Oxenhope.... the beginning of the end? 19-07-2010

SW F4, 19degC, dropping from 23, V humid, 65km E - 10km W and NW rain, 8/8 nimbostratus, QNH 1016 falling after ridging at 1020hPa (0600hr).
1815 - 2000hr

Clear overnight but a front moving in / up country longitudinally after dawn brought rain over Lancs but little over this side of the Pennines. During the pm however another more intense front and again moving longitudinally up the length of the country and only inching east as it went brought even more / very intense rain over Lancashire but only heavy showers over this side of the Pennines... the interface was however very close and can be appreciated with the near visible rain to the west. The front was in fact forming a total block from the N and W! Few birds anywhere tonight with all that were on the shore departing before I left. A movement of Oystercatchers was obvious with 10 coming in from the east before moving on west into the gloom. As I was leaving, rain was pouring down... the beginning of the end?

Moving birds:
LBB Gull 68
BHG 5
Lapwing 3
Oystercatcher 11

Dave

Earlier on in the day BV made two visits... firstly:
0930 - 1040hr

A different combination to yesterday of small plovers confirmed continuing passage of both Ringed and Little ringed. All had moved on by mid afternoon.

Moving birds:

LRPlover 2 (1ad and 1juv)
Ringed Plover 4 (1juv and 3 ad)
Oystercatcher 1
Lapwing 10

1530 - 1645hr
LBB Gull 202
BH Gull 250
Common Gull 2
Lapwing 10
Swift 10
Herring Gull 1
Curlew 1

Brian Vickers