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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
Sent
from my Android mobile.
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
Sent
from my Android mobile.
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
Sent
from my Android mobile.
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
Sent
from my Android mobile.
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
Sent from my Andriod mobile.
