Monday, November 07, 2011

open window!.... 2011-11-07

 Dawn..... cloud shelf on approach... (c) 2011
 Dawn.... distant cloud shelf.... (c) 2011
 into the bitter blue.... (c) 2011
 stratocumulus stratiformis becoming established.... (c) 2011
 99% deep stratus overdraw.... (c) 2011
 The Snout.... sky becoming deep fog stratus.... (c) 2011

bugleing overhead!!!!..... two images....(c) 2011

Bradford (W Yorks, England)
Monday 7 November 2011
Counting period: 6:40-13:30
Weather: wind North2, cloud-cover 5/8, precipitation drizzle, visibility 40000m, temperature -2 ℃, CALM to N F1 to NE F4, 2 reducing 9ok, -2degC, 65km reducing 2000m, drizzle, QNH 1028 falling 1026
Observers: Dave Barker, Howard Creber, Lester Ward

Cormorant - 3
alba wagtail sp. 2 -
finch sp. 22 -
Whooper Swan 8 -
Blackbird 5 -
Greenfinch 20 -
Greylag Goose 1 -
Fieldfare 2309 -
Goldfinch 7 -
Marshharrrier 1 -
Redwing 410 -
Lesser Redpoll 1 -
Snipe 2 -
Mistle Thrush 6 -
Crossbill 6 -
Woodpigeon 1229 -
Jackdaw 3 -
bunting sp. 1 -
Skylark 1 -
Starling - 206
Meadow Pipit 2 -
Chaffinch 8 -

Totals: 4253 individuals, 22 species, 6:50 hours

Comments: A morning with open sky / brilliant potential spoilt by overdrawing and reducing cloudbase to end in deep fog stratus with damping drizzle. Caught unawares before sunrise with a party of bugleing low Whoopers on approach and right over our heads. However the main event of the day and more expected was a big arrival of very very high thrush balls SW from first light initially picked up along the advancing edge of the cloud shelf but continuing as it passed over below the stratocumulus stratiformis and later deep stratus behind. As the visibility reduced later in the morning they became lower and more difficult to see but passage continued right upto lunch time and beyond. Several high balls were seen to have had enough, plummeting down into woods below. Tried a lower watchpoint for the last 90 minutes to see if any better, flocks more visible but not in any big numbers this time and parties small. Pigeons a none event for us today and no improvement in starlings but passage did continue in low numbers right through the watch. Yet another Marshy picked up in the early period and travelling in the now usual direction.

Dave