Oxenhope 18-10-2007 MAJOR THRUSH AND WOODPIGEON MOVEMENT

Dave,

Watch period 07.15 hrs to 11.15 hrs. F0 N.The reservoir was a mill pond, reflecting cirrus clouds and contrails like a mirror. Clear skies, visibility from Ingleborough to cumulus clouds right down the North Sea coast - local skies gave a nice selection of cirrus types - cirrocumulus, uncinus, fibratus and stratus (later in morning).

The early part of the morning was dominated by a large South Westerly movement of Woodpigeons (total 862 with 221 in first 20 minutes & 36 different flocks) followed by a major Westerly & North Westerly movement of Fieldfare (1122 in 38 different flocks, largest 135). There were 5 flocks of Redwing and several Redwings in with some of the larger Fieldfare flocks. The Woodpigs and thrushes maintained a steady stream throughout the watch.

The bulk of the thrushes were coming through very high - 400 to 500 feet above TMR embankment & predominantly over the Aire valley. This required almost constant use of the scope and bins, quite often thrushes being picked up when counting Woodpigs. In fact, there was so much overall bird activity in the first 1.5 hrs that the observer could not possibly take everything in.

Another interesting sighting was 22 Pink Feet travelling very high to the NW - must`nt like Humberside and have decided to go back home !

Mipits - 123 > S
Chaffinch - 44 > W
Greenfinch - 14 > W
Goldfinch - 14 > S
Linnet - 1 > S
Starling - 124 > W
Alba Wag - 8 > W
Reed Bunting - 8 > W
Fieldfare - 1122 > W & NW
Redwing - 68 > W & NW
Woodpigeon - 862 > SW
Blackbird - 2 > S
Jackdaw - 182 > W (7 flocks - all high)
Skylark - 3 > E & 1 > W
Snipe - 1 > W
Stockdove - 2 > NW
Pink Footed Geese - 22 > NW
Lapwing - 56 > NW
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 > W over Oxenhope Moor

Others : -
Stonechat - pair
Magpie - 2 on res wall
64 Goosander left roost
90 BH Gulls on res throughout
6 LLB Gulls on res throughout
Mallard - 6 on res
Rook - 3
Carrion Crow - 8
Wren - 1

Cheers

HOWARD CREBER