Oxenhope.... inclement! 20-09-2010

Oxenhope, Bradford (W Yorks, England)
Monday 20 September 2010
Counting period: 6:55-12:00
Weather: W F2 rapidly increasing F6, 14degC, 50km out of rain, 8/8 torrential showers of rain, QNH 1007 rising
Observers: Dave Barker

Moving birds:
Teal 3 -
Black-headed Gull 108 -
Golden Plover 41 -
Lesser Black-backed Gull 215 -
Dunlin 1 -
Herring Gull 11 -
Common Snipe 9 -
Meadow Pipit 34 -

Totals: 422 individuals, 8 species, 5:05 hours

Comments: Closed sky albeit only translucidus at midnight and continuing heavy showers overnight with westerly wind moderating. QNH troughing at c midnight 1006. Incessant torrential showers intensifying and getting stuck over the high tops of the Pennines throughout the morning / day with wind increasing rapidly first thing.... A terrible day to be out in the hills with sheeting rain and strengthening winds... just as you thought it was improving it was starting again.... first part of the watch was from the car, again rocking like a ship, hoping it would improve soon. Few passerines apparent in the sky and no early mips at all up here which given the time of year is unusual!... however up at the main watchpoint a few mip parties were struggling through even in the periods of rain, overall direction impossible to tell as they were so moulded by topography in the attrocious conditions. Again none passerines were taking advantage with gulls, Snipe and Golden Plover all on the move. Herring Gulls were interesting in that today, following yesterdays influx only three pale backs were noted but on checking the decked out first winters, today eight were present after none yesterday, so a continuing HG influx up here... hoping for much better pa movement tomorrow!

Dave