Oxenhope... no fireworks yet! 05-11-2010

Early east!... (c) Howard Creber 2010


The Great NW.... (c) Howard Creber 2010

Oxenhope, Bradford (W Yorks, England)
Friday 5 November 2010
Counting period: 7:00-11:00
Weather: W F5, 10degC, 20km, 6/8, QNH 1015 rising
Observers: Howard Creber

Moving birds:
Cormorant - 1
Redwing 3 -
Whooper Swan 2 -
Starling - 80
Pink-footed Goose 90 -
Chaffinch 6 -
Woodpigeon 10 -
Goldfinch 3 -
Fieldfare 145 -

Totals: 340 individuals, 9 species, 4:00 hours

Comments: Open sky for last part of night, becoming scattered then broken. Wind from westerly qtr and QNH ridging 1017 at c1100hr. Based on weather forecast, wind unexpectedly strong again, but slightly abated compared to previous days.Things got off to a promising start at 07.45 hrs with two Whoopers directly over the watchpoint at c100 feet. They moved off quickly SE courtesy of the strong tailwinds, gaining height all the time. At 09.10 hrs, a very distant skein of c90 PF Geese was picked up far out over Calderdale, moving East. Starlings were notable by there absence, until a single flock of c80 birds came in low over the nearby farmhouse at 10.15 hrs and off West down the valley. Apart from the Starlings, all activity had ceased at 09.10 hrs and watchpoint was vacated at 11.00 hrs...... Redwing - 3 E........... Fieldfare - 145 E (6 flocks)................ Wood Pigs - 10 E........ Goldfinch - 3 E.............. Chaffinch - 6 W............. Starling - 80 W ........ PF Goose - 90 E......... Whooper Swan - 2 SE............. Cormorant - 1 NE.......... Others :-..... Mipit - several grounded..... Stockdove - 12 grounded....... Grey Partridge - 3....... Alba Wagtail - 1............

Howard