Stainburn Moor, Harrogate... mipits in motion! 16/17-03-2010

Stainburn Moor, Harrogate (N Yorks, England)
Wednesday 17 March 2010
Counting period: 6:48-8:38
Weather: 7 c rising to 10. SSE3 , later SSW 2 6/8 cloud. Dry. Haze; visibility circa 7 miles
Observers: Andrew Hanby, John Blacker


Moving Birds:
Cormorant - 2
Herring Gull - 1
Meadow Pipit - 158
Grey Heron - 1
Stock Dove - 1
Grey Wagtail - 1
Golden Plover - 65
Woodpigeon - 189
alba wagtail sp. - 4
Lapwing - 9
Collared Dove - 1
Mistle Thrush - 6
Black-headed Gull - 9
Skylark - 4
finch sp. - 25
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
Swallow - 1
Goldfinch - 6

Totals: 484 individuals, 18 species, 1:50 hours

Present: Red Kite 2, Common Buzzard 2, Common Gull 98, Skylark 6, Wren 1, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 1, Mistle Thrush 2, Great Tit 2, Carrion Crow 6

Comments: The first real Mipit push of the Spring (158) with numbers escalating throughout watch with a loose group of 20 being the largest. Woodpigeons also making a move(189). The highlight of the day, a Swallow was going WNW up the Wharfe side ( well done eagle- eyed John) Interestingly one was reported yesterday at Fewston. Mistle Thrushes were also on the move. The Wren was the first since Autumn.

Andy and John

Stainburn Moor, Harrogate (N Yorks, England)
Tuesday 16 March 2010
Counting period: 6:20-7:10
Weather: F1 W 2/8 oktas 5'C vis 20km reducing 5km
Observers: John Blacker

Moving Birds:
Black-headed Gull - 4
Redwing - 9
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
Chaffinch - 5
Meadow Pipit - 5
Lesser Redpoll - 2
alba wagtail sp. - 4

Totals: 30 individuals, 7 species, 0:50 hours

Present: Oystercatcher 2, Lapwing 6, Curlew 7, Common Gull 35, Woodpigeon 30, Collared Dove 1, Skylark 7, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 1, Magpie 3, Jackdaw 20, Rook 50, Starling 11

Comments: Continuing theme of spring migrants. Sorry I was unable to stay as looked interesting.

John Blacker