Oxenhope 13-03-2009

More Pinks.... off and away (c) 2009

Take off.... undercarriage down! (c) 2009

On the deck.. at distance (c) 2009

0745 - 1030hr Oxenhope, W Yorks

SSW F4 reducing F2, 4degC, 20km, 2/8 increasing 8/8 mist and low cloud by 1000hr, QNH 1019 rising then falling.

A morning with lots of potential turned out to be a duffer! Trough checked out for Wheatears initially loosing valuable time as there were none and even at 0715 the high cirrus was advancing from the west. Once at the watchpoint, very few birds in the sky and even less on the move..... Lots of Skylark singing and two groups of three moving west. Several Meadow Pipits about but only three on the move, all singles going high north. A Reed Bunting overflew north as did four albas. No waders at all today. Two pinks on the water left high north just as the cloud was over drawing. Suddenly the base dropped and low stratus enveloped from the west, followed by light rain..... the morning was done and the afternoon was wet!!

Moving Birds:

Skylark 6 > W

Meadow Pipit 3 > N

Reed Bunting 1> N

alba 4 > N

Pink footed Goose 2 > N

Common Gull 11 > E

LBB Gull 6 > NW

Others:

Starling c500

Dave

Mail from Brian Vickers:

The usual two Oystercatchers have returned to Leeshaw along with two Redshanks this morning the first this year.

Wheatear Country.... The Trough (c) 2009

Dave