Friday, October 07, 2011

circus duo!... 2011-10-07

 A very cool first light... (c) Howard Creber 2011
 Pre sunrise.... (c) Howard Creber
 Pre sunrise.... (c) Howard Creber
A Brilliant Rise!!.... (c) Howard Creber 2011

Bradford (W Yorks, England)
Friday 7 October 2011
Counting period: 6:30-13:00
Weather: wind West3, cloud-cover 5/8, visibility 130000m, temperature 7 ℃, Wind F3 building to F4/F5 Westerly, cloud cover 7/8 becoming 2/8 with bright sunshine. 7degC rising, Visibility 130 Km. QNH 1012 rising 1017
Observers: Howard Creber

Cormorant 5 -
Lesser Black-backed Gull 47 -
Starling 9 -
Pink-footed Goose 107 -
Stock Dove 11 -
Chaffinch 14 -
Goosander 5 -
Woodpigeon 6 -
finch sp. 6 -
Henharrierr 2 -
Skylark 4 -
Greenfinch 29 -
Peregrine 1 -
Swallow 4 -
Goldfinch 34 -
Golden Plover 10 -
Meadow Pipit 723 -
Siskin 1 -
Snipe 1 -
alba wagtail sp. 14 -
Linnet 1 -
Curlew 2 -
Jay 1 -
Crossbill 12 -
Black-headed Gull 6 -
Raven 3 -

Totals: 1058 individuals, 26 species, 6:30 hours

Present: Redwing 6

Comments: Other : Apart from the usual suspects, 6 Redwing were blogging, probably the rump end of the small influx a few days ago. Dispite extensive scanning of the skies, no fresh thrushes detected. Comments : A host of cloud species - Stratus Undulatus Translucidus,Stratus Fractus, Velum , Cumulonimbus Capillatus, Stratocumulus, Altocumulus Lenticularis. An absolutley beautiful morning to be out after yesterdays debacle. Wind much moderated and visibility so clear that could see the Humber Bridge with the naked eye not to mention the Immingham Oil Refineries! and the Three Peaks in all their glory - a span of circa 110 miles no less. First bird was a single early mipit overhead at 06.40 hrs which is always a good sign, followed by two early morning Curlews west. Mipits maintained pretty much a constant steady flow throughout the watch, but far more single birds today. It was interesting to note that from mid morning, 20 Greenfinches (various flock sizes) went west with great intent.The single Crossbill flock was good to see - have done very well for this species this year. The largest skein of Pink Footed Geese (90) came through at 09.00 hrs. A couple of flocks of Siskin were heard but not seen. Undoubtedly, the birds of the day were two Henharrierss moving straight through very high on migration - onearingtail at 09.30 hrs and a superb "silverback" at 11.35 hrs. Patience paid off once again !!!

Howard