Fly Flatts... bad start - good result! 21-03-2010

For further details see Brian Sumners report as follows:

http://birderbri.blogspot.com/2010/03/bad-start-good-results.html

Dave

Stainburn Moor, Harrogate... mipits in waves! 21-03-2010

Stainburn Moor, Harrogate (N Yorks, England)
Sunday 21 March 2010
Counting period: 7:00-12:25
Weather: brilliant sunshine for about 5 mins then fog rolled in and had cleared full by about 0930. Cool W wind- 2/3
Observers: Andrew Hanby, John Blacker

Moving Birds:
Cormorant - 1
Common Gull - 120
Marsh Tit - 2
Grey Heron - 1
Herring Gull - 14
Coal Tit - 1
Sparrowhawk - 1
Skylark - 7
Great Tit - 1
Common Buzzard - 5
Sand Martin - 1
Chaffinch - 25
Golden Plover - 45
Meadow Pipit - 199
finch sp. - 12
Lapwing - 3
Grey Wagtail - 1
Goldfinch - 15
Curlew - 8
alba wagtail sp. - 13
Linnet - 2
Black-headed Gull - 48
Fieldfare - 103
Reed Bunting - 1

Totals: 629 individuals, 24 species, 5:25 hours

Present: Red Kite 8, Sparrowhawk 2, Common Buzzard 8, Kestrel 1, Oystercatcher 2, Lapwing 8, Curlew 17, Black-headed Gull 15, Common Gull 2200, Stock Dove 4, Woodpigeon 10, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 1, Magpie 4, Rook 100, Carrion Crow 25, Starling 1500

Comments: Despite the mist we persevered with some interesting observations, most notable two single Marsh Tits which flew West along the hedge and a coal Tit that did likewise. Mipits were very much in waves - largest 27, with big gaps between. Buzzards were very obvious and some appeared to be moving.

Andy and John

Oxenhope... the moors are ALIVE! 21-03-2010

Advance of the Fogs... 0720hr...(c) 2010

W F1 becoming WNW F3, 2degC, 19 reducing 0.6 increasing 25km, 1/8 increasing 8/8, QNH 1014 rising.

0645-1100hr

Ideallic conditions initially with open skies, brilliant low sun and inversion in the vallies. Snipe were chipping and Redshank were in evidence, both year firsts at this site for me. Together with the Curlews, Lapwings, Golden Plovers, cgeese, mipits and slarks...the moors and in-byes are once again ALIVE!! Despite the cold temperatures and frost, mipits were moving in the sky, all going north and without hesitation... the largest group seen was five. None were very high but it was hard work as none were close either. By 0715 it was obvious with the rising wind that we were going to loose visibility as the inversion mist was now drifting out of the basin towards the watchpoint. Sure enough envelopment came and lasted through to 0930hr after which the sky had closed and cold was biting!! A few mipits were still sneaking through in singles and threes but there was little relative interest during this later period. It was noteable that small gulls had evapourated.

Moving Birds:
Meadow Pipit 43 > N
alba wagtail 3 > N
Snipe 5 > N
Golden Plover 21 > NW
Starling c400 > E
Curlew 2 > W
Goldfinch 1 > W
Canada Goose 11 > W
Lapwing 1 > NW
Grey Wagtail 1 > NE
LBB Gull 5 > S

Dave