Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Oxenhope 11-03-2009

Pinkies > NNW.... this skein came through too low and too close to photograph in entirety (c) 2009














Curlews.... on approach (c) 2009














Curlews... fly past (c) 2009















Curlews.... in to land (c) 2009














Goldies.... on the deck (c) 2009













Goldies.... through > high NW (c) 2009
















1000 - 1500hr
S F2, 5degC, 10 - 40km, 8/8, QNH 1022 steady.

An improving morning with waders dominating. Totally overcast skys with little wind this morning made the birds easier to see. Several skeins of Golden Plovers went through NNW and N, again very high but easily visible this morning. Curlews also prominent with some on the move west. A couple of Oystercatchers also went west. A small skein of pinks approached over the water, clipped the wave wall and away low NNW. During the morning no passerines were seen either on the deck or on the move but after lunch four well spaced albas went N and NE and mipits totalling six began to trickle through..... could this be the start of the influx?

Moving birds:
Golden Plover 62 > NNW
Curlew 43 > W and NW
Pink footed Goose 27 > NNW
Oystercatcher 2 > W
Lapwing 40 > NNW
alba wagtail 4 > N and NE
Meadow Pipit 6 > N
Goldfinch 19 > S

Others:
Golden Plover 31
Curlew 20
Lapwing c120
Oystercatcher 3
Goldeneye 3
Starling c1000
Skylark 4 singing
Canada
Greylag
a few Chaffinch in the wood and several Wrens.

Still no mipits at Leeshaw late afternoon.

Dave

Goldeneye male... erect display (c) 2009
















Goldeneye male.... at rest (c) 2009
















Dave