VISIBLE BIRD MIGRATION RECORDS FOR AUTUMN 2011
(September 3rd to November 11th 2011)
Friday November 11th
2011
Today on my way up to Hutton Roof, it was very noticeable that there had
been a very large fall of Blackbirds in the night, I had over a score just
going up the Lane, and there were many more on the roof itself.
The wind spoint things yet again , it was a Easterley and blowing at
20mph+ gust. The only records are: Chaffinch: 8, Greenfinch: 1, Goldfinch 1W,
Wren a couple of them scolding me as usual, Fieldfare could be heard but was
not seen. Redwing: 5W. and some Common Gulls (18) were going East. Nice to see
thousands of Starlings going East having left their Leighton Moss roost.
A follow up to yesterdays notes on this years "Thrush Visible
Migration":-
The dates this year where so early, well at least in the special case of
the Fieldfare, and reading more into this, that is probably the answer to the
“shortfall” question.
I agree the inception would have started prior to the 14th and
fortunately for the Thrushes they found a suitable short window on the 13th and
the 14th quickly terminated by blocking fronts on the 15th.
Because of this short window I am sure that it was necessary to take
advantage for the “bulk” of the Thrushes to use this in what was probably a
more so than usual “high concentrated” effort to get through.
Fieldfare numbers where seen to come through on the 14th more or less
from first light, which would indicate that they had probably come through
(crossed North Sea) on the 13th. The 15th saw a reduction in birds by 50%
compared to the previous day 14th, and the 16th and 17th saw yet a further
reduction by 50% compared to the 15th and since those dates there has been very
little in the way of incoming thrush passage, other than minimal slight upward
surge on both the 6th and 7th of November, this slight surge coincided with a
change from East to Northerly winds. The birds recorded on these dates where
only a eight on the 6th and a tenth on the 7th of the original counts going
back to the 14th October.
Another fine example of “bulk birds” on this same day (14th October
2011), but more so in regards to Redwing, was the experience of Martyn
Priestley of (Caldene Fields, Bradford, W. Yorks) on the 14th October 2011,
recording no less than 3604 Fieldfare, but a exceptional count of 29,371
Redwing. And his comments for that day read:
“An unprecendented watch! With a movement of thrushes I have not
witnessed before in all my time of Vis migging! Pre dawn Redwings could be seen
were coming in from the N mainly directly over my head due to the low mist.
Then around 08.19 light rain moved in this weather system provided a break in
cloud cover to the E of Caldene Fields over the East Bierley and Tong area.
This window and the light rain brought literally thousands and thousands of
Redwings into view including two 4,000+ counts!! Around 0945 till 10.30hrs
Fieldfare pushed through again to the S with a single party of over 1000+”.
Also some further notes from Martyn read: “So I am thinking that they
were moving above cloudbase and when my window appear + the rain, bingo!”, and
yet another further relevant note: Why did no one else get the flood<
which I expected. I can only think that as they cleared my window they gained
height again with the onset of cloud etc. Because early in the morning I was
getting smallish visible parties but overhead calls of unseen birds and
suspected they were some above cloudbase or they started to disperse further S.
I tend to favour the first option”.
Now then, this example shows what can happen when rainfall enters the
equation. He would have had a good count that day like most of us, I am sure,
but would he have ever had such a fabulous count but for the welcome “light
rain interference”that morning, I doubt it very much. I am sure the light rain
had brought the birds down into view from probable earlier unseen high
altitude.
The weather this time has so far been sadly dominated by Easterlies! Whereby
for me, I associate good “push days” with light Westerlies, and especially
light Northerlies, but after saying that, last year the push date for here was
on a very light South Easterley, and again that is probably why even last years
count was less than half of the 2009 count!!
Obviously it would be very nice to see more birds, and I am sure that
more birds will come if we get more favourable windows and the weather goes
worse in the Baltics or the Scandinavias, but for me as I see it the bulk of
the birds, have already passed by long ago.
Wednesday November 9th
2011
I have been out earlier, but it was heavy rain, so gave that up after
one hour and came home, and went out again around the 0830hrs mark, this time
going up on the other side of Hutton Roof at Dalton Crags. By then it had
stopped raining, but really dull, dark and dismal to the sides making
visability very local. A sort of ghostly quiet sky, with nothing happening
whatsoever. The only birds to record, where large groups of Blackbirds, and
also a party of about 10 Redwing feeding up and resting in Dalton Crags.
Well I suppose its that time of the year once again, and for me it’s the
winding down period. In regards to Thrushes, I’ve always considered that if the
birds are not in by bonfire night, then that’s it, and that’s always rang true
now for many years. I wonder if this year will be the same or are there going
to be little burst every now and again of fresh arrivals.
Certainly this year, we have had it so mild, with only one night of
substantial frost to call. Has it been a similar weather pattern over in the
Baltics or the Scandinavia’s, Could this mild weather have prevented birds from
coming over here. If the weather is still mildish over there and there is still
plenty of food, why would they bother to come over here, YET.
This year in particular was very strange, first of all I had both
Redwing and Fieldfare arrive on the same day eg: Tuesday October 11th 2011 – a
party of 9 which consisted of 5 Fieldfare and 4 Redwing. As a rule the bulk of
the Fieldfare are recorded in most cases to be about 10 days later than the
Redwing.
Normally I would get the bulk of the Redwing “main push” on or around
the 16th October, and the bulk of the Fieldfare “main push” on or around the
26th October. This year, especially in the case of the Fieldfare, they started
to come in so early as shown in the example, and it was even more strange to
record such a early “push” day with this species, eg: (Friday October 14th 2011
and good but reduced counts for the follow up two days also).
I’ve also thought that when Thrushes are on their first major push,
which this year was on Friday October 14th 2011 (Fieldfares only). That if the
bulk don’t arrive or are not on their way during the same time of that initial
push (eg: that day and the following 2 days), then I am of the opinion, we are
not going to get them.
I am now beginning to think that this year we have probably missed
observing them. For me the reasons we have missed them, is through them over
flying us at very high altitude. I am sure that this is very common every year,
and more so in weather favourable years than others, and as such some years you
will get good records and other years poorer records. Possibly this year was a
good favourable weather situation for the birds in mid October and they were
able to pursue their migrations at such high altitude leaving us with a much
poorer records year.
I have in the passed experienced on no less than three separate annual
occasions that the weather conditions have been so good for the birds, that
they are flying at high altitudes, and when checking out with my binoculars, a
party already high at cloud base, have then noticed, yet another party
resembling just ever so small black dots, going through at a far greater high
altitude than the first party. And if you hadn’t been lucky enough at that time
to have been checking the first party with your binoculars, then I’m afraid you
would have missed them (Quite easily). When this is the case, I think it could
be well possible that we get lower counts than we probably expected. Yet even
in these “bird favourable weather” conditions, we do get birds also at lower
and mid altitudes as well.
