Visible Bird Migration - Sat Nov 16th 2013 - from Burton In Kendal.
(Final watch for 2013)
0730hrs-0900hrs. Dry Wind: WSW 13mph, 8c, 79% Cloud cover, 17500m vis, 1030mb
pressure. All movement SE unless stated.
Chaffinch: 49 (18SE 31W), Redwing: 12W, Woodpigeon 26W, Starling: 5W,
Goldfinch: 10SE,
Whooper Swan: 4W.
Visible Bird Migration - Fri Nov 15th 2013 - from Burton In Kendal.
0730hrs-0830hrs. Dry, Wind: W5mph, 6c, 77% cloud cover, 19900m vis, 1034mb
pressure. All movement SE unless stated.
Chaffinch: 51 (34SE 17W), Meadow Pipit: 10 SE (one party), Woodpigeon: 9W,
Redwing: 3W.
Visible Bird Migration - Thr Nov 14th 2013 - from Burton In Kendal.
0730hrs - 0830hrs. Dry, Wind: W15-20mph, 6c, 15% cloud cover, 18100m vis,
1020mb pressure. All movement SE unless stated. Chaffinch have taken a
plummet in numbers over the past two days.
Chaffinch: 80 (11SE 69W), Starling: 60W (two parties), Redwing: 22W (3
parties), Fieldfare: 50SW (40 and 10 party), Woodpigeon: 79 S, Blackbird: 4W (1
& 3).
Visible Bird Migration - Wed Nov 13th 2013 - from Burton In Kendal.
0730hrs - 0900hrs. Dry, Wind: SW 5-7mph, 7c, 72% Cloud, 18700m vis,
1031mb pressure. All movement SE unless stated.
Chaffinch: 96 (19SE,77W), Starling: 90W (5 parties), Woodpigeon: 60 (24S,36W),
Fieldfare: 24SW (one party), Redwing: 35W (4 parties), Siskin: 12SE (one
party), Curlew 1NW, Meadow Pipit: 1SE.
Visible Bird Migration - Tue Nov 12th 2013 - from Burton In Kendal.
0715-0845hrs. Dry, Wind: W10mph, 8c, 5% Cloud cover, 19000m vis, 1024mb
pressure, all movement SE unless Stated.
Obvious that there was some movement today with Starling and Fieldfare.
Chaffinch: 249 (111SE 138W), Starling: 291 W/NW (10 parties), Alba Wagtail: 2W,
Woodpigeon: 228S, Redwing: 45W, Blackbird: 2W, Redpoll: 4, Fieldfare:
32W
also:
1100hrs-1130hrs, Wind now freshening to W20mph, 9c, 30% Cloud cover, 19100m vis,
1025mb pressure. All movement SE unless stated.
Chaffinch: 80 (53W 26SE), Woodpigeon: 8S, Starling 48W (3 parties), Skylark:
7W (one party), Fieldfare: 282W (7 parties best
80), Redwing: 90W (4 parties), Greenfinch: 1
Visible
Bird Migration - Mon Nov 11th 2013 - from Burton In Kendal.
0730hrs to 0830hrs, Continual drizzle throughout, Wind SSW 5mph, 8c, 100% Cloud
cover, 7400m visability, 1014mb pressure. All movement SE unless stated.
Chaffinch: 195 (12W 183S), Woodpigeon 12S, Starling: 135W, Fieldfare: 8W,
Goldfinch: 6SE, Brambling: 2W, Redpoll: 12SE (one
party), Alba Wagtail: 1
There is also now a Chaffinch blogging party formed which can be also suspected
to feeding on the recent spent maize fields.
Visible Bird Migration -
Sun Nov 10th 2013 - Burton In Kendal.
0730hrs to 0930hrs, NW 3-5mph, 2-3c, 2% Cloud cover, 19400 to 19900m vis, 1011
to 1014mb pressure. Very hard frost overnight with clear blue skies. All
movement SE unless stated.
Chaffinch: 176 (58W 118SE), Mistle Thrush: 1W, Redwing 50W, Woodpigeon: 68S,
Starling: 36W.
Very quiet this morning, even the Chaffinch were blogging with a party of
perhaps 100 in and out of the spent maize fields and hedgerows.
Perhaps another indication of the milder weather in general is the shortage of
Jays moving this year compared to past years.
Visible
Bird Migration - Sat Nov 9th 2013 - Burton In Kendal.
0730hrs to 0900hrs, Wind: WSW 5mph, 5c, 64% Cloud cover, 18000m visability,
1003mb pressure, Heavy rain showers off and on throughout. All movement SE
unless stated.
