Spring "catchup" 2013-04-22

Six Images all Copyright 2013
Spring Amphibians in Embrace!!
Wheatears everywhere.... and Dunlin.

20130409 Nocturnal Thrush Migration....

Have been out of action over the snowy and following very frosty periods except for one night owing to having to reconstruct microphone and water resistant housing as damaged during the onset of the bad weather. However, been resumed for several nights and redwing migration has really sprung to life now after dying back early January never to resume. Much more nocturnal redwing action than last year in spring for me, so perhaps the conditions prevailing have better directed their nomadic wonderings more in our direction? HC also observed a very high flock of Fieldfare just before dusk last night, perhaps setting off NE ie potentially their direction of travel. looking forward to the likely c change in the weather later in week......
Dave

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20130412

Out last night but did manage almost an hour out down the lanes between the heavy showers very late on. Redwings and a Blackbird in the sky here also in the much warmer conditions. Just four contacts in 45 mins and all on the edge very high. Interestingly two of these over at my autumn hotspot so perhaps it works in spring as well. Other than the heavy showers conditions here appeared spot on after such a long poor spell.
Dave

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20130414 At Last!

Out late this morning with a nine mile walk and Lancashire awash with fluorescent radar rain! never really getting to the east of the Pennine tops though cept for a bit of intermittent driving drizzle. Almost as soon as out and up on the ridge, the first move of Swallows noted for me this year with birds passing north, shooting through but close to the ground using the very strong following wind to advantage. Almost certainly the birds moving up the leading edge of the slowly advancing front and just as we note in autumn. News from watchers down in the bottom of Airedale was of feeding congregations over the sewage farm and of increasing numbers of birds coming in including House Martin. Wharfedale also birds trickling through. Back through the wooded valleys and scrubby cloughs for shelter from the blast and in contrast to what I could find yesterday, found all the expected migrants in full song. So things have happened fast for me! Snaps to follow....

Dave

20130414 Thrush Departure....

Evening exercise for me last night for a change just over and in the shadow of the Pennines in Wycoller, Lancashire. Conditions improving rapidly after a wet day, with late sunshine earlier, rising pressure and clearing skies. Still a very strong wind tho with little change in direction. Just before dusk a large flock of fieldfare noted circling up out of the clough with little noise when in the sky gaining height rapidly to head off over the col and into Yorkshire. When home after dark tried with the listening station for a while but little point in those buffeting winds with no ambience whatsoever coming through so soon gave up as a bad job. Wycoller snaps to follow....
Dave

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20130420

First productive static count c six hours, at the watchpoints today in reasonable conditions. Highlights being three Jays, 39 swallows and 65 mipits with a few sand martins and a house martin, as well as lots of nocturnals about including a couple of Common Sands, sundry waders, a few Wheatears and a selection of warblers. Redpolls over home first light but none over the wp. Last night golden plovers and bh gulls featured and tonight interestingly at least three snipe contacts and a moorhen so far. We dont get Snipe around home so these interesting to me. Will put stuff will go on trek when pc free.
Dave

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 20140421

A fragmented but fantastic day split between the first, almost three hours at the watchpoint which excepting a passage of Redpolls was after yesterday, slow, to say the least (report to go on trek when able). Later a rush up into the Dales to do Gordale and the Cove, followed by an evening excursion round Grimwith! All in all just less than 20 miles..... Nocturnals in abundance now after a couple of optimum nights!.... Common Sandpipers increased to double figures, Ring Ousel, Wheatears on every stone and huggins of warblers in the right places. Snaps to follow.

Dave

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