Also, I suppose another possibility in regards to a shortage of thrushes
could be that although the onset of the migration had started off OK with good
weather during the earlier crossing, and then the weather turned to more
unfavourable conditions, that the follow up birds, may decide to not bother
with their intended North Sea crossing, and instead head South down the
mainland.
Yesterdays belated vismig report:
Visible Bird Migration – Wednesday November 9th 2011.Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs – 0900hrs
Wind: E 5mph
Movement: South unless stated.
Redwing: 77 (11W 66E)
Fieldfare: 56 (25SW 31SE)
Blackbird: 1 W
Mistle Thrush: 1 E
Alba Wagtail: 1
Chaffinch: 88 (E & W)
Goldfinch: 3 E
Siskin: 2 E
Greenfinch: 6 E & W
Also could hear Golden Plover but not seen.
Visible Bird Migration - Tuesday
November 8th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700-0900hrs
Wind: E 12-15mph, Visability poor to both flanks but OK close. Light
drizzle at times.
Movement: South unless stated.
Again very poor today with few birds, and not the best conditions, what
few Thrushes we had were going in silly directions from us eg: North, North
East.
Fieldfare: 130 (N/NE/E) best: 50,20,20.
Redwing: 100 (E & NE) best: 50,30.
Blackbird: 1 W
Chaffinch: 63 E and W
Goldfinch: 1 E
Greenfinch: 2 E
Meadow Pipit: 2
Starling 3 W (thousands ex roost to East with leisure)
LBBG: 7 E (probably from roost).
Visible Bird Migration - Monday
November 7th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0815hrs - 1030hrs
Wind: NE 8mph, Total blue sky.
Movement: South unless stated.
Fieldfare: 435 (345 W, 90 E) best: 100,80,50s..
Redwing: 301 (271 W, 30 NE) best: 120, 40s..
Blackbird: 5 W
Chaffinch: 46 (W or E)
Greenfinch: 3 W
Goldfinch: 14 (One party of 12E)
Bullfinch: 1
Meadow Pipit: 4
Woodpigeon: 26 (14E and 12W)
Visible Bird Migration - Sunday
November 6th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700-1030hrs.
Wind: NE 5-8mph
Movement: South unless stated.
Redwing: 630 (50W and 580NE/E/SE) (best: 140,80,50,50,50)
Fieldfare: 294 (110W 184E)
Mistle Thrush: 13 W (one party)
Chaffinch: 194 (W & E)
Goldfinch: 15 (W & E)
Siskin: 2
Linnet: 4
Greenfinch: 5 W
Meadow Pipit: 6
Skylark: 2
Jackdaw: 14 SW (one party)
Alba Wagtail: 2
Woodpigeon: 55 E (several small parties)
Visible Bird Migration - Saturday
November 5th 2011
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0745hrs - 1015hrs
Wind: N 8-10 mph
Movement: South unless stated.
Today still quiet in general, but did have Woodpigeons going South and
one skein of Pink Feet.
Thrush Sp. 100 S (at first light)
Fieldfare: 53 S (one party 50)
Blackbird 1 W.
Starling: 26 W (20,5,1)
Woodpigeon: 254 S (60,140,50,4)
Pink Footed Goose: 60 S/SW (one skein at 0900hrs)
Meadow Pipit: 35 (30 of them one ex blogging party)
Greenfinch: 8 W
Chaffinch: 79 W & E
Goldfinch: 10 W & E
Siskin: 2 E
Skylark: 1
Jackdaws: 13 S
Alba Wagtail: 1
Visible Bird Migration - Friday
November 4th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700-0815hrs
Wind: SE/S 3 - 4 mph
Movement: South unless stated.
Fieldfare: 1 W
Chaffinch: 28 E and W
Goldfinch: 3 E
Visible Bird Migration - Thursday
November 3rd 2011
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700-0815hrs
Wind: SE 5-8mph
Movement: South unless stated.
Fieldfare: 28 SE (3W,11SE,14SE)
Redwing: 24 W (4,20)
Chaffinch: 39 W & E
Alba Wagtail: 2 E
Meadow Pipit: 2
Siskin: 1
Crossbill: 8 NW (one party)
Visible Bird Migration - Wednesday
November 2nd 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 0845hrs
Wind: Easterly 12-15mph
Movement: South unless stated.
Again so quiet! Can’t ever remember having a Nov 2nd without lots of
Fieldfares! Goldcrest on the move.
Redwing: 26 W (7 from East dropped into Roof for feeding)
Fieldfare: 2 E
Chaffinch: 62 (E & W 50%)
Goldfinch: 1 E
Greenfinch: 3 W
Siskin: 8 W (One party 6)
Linnet: 2
Goldcrest: 4 E (2,1,1) (Very rare here on passage)
Alba Wagtail: 1
Stock Dove: 2
Cormorant: 1 W
Visible Bird Migration - Tuesday
November 1st 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700-0845hrs.
Wind: SW 10-12 mph.
Movement: South unless stated.
Fieldfare: 24 W (2,2,7,8,1)
Redwing: 5 W (1,2,2)
Blackbird: 2 W
Chaffinch: 135 W & E (75% W 25% E)
Greenfinch: 4 W
Siskin: 15 W (best party 6)
Redpoll: 2 W
Brambling: 2 W
Linnet: 1 E
Goldfinch: 1 E
Meadow Pipit: 9
Starling: 2 W (hundreds extremely high going E from roost to feed)
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1 W
Woodpigeon: 7 SE (5,2)
Lesser Black Backed Gull: 129 all going SE (probably from roost out to
feed)
Visible Bird Migration - Monday October
31st 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700-0900hrs
Wind: SSW 15mph
"Hauntingley quiet"
Fieldfare: 215 (All W, a party of approx 200 plus dribs and drabs up to
15)
Redwing: 7 W (3,2,2)
Blackbird: 1 W
Mistle Thrush: 1 W
Starling: None, but maybe a few hundred E from roost.
Goldfinch: 2 W
Chaffinch: 75 either E or W
Siskin: 5 (2,1,2)
Greenfinch: 13 (1,3,1,4,3)
LBBG: 300 in 30s all East presumed ex roost.
Visible Bird Migration - Sunday October
30th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0645hrs - 0900hrs
Wind: SW 15mph, then swinging and decreasing S 12mph then SE 8mph
Movement: South unless stated.
