Oxenhope.. Curlews still on the move 28-06-2009pm

Curlews touching down for a rest! viewed through the heat haze.. (c) 2009


Curlews passing through high NW (c) 2009


Curlews lifting off and away (c) 2009

1430 - 1845hr
ESE F2, very hot, 20km, 2/8 increasing 5/8 cumulus congestus, QNH 1018 steady.

A total difference from this morning with fogs all gone and essentially open skys. Curlews passing west and north west again the feature of the afternoon. Flocks of 4,18, 12 and 4 (totalling 38) passed through at varying levels. The largest flock comprising a group of 13 coalescing with a much higher group of 5 before touching down briefly, then on NW. These were seen also by BS from Soil Hill and infact he initially noted the higher flock of five before they came together. Of the ones that I can scrutinise on my photographs there are a much higher proportion of females than males and this rings true with the literature!! No juvs moving yet at all. There is a photograph here showing the Oxenhope Watchpoint from Soil on which I can be seen on station this afternoon!!:

http://queensburybirder.blogspot.com/2009/06/dry-soil-hill.html#links

Click the photo on the Queensbury blog to make it bigger and zoom in at the far right hand elevated corner of the reservoir. See below at the bottom of this post for the return view to Soil! The corner really shows off its elevation when viewed from Soil!! Otherwise still plenty of activity with other species of waders (probably the first post / failed breeding congregations) on the initial move.


Moving Birds:
Curlew 38 > W and NW
Common Gull 1 > E
LBB Gull 99 > NW and N
Red Admiral 5 > NW
Painted Lady 3 > NW
Golden Plover 41 > SE
BH Gull 24 > N
Rook 1 > SE very high
Sand Martin 4
Oystercatcher 2 > NW
Herring Gull 1 > NW
Lapwing 4 > NW


Cumulus congestus rapidily developing (c) 2009

Cumulus congestus.... looking ESE (c) 2009

BS on Soil Hill watching the Curlews pass through (c) 2009

Dave