Caldene Fields, Low Moor... jack snipe! 30-10-2009

Caldene Fields, Bradford (W Yorks, England)
Friday 30 October 2009
Counting period: 6:45-9:30
Weather: A dry start with a temperature of 9c and a F2 to 3 E/S/E wind. At start 40% low cloud to the S/E around 07.30 this increased to around 70% as mist and fog came in from the E/S/E. Visibility was poor decreased from 4 to 2 miles due to low mist and fog.
Observers: Martyn Priestley

Moving Birds:
Mallard 5 -
Blackbird 4 + 3
Chaffinch 19 -
Jack Snipe 1 -
Fieldfare 48 -
finch sp. 27 -
Black-headed Gull 99 -
Song Thrush 1 -
Greenfinch 65 -
Common Gull 22 -
Redwing 83 -
Goldfinch 42 -
Stock Dove 2 + 3
Mistle Thrush - 1
Lesser Redpoll 1 -
Woodpigeon 61 -
Jackdaw 7 -
Bullfinch - 1
Skylark 2 -
Carrion Crow 47 -
alba wagtail sp. 13 -
Starling 79 -

Totals: 636 individuals, 22 species, 2:45 hours

Comments: Despite the poor weather and viewing conditions I believe many birds were not moving here today as I did have an early ½ hour of reasonable visibility and not many birds were seen or heard. However, at 08.23 I had a ‘ star bird ‘ when I had good views of a low flying Jack Snipe moving S over the fields. The Snipe must have resting nearby and then suddenly decided to get up and continue it’s journey!!!. There was an increase in Goldfinch to the S and Common Gull also increased. A single Bullfinch flew N again and a number of finches flew E in the mist which is somewhat of an unusual direction for finches here

Martyn Priestley