Redwing: 83 (52 W and 31 NE)
Fieldfare: 71 (69 W and 2 NE)
Starling: 4 NW and (only a few hundred ex roost E - going high and
missing them)
Blackbird: 2 W
Mistle Thrush: 2 E (I could hear several down on the Roof)
Chaffinch: 142 (split W and E)
Greenfinch: 8 W
Brambling: 2 E
Linnet: 7 W (one party 6)
Siskin: 5
Goldfinch: 2 W
Alba Wagtail: 2
Meadow Pipit: 1
Curlew: 1 SE
Visible Bird Migration - Saturday
October 29th 2011
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0800hrs - 0930hrs.
Wind: SE 10-12mph then S 10-12mph.
Movement: South unless stated.
Fieldfare: 126 (43W and 3NE and 40 SE)
Redwing: 30 W (20,10)
Chaffinch: 75 (E & W)
Greenfinch: 5 (2E 3W)
Brambling: 4 W (one party)
Linnet: 1 W
Alba Wagtail: 1
Woodpigeon: 12 (4S 8 NE)
Visible Bird Migration - Friday October
28th 2011
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0730hrs - 1130hrs.
Wind: W 3-5mph, Dry
Movement: South unless stated.
A pick up with Mipits today. A suprise House Martin.
Fieldfare: 301 (some West and some East) best: 70,50,50,30)
Redwing: 17 (16 W 1 E)
Mistle Thrush: 1 E
Blackbird: 1 W (But HR full of fresh Blackbirds scores+
Starling: 27 W (20,7) also about 2000 ex roost going E to feed
Chaffinch: 186 (some W some E)
Crossbill: 2+
Goldfinch: 16 E
Linnet: 4 W
Greenfinch: 12 W
Siskin: 5
Meadow Pipit: 76 (best 30,16,10 probably ex bloggers from North)
House Martin: 1 SW (being mobbed by a couple of Mipits)
Skylark: 1
Visible Bird Migration - Saturday October 29th 2011
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0800hrs - 0930hrs.
Wind: SE 10-12mph then S 10-12mph.
Movement: South unless stated.
Fieldfare: 126 (43W and 3NE and 40 SE)
Redwing: 30 W (20,10)
Chaffinch: 75 (E & W)
Greenfinch: 5 (2E 3W)
Brambling: 4 W (one party)
Linnet: 1 W
Alba Wagtail: 1
Woodpigeon: 12 (4S 8 NE)
Visible Bird Migration - Thursday
October 27th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0730hrs 0930hrs.
Wind: SE 10mph (or force 3) Rain light/medium from 0830 up to 0900hrs.
Movement: South unless stated.
Fieldfare: 58 W (best: 30,10,8,7)
Redwing: 5 W (lots of calls where heard going over in early darkness)
Blackbirds: 2 W but lots on the roof, probably scores+ down on roof.
Mistle Thrush: 1 E
Chaffinch: 35 (some E some W) best: 4s and less
Alba Wagtail: 3
Goldfinch: 7 E
Siskin: 1 E
Meadow Pipit: 2
Starling: 21 W (plus 500-1000 x roost)
Visible Bird Migration - Wednesday
October 26th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0730hrs-0930hrs
Wind: SE 8-10mph
Movement: South unless stated.
Still so quiet with the Thrushes.
Fieldfare: 66 (57 W and 9 NE) best: 18,10,9.
Redwing: 25 W (best: 6,5,4)
Blackbird: 2 W
Mistle Thrush: 3 W
Chaffinch: 137 W & E
Goldfinch: 15 W & E
Linnet: 3 W
Greenfinch: 5 W
Siskin: 3
Bullfinch: 2W
Alba Wagtail: 1
Meadow Pipit: 2
Starling: 50 W (30,20) and a spectacular 5000 in one ball ex roost to
East. Plus another 1000 came through later.
(photo: can be seen at: http://arnsidesilverdale.blogspot.com/
LBBG: 12 E
Woodpigeon: 44 (35 E, 9SW)
Visible Bird Migration - Tuesday
October 25th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0730hrs - 1000hrs.
Wind: SE 12-15mph and dropping back.
Movement: South unless stated.
Virtually no Thrush movement after 0800hrs, just a few Starlings after
yesterday. The Starling push yesterday is now beginning finally to show well in
this mornings ex roost to the East with over 4000 coming directly over my head
and close. The few fieldfare I had, came out of roost on Hutton Roof, and at
first behaved just like racing pigeons on being released, and did a complete
circle before they got their bearings and then headed West.
Large midge plumes on sides of Ivy covering Hawthorn trees at side of my
watchpoint, even at first light 0730hrs, must be a serious indicator of how
mild the weather is today.
Fieldfare: 74 (63W 11 SE)
Redwing: 10 (SW)
Blackbird: 5 W
Starling: 59 W (30,15,4,4,2,2)
Chaffinch: 168 W & E (50%)
Siskin: 10 E
Reed Bunting: 1
Goldfinch: 8 W
Greenfinch: 21 (90% W, rest E)
Meadow Pipit: 5
Alba Wagtail: 1
Woodpigeon: 21 (19SW 2 SE)
Stock Dove: 1 SW
Visible Bird Migration - Mon Oct 24th
2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0730hrs - 1130hrs.
Wind: SE 20mph with strong regular gust to 40mph
Movement: South unless stated.
Noticeable increase in Starling parties all West average parties 10-30.
Fieldfare: 705 W (500W 200SE) (1000hrs onwards last 5 parties (200 in
total) all went SE) best: (200,70,60)
Redwing: 25 W
Starlings: 516 W (best parties: 80,80 and lots of 30s)
Chaffinch: 41 (E & W)
Goldfinch: 3 W
Greenfinch: 12 (8E 4W)
Woodpigeon: 1 W
Mistle Thrush: 1 W
Meadow Pipit: 2.
Visible Bird Migration - Sunday October
23rd 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs-1130hrs.
Wind: S15mph, then South West 20mph then S15mph
Weather: Dry on landing, within 5 mins rain throughout up until 1000hrs.
Movement: S unless stated.
90% of the thrushes we had were within the first 30 mins. The wind must
have been OK for them then (South), because they were cutting through to the
West/WNW with good height and speed, and did not look to be encountering any
difficulty with the winds. I did note that one of the early parties was
crossing over the Roof and at a good height, and within seconds of the rain
starting, the birds were seen to tumble down on to Hutton Roof and commence
feeding, and giving the immpression they were not interested in flying during
the heavy rain period. Like other counts over this past few days, the last
party of Thrushes (120 at 1115hrs) were seen to be going in the South East
direction, as though going back on themselves. Also noted on leaving, that
hundreds of Fieldfare were actually down on Hutton Roof and feeding.
It was continual rain up until 1000hrs, and at least some birds braved
the weather, mainly finches. When the rain cleared it made no difference, there
was still not that many birds coming through.
Fieldfare: 330 W/WNW (best parties 120,50) 120 party seen to go SE at
1115hrs.
