Stainburn Moor, Harrogate... small peaks of excitement set in a plane of boredom! 07-11-2009

Stainburn Moor, Harrogate (N Yorks, England)
Saturday 7 November 2009
Counting period: 6:55-11:00
Weather: cold. WSW 2 4 oktas; cloudier to W, clear to E. Visibility 15 miles
Observers: Andrew Hanby and John Blacker

Moving Birds:
Cormorant 7 -
Common Gull 72 -
Redwing 11 -
Grey Heron 1 -
Herring Gull 4 -
Raven - 2
Whooper Swan - 7
Great Black-backed Gull 1 -
Starling 217 -
Greylag Goose 27 -
Stock Dove 13 -
Chaffinch 9 -
Anser sp. 6 + 6
Woodpigeon 735 -
finch sp. 19 -
Common Buzzard 2 -
Collared Dove 2 -
Goldfinch 7 -
Golden Plover 150 -
Skylark 19 -
Lesser Redpoll 1 -
Lapwing 890 -
Grey Wagtail 1 -
Black-headed Gull 2 -
Fieldfare 142 + 15

Totals: 2368 individuals, 25 species, 4:05 hours

Present: Mallard 14, Red Kite 7, Kestrel 1, Golden Plover 40, Lapwing 250, Common Snipe 5, Blackbird 2, Blue Tit 1, Great Tit 1, Magpie 1, Jackdaw 250, Rook 45, Carrion Crow 15, Starling 8000

Comments: A slow day but not without interest. The plover movement started late and involved birds moving high WSW, some very high. As usual many small gulls north off the Eccup roost first thing- up to 5,000- not included in moving totals. The Ravens flew in from the distant East over Harrogate and Continued North West out of sight.

Andy and John