Stainburn Moor, Harrogate... 20-02-2010

Stainburn Moor, Harrogate (N Yorks, England)
Saturday 20 February 2010
Counting period: 8:08-11:15
Weather: 0 oktas 0 wind at first rising to F1 SW later. -2 celsius rising to 4
Observers: Andrew Hanby

Moving Birds:
Greylag Goose - 11
Skylark - 7
Sparrowhawk - 2
Meadow Pipit - 5
Curlew - 5
Fieldfare - 3
Herring Gull - 49
Goldfinch - 19
Great Black-backed Gull 4 -
Siskin - 3

Totals: 108 individuals, 10 species, 3:07 hours

Present: Common Buzzard 3, Golden Plover 1, Lapwing 65, Black-headed Gull 10, Common Gull 250, Stock Dove 3, Fieldfare 15, Mistle Thrush 1, Long-tailed Tit 2, Willow Tit 1, Blue Tit 3, Great Tit 2, Magpie 9, Jackdaw 25, Rook 200, Carrion Crow 3, Starling 106, Chaffinch 5

Comments: The star Bird of the day was a Willow Tit. It came along the hedge with a blue tit and then hung around the gap where we stand for about 10 minutes. I expected it to be a Marsh tit (though I've seen neither here) but when I saw its mucky bib and wing panel I realised it could well be a Willow. This is now a very rare bird inthis area and I haven't seen one since a migrant at Spurn about 7 years ago Naturally I was cautious- but then it started singing and continued to sing for a good 6 minutes on and off- quite diagnostic - a repeated pseu with occasional sounds slightly reminiscent of coal tit or even tree pipit. An identical song is on the Canto bird sound web site from a bird in Sweden. My bet is that his was a continental bird not a local. Tits were in more evidence in general along the hedge. Other Highlights included and increase in Curlew and a pair of Hen Harriers. Big Gulls were going in two distinct stream- one ESE to WNW/W the other NNE. There was a noticeable increase in Magpies.

Andrew Hanby