Redwing: 100 exactly W/WNW (best parties: 60,20)
Mistle Thrush: 2 E (probably local)
Blackbird: 2 W
Starling: 20 W (also noted approx 5-600 from Leighton Moss Roost to East
for feeding between 0745hrs and 0830hrs) Over the past two years, I have had on
most mornings from about the 15th October, anywhere between 1000 to 6000 birds
ex roost and coming straight over my head whilst counting at Hutton Roof, most
mornings would average between 2-4000. Its now over one week on and I dont seem
to be getting a quarter of what I would usually get, so I am wondering if there
is a shortage of Starling or are they just later this year? or have they found
alternative roosting sites.......It will be interesting to see what comes into
the LM roost this year......
Chaffinch: 93 (W and E, best party: 17) some birds very high from
1030hrs (after rain).
Greenfinch: 16 (W and mainly E)
Goldfinch: 14 (E & W)
Linnet: 6 (one party E)
Redpoll: 1 W
Meadow Pipit: 5
Crossbill: 2 E
Woodpigeon 8 SE
Visible Bird Migration - Sat October
22nd 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0800hrs - 1100hrs
Wind: W 15mph, then at 0900hrs swung to South 10-15mph
Movement: South unless stated.
Noticeable during the past few days that Chaffinch have took a dive
which is regular by now, Mipits are virtually finished just odds. Thrushes
still OK at early hours. Still no massive "push".
Fieldfare: 470 W (best: 120,60, all early parties 20s,30s or less)
Redwing: 76 W (best: 40,30,6)
Starling: 20 W (one party - also a few hundred x roost to E)
Chaffinch: 93 (W or E)
Redpoll: 6 W (one party)
Greenfinch: 10 W
Siskin: 2 W
Goldfinch: 7 W
Linnet: 10 W (one party 8)
Reed Bunting: 2 (1,1)
Meadow Pipit: 15
Skylark: 2
Alba Wagtail: 1
Stock Dove: 1 W
Woodpigeon: 27
Blue Tit: 5
Visible Bird Migration - Friday October
21st 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 1130hrs.
Wind: SW 15 - 20 mph and freshening. Also heavy rain at times and mist,
vis down to 15 yards up to 0930hrs.
Movement: South unless stated.
Fieldfare: 421 (all W) best parties: 130,100,60)
Redwing: 113 (all W) best parties: 40,30,12)
Blackbird: 2 W
Chaffinch: 48 (W or E)
Greenfinch: 6 W
Goldfinch: 3 W
Woodpigeon: 6E
Meadow Pipit: 2
Starling: 5 W
Pink Footed Goose: 20 NE (1100hrs over Farleton)
Checked out HR from 1500 - 1700hrs, no birds, winds blowing SW 25-35.
Visible Bird Migration - Thursday
October 20th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 1100hrs
Wind: W 8 - 10mph, first proper frost.
Movement: South unless stated.
Some thrushes through first thing, then quiet, with a little upsurge of
3 parties at 0930hrs and then quiet once again up to leaving. Best party yet of
32 Linnet SW. One pair of Yellowhammers.
Blackbird: 5 NW (2,1,2)
Fieldfare: 197 NW (1 SE) best parties: 30,30,30.
Redwing: 12 NW (all singles or pairs)
Meadow Pipit: S 29
Chaffinch: 186 (Mainly W some E - best 6s)
Goldfinch: 17 (Mainly W some E)
Greenfinch: 13 W (best 8)
Linnet: 32 SW (one party)
Bullfinch: 1
Redpoll: 9 SW (one party)
Siskin: 14 W (2,4,2,6)
Yellowhammer: 2
Alba Wagtail: 3
Woodpigeon: 26 SW (there are hundreds at the top of the Lune Valley to
my NE, going SE as though over Dent in parties of 50s+)
Starling: 400+ Ex Leighton roost to East, 22W (probable movers)
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1 W
Visible Bird Migration - Wednesday
October 19th 2011
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 0900hrs
Wind: W 8-10mph, very bright after 0830hrs
Movement: South unless stated.
Today never got going, not many thrushes, just stuff that came through
in the first half hour and then stopped completely. Nice to see a Merlin.
Disturbed a Snipe whilst walking across Hutton Roof.
Fieldfare: 146 NW (best: 40,20,20)
Redwing: 45 NW (best: 30)
Blackbird: 2 NW
Chaffinch: 105 (Mainly W but a lot went E)
Greenfinch: 14 W (best 6)
Goldfinch: 5
Linnet: 1 W
Alba Wagtail: 1
Meadow Pipit: 16
Woodpigeon: 16 all SW
Merlin: 1 SW
Redpoll: 1 W
Siskin: 1
Common Snipe 1
Visible Bird Migration - Tuesday
October 18th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 0900hrs.
Wind: Westerley 30mph with gust. speckly rain at times. Colder.
Movement: South unless stated.
Although some birds did brave the strong winds and took on the upward
lifts, yet still on reach HR where within single figure feet above the ground
weaving in and out of the contours etc. I did suspect, without any evidence
that most of the Thrushes today would have preferred to have a more tolerant
out of the wind passage by going North West down in the bottom on the Lupton
Valley side. A special highlight was watching a Pintail come through to the
West, again low to the ground and twisting and turning. Four early doors Pink
Feet W. Sparrowhawk in pursuit of squealing Starling which got away, the
Sparrowhawk seem to give up! (obviously not that important!)
Fieldfare: 237 all NW (best parties: 40,30,25,25,20,20,20)
Redwing: 96 all NW (best parties: 30,20,20)
Chaffinch: 42 all either W or E (best parties: 6,6)
Alba Wagtail: 1
Greenfinch: 2 W
Goldfinch: 4 W
Bullfinch: 1 W
Meadow Pipit: 2
Woodpigeon: 14 W
Pintail: 1 W
Pink Footed Goose: 4 SW at 0754hrs.
Visible Bird Migration - Monday October
17th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 1000hrs
Wind: W 25mph increasing all the time to 30mph at leaving
Movement: South unless stated.
It was a absolutely superb experience for the watcher, and must have
been a incredible hard challenge for the birds, though they just kept coming
during that first hour, but in small groups and fragmented because of the
extreme Westerley winds hindering them. They were at times almost touching the
ground, with hundreds going directly over my head within inches. I watched them
come up almost to Whin Yeats Farm (Windy Gap) and then finding it difficult to
climb Farleton and so would arc back and swing around to come up directly over
the gap where I stood.
Fieldfare: 1346 (all North West) (best party: 120,120,70,70,
mainly, 20-40 parties) 1100 in the first hour, 200 in second hour and 55 in
last hour)just pairs after 0930hrs.
Redwing: 577 (all North West) (best party: 70,50,50, and lots averaging 20 to
30 (470 in first hour) 100 approx after.
