Black Tern Day 2009 13-05-2009

Deep dark stratus with frequent misting rain... looking NW (c) 2009

1830 - 2015hr


E F5, 9.5degC, 20km, 8/8 misting rain at times, QNH 1017 falling

Throughout the day Black Tern sightings (many well into double figures) gradually advancing northwards through southern / eastern England / Midlands behind a rain band moving northwards, south to north and reaching Yorkshire late afternoon. When passing over the Pennine region the rain front was little more than low stratus and drizzle. No sensible alternative but to get out and check out as many waters as I could in the Oxenhope area after home early and tea. Leeshaw (also checked out mid pm by HC), Leeming, Lower Laithe and the watchpoint were all visited in that order and all drew a disappointing blank! Looks as if Oxenhope has missed out again on the front line advance but there may well be a further opportunity tomorrow as from past experience here in Oxenhope these passages can last a few days... A long shot but anyone else in the Bradford area had Black Tern today?

Moving Birds:
LBB Gull 9 > NW
Herring Gull 2 > NW (1 first summer, 1 second summer)
Ringed Plover 1 left NW

Dave