Oxenhope 27-10-2008

Clear Blue Yonder!!.... looking east from the watchpoint (c) HC 2008

Cumulonimbus capillatus coming in from the west (c) HC 2008

0730-1000hr HC

W F4, 2degC rising, 80km, 1/8, QNH 1007 falling

A sunny, breezy day with clear visibility out to Three Peaks,Sutton Bank and beyond Drax. F4 W. At 08.15, a cumulonimbus (capillatus), which had steadily loomed its way in from the NW produced only a light shower. After that, a clear blue sky. Bird of the day was a Knot, given away by its brief nasal flight call, which appeared over the reservoir just as I arrived at the wave wall - bird well binned before heading off high NW.

Birds in order of appearance :-

Knot - 1 NW
Woodpigeon - 149 W (6 groups - largest 80)
Greenfinch - 21 W
Mipit - 23 W
Starling - 51 NW (7 groups- largest 20)
Stonechat - 1 W
Chaffinch - 5 W
Redpoll - 1 NW
Magpie - 1 high W
Merlin - 1 W
Brambling - 2 NW

NB - no thrushes at all !!!

Howard Creber

The same Cumulonimbus capillatus as seen from Bradford city centre at 0800hr (c) 2008

Caldene Fields Watchpoint 27-10-2008

Woodies on the move!!

27th October 08 Watch 07.10 – 07.30
Weather: A cold dry start with clear skies and a F1 N/W wind Temp 3c

Comments : A ‘20 minute’ watch from the garden before work illustrated that there must have been a big Wood Pigeon push here today with hundreds moving because of the right conditions. In addition finches must have also been moving a single party of 13! was excellent.

Wood Pigeon > 461 S
Greenfinch > 37 S/W

Martyn Priestley