Blackbird: 18 (all North West) (2,5,2,2,8,1)
Chaffinch: 73 (all West or East, best parties: 5,5,4 etc)
Alba Wagtail: 4
Starling: 50 W (30,20)
Goldfinch: 3 W
Greenfinch: 8
Meadow Pipit: 1
Sparrowhawk: 1 (probably local).
Visible Bird Migration - Sunday October
16th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 1200hrs
Wind: Westerley 10-15, Rain and mist with vis down to 30 yards.
Movement: South unless stated.
Today started with terrible weather with continual rain and visibility
down to almost 30 yards. A few birds where seen to go directly overhead within
20 yards (almost all where Finches to a score or so), and odd Thrush calls
where heard. At approx 0900hrs the mist started to lift and by 0945hrs it had
90% cleared also the rain had stopped. For the next 30 minutes or so it was
very lively with lots of Thrush parties going through, again mainly Fieldfare.
All birds went W to NW which is their normal routing. I just had one party of
FF at 1055hrs which went SE. The wind seemed to have picked up a bit, and it was
making the Thrushes cross from say Barbon direction to Whin Yeats Farm and then
gain height to cross over Farleton. Pinkfeet heard but just could not get on
them. First Bramblings.
Fieldfare: 1381 W or NW (just one party of about 180 went SE) (best parties:
250,180,150,100,100)
Redwing: 364 W or NW (best parties: 60,40, most around 20)
Blackbird: 15 NW (8,6,1)Mistle Thrush: 4 NW
Starling: 80 W (50,30)
Chaffinch: 138 W or E (best parties: 4s)
Brambling: 4 W (2,2)Goldfinch: 26 W or E (best parties: 8,7,6)
Siskin: 3
Redpoll: 2
Greenfinch: 40 W (best parties 20,11)
Alba Wagtail: 6
Meadow Pipit: 43
Reed Bunting: 1
Coal Tit: 3
Skylark: 1
Woodpigeon: 25 (24W 1E)
Pink Footed Goose (a good skein at 1040hrs, sounded as though to S or
SW, very large, could hear for 10mins but just could not see)
Goose sp: A large V formation could be seen over the bay by Warton
heading S, poss 75-150?
Visible Bird Migration - Saturday
October 15th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0730hrs to 1200hrs
Wind: SSE 5-8 mph
Movement: South unless stated.
Today was steady for the first three hours and then just trickles after.
The Thrushes did start off very well going W and even NW, then this like
yesterday turned for them to go W/SW and also N and NE and SE, so they almost
did the full circle of directions. No fabulous large parties, but did have a
250 at 1130hrs.
Fieldfare: 2521 (Like I've said all directions, but
started W/NW) (best parties: 250,150,120,80s)
Redwing: 1076 (mainly West, some East) (best parties: 100,80,70)
Chaffinch: 407 (as usual East or West - today 50%)
Mistle Thrush: 2 W
Meadow Pipit: 34 mainly SW some SE.
Alba Wagtail: 8
Bullfinch: 2
Woodpigeon: 98 (mainly E some SW)
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1 E
Greenfinch: 24 (Mainly E some W)
Goldfinch: 80 (Mainly E odds W)
Blue Tit: 10
Coal Tit: 2
Great Tit 4
Siskin: 11 mainly W
Linnet: 2 W
Starling: 83 W (best: 60,20)
Song Thrush: 1W
Skylark: 5 W (best: 3)
Kestrel: 2 SW (plus local bird)
Yellowhammer: 1Goldcrest: 1 (possibly local)
Long Tailed Tit (one party 20+ possibly local)
Pink Footed Goose: 120 South
Visible Bird Migration - Friday October
14th 2011
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 1200hrs.
Wind: SE/SSE 10mph
Movement: South unless stated.
Today was good early with Thrushes, curtailing at 1000hrs, other than
odd parties. Thrushes in the main were to South, South West, and West.
Occasional parties to the NW and after 1000hrs odd parties started to go South
East. At 1100hrs the 3 or 4 parties came through to the West.
Chaffinch Strong today. More Woodpigeon today.
Fieldfare: 4223 (mainly S to SW, but also W,NW,SE) (best
parties:180,170,150,140,140,120,120).
Redwing: 998 (mainly West some E) (best parties:
150,60,60,60,50,40,40,40,40)
Chaffinch: 338 (mainly W but at least 25% E)
Greenfinch: 55 (mainly W some E) (best parties: 14,10,8)
Goldfinch: 58 (mainly W some E) (best parties: 20,12,8)
Siskin: 41 (mainly W some E) (best parties: 12,10)
Crossbill: 7 E (6,1)
Linnet: 4 W
Skylark: 5 SW (3,2)
Mistle Thrush: 1W
Starling: 33 W (all small groups gave the appearance of
"continentals")
Woodpigeon: 75 (some E some W - best parties: 18,17,8)
Alba Wagtail: 8
Blue Tit: 8
Coal Tit: 2
Lapwing: 15 W
To check out party sizes double click over "notebook pages
above"
1400-1600hrs
I have been to check out the area which lies a few hundred yards further
on than Nanny Hall-Timberyard area (Dalton Road - Kirkby - Nr turn off for
Hutton Roof - It collects stuff here going over to Docker and onward past
Capernwray. Here there were thousands of birds, which included hundreds of
Fieldfare feeding up along with hundreds of Starlings, all being very noisy.
Also here I had a party of 32 Skylark went overhead.
Then went up to Trig Point (Hutton Roof). Here I had 4 Redwing overhead
going SE, and 30 Fieldfare overhead going SE. Also a party of at least 100 Fieldfare
on Dalton deforested. Also some Redwing close to the communial roost, but did
not count them because I did not want to disturb. Also still 40 Mistle Thrush,
along with several Greenfinch in Lower Dalton Crags. I had 27 Meadow Pipit in
Dalton deforested plus 4 overhead heading South.
Visible Bird Migration - Thursday
October 13th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700-1200hrs
Wind: SE 8-10mph, with gust to 15
Cloudy at first, blue skies to W
Movement: South unless stated.
Nice to get some Fieldfare and Redwing. It was clear more or less from
the start especially with the Fieldfare, some of them were not happy and came
in to Hutton Roof and would then circle a couple of times and continue to go W,
however some of the parties went back SE. Some of them came down into HR to
rest and feed. Good mixture early on. Good Skylark move.
