Oxenhope.... lapwings return! 01-09-2010

Oxenhope, Bradford (W Yorks, England)
Wednesday 1 September 2010
Counting period: 18:30-21:00
Weather: CALM, 17degC, 40km haze, 8/8 cirrostratus but in real terms 0/8, QNH 1020 falling
Observers: Dave Barker

Moving birds:
Lapwing 1 -
Lesser Black-backed Gull 26 -
Curlew 2 -
Meadow Pipit 5 -
Black-headed Gull 121 -

Totals: 155 individuals, 5 species, 2:30 hours

Comments: Open sky throughout night and during the day with QNH gradually falling. Virtually no wind all day and currently calm. Unlike last night little evidence of much movement although LBB Gull numbers in the sky had further reduced but BHGulls had increased! A single Lapwing came in from the east. Mipits were even more weak than last evening with only five going west tonight. Biting flies horrendous!

Counting period: 0:00-0:00
Weather: Fine sunny and almost calm
Observers: Brian Vickers

Moving birds:
Lapwing 34 -
Common Snipe 3 -

Totals: 37 individuals, 2 species, 0:00 hours

Present: Chaffinch 42

Comments: Lapwings probably the start of the autumn movement here for this species... they have been absent from both the shore and skies for several weeks now. BV also recorded 39 Lapwings nearby at Leeshaw Reservoir today. 42 Chaffinch in the wood at the watchpoint being somewhat early... were probably high pressure wanderers? A continuation of the Wigeon passage through the area with 22 at Fly Flatts over the hill.

Dave and Brian