surging squads!!... 2011-10-23

 Pre sunrise SE.... (c) 2011

 Pre sunrise E.... (c) 2011

 Pre sunrise N.... (c) 2011

Starling squads NW.... (c) 2011

Oxenhope, Bradford (W Yorks, England)
Sunday 23 October 2011
Counting period: 7:00 - 12:05
Weather: wind SSE4, cloud-cover 6/8, visibility 20000m, temperature 7 ℃, SSE F3 becoming F5 then F3, 9 becoming 3ok, 7degC, 20km, QNH 1004 falling 1003
Observers: Dave Barker, Howard Creber, Lester Ward, Chris King

Cormorant 2 -
Woodpigeon 1401 -
Starling - 1012
Merlin - 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 -
Chaffinch 8 -
Golden Plover 1 -
Skylark 4 -
finch sp. 29 -
Lapwing 8 -
Meadow Pipit 40 -
Greenfinch 8 -
Snipe 5 -
alba wagtail sp. 5 -
Goldfinch 11 -
Black-headed Gull 69 -
Fieldfare - 1166
Siskin 12 -
Common Gull 24 -
Redwing - 35
Crossbill 1 -
Lesser Black-backed Gull 49 -
Mistle Thrush - 1
Reed Bunting 1 -
Stock Dove 3 -
Jackdaw 63 -
Red Admiral 1 -

Totals: 3961 individuals, 27 species, 5:05 hours

Comments: A very active first couple of hours with most noteably many more continental Starlings NW than on previous days. Probably undercounted during the "pig" period but moving from well before sunrise (a none event today) right into the afternoon. During the mid to late morning period many groups were much higher than the norm and obviously making good use of the tail wind. Otherwise continuing high movement of Fieldfare all NW and another reasonable mip count for the time of year.

Dave