Chaffinch: 293 (mainly W but some E)
Meadow Pipit: 133
Reed Bunting: 3
Alba Wagtail: 30
Redpoll: 43 (all W or SW) (best party: 17)
Siskin: 48 (best parties 13,13)
Goldfinch: 93 (best parties 16,10,10)
Greenfinch: 63 (best party 22)
Crossbill: 8 E (2,2,4)
Skylark: 49 SE (best parties: 25,14)
Linnet: 17
Blackbird: 1
Song Thrush: 1
Redwing: 230 W (best parties: 60,50,50,24)
Fieldfare: 332 W (best parties: 250,80,40)
Mistle Thrush: 2 W
Starling: 9 W
Blue Tit: 5
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 5 (4 E 1W)
Also:
1300hrs - 1700hrs - Hutton Roof
Redwing: 275 W (best parties: 75,50,50,40,30,30)
Also brilliant to see birds where again this year using the same
communial roost. Without wishing to disturb the birds, I did count at least 100
in the next tree, but there would probably be hundreds more in the close
vicinity. Last year I counted no less than 370 birds
Fieldfare: 13 SW
Mistle Thrush: 2
Meadow Pipit: 7
Goldfinch: 10
Siskin: 3
Chaffinch: 21
Skylark: 5 SE (as late as 1715hrs)
Visible Bird Migration - Wednesday
October 12th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0915hrs - 1015hrs.
Wind: W 8mph
Weather: Drizzle at times and low cloud to both East and West flanks.
Movement: South unless stated.
Today turned out, yet another washout, with heavy rain from first light
up until about 0900hrs, also mixed with this 30 yard visibility, I decided not
to bother, and went when things looked a little better at 0915hrs. But by then
it was very quiet, just simply no-birds. Left at 1015hrs.
Redpoll: 3SE
Woodpigeon: 16E
Goldfinch: 47 (one party 30 N which also had a couple Siskin as well as)
Siskin: 3
Chaffinch: 25 (7E)
Meadow Pipit: 7
Redwing: 1
Visible Bird Migration - Tuesday
October 11th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 1030hrs.
Wind: W15-20mph, then NW decreasing to 12mph.
Weather: Gusty wind, drizzle and light rain at times, low cloud and vis
to 30 yards at times.
Movement: South unless stated.
Could have been great if low cloud had not moved in and take visability
down to 30 yards at best, it seemed to do just at the time (0845hrs) the larger
Chaffinch parties where just about getting to go. Cleared at 1115hrs but too
late. Mipits really taken a tumble. Greenfinch increasing. First Fieldfares.
Late Swallows
Chaffinch: 269 (95% W 5%E) (best parties: 20,12,10,10,10)
Meadow Pipit: 20 all SW
Greenfinch: 43 all W (best parties 20,12,11,10)
Siskin: 15
Goldfinch: 43 all W (best party 10)
Linnet: 17 W (one party 10)
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 2
Redwing: 48 (best parties: 12,8,11 (4 came in with 5 Fieldfare) all W or
NW
Fieldfare: 5 (came in with 4 Redwing) NW
Mistle Thrush: 4 all W
Blackbird: 3 W
Woodpigeon: 6 all E
Starling: 7 W
Alba Wagtail: 7 W
Blue Tit: 4
Great Tit: 2
Swallows: 2
1420hrs - 1620hrs Just returned from HR. Went from Plain
Car Park to East of the Trig. Again nothing at all moving through and the winds
still very strong.
Although I did have the following:
Dalton Crags & Dalton deforested:
At least 40 Mistle Thrushes, along with a few Redwing. Ravens 3,
Greenfinch 1, Chaffinch 2. Also had at least 20 Mipits in Dalton Deforested,
and counted at least another 57 on the Common around a 200 yard perimeter of
the Trig.
Visible Bird Migration - Saturday
October 8th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0730hrs - 0900hrs
Wind: W 8-10mph and increasing
Movement: South unless stated.
Lightest of drizzle throughout count, but after 0800hrs the low mist
started to arrive on Hutton Roof and before long it had completed brought
visability down to about 30 yards. Not much then moving, just the odd Chaffinch
or two.
Meadow Pipit: 12
Chaffinch: 50 exactly and going W
Starling: 8E
Linnet: 1
Stock Dove: 1
Alba Wagtail: 1
Crossbill: 6 (one party S)
Goldfinch: 6.
later at 0930hrs went up to Trig on Hutton Roof, where
it had cleared but before long it was back with more mist. Just odds and sods
moving, but did have a party of 6Redwing going over the woodland top (almost
touching) in Dalton Crags and they went out in a N direction. Whether these
where todays movers or just birds that had been around.
1239hrs: Just informed a few hundred Redwing came into Spurn this morning and now
just reported that Redwing parties coming through Oxenhope Nr. Bradford at
1400ft cloudbase. Several parties already recorded, one party at 100 approx.
I had 63 Pink Footed Goose going from Farleton direction West across
Moss Lane and just before Hale they turned South and on.
Hutton Roof has remained in a shroud of low cloud all afternoon.
Visible Bird Migration - Friday October
7th 2011
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 1000hrs.
Wind: NW 3mph
Movement: South unless stated.
It never got going and the few birds that where around almost dried up
by 0900hrs. Became hardly any wind and blue skies and warm!
Meadow Pipit: 121 (best parties 10s)
Chaffinch: 105 W or E (best parties 6s)
Goldfinch: 63 (all S or SW) (best parties: 15,15,10)
Siskin: 5 W
Linnet: 8
Redpoll: 8
Crossbill: 10 (one party S)
Greenfinch: 7 (3E)
Alba Wagtail: 2
Woodpigeon: 14E
Blackbird: 4W (2,2)
Redwing: 4W
Mistle Thrush: 2W
Blue Tit: 2
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1W.
Any movement dried up by 0900hrs, so again I walked the full length of
Kelker up toward the climbing areas. No activity anywhere along this stretch
today.
at 1500hrs went up to Trig Point, just the odd Mipit going through South
West and no Thrushes.
Visible Bird Migration - Thr October
6th 2011
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 1030hrs
W25 - 35 mph
Movement: South unless stated.
Today again was very windy, but did manage to find a corridor the Mipits
where using on the East Side (Kelker Gap). Here they were steadily trickling
through with my best party of 40 (1000hrs). Few where also going over at the
point approx 400 yards from the stile, as though at the first section of the
shelter they got the lift and over, but without doubt a 100 yard wide corridor
was very active at the spot I have marked "Kelker Gap". And a big
thank you to Martin (from Potters Bar) who so kindly gave me the co-ordinances
for the spot). Steady 6+ parties where still going through on leaving.
Meadow Pipit: 250 (best parties 40,22,20,12,10s,8s,6s etc)
Chaffinch: 83 (all West)
Siskin: 13
Goldfinch: 11
Alba Wagtail: 1
Woodpigeon: 3E
Raven: 1
Starling: 4E
Blue Tit: 2
Greenfinch: 2
Mistle Thrush: 2
Swallow: 3
Blackbird: 1
Reed Bunting: 3
Common Buzzard: 1
Also had a party of about 30 Swallows whilst traversing the Canal from
Holme to Burton at around the 12noon mark.
