Stainburn Moor, Harrogate... 13-02-2010

Five pinks going east (c) John Blacker 2010

Stainburn Moor, Harrogate (N Yorks, England)
Saturday 13 February 2010
Counting period: 7:30-11:00
Weather: 6 oktas first thing down to 4 later. NW 3 visibility 20+ miles dry but snow showers to NE over N Yorks moors and N vale of York. 2 celsius rising to 4 later.
Observers: Andy Hanby, John Blacker

Moving Birds:
Cormorant 8 -
Woodpigeon - 159
Pink-footed Goose - 5
Skylark - 25
Greylag Goose 9 + 9
Fieldfare - 1
Anser sp. 4 -
Starling - 239
Kestrel - 1
finch sp. - 17
Lapwing 120 -
Siskin - 4
Herring Gull 1 + 8
Linnet - 3

Totals: 613 individuals, 14 species, 3:30 hours

Present: Red Kite 9, Sparrowhawk 1, Common Buzzard 3, Kestrel 1, Merlin 1, Lapwing 220, Dunlin 4, Common Gull 1000, Stock Dove 5, Skylark 7, Magpie 3, Jackdaw 50, Rook 250, Carrion Crow 20, Chaffinch 8, Goldfinch 4, Yellowhammer 1

Comments: Bordering on interesting with a bit more action than of late. We expected lots of Pink feet but only meagre nos seen. The Cormorant ( 3 and 2) were all going ESE. The Merlin, a female, gave a typically spectacular masterclass in aerobatics as it chased a skylark for a prolonged period. Skylarks were very much in evidence with at least 3 singing birds plus probably 4 others on the deck as well as a decent movement N.

John and Andy