Saturday, March 17, 2012

Oxenhope.... 2012-03-17

The end of the first week of the season when mips start to become prominent in the hills once again and which usually shows the first sign of summer migrants flooding back into the north, no exception this year.... Report from HC up "on top of the world" at the most elevated of our Oxenhope watchpoints (440m asl)....
WSW F3/4, scattered/broken, visibility clear, some drizzle, 7degC, QNH 1010 steady.
Had a quick hour up at the watchpoint this a.m. (10.30 to 11.30). Got first Wheatear, 3 Skylarks blogging and there was a steady flow of Mipits north, but in low numbers, often singles and best party was five.

Howard

Beware all you early Wheatear hunters.... well known in local folklore is the following!!!...

The wheatear bears a bad reputation in the North of England.... Its presence is considered, in some localities, to foretell the death of the spectator : in others the evil fortune is only considered likely to ensue if the bird be first seen on a stone. Should its appearance be first observed while sitting on turf or gi-ass, good luck may be expected.....