Stainburn Moor, Harrogate....less of the same! 11-04-2010

Stainburn Moor, Harrogate (N Yorks, England)
Sunday 11 April 2010
Counting period: 6:15-10:30
Weather: 6/8 cloud at first 2/8 later. Visibility very poor becoming better later. 5 c rising to 13 with an ENE 1-2 breeze making it feel quite cold.
Observers: A Hanby

Moving Birds:
Goosander - 4
Sand Martin 1 + 1
Willow Warbler - 1
Lapwing - 10
Swallow - 3
Jay - 1
Curlew - 9
Meadow Pipit 3 + 93
Starling - 2
Black-headed Gull 1 + 5
alba wagtail sp. - 1
Goldfinch - 3
Common Gull - 6
Fieldfare - 514
Linnet - 10
Woodpigeon 33 + 95
Redwing - 5
Lesser Redpoll - 1

Totals: 802 individuals, 18 species, 4:15 hours

Present: Red Kite 4, Sparrowhawk 1, Common Buzzard 8, Kestrel 4, Oystercatcher 2, Golden Plover 450, Stock Dove 4, alba wagtail sp. 2, Blackbird 1, Mistle Thrush 2, Willow Warbler 1, Carrion Crow 37

Comments: A slow day with less of the same; with a resurgence of Curlews and good nos of Fieldfare being the exception to this. The largest Fieldfare flock was 250 ( all went ENE). I doubt whether the Woodpigeons represent real migratory activity- rather post roost dispersal.

Counting period: 12:30-13:15
Weather: as end of above/below
Observers: A Hanby

Moving Birds:
Meadow Pipit - 3

Totals: 3 individuals, 1 species, 0:45 hours

Comments: Got a call about Common Cranes at Nosterfield heading south. They didn't pass me but later were at Wintersett so I guess I should have tarried longer.

Andy Hanby