Chaffinch: 463 (328SE,135W), Redwing: 60W or SW, Starling: 29W,
Mistle Thrush 2W, Woodpigeon 218S.
Some "vismig" notes on the Starling shortage this year:
It had crossed my mind that maybe the Starlings were again doing
badly this year because of the following indications:
At my site I usually have at least one if not two really good days
with Starlings moving West when I would have at least 20 parties or more over
the morning. This year it has not materialized, at best I have only had
maybe two or three parties.
Also I have noted (in my opinion) that the Leighton Moss Roost is
perhaps half of its normal size eg: with a probable estimate of
maybe 40,000 birds (and thats being conservative), whereby now I would
have expected the roost to be in the 80,000 at least.
Leighton Moss roost exit to the East which in part come over my
watchpoints at Burton or Hutton Roof every morning, with the early morning
passage to number quantities of only small hundreds instead of small
thousands.
These are only indications obviously, but when I check the
fabulous graphs on Trektellen over the past five years, it does look very much
that this year will turn out to be the poorest on record (over 5 years), unless
something really drastically improves within the next few days.
Whether its to do with a shortage of birds (as most people
suspect), or whether its to do with them taking a more direct route into
Central Europe this year and not bothering to come over the UK in their usual
large quantities because of blocking weather, or it maybe too mild for all of
them to even come over here this year, if theres plenty of food on the
continent why bother coming over here. This also could perhaps be a
similar indication to what we have with the Fieldfare this year.
Here is the trektellan Starling counts for the UK (as a whole)
over the past five years given in very approximate (my rounded off) figures for
JUST the peak days: (please note these figures are only a small percentage of
the actual birds present in the UK and are the results of some 10 to 15
observers from various parts of the UK, and obviously would not be a
"guide" to the full quantities present, but only a token number to
what are actually present, although they do give a indication in relation to
the recording from the same "watchpoints" over that period of five
years.
2008 Peaked over two days in October - Oct 29 &
31st 150,000.
Peaked
over one day in November - Nov 3rd
27,000.
2009 Peaked over 4 days in October - Oct 14,18,19,22
220,000.
Peaked over one day in November - Nov 1st
60,000.
2010 Peaked over three days in October - Oct 17,18,25.
115,000.
Peaked over three days in Nov - Nov 1,7 and 8th
150,000
2011 Peaked over three days in October - Oct 14,15,23
65,000.
Peaked over one day in November - Nov 9th
20,000.
2012 Peaked over two days in October - Oct 28 and 29th
150,000.
Peaked over one day in November - Nov 12th
30,000
2013 Peaked over three days in October - Oct 19,24,25th
56,000
Peaked over one day in November - Nov 8th
6,620
Interesting also to see that 2011 was also a poor year in
comparison, but 2013 UK peaks have been very low indeed, although I have
noticed that in the past two to three days Starling numbers have been very good
in the Netherlands.
Visible
Bird Migration - Fri Nov 8th 2013 - Burton In Kendal.
0730hrs to 0900hrs, Wind: SSW 9mph, 6c, 79% Cloud cover, 18000m vis, 1002mb
pressure. Heavy rain showers over the first half hour. All movement SE unless
stated.
Chaffinch: 168 (58W 110 SE), Greenfinch: 2, Meadow Pipit: 2, Redwing: 20 SW
(one party), Woodpigeon: 71S, Starling: 4W.
Not much happening this morning, even the Chaffinch were very slow, I guess it
could have been down to the heavy showers early on.
Visible
Bird Migration - Thr Nov 7th 2013 - Burton In Kendal.
0730hrs to 1100hrs, Wind: SW 15mph and increasing to 20mph, 4c to 8c, 10% to
75% Cloud cover, 1000m to 18200m vis, 1001 to 1002mb pressure. Mainly blue
skies, sunny at times, very cold icy wind. All movement SE unless stated.
Chaffinch: 453 (171SE - 282W), Fieldfare: 26 (8S,18NW), Redwing: 2
SW, Mistle Thrush: 1W, Starling 20W (one party), Woodpigeon: 51S, Goldfinch:
27, Brent Goose: 4 NW, Tree Sparrow: 12 (One
party), Greenfinch: 4SE, Stock Dove: 4SW.
Visible
Bird Migration - Wed Nov 6th 2013 - Burton In Kendal.
0730hrs to 0900hrs, Wind: West 1-3mph, 6c to 7c, 95% Cloud, 17300m vis, 996mb
pressure, the odd light shower every now and again. All movement SE unless
stated.
