Stainburn Moor, Harrogate... cold comfort! 28-03-2010

Stainburn Moor, Harrogate (N Yorks, England)
Sunday 28 March 2010
Counting period: 7:20-9:45
Weather: W 4-5 cool/cold 3/8 cloud. dry. Visibility 20 miles plus
Observers: A M Hanby, John Blacker

Moving Birds;
Grey Heron - 1
Skylark - 2
Anser sp. - 3
Meadow Pipit - 133
Curlew - 2
alba wagtail sp. - 2
Common Gull - 75
Starling - 112
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 3
Greenfinch - 1
Herring Gull - 1
Goldfinch - 19
Great Black-backed Gull - 8
Siskin - 3
Woodpigeon - 23

Totals: 388 individuals, 15 species, 2:25 hours

Present: Common Buzzard 2, Oystercatcher 4, Golden Plover 120, Curlew 8, Stock Dove 6, Dunnock 3, Black Redstart 1, Blackbird 1, Rook 100, Carrion Crow 12

Comments: Looked good at first but mostly a monoculture of mipits (hour counts 67, 47, 19) which tailed off rapidly after the first hour. John was worn down by the consistent wind buffet and I was unable to take the initiative before I gave it up for a game of Soldiers. The Black Redstart was still around and singing on and off.

Andy and John