meagre return!... 2011-10-05

 Across the eastern plane at dawn!.... (c) Howard Creber 2011

Crepuscular rays.... (c) Howard Creber 2011

Oxenhope, Bradford (W Yorks, England)
Wednesday 5 October 2011
Counting period: 6:30-10:00
Weather: wind WSW6, cloud-cover 7/8, visibility 100000m, temperature 14 ℃, WSW F5/6 strengthening, 7/8ok, 14degC, 100km, QNH 1011 falling 1009
Observers: Howard Creber

Pink-footed Goose 40 -
Meadow Pipit 221 -
Golden Plover 8 -
alba wagtail sp. 4 -
Snipe 1 -
Starling 3 -
Black-headed Gull 6 -
Chaffinch 3 -
Lesser Black-backed Gull 4 -
Goldfinch 2 -
Swallow 3 -
Siskin 5 -

Totals: 300 individuals, 12 species, 3:30 hours

Comments: Stratocumulus Stratiformis with Pannus. Visibility out to Humber Bridge - 100 Km. Much reduced passage today with first hour birdless once again. Bulk of observations between 07.30 hrs and 08.40 hrs.After that, birds quickly dwindled to a trickle and the watch was terminated early as the wind gusts picked up. Mipits were struggling in the strong wind but nevertheless made commendable headway. The skein of pinkies was picked up heading east way out beyond Harrogate. Other observations : a very close Stoat and a Weasel.

Howard