Thursday, September 15, 2011

Oxenhope.... a welcome ridge! 2011-09-15

 First Light across Yorkshire today.... (c) 2011
 North Eastern Glow.... (c) 2011
 Pre Sunrise Flush!!.... (c) 2011
 Sunrise.... (c) 2011
 The Moon at Sunrise.... high in the sky... (c) 2011
 Cirro "various".... (c) 2011
A"Raptor" Sky... (c) 2011

Oxenhope, Bradford (W Yorks, England)
Thursday 15 September 2011
Counting period: 5:55 - 12:05
Weather: W F1 to CALM to NE F1, No sig, 5degC Rising Swiftly, 70km, QNH 1019 rising 1021 before falling
Observers: Dave Barker, Howard Creber, Gordon Holmes, Lester Ward

Cormorant 8 -
Lesser Black-backed Gull 51 -
Raven 4 -
grey goose 20 -
Stock Dove 2 -
Starling - 28
Marsh Harrier 1 -
Woodpigeon 29 -
Chaffinch 12 -
Sparrowhawk 9 -
Skylark 16 -
Greenfinch 3 -
Common Buzzard 3 -
Swallow 2650 -
Goldfinch 52 -
Kestrel 4 -
House Martin 10 -
Siskin 223 -
Peregrine 6 -
Meadow Pipit 2503 -
Linnet 12 -
Golden Plover 6 -
Grey Wagtail 1 -
Lesser Redpoll 17 -
Redshank 1 -
alba wagtail sp. 26 -
Crossbill 1 -
Black-headed Gull 2 -
Mistle Thrush 3 -
Red Kite 2 -
Red Admiral 2 -

Totals: 5707 individuals, 31 species, 6:10 hours

Comments: A fantastic morning in all respects... a ridge of high pressure after days of dominating depressions! Mipits all SSE as skip and higher with Swallows the same.... and everything powering through broad front. At times the sky was FULL of Swallows and mips moving broad front south. Mip parties were generally many and small, whilst Swallows included some larger parties. Siskins a good count for here with over 200 counted, excluding at least 9 unseen calling flocks. Raptors were up and on the move with a good selection and noteable numbers. Two small flocks of grey geese were seen.

Dave, Howard, Gordon and Lester