Caldene Fields, Low Moor... excellent! 04-11-2009

Caldene Fields, Bradford (W Yorks, England)
Wednesday 4 November 2009
Counting period: 6:45-10:45
Weather: Intermittent showers light/heavy shower with a temp 7c and a F1/2 S/W. 80% patchy cloud with clearer skies to the E/S/E. Overall visibility was excellent beyond 10 miles, however during the periods of heavy rain this was reduced to 5 miles.
Observers: Martyn Priestley

Moving Birds:
Pink-footed Goose 300 -
Collared Dove 2 -
Carrion Crow 15 -
Anser sp. 12 -
Meadow Pipit 9 -
Starling 138 -
Mallard 2 -
alba wagtail sp. 28 -
Chaffinch 12 -
Sparrowhawk 1 -
Fieldfare 1704 -
finch sp. 8 -
Black-headed Gull 161 -
Redwing 193 -
Greenfinch 74 -
Common Gull 5 -
Mistle Thrush 5 -
Goldfinch 31 -
Woodpigeon 2531 -
Jackdaw 4 -
Bullfinch 1 -

Totals: 5236 individuals, 21 species, 4:00 hours

Comments: An excellent watch despite showers with Woodies moving in the main well to the E over Birkenshaw, Liversedge and Mirfield areas. Few birds were moving from dawn until 08.00 when 10 counts of 120 + were noted this lasted till around 10.00 then numbers subsided to 50+ groups. Also caught up in this movement well to the E were Fieldfares with a record count as they moved to the S/SW there were some Redwings that moved with the Fieldfares but these were in low numbers. There also a movement of geese with a single skein of Pinkies to the S, 2 unidentified to the S/W and an excellent sighting of 22 large, long necked dark geese with calls like Bean Goose flew E. Given the rarity of Bean Goose here I have decided to call then unidentified until further research is carried out.

Martyn Priestley