winter is here!.... 20121-10-19

 Dawn at the watchpoint.... (c) 2011

 Pre sunrise today.... (c) 2011

 Looking north mid am.... (c) 2011

The Big Moor beyond.... (c) 2011

Oxenhope, Bradford (W Yorks, England)
Wednesday 19 October 2011
Counting period: 6:55-11:10
Weather: wind WNW3, cloud-cover 1/8, visibility 65000m, temperature 3 ℃, WNW F3, 1 incereasing 4ok, 3degC, 65km, QNH 1013 rising 1017
Observers: Dave Barker, Howard Creber, Rodney Procter

Merlin 1 -
Woodpigeon 717 -
Chaffinch 16 -
Golden Plover 46 -
Meadow Pipit 136 -
finch sp. 14 -
Curlew 1 -
alba wagtail sp. 13 -
Greenfinch 9 -
Black-headed Gull 12 -
Fieldfare 32 -
Goldfinch 16 -
Common Gull 64 -
Jackdaw 7 -
Lesser Black-backed Gull 3 -
Starling - 25        

Totals: 1112 individuals, 16 species, 4:15 hours

Comments: A much better morning albeit searchingly cold first thing, with winter here for the moment. The tops of yesterdays deep cumulus clearly visible and departing over the North Sea. Now with the worst of the depression over both able to watch and birds moving again. For the time of year, a very good passage of mipits, and increase in Woodpigeons but noteably hardly any Starlings. Best count of Common Gulls so far and a definate influx / movement especially during the last hour. A single Merlin batting high south was the best bird today. Just leaving at 1000hr when RHP arrived inducing a further hour of watch.

Dave