Chaffinch: 295 (108SE - 187W), Alba Wagtail: 3, Woodpigeon:
76, Brambling: 2, Starling 20S
And below are a few notes in regards to the poor showing of the
Fieldfare this year. (written Tuesday November 5th 2013)
Purgatorial Tormentus of the Turdus (Pilaris) (To be taken light hearted
please! not too serious......)
Why should this year be any different than some years? Why do the
vismigger’s keep tormenting themselves, and telling themselves that the main
push for the Fieldfare is just around the corner, with lots and lots of excuses
like any day now, once the weather improves, once the block over the North Sea
has cleared, its been too mild over in the Netherlands to push them through,
and even now with this cold snap of yesterday some of us may live in hope and
be thinking they will be away today and with us in the next 24 hours.
Ah! I know what it is now and maybe I’ve suffered it for such a
long time, in fact I’ve probably had it now for 27 years if the truth be known.
That’s just what it is, the vismigger’s illness what might has well be called
“purgatorial tormentus” and here we are again this year, thinking exactly the
same as last year, and going down the same route again and expecting this year
will be that “special year” when the birds will turn up, but late.
I need to get it into my head, that if the Turdus have not arrived
by the 2nd November, they are not even thinking about coming
this way, its simple to work out if we really want to take it serious and
accept the past histories, or at least my own histories since the mid eighties.
The birds that did come over to the UK this year have already been
and gone long ago, in fact its more than probable that they came through with
the Redwings on October 11th. The 10,000’s plus in a day has
certainly not matured this year for me, and neither is it likely to do, in fact
I have never even managed the 5000 per day mark or even a “token” count of
1,000 birds in one session! This year.
For me, its no good thinking each year that the goal post may have
to be shifted, I must stick with a “cut off point” with November 2nd as
the deadline, well go on then, we’ll stretch it just that little bit further
for goodwill and make it November 5th, Bonfire Night.
So where have they all gone then? For me I will go along
with what I have thought for years. If they don’t get away on the right
day, they don’t come this way at all, in fact they just trundle down the dutch
mainland into Central Europe.
They’ll be lots of “berries” spare this year dear Turdus, so the
one’s over here now should get fat bellies before they move off, and
because it’s so mild in the Scandinavian countries, even the “Waxwings” this
year are preferring the insects! Rather than boring berries.
After saying all that, they will probably come in tomorrow.
1600hrs: Tuesday 5th Nov - Just heard that 41000 Fieldfare
have come into Bergen aar Zee in the Netherlands and a further 16000 Fieldfare
into De Vulkaan in the Netherlands earlier today, and some now also showing
coming in off sea and crossing over Spurn Point on the East Coast heading West,
so maybe there is a chance we will get some tomorrow after all..... fingers
crossed....
0600hrs: Wednesday 6th Nov - Further reports of more Fieldfares
yesterday, but astonishing numbers of Starlings have hit the Netherlands, with
one site in particular (Eggmond Aan Zee) having already clocked up One Hundred
and eighty seven thousand yesterday. So hopefully some of these will come west
to the UK today...
Wed 6th, Thurs 7th and Friday 8th Nov - But sadly for us, they did
not come our way and can only presume again they have all gone down Central
Europe instead.
Visible Bird Migration - Monday November 4th 2013. from Burton In Kendal.
(St. James Way)
0800hrs to 1200hrs - Wind: NW: 10mph, 5c, 0% Cloud cover (blue skies), 19300m
visability, 992mb pressure. First proper thick frost. All movement SE
unless stated.
Chaffinch: 223 (62W 161SE), Alba Wagtail: 2W, Woodpigeon: 97S, Redwing 55W,
Starling: 13W, Pink Footed Goose: 60 S (one party).
Visible Bird Migration -
Sunday November 3rd 2013. from Burton In Kendal. (Mike Taylors Fields)
0715hrs to 0815hours - Wind: Westerly 20mph, 6c, 75% Cloud cover, 17000m vis,
991mb pressure. All movement SE unless stated. Chaffinch still strong passage
with over 200 in the hour. Also over 100 blogging Chaffs trying to get through
West, with many attempts. It seems strange that they will cut a 25mph
Easterley to go East in one go, yet struggle with many attempts to cut a 20mph
Westerley to go West. Never been able to work that one out yet!.
All maize fields lifted yesterday, so only got trees and hedgerow cover
now.
Chaffinch: 210 (89SE, 121W), and up to 100 blogging in the trees
and hedgerows. Brambling 2 West with Chaffinches.
Starling: 30W (one party), Fieldfare: 2W, Woodpigeon: 4 South,
Greenfinch: 2W with Chaffinches.
Visible Bird Migration -
Saturday November 2nd 2013. from Burton In Kendal. "Still
lots of Chaffinches".
