Wycoller Ark... east-west weather divide! 23-10-2009

Beyond The Ark!... HC off roading but on station as seen from Oxenhope Sentry.... accident black spot!!! (c) 2009

Wycoller Ark, Trawden (Lancashire, England)
Friday 23 October 2009
Counting period: 7:45-11:15
Weather: SSE F1/2, 9degC, 2000m E - 10km W improving 20km, 4/8 see comments, QNH 1004 rising 1005
Observers: Howard Creber

Moving birds:

Black-headed Gull - 8
Redwing 48 -
Greenfinch 12 -
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 2
Jackdaw - 12
Goldfinch 41 -
Herring Gull - 1
Carrion Crow 2 -
Siskin 18 -
Meadow Pipit 2 -
Raven 2 -
Lesser Redpoll 2 -
alba wagtail sp. 2 -
Starling - 1077
Reed Bunting 1 -
Fieldfare 156 -
Chaffinch 31 -

Totals: 1417 individuals, 17 species, 3:30 hours

Comments: Weather - Early fog stratus clearing throughout morning with Altocumulus Floccus and Cirrocumulus Floccus, late morning. Murky conditions prevailed towards the Oxenhope watchpoint, but much clearer and brighter NW into Lancashire, with Colne clearly visible. Whilst driving up to the watchpoint, the portends were not good, with our chief enemy fog stratus dominating the hills. However, very pleasingly, the murk lifted rapidly as soon as I arrived on site, to provide quite manageble viewing (Dave at the Oxenhope watchpoint was fogged out rather longer). Another quite "birdy" morning, dominated by 25 squadrons of Starlings literally hurtling through NW. Not all following the same path as yesterday and two flocks were particularly low - one flock of 40 NW was no more than 20 feet above my head and it was the sound of their wingbeats which first got my attention - awesome speed. A few feet lower and they would have parted my hair !!. Two ravens came over the moor from my East and came within 50 feet of my position - they headed off SW and just kept going. The BH Gulls and Jackdaws were extremely high.

Howard Creber