Stainburn Moor, Harrogate... 11-10-2009

Stainburn Moor, Harrogate (N Yorks, England)
Sunday 11 October 2009
Counting period: 6:55-9:35
Weather: W F3 4/8-8/8 100km-10km rain later
Observers: John Blacker, Andy Hanby

Moving Birds:

Cormorant 3 + 1
Woodpigeon 38 -
Jay 1 -
Grey Heron - 2
Skylark 1 + 1
Magpie 1 -
Whooper Swan 2 - S
wallow 9 -
Starling 427 -
Greylag Goose 2 + 13
Meadow Pipit 217 -
Chaffinch 18 -
Anser spec. 17 -
alba wagtail sp. 15 + 2
finch sp. 41 -
Goosander 1 -
Wren 1 -
Greenfinch 80 -
Sparrowhawk 1 -
Blackbird 3 -
Goldfinch 1 -
Lapwing 6 -
Fieldfare 7 -
Siskin 6 -
Common Snipe 16 -
Song Thrush - 1
Linnet 63 -
Black-headed Gull - 2
Redwing 275 -
Lesser Redpoll 13 -
Common Gull - 6
Mistle Thrush 2 -
Crossbill 5 -
Lesser Black-backed Gull 7 -
Coal Tit 1 -

Totals: 1308 individuals, 35 species, 2:40 hours

Present: Sparrowhawk 2, Kestrel 1, Golden Plover 300, Lapwing 100, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Blue Tit 4, Great Tit 2, Jackdaw 50, Rook 100, Carrion Crow 100, Starling 650

Comments: We watched 0.5km apart; the small birds were moving mostly SW and we recorded different birds. Me ( AH) moving East was interesting- this brings me to a shallow valley and a line of trees and this seems to be the greenfinch/Starling route which takes them to the South, out of sight, of our usual spot. It shows that a minor distances can change the whole character of the vis mig.


Counting period: 12:05-12:40
Weather: Wind wnw 4; cool. 4 Oktas
Observers: Andy H


Moving Birds:

Common Snipe 7 -
Starling 45 -
Meadow Pipit 6 -
Linnet 3 -

Totals: 61 individuals, 4 species, 0:35 hours

Present: Common Buzzard 1, Merlin 1, Starling 1200

Comments: Another look after rain stopped play earlier. Generally nothing except Snipe happening. The number of grounded starlings had risen quite a bit- not surprising in view of the steady movement.

Andy Hanby and John Blacker