0715hrs to 0915hours- Wind: SE10-12mph and rising, 6c, 76% Cloud cover, 17700m
visability and 995mb pressure. All movement SE unless stated. Chaffinch
still very strong passage, and still going strong on leaving.
Chaffinch: 508 (29W 479SE) Goldfinch: 72 (6,2,18,10,10,20,6),
Woodpigeon: 83S, Starlings: 142 (6 parties all SE), Fieldfare: 23 (SE),
Redpoll: 21 (2 parties)
Visible Bird Migration -
Friday November 1st 2013. from Burton In Kendal.
0700hrs
to 0800hrs - Wind: 10mph SW, 8c, 40% cloud cover, 1900m visability, 1007mb
pressure. All movement SE unless stated. Chaffinch in really good numbers
for one hour count.
Chaffinch: 289 (112SE 177W), Starling: 14W, Redwing: 37SW,
Fieldfare: 2S, Woodpigeon 62S, Goldfinch 37E, Tree Sparrow: 2.
Whats
happened to Shebbies and Fieldfares?
Each day I wait
in anticipation for you,
to come over
that hill in party after party after party.
A sight for
sore eyes, if it happens,
For Fieldfare,
(who travels across the fields),
for you the
Rowan and Haws are in plenty,
Your trees have branches
weighted down,
in readiness to
fill your empty travelled bellies.
Shebbies in Lancashire, Starlings elsewhere,
You are late
and eagerly awaited,
I am missing
your tight squadrons,
like shooting
straight bullets to the West.
Its still so mild in the Scandie's,
One chap has
told us today,
His Waxwing's
are leaving the berries alone,
Instead, their
preference for insect fayre.
Visible Bird Migration - Thursday October 31st 2013 - from Burton In
Kendal.
0700hrs -0900hrs. Winds: South West 7-10mph, 8c, 100% Cloud, 18300m vis, 1012mb
pressure. All movement to the South East unless stated.
Chaffinch: 291 (189SE and 102W), Starling: 8W, Mistle Thrush: 2W, Woodpigeon:
111S Redwing: 12W, Redpoll:2, LBBG:2, Fieldfare: 27SE, Goldfinch: 10SE.
Reports from yesterday and again early morning saying that more Thrushes have
entered the Country from the East, but as yet still little evidence on this
side.
Visible Bird Migration - Wednesday October 30th 2013 - from Burton
In Kendal.
0710hrs-0810hrs. Winds: Southerly 10mph or less, 7c, 4l% Cloud cover, 19900m
visability, 1016mb pressure. All movement to the South East unless
stated.
|
Chaffinch: 177 (75SE 102W), Fieldfare: 25SW, Redwing: 3SW, Whooper Swans
(heard trumpeting but just could not get on them), Pink Footed Goose: 140SW
(3 skeins, 40,80,20), Common Gull: 10 West, Goldfinch: 4, Woodpigeon: 106S.
Starlings: 65SE (3 parties)
|
|
|
Yesterday was a great experience having been invited to do a live
interview on TV for the "BBC Autumnwatch Extra" programme which was
filmed live from the RSPB "Lillian's Hide at Leighton Moss. It was
great to be able to portray a short insight to Visual Bird Migration.
I was able to give out details of what's currently happening locally with good
numbers of Finches passing over and Woodpigeons have started moving through,
Whooper Swans and Pink Footed Geese are going over daily, odd Brambling's are
showing together with a increase in numbers of Chaffinch which probably
includes many continental birds. Also mentioning about the Redwings having
already peaked on October 11th, And now awaiting the main arrivals of both the
Fieldfare and the Starlings from the Continent.
It was planned that I got ten minutes "air time" but was pleasantly
surprised that we actually got twenty minutes in total. Euen presented several
of my sketches and random pages of my notebooks before the camera.
Laura (the producer) and the team are doing a great job at "Autumnwatch
Extra" and they have invited many "guest" which are coming on
the show at varied times. It is still on air for the next three days and
accessed by bringing up BBC2 on the TV, then when the programme has loaded, go
to the remote and click on the red button, when loaded select Autumnwatch Extra
and thats it. Available from dawn to dusk - Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday.
Visible Bird Migration - Tuesday October 29th 2013 - from Burton In
Kendal.
0700hrs - 0900hrs. Winds: West 10-14mph, 7-8c, 14% to 29% Cloud cover, 17600m
to 18100m, 1002-1004mb. Heavy Rain Showers then blue skies by 0830hrs. All
movement to the South unless stated.
Chaffinch: 417 (188SE 229W), Woodpigeon: 131S, LBBG 12, Redwing: 18W, Starling:
6W, Goldfinch: 38 (13W), Mistle Thrush: 1W, Pink Footed Goose, 40 SSW,
Greenfinch: 1W. 3 Large Egret type birds S.
