Stainburn Moor, Harrogate... a poor start! 03-04-2010

Stainburn Moor, Harrogate (N Yorks, England)
Saturday 3 April 2010
Counting period: 7:30-12:07
Weather: SSE F0-1; Misty vis 100m rising to 10m; 8/8 to 7/8 oktas
Observers: John Blacker Andy Hanby

Moving Birds:
Black-headed Gull - 4
Swallow 2 + 6
Starling - 60
Common Gull - 150
Meadow Pipit - 191
finch sp. - 6
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 4
Grey Wagtail - 1
Linnet - 13
Herring Gull - 6
alba wagtail sp. - 2
Yellowhammer 1 -
Woodpigeon - 10
Fieldfare - 345
Sand Martin - 2
Mistle Thrush 1 -

Totals: 804 individuals, 16 species, 4:37 hours

Present: Common Buzzard 10, Kestrel 1, Peregrine 1, Golden Plover 1000, Curlew 8, Skylark 12, alba wagtail sp. 1, Blackbird 5, Magpie 5, Jackdaw 30, Rook 50, Starling 100, Chaffinch 12, Goldfinch 4, Linnet 3.

Comments: A poor start but from 9:40 vis and movement opened-up presumably many birds grounded until vis increased. Whilst vis was poor JB went to Castley on the Wharfe seeing moving birds: 22 swallow, 7 house martin 4 goldfinch and various local birds inc 40 Sand Martin

Andy and John