Caldene Fields, Low Moor... woodies begin to stir 26-10-2009

Caldene Fields, Bradford (W Yorks, England)
Monday 26 October 2009
Counting period: 6:30-10:30
Weather: A dry morning with a decreasing W wind from F2/3 to F1, Temperature 10c and 90% high patchy white cloud. Around 08.30 drizzle and low mist came in from the S/E reducing excellent visibility at 07,00 from 10 miles to around 5 miles.
Observers: Martyn Priestley

Moving birds:
Shelduck 2 -
Meadow Pipit 12 + 3
Jackdaw 26 -
Mallard 3 -
alba wagtail sp. 14 + 3
Carrion Crow 40 -
Black-headed Gull 105 -
Blackbird - 4
Starling 136 -
Common Gull 5 -
Fieldfare 26 + 3
Chaffinch 29 -
Stock Dove 4 -
Song Thrush 1 -
Goldfinch 15 -
Woodpigeon 742 -
Redwing 426 -
Lesser Redpoll 4 -
Collared Dove - 2
Mistle Thrush 5 + 6
Bullfinch 1 -

Totals: 1617 individuals, 21 species, 4:00 hours

Comments: There was some thrush movement noted today but not in any great numbers. Redwing moved to the S/S/W and a slight increase in Fieldfare and Mistle Thrush was noted. The first real push of Woodies to the S/S/W was observed on a broad band ranging roughly from Low Moor to Heckmondwike a distance of about 8 miles however, numbers were low. Corvids also moved and a good number of C Crows/Rook were noted flying low to the S at around 07.30 over the farmlands around Dewsbury and Mirfield, Due to the distance involved it was difficult to tell if these were genuine moving birds therefore they were not counted. 2 Shelduck passed through to the S/W and a few finches did move but passage stopped at around 08.30 Chaffinch moved in two direction to the W and S.

Martyn Priestley