Oxenhope Watchpoint 01-11-2007

07.00 hrs - 10.00 hrs. Initially F5W increasing to F7W. Another grey overcast morning though cloud base higher than yesterday and visibility better as a consequence. Mild. All observations from hide where I ensconced myself to shelter from the gusty winds. Bird of the day was a single Whooper Swan at around 08.30 hrs that came in from the south over Stubden Res and out north into the Aire Valley. Shortly after this sighting, I received a mobile call from Brian S about an unidentified swan having been seen moving north over Ogden Res a little earlier and sighted by a Calderdale birder who had in turn rung Brian - the same bird I guess. Otherwise, only dribs and drabs of movement as follows :-

Mipits - 2 > S
Greenfinch - 2 > NW
Chaffinch - 2 > NW
Woodpigs - 41 > W (3 parties)
Starlings - 94 > W in 4 squadrons
WHOOPER SWAN - 1 > N
Cormorant - 2 > NW

Other :
Lapwing - 160 (two separate parties of 120 & 40) blogging most of the morning over Cullingworth area & beyond.

Howard Creber