Visible Bird Migration - Monday October 28th 2013 - from Burton In
Kendal.
0800hrs-1100hrs. Winds: West 12-15mph and later increasing, 9c, 100% to 94% Cloud
cover, 10000m Visability increasing to 15500m, 981mb increasing to 986mb
pressure. Heavy rain up until about 0900hrs then odd heavy intermittent
showers since. All movement to the South East unless stated.
Chaffinch: 185: (122W 63SE), Starling: 37W, Fieldfare: 18SE, Redwing: 25W,
Blackbird: 1W, Alba Wagtail: 1, Goldfinch: 5, Woodpigeon: 17S.
Visible Bird Migration - Sunday October 27th 2013 - from Burton In
Kendal.
"A Tree Sparrow surprise"
And did you remember to turn back the "clocks"! This morning for me,
was very light for a change on awakening (normally it would be dark) and so I
lost the first half hours vismigging. So Yes I did forget to turn them clocks
back! never mind! too late to start bothering about it now.....
0725hrs-0930hrs. Winds: SSW 15-20mph and increasing, 10c, 66% cloud cover,
16300m visability, 984mb pressure. First hour dry, then nasty squally showers
for the second hour, yet even in such adverse conditions the Chaffinch still
kept going through and still plenty going through on my leaving. Could hear
distant "thunder" as well. All movement SE unless stated
Chaffinch: 370 (72W-298SE) Tree Sparrow: 5, Mistle
Thrush: 3, Fieldfare: 8, Starling 6W, Woodpigeon: 19. Blue Tits: small parties
tree hopping to SE.
Visible Bird Migration - Saturday October 26th 2013- from Burton In
Kendal. "A Chaffinch Feast"
0815hrs to 1100hours . Winds SW 7-10mph, 12c, 78% down to 77% Cloud
Cover, 11800m down to 15000m visability, 998mb pressure. All movement SE unless
stated.
Chaffinch: 573 (195W-378SE), Fieldfare: 17, Redwing: 131 (5
parties), Starling: 63W (3 parties), Blackbird: 8, Pink Footed Goose: 55NW (one
party), Mistle Thrush: 4SW, Greenfinch: 1, Skylark: 2, Alba Wagtail: 3,
Goldfinch: 14, Woodpigeon 104S (6 parties.
The best day so far in regards to Chaffinch passage with still the main
emphasis to a SE movement with a third going to the West. Got the feeling that
perhaps the main "push" of the Starlings will be over the next few
days. Certainly more Woodpigeon about.
Visible Bird Migration - Friday October 25th 2013 - from No.8 St
James Way, Burton In Kendal. (The Motorway - M6 Corridor)
I decided to check out another part of Burton In Kendal where the broad front
comes through and a part where from my usual watchpoint I would not be able to
observe. Again used in the Southerly movement of birds especially Chaffinches
which look very much as though on this side they come down using the Motorway
(M6 Southbound) as a sort of "landmark", but whether this is so or
not!. Again with a further quantity of over 250 it shows there must be
numerous birds using this "broad front" which will without doubt
include thousands per day (and thats just Chaffinches) over the full broad
front corridor over our little village of Burton In Kendal.
0830hrs to 1333hours.
Chaffinch: 257 (33W-224SE), Redwing: 29SE, Fieldfare: 142SE,
Starling: 30W, Woodpigeon: 24NW, Goldfinch: 5SE (one party), Meadow Pipit: 7SE,
Alba Wagtail: 4SE.
Visible Bird Migration - Thursday October 24th 2013 - Slape Lane,
Burton In Kendal. "Whooper Swans made it a real treat"
0900hrs to 1030hours. Winds: Westerley 6mph, 7c to 9c, 0% to 1% Cloud cover,
10000m to 20000m visability, 1010 to 1012mb pressure.
Chaffinch: 186 (50W, 136SE), Starling: 34 (8,6,20W), Pink Footed Goose: 49
(40,5,4, all South West), Woodpigeon: 11E, Whooper Swan: 10
South, Fieldfare: 25SW (2,6,17), Redwing: 89SW )(30,12,30,15,2).
Obviously the "Herd of Whiteness" was the cream of the morning as
they went past quite high and direct to the South at 0915hrs. I've just
this minute read that they also had 3 parties down at Fairhaven Lake on the
Fylde. I suppose the conditions are just right today and obviously that's
also why there are Pink Feet on the move as well. I got the impression my birds
today were heading directly down to perhaps "Martin Mere"?
however Simon down in Manchester has had several parties crossing over
Manchester and heading East.
