Oxenhope.... 2012-11-07

Oxenhope, Bradford (W Yorks, England)
Wednesday 7 November 2012
Counting period: 7:40 - 15:30
Weather: wind West4, cloud-cover 8/8, precipitation drizzle, visibility 30000m, temperature 6 ℃, F4 gusting F6 becoming SW F6 gusting F8, 7degC, sky remaining closed, QNH 1020 ridging 1021 then falling 1019
Observers: Dave Barker

Moving Birds:
Cormorant - 2
Waxwing 26 -
Golden Plover 8 -
Fieldfare 30 -
Dunlin 1 -
Starling - 184
Meadow Pipit 2 -
Lesser Redpoll 2 -

Totals: 255 individuals, 8 species, 7:50 hours

Comments: High watchpoint untenable. Conditions not conducive to anything so chair behind the shelter of the wall at the old watchpoint and as not cold or wet, remained up there throughout. Virtually nothing til just after 1330 when a considerable fast moving tight flock located coming up the clough below from the east c26. Multiple trilling as closer and waxwings confirmed. Upon reaching the top and water beyond they circled, swarming briefly, trilling all the time and appearing uncertain before taking a 90 deg turn and off exceedingly fast towards the col over into Calderdale. Will not be counting gulls any more this season unless exceptional as now deemed unsafe to do so.

Dave