Saturday, August 09, 2008

Oxenhope 09-08-2008


The Sky at 0715hr looking west (c) 2008

The Sky at 1000hr looking north east (c) 2008

0630 - 1100hr DCB, CK, HC
SSW Calm increasing SSW F 5, 11degC, 65km, 7/8, open sky initially to the east but cloud and rain spilling in from the west (rain by 0930hr), QNH 1009 falling 1006.

A deteriorating morning. Last weekends dispersals not in evidence this morning despite the early start. Ideallic conditions initially but wind soon picking up with some showery rain by 0930 and after a fine spell, heavy rain by 1100hr. A couple each of Redshank and Dunlin > west were the best moving birds with the first Tree Pipit and Spotted Fly of the autumn in the wood, a close second. A large group of Swallows seen briefly gathering beyond Sentry Hill (not included in the counts) were most likley transient.

The Birds:
Tree Pipit 1 in wood
Meadow Pipit 30+ blogging but moving off west in dribs and drabs.
Linnet 20+ blogging
Swallow 20+ local birds with with 10 heading SW
Lesser Black-back Gull 170+ generally heading S
Black Headed Gull 35 heading south
Common Gull 1 > West
Dunlin 2 heading West @ 0831hr
Redshank 2 heading West @ 0915hr
Mallard 6
Moorhen 1
Red-legged Partridge 9
Red Grouse 1
Willow Warbler 1 Singing
Greenfinch 1
Blackbird
Pied Wagtail 1 young male
Wood Pigeon 2
Lapwing 100+ over Wilsden.... fresh back to this location
Peregrine 1 > South
Spotted Flycatcher, 1 in wood.

Dave

A group of BH Gulls > South (c) 2008

LBB Gulls > South..... this one with a juv (c) 2008

Swallows > South in the dark skys.... just a few! (c) 2008

Leeshaw 08-08-2008

Cream Crown Marsh Harrier on the shore at Leeshaw res found by KM at 1250hr. I arrived at 1300, the bird had flown, but we saw it later overflying Harbour Lodge to the west of the res. At the same time Keith had seen a Green Sandpiper on the shore which had disappeared by the time I arrived.

Leeshaw Res,
Green Sandpiper (on the shore at 1930).
Pied Wagtails, 25 (on the wave wall 2000).
Swallows, 100+ ( Feeding over the moor west of the res at 2030 ).

Brian Vickers.