1245hours - Off out now for a walk up to the summit of Hutton Roof, will report
back later.
Visible Bird Migration - Wednesday October 23rd 2013 - Slape Lane,
Burton In Kendal.
Various times of the day. Winds: SW,WSW,W 15mph then increasing
to 22mph, 12c, 87% to 50% Cloud, 7000m to 15100m vis, 985 to 992mb pressure.
Regular rain showers throughout the day.
Several small parties of Redwing in the main to the North. A few Fieldfare on
the move West, Chaffinch going through in good numbers as normal, some larger
numbered parties coming from the East to West. One party of twenty Starling
quite low to the ground West.
Really good berry crops around here this year, in the main Hawthorn but also
some of their "preferred" Rowan here and there. And birds witnessed
having come down to enjoy the "bounty".
Its quite obvious this area is alive with the movements of Chaffinch coming
through in both directions, some from the East to the West and a lot going in
the opposite direction. Higher counts on the day (eg: from which
direction), all depends on the wind of the day, which will then determine which
is going to be the predominate direction for that watch eg: with Easterly winds
more birds will go into that same direction, even when the winds are strong to
20mph they still prefer to head in that direction, bearing the brunt of a
strong headwind. And also there is the point that birds travelling in the
opposite direction may have lifted so high in altitude they could well be
missed unless you are lucky enough to hear them.
I reckon at this time of the year (peak movements in this species) you will
expect to get at least 300 birds over a 3 hour watch at my watchpoint.
Yet I have been up there at all times of the day and the movement is
still going through strong, but not has strong, eg: instead of 100 birds per
hour it will have reduced to something like 50 to 60 per hour. This
converted over a average day would see something like 750 over the day.
Now then, this is such a "broad front migration passage" here
and birds are also going through in similar numbers down below us and following
the motorway and main street (I witness this regular), so that could well bring
a increase of anywhere up to 1500 birds per day passing through. And wait
for it! that's not all, because we also have a cracking passage which
uses the "land depletion" between Hutton Roof and Farleton on a West
to East and East to West and here I have watched for the past three years at
the summit of the Clawthorpe Lane and here again perhaps a little less passage,
but can still be very good and you would expect to get at least 3-400 birds over
the day. So that said, Burton In Kendal could have a daily passage of
some 2000 chaffinches or thereabouts on any given day during the peak of
migration.
Visible Bird Migration - Tuesday October 22nd 2013 - Slape Lane, Burton In
Kendal.
0745hrs to 1030hrs. 12-15mph SE, 15c, 62% cl, 11600m vis, 990mb
pressure.
Chaffinch: 277 (30W all others SE best party 14), Fieldfare: 132SW (6
parties), Redwing 137SW (8 parties), Goldfinch: 7SE (one party), heard Siskin
and Redpoll but could not locate, also missed lots of high flying W birds,
could hear them but could not locate.
1400 to 1600hrs. Also later today had a walk up through Dalton
Crags to the Trig Point and back. Had Fieldfare with 100 mobile and going W and
another 25 SE, Also a large party of 60 Starling going West. Meadow Pipit at
least 60 in two separate parties blogging in Dalton. A party of at least 40
Goldfinch. And 3 Stonechats (2 male and 1 female).
Visible Bird Migration - Sunday October 20th 2013 - Slape Lane,
Burton In Kendal.
0740hrs to 0930hrs 12-15mph SE 10c to 12c, 88% to 87% Cloud cover,
18600m down to 15600m vis, 998mb pressure.
Chaffinch: 152: (26W and 126SE), Fieldfare 148 all SW (best 40,30) , Redwing:
23 SW, Starling: 70 all SW (60,10), Meadow Pipit: 1SE, Pink Footed Goose: 33N
Friday 18th October 2013 - Visible Migration - over
Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal.
0915hrs
to 1015hrs. Wind Speed: 15-18mph, 10c, 100% cloud cover, 17200m visability,
1014 pressure. All movement SE unless stated.
Chaffinch: 62 (8W 54SE), Alba Wagtail: 1SE, Meadow Pipit: 1SE, Brambling:
1SE, Fieldfare: 70N (ten minutes later came back and went down into
Hutton Roof to feed up), Mistle Thrush: 2SE, Common Snipe: 3SE, Greenfinch:
2SE, Blackbird: 6SE, Woodpigeon: 12W.
Lots of singles
and pairs of Thrushes coming through all the time and making to SE.
Thursday 17th October 2013 - Visible Migration - over Slape Lane,
Burton In Kendal.
