Oxenhope 16-11-2008

First Light of Dawn (c) 2008
















Fieldfare > NW (c) 2008
















Altocumulus lenticularis (c) 2008
















Fieldfares with Simon Seat and White Crag backdrop (c) 2008

0745 - 1100hr DB/HC/CK
W F3, 7degC, 65km, 6/8 reducing 2/8, QNH 1026 rising 1031

In relation to yesterday a much better morning than expected with Starlings, thrushes, woodies and Pinks all on the move. Starlings were interesting in that the prominent direction for today was SW with just a few going in the previously preferred NW direction. Thrushes were mostly moving very high SW with just a few to the NW. We could see woodies moving SW far to our east out over the foothills but not in big numbers.... A single group of 20 were seen going north. Pink-footed Geese were however the stars for today, with between 0948hr when 50 went SE far out over Airedale and 1040hr a total 0f 690 in five skeins went exceptionally high NW and W. Many were first picked up over the Morley region Most came NW over the foothills of the south slope of Airedale but one very large skein came west over Clayton, Queensbury and away to the west. Brian Sumner saw this skein overhead in Queensbury, rang us and by co-incidence we were actually watching it at that time, appearing high over Soil Hill. Some of the others were followed up Airedale and all exited over into Lancashire very high. It is also interesting that virtually all of the skeins lost considerable hight over mid Airedale before gaining it again on the last push out!!

Moving Birds in order of appearance.

Starling 227 > SW and W + 56 NW and NE = 283
Woodpigeon 258 > SW + 20 > N = 278
Fieldfare 555 > SW
Redwing 53 > SW
Mistle Thrush 1 > W
Reed Bunting 4 > W and NW
Greenfinch 4 > NW
Pink-footed Goose 690 > mainly W and NW
Herring Gull 1 > E

Dave

The "Starling Seekers" HC and CK (c) 2008