Pennine Skywatch: 17 Jul 2010

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Stainburn Moor, Harrogate.... 17-07-2010

Stainburn Moor, Harrogate (N Yorks, England)
Saturday 17 July 2010
Counting period: 7:55-9:05
Weather: E F4 40km 5/8 intermitant light rain showers
Observers: John Blacker

Moving Birds:
Curlew - 1
alba wagtail sp. 1 -
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 7
Starling 23 -
Grey Wagtail 2 -

Totals: 34 individuals, 5 species, 1:10 hours

Present: Sparrowhawk 1, Oystercatcher 24, Lapwing 21, Black-headed Gull 11, Woodpigeon 7, Skylark 3, Swallow 20, Magpie 2, Jackdaw 50, Rook 20, Starling 1000, Goldfinch 2

Comments: Signs of movement but sporadic and difficult to keep attention

John

Counting period: 9:10-10:45
Weather: F4-5 occas light rain 4 Oktas; cool in rain
Observers: A Hanby

Moving Birds:
Golden Plover 3 -
Lesser Black-backed Gull 15 -
Lapwing 7 -
Sand Martin 1 -
Curlew 2 -
Grey Wagtail 1 -
Black-headed Gull 154 -
Goldfinch 2 -
Common Gull 1 -
Linnet 11 -

Totals: 197 individuals, 10 species, 1:35 hours

Present: Common Buzzard 3, Kestrel 1, Oystercatcher 6, Lapwing 87, Curlew 8, Swift 10, Skylark 8, Swallow 35, Meadow Pipit 2, alba wagtail sp. 2, Great Tit 1, Rook 100, Carrion Crow 20, Starling 80, Greenfinch 1, Goldfinch 4

Comments: Didn't know John was out earlier- my timings largely dictated by my indolence at this time of year. First noticeable movement of Linnets for some while and also a single Grey Wagtail, which with Johns 2 makes a definite movement of those. The Oystercatchers dropped from Johns first thing count suggesting that the locals had been augmented by some migrants that then moved on.

Counting period: 14:25-15:25
Weather: As before but with shorter, but heavier showers
Observers: A Hanby

Moving birds:
Black-headed Gull 96 -
Starling 120 -
Common Gull 2 -
Linnet 1 -
Lesser Black-backed Gull 10 -

Totals: 229 individuals, 5 species, 1:00 hours

Present: Golden Plover 8, Lapwing 270, Redshank 3

Comments: Counted between the Briscoe ridge site and also old site on Moor itself- where three Redshank were present in with the plover flock. With regard to the gulls the movement has been more W than S, with a flow appearing to come down the Vale of York- 20% appear to carry on SW, while the rest turn go either due W over Stainburn or up the Wharfe.

Andy

Oxenhope... an improving day! 17-07-2010

Little ringed Plover... passage kicks in!.... (c) 2010

WSW F5 becoming W F5, 13degC, 65km to the east 20km W, 7/8 heavy showers coming in from the NW, QNH 1014 rising.

0900 - 1100hr

A very bright and sunny start to the morning but heavy showers soon coming in from the west and becoming continuous by 1030hr. Few birds on the move in the sky with only a handful of gulls this morning but four Ringed Plovers, two ads and 2 juvs dropped in from the NW, followed shortly afterwards by an ad Little ringed Plover... the Ringed Plovers stayed all day but the LRP had gone before the rain came on heavily. A Herring Gull came in from the NE. The local Kestrel had got a fix on the Common Sandpiper chicks and was seen to take one! A conversation with BV confirmed masses of mipits starting to flock up this morning early doors and over the last few days along Nab Water Lane.

Moving birds:

Ringed Plover 4

Little ringed Plover 1

LBB Gull 61

Common Gull 6

BH Gull 30

Herring Gull 1
Swift 26

PM visit now very bright and sunny (2/8) with a fresh but moderating (early evening) westerly wind. Visibility Ingleborough to Drax. QNH rising all day.... 1022 by 2300hr

1400 - 2100hr

Gulls piling through low over the moors and into the wind... most using the folds in the land to best advantage... even the lessers doing it this afternoon. The only new waders were an LRP > SE and a couple of Oystercatchers W. Two juv Curlews came in from the east. Interesting that a large noisy flock of Curlews went over home going west high in the sky at 2135 just as I was getting home. A Grey Partridge covey was special!

Moving birds:

LBB Gull 550

BHG 765

Common Gull 9

LR Plover 1

Oystercatcher 2

Curlew 2

Dave