Spent the afternoon going up to the Trig and beyond. Even in winds of
50mph there was up to 20 mipits over 30 minutes, went through, though they
where struggling and most of the movements where in short distance ups and
downs, but still covering distance.
Visible Bird Migration - Wed Oct 5th
2011
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 0900hrs.
Wind: W 35mph gusting to 50mph.
Movement: South unless stated.
I checked out the lee side of Hutton Roof East - nothing but a few birds
on the move today with such high winds, although sheltered birds where not
prepared to brave on reaching the top. Checked out all "Gaps" along
Hutton East for future, so mobile for most of the time.
Meadow Pipit: 14 (one party 8)
Siskin: 6
Chaffinch: 38 W (best parties 6,4,4)
Goldfinch: 2 W
Mistle Thrush: 2 NW
Visible Bird Migration - Tuesday
October 4th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 1030hrs
Wind: W25mph and gusting to 30mph and swinging to NW.
Movement: S-SW
With such strong winds, the movement did not seem to get going at first,
although in the far distant SE to where I was and to the rear of Kelker Well
and the Rocky area where mountain climbers come on Hutton Roof, I could see the
birds (mainly) Mipits piling out of the valleys below and then sort of
ascending up the sides of Hutton Roof and over. So at 0800hrs (already missed
the vital hour) I quickly traversed the path for several hundred yards until I
could get a partial good vantage of what was happening, and they where at that
point coming up and over my head in parties of between 20 and 30, most where
about 22-25 and this seem to be going on the full breadth of the remainder of
the East side of HR. I will certainly be going there for the next couple of
days. Sadly when you move over, something has to lose out and in my case it
will be the Chaffinch (and other finches). But I must check out whats going on
with these Mipits.
When things slackened off at 0930hrs (like turning the tap off), I
walked along the full stretch to the Mountain climbers area and that was more
or less where the Mipit move finished off and the topography tapers down, but
here they where still going through in trickles of parties up to 6. I seem to
think that birds where not only coming down the Farleton side, but also across
from Lupton and also possibly the other valley which lies further back
(Sedbergh-Barbon- Areas to my NE). and all birds where heading in the direction
of S as though towards the turbines at Caton.
It will certainly be interesting what turns up (if anything) during the
next few days. Never had Mipits in these sort of numbers before (at HR),
usually to a max c700 at peak times.
Meadow Pipits: 1004 S/SW (best parties: 40,30, lots at 22,
20, etc)
Chaffinch: 146,
Starling: 8E
Goldfinch: 59 (best parties at 8)
Swallow: 3 (almost touching the ground like mice or albas)
Linnet: 11 (one party 10)
Alba Wagtail: 11
Woodpigeon: 18E
Greenfinch: 5W
Mistle Thrush: 4
Siskin: 12
Redpoll: 8
Bullfinch: 2
Crossbill: 2 (party missed)
Skylark: 1
Visible Bird Migration - Monday October
3rd 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 1000hrs.
Wind: W25mph with strong gust, reducing at 0830 to W15mph
Low Cloud bring visibility down to 30 metre at times then lift at
0900hrs.
Movement: South unless stated.
Todays wind was strong at first and suprised any birds braved it, but
they did (only a handful), also two small parties of Redwing, brilliant
watching the close to ground contour control. Will probably see a lot of that
this week!
Meadow Pipit: 32 (best (7,6,5) all SE
Chaffinch: 93 (best 9,8) mainly W some E
Goldfinch: 44 (best 7,6,5) mainly W
Greenfinch: 6 all W
Siskin: 2
Redpoll: 1
Linnet 50 SE (one party)
Alba Wagtail: 1
Starling: 2W
Stock Dove 2 SW
Common Gull: 2E
Redwing: 8 NW (3,5)
Common Snipe: 3 (one party)
Visible Bird Migration - Sunday October
2nd 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0630hrs-1000hrs
Wind: ESE 10-12mph then swung to SW15mph by 0930hrs.
Movement: South unless stated.
Rained throughout, moderating continually between heavy speckly to heavy
rain. Spoilt count although still lots of birds moved through considering and
still going through in slow trickles on leaving.
Meadow Pipit: 117 (W/SW when Wind at ESE, then strictly S with SW)
Chaffinch: 128
Goldfinch: 68 (best parties: 20,15,8,7,7)
Linnet: 23
Greenfinch 24 (2W)
Siskin: 4
Raven: 3
Starling: (approx 50 varying E or W)
Alba Wagtail: 3
Kestrel: 2
Swallow: 2
Visble Bird Migration - Saturday
October 1st 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0730hrs - 1030hrs.
Wind: SE 10-12mph then swung to SSE and eventually round to SW
Movement: South unless stated.
Another little surge with Mipits in the first hour. Crossbill party to
the SE.
Meadow Pipit: 541 (best parties: 19,18,15,11s, 10s, etc)
Chaffinch: 192 (best parties: 12s,7s,5s)
Linnet: 61 (best parties: first thing with 20,16,7) all S or SW
Alba Wagtail: 17
Starling: 8W
Reed Bunting: 1
Goldfinch: 18 (best parties 6,5)
Redpoll: 3 (1E)
Siskin: 27 SW (again at least 4 parties missed)
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1
Greenfinch: 2
Crossbill: 5 (One party SE)
Blue Tit: 17 (mainly pairs)
Great Tit: 1
Blackbird: 1 SE
Woodpigeon: 2W
Mistle Thrush: 1W
Common Gull: 16W (one party).
1800hrs UPDATE: Mipits still going over Hutton Roof in small parties
from 1400hrs right up to me leaving at 1730hrs, only trickles every 5-7minutes
in singles, pairs or parties of 4s,6s,8s, but still going for it. So I wonder
if this might mean it could be a good vis day tomorrow, we shall see!!
Visible Bird Migration - Friday September
30th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 1100hrs.
Wind: E 8-10mph
Movement: S unless stated
This mornings count was just steady plodding. Tits were definately on
the increase. 1st (presumed) Continental Blackbird. First day of Starling
squadrons coming over in groups, presumed to have left roost at Leighton Moss
(early doors). Two Twite parties, and a Marsh Harrier had to be the bonus....
Chaffinch: 252 (15,10s,7s etc) in the main W, some SE
Meadow Pipits: 286 (Best parties: 11,10s,8s etc) all strict S
Goldfinch: 51 (best parties 8,8,8,7,6) all S or W
Siskin: 24 minimum (best party 5, missed at least 9 parties)
Greenfinch: 4 only E
Linnet: 45 (best parties: 14,11,5) all S or W
Redpoll: 6E (one party 5)
Twite: 5E (3,2)
Starling: 80E, 20W (East move probably ex roost)
Alba Wagtail: 29 (all singles or pairs S)
Reed Bunting: 2
Skylark: 14 (one 3 others pairs)
Blackbird: 1 (W, from behaviour presumed Continental!)