0730hrs
to 0900hrs. Wind Speed: W 8-10mph. 10c to 11c, 75% reducing to 56%, 15000m
visability increasing to 18700m. 1009mb pressure increasing to 1010mb. Very
quiet again today.
Chaffinch: 114 (31W 83E), Redwing: 96 (in all directions), Blackbird: 1NW,
Woodpigeon: 10SE, Starling 6W, Fieldfare: 21 (16SW, 5SE), Greylag Geese: 30S,
Alba Wagtail: 1SE
Wednesday 16th October 2013 - Visible Migration - over Slape Lane,
Burton In Kendal.
0740hrs -
0930hrs. Wind Speed SE 12-15mph reducing to SE10mph. 7c increasing to 9c, 100%
reducing to 50% cloud cover, 16700m reducing to 15200m. 1012mb pressure
reducing to 1009mb. All movement South East unless stated.
Chaffinch: 116 (3W-113SE), Siskin: 8E (one party), Redwing: 42 (7N,5N,10N,10N,5SE,5SE),
Goldfinch: 3, Starling: 5W (one party), Mistle Thrush: 4 (1W,3SE), Skylark 2
Tuesday 15th
October 2013 - Visible Migration - over Slape Lane, Burton In
Kendal.
0730hrs -
1030hours. Wind Speed: NE 12mph quickly decreasing to 5mph, 8-10c, 35% rising
to 51% Cloud cover, 16500m rising to 18600m visability, 1010mb pressure.
All movement North unless stated. Steady flow of Redwings with a party
every ten minutes or so.
Redwing: 1318 (27 parties best: 150,120,110,100) Fieldfare: 297 (8
parties: best 140,50,30,30). Chaffinch: 340 (102W- 238E) Mistle
Thrush: 3, Woodpigeon: 12, Greenfinch: 1, Grey Wagtail: 2SE, Common Snipe: 2N,
Starling: 15W, Skylark: 6.
A pair of Swallows were still on territory, certainly up to
yesterday in Burton In Kendal.
Sunday 13th October 2013 - Visible Migration - over Slape
Lane, Burton In Kendal.
0740hrs -
0930hrs, Wind Speed: NNE 8-10mph, 9-10c, 95% rising to 96% Cloud cover, 14800m
gaining to 18300m visability, 1018mb increase to 1016mb pressure. All movement
North or NNE unless stated. Very poor day with no thrush movement at all after
checking at various times of the day.
Redwing: 181, Fieldfare: 2 Chaffinch: 43 (5W), Blackbird: 1NE, Swallow:
3E, Long TT:8 (probably local)
Saturday 12th October 2103 - Visible Migration over Slape Lane,
Burton In Kendal.
0700hrs -
1000hrs, Wind Speed: NE 8-10mph, 7-11c, 37%-51% Cloud cover, 19100m vis, 1026
decreasing to 1025mb pressure. All movement although much quieter was again to
the North/Nor Nor East (Thrushes)
Redwings: 438, Fieldfare: 19, Chaffinch: 75 (50% E 50%W), Song Thrus: 1N, Pink
Footed Geese: 3N, Skylark: 1W, Redpoll: 1S.
Friday 11th October 2103 - Visible Migration over Tarn Lane,
Burton In Kendal.
0900hrs -
1200hrs, Wind Speed: NNE 15mph 8-10c, 64%-71% Cloud cover, 16800m gaining to
18500m vis, 1027m gaining to 1028mb pressure. Best day so far with the
thrushes, on my way back from Heysham, noticed birds (Redwings) crossing the A6
at Truckhaven and going off into the Yealands and probably ending up in the
line coming out at nearby Levens Hall. On my way back to Burton down the
A6070, noticed lots of stuff passing through North at Deerslett and also some
on the other side of the road, so thought best to get to Tarn Lane for a
central point and it worked out OK. But got jaded with all the binocular
work so called it a day by 1200hrs. Birds were still going through
"thick" right up until about 1530hrs so these were all missed.
All thrushes went North, with most in the 50-100ft altitude range.
Redwing: 2385 (53 parties: best: 170,100,80) Fieldfare: 725 (13
parties: best: 100,100) Chaffinch: 12, Starling: 10, Peregrine Falcon:
1S, Swallow: 1N (silly direction!)
Thursday 10th
October 2013 - Visible Migration over Vicarage Lane, Burton
In Kendal.
0730hrs-1000hrs,
Wind speed: NW 15mph, 4c - 7c 0-22% Cloud cover, 19700 loosing to 19100m, 1022
gaining to 1024mb. All movement W-NW with Thrushes, Chaffinch both East and
West.
Redwing: 219, Chaffinch 170, Meadow Pipit: 17, Starling: 2W, Woodpigeon: 42,
Skylark 6NE.
