Denholme Clough 16-09-2007

A very windy morning, South westerly F5+
Clear blue skies over the clough but low cloud to east and west with higher cloud to north and south.

Main highlight was my first Marsh Harrier (juv) seen at the south of the clough making it's way west. It then turned north west and quartered low over the fields before I lost sight of it because of the slope where I stand.

07.05-08.45
Swallows 164 - mainly SW
House Martin 10 - all SW
Meadow Pipit 52 - mainly SW
Siskin 18 - all East
LBBGull 10 - all South
Starling 3 - all West
Grey Wagatil 4 - all south
Pied Wagtail 2 - all south east
Marsh Harrier 1 - west
Kestrel 1 - south
Goldfinch 2 - all east
Greenfinch 4 - all west
Redpoll 2 - all south east

A busy morning but flocks were mainly in single figures so the totals haven't added to much.

Mark

Oxenhope Watchpoint 16-09-2007

After Sunrise (c) 2007

Static Wall of Cloud to the West (c) 2007

0700 - 0945hr (Dave Barker / Howard Creber)
SW F7, 10degC rising 15, 1 - 20km haze,4/8, Dry.

A blustery morning stripping the leaves off the trees!! But behind the wall quite ok to watch but definately not for the birds to fly with very few on the move at this site and elevation. Low scud from the static cloud bank to the west was powering off the hills contributing to the haze. In addition the light was very bad with much glare from the back lit haze. Attempts to get on to Marks Marsh Harrier (seen from Denholme Clough and comming our way) were in just such a period when visibility was down to less than 2000m. Mipits were trying very hard to go south but in most cases the wind blast over the wave wall was just too much with most abandoning after several attempts and sneaking off low below the embankment. The best birds for us were Sand Martins including a group of c20 picked up flying low over the wave wall seemingly un affected by the winds and away over the water. In addition several singles were seen flashing buff and white in the brilliant sun. Swallows were also quite successfull in negociating the winds with several groups powering on high south and south east.

Moving Birds:
Meadow Pipit 55 > S
Swallow 32 > S and SE
Sand Martin 23 > S
Starling 3 > S
LBB Gull 30+ > S
Snipe 1 > S
Greenfinch 1 > W
alba wag 3 > S and W
Mistle Thrush 12 > W

Dave


Improving Haze (c) 2007

Fly Flatts 16-09-2007

The Tunnel below the Clouds that the Mipits Funneled through (c) BS 2007

A murky grey morning with very low cloud and cold strong W>5-6. All movement was before 0815 and the Mipits were coming through low in an opening below the cloud. Everything was moving W into the wind.

MIPIT...................278 >W
SWALLOW..................15 >W
GREENFINCH................4 >W
REDPOLL...................2 >W
SONGTHRUSH................1 >W
COAL TIT..................10 >W very unusual

Also report of 40 PF Geese nearby but hidden by cloud for me.

BS