Mistle Thrush: 2
Woodpigeon: 6E
Raven: 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1SE
Green Woodpecker: 1SW
Blue Tit: 16 (in 2-4 parties)
Coal Tit: 10 (one party)
Great Tit: 6
Marsh Harrier: 1
Peregrine: 1
Buzzard: 3 (never sure, but seemed to be movers)
Visible Bird Migration - Thursday
September 29th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 1000hrs.
Wind: For most of Count E/SW 8-10mph, then changed to W 5-8mph.
Movement: South unless stated.
Today was very similar to the past couple of days. 90% of totals
recorded in the first hour, thereafter trickles. A little down on the
Chaffinch. Lots of Siskin parties missed, could be heard but not seen.
Woodpigeons more today in singles pairs or small parties. Greenfinch mainly to
the East. Also today more Chaffinches East than West which is not the norm and
would think that this is probably because they do like to fly into of side on
with the wind. Starling now beginning to increase (definately Continental
influx starting.. Odd Song Thrushes skirting across the road on way up to
Hutton at first thing. No Mistles or calls from other Thrushes today.
Meadow Pipit: 323 (best parties: 14,14,10,10,11,10,10,8).
Chaffinch: 217 (best parties: 10,10,7,7 and 5s)
Linnet: 34 (mainly South - early door parties of 12,7,5)
Greenfinch: 19 all East
Redpoll: 7 all West
Goldfinch: 29 (best parties: 8,15)
Siskin: 25 minimum (lots of parties missed)
Bullfinch: 1
Reed Bunting: 1
Starling: 22 E
Alba Wagtail: 16
Grey Wagtail: 1.
Swallow: 6
Woodpigeon: 19 E (in singles, pairs and one party of 9)
Blue Tit: 8 (in pairs or 3s)
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1SE
Visible Bird Migration - Wednesday September
28th 2011
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 0930hrs.
Wind: Westerley 8mph, dry and sunny with blue skies.
Movement: S unless stated.
Today was OK with lots of movement, eg: Greenfinches starting up, Lots
of Siskin and also seven parties missed. Another Redwing call, and a Chiffchaff
singing away in the bush at my side about 4 metres away from me. 95% off all
the below count was coming through in the first hour and by 0800hrs things
started to go quiet, just trickles over the next hour and a half.
Meadow Pipit: 296 (best parties: 30, 17, 10s)
Chaffinch: 281 (best parties: 11s,10s) 41E all others W.
Siskin: 72 minimum, lots missed eg at least 7 parties. (Mainly S but
some W)
Greenfinch: 23 E or W
Goldfinch: 37 some S,E,W.
Redpoll: 12 SW
Linnet: 3
Reed Bunting: 4
Alba Wagtail: 7
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1W
Skylark: 12 (8,4,4)
Redwing: 1 at least possibly more - heard only.
Blue Tit: 5
also Chiffchaff: 1
Visible Bird Migration - Tuesday
September 27th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 0800hrs
Wind: SW 12-15mph.
Movement: South unless stated.
Chaffinches on the increase.
Meadow Pipits: 138 (best parties: 20,10,10,10)
Chaffinch: 158 (best parties: plenty of 6s) 90% W 10% E
Goldfinch: 19 (one party 15)
Linnet: 2
Siskin: 5
Golden Plover: 1W
Woodpigeon: 1E
Alba Wagtail: 6
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1
Starling: 3E
Swallow: 1E
Visible Bird Migration - Monday
September 26th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 1100hrs.
Wind: W5mph increasing to WNW 15mph.
Movement: South unless stated.
Today without doubt from about 0730hrs to 0800hrs was the best Mipit
push so far for Hutton Roof, with many parties of 10s, 13s,12s etc. and coming
through regular during this short period. It then seemed to die off quickly,
and just trickles after. I also later realised that many birds where being
missed, because although I could hear them (just about) I could not see them at
first, but did eventually catch glimpses of odd ones at very high altitude.
Also had a Redwing call but did not see the bird.
Meadow Pipit: 495 (90% of count during 0730hrs to 0800hrs) best parties:
13,12,11,10s etc.
Chaffinch: 122 (will have been lots more than this but missed) 90% W the
others E as is usual.
Goldfinch: 26
Siskin: 5
Linnet: 5 W
Greenfinch: 2E (usually East)
Starling: 24E
Swallow: 11 (E and W)
House Martin: 1
Woodpigeon: 2 W
Alba Wagtail: 9
Skylark: 9 SW
Raven: 2S
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1W
Mistle Thrush: 4W
Reed Bunting: 1W
Visible Bird Migration - Sunday
September 25th 2011
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs - 1130hrs.
Wind: SSW 8-12mph then S, Dry 50% Cloud 50% Clear.
Movement: South unless stated.
A far better day, not breaking any pots, but a "steady"
plodding sort of morning, with a nice mixture.
Several medium to large Mipit parties, took to be earlier blogging
parties from afar North. Skylarks showing well. Goldfinches seemed to be
everywhere. Greenfinches all individuals going East.
Meadow Pipit: 610 (all S or SW or SE)
Chaffinch: 292 (90% W 10% E)
Greenfinch: 19 (18E and 1W)
Linnet: 20
Goldfinch: 96S some W & some E
Reed Bunting: 4SW
Alba Wagtail: 21 (one without tail)
Siskin: 20 minimum (lots of parties heard but not seen)
Redpoll: 2W
Starling: 5E
Swallow: 78 (mainly S some NW)
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 3 (2W 1E)
Skylark: 34 (best party 8,5,5,4)
Common Snipe: 1W
Mistle Thrush: 2W
also Willow Warbler: 1
Visible
Bird Migration - Saturday September 24th 2011.
Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0800hrs - 1000hrs
Wind: S then SSW 15mph. Drizzle at first to light
rain.
Movement: S unless stated.
Yet another quiet day, blocked with gusty Southerly
winds and rain throughout.
Meadow Pipit: 59
Chaffinch: 75 (90%W and 10%E)
Goldfinch: 4 (2E)
Linnet: 3
Reed Bunting: 3
Redpoll: 2E
Bullfinch: 2W
Siskin: 2W
Greenfinch: 1E
Swallow: 10W
Mistle Thrush: 8 (3,3,2)
Alba Wagtail: 2
Starling: 5 (2E, 3W).
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1W.
also a small party of geese S-N see at far distance
in the Bay.
Visible Bird Migration -
Friday September 23rd 2011
(This mornings skyscape from Hutton Roof towards Ingleborough - double click over photo to enlarge)
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