over the fields
Lots of blogging Mipits.

BS