Wednesday
9th October 2013 (dad's birthday) - Visible Migration over
Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal.
0730hrs
to 0900hrs. Wind Speed WNW 13mph, Rain flecking at first, 92% cloud cover
reducing to 75%, 16600m visability gaining slightlyto 16900m, and 1021mb
pressure and dropping to 1019mb. All movement to the SW unless stated.
Still disappointing counts at present and hopefully will improve soon with the
impending change of wind direction to Easterlies on Friday/Saturday. Also
it does look very interesting in that a "opening" could be possible for
the mighty "Redwing wave"... we shall see!
Chaffinch: 99 (75 SW/24SE), Woodpigeon: 41, Blackbird: 2W, Redwing: 9W.
Tuesday 8th October 2013 - Visible Migration over Vicarage Lane,
Burton In Kendal.
0722hrs
to 0757 hrs and then again 0915hrs to 1030hrs. Wind Speed SW 10-12mph, 83%
Cloud cover reducing to 60% 9900m visability gaining to 16400m,1020mb gaining
to 1022 mb pressure. All movement SSW/SW unless stated.
Still low passage ever since the commencement of the Westerlies. It is quite
noticeable also that the Chaffinch passage does not have the same urgency, more
casual with plenty of mid air "sallies" as though fighting one
another - just a obvious more leisurable state.
Chaffinch: 110 (101 SSW/SW and 9 birds SE), Goldfinch: 1 (SE) Song
Thrush: 1SW, Meadow Pipit: 3SE, Skylark: 1SE, Alba Wagtail: 3 (1SW, 2SE), Redwing:
6W
Sunday 6th October 2013 - Visible Migration over Vicarage Lane
Fields, Burton In Kendal.
0715hrs
to 0945hrs. Wind Speed W 5mph 59% cloud 10200vis - 1021mb 11c. Never
really got going just odds (Chaffinch) going through steady but with no pace,
most were just sallying in mid air like they do.
Chaffinch: 207, Meadow Pipit: 9, Pink Footed Goose - sounded like a very high
skein N-S but could not find them. Pintail: 2S, Linnet: 6, Swallow: 8, Alba
Wagtail: 4, Grey Wagtail: 1, Skylark: 1, Goldfinch: 8 (one party) Song Thrush:
1, Woodpigeon: 17
Saturday 5th October 2013 - Visible Migration over Vicarage Lane
Fields, Burton In Kendal.
0715hrs
to 1100hrs. Wind Speed W5mph. Cloudy, Blue Skies at times. Movement all
over the place mainly to the SE or to the SW or W. (Chaffinch 50%SW or W 50%
SE)
Chaffinch: 419, Greenfinch 5 SE, Mistle Thrush 2E, Redwing
55 W (6,7,8,14,16,4), Song Thrush 3SE, Blackbird 12 (some E some W) Pink
Footed Goose 5 SW, Woodpigeon 22 SE, Alba Wagtail: 1SE, Goldfinch: 48 SE,
Skylark: 7SE, Linnet: 8SE, Reed Bunting 1 SE, Meadow Pipit: 10 SE
Also Red Admiral: 1 Large White: 1, Peacock: 1 and Small Tortoiseshell: 1
Friday 4th
October 2013 - Visible Migration over Vicarage
Lane Fields,
Burton In Kendal.
0738hrs to 0757hrs. Wind Speed E 5mph. Heavy rain at start. All movement SE
unless stated:
Chaffinch: 44,
Meadow Pipit: 18 (one party) Skylark: 4, Swallow: 6, Woodpigeon: 1.
0900hrs to 1200hrs. Wind changed around to SW 3mph. All movement SE unless
stated: Chaffinch: 248, Meadow Pipit:121, Skylark: 3,
Goldfinch 18 (one party), Song Thrush 3, Mistle Thrush: 4 (one party), Redwing:
5 (one party), Starling: 17 (3.3.5.6 first continentals
all W), Alba Wagtail: 22, Grey Wagtail: 1, Swallow: 60, House Martin: 2.
Woodpigeon: 35
Thursday 3rd October 2013 - Visible Migration over
Vicarage Lane Fields, Burton In Kendal. 0730hrs to 0750hrs. Wind Speed SE 10-15mph.
All movement S/SE. Heavy rain showers from onset to 0730hrs then OK. Going
through strong at leaving.
Chaffinch: 40 (in 15 minutes), Meadow Pipit: 1, Greenfinch: 1, Swallow: 8
(5,3), Alba Wagtail: 2 (paired) Linnet: 3.
then at 0830 to 1215hrs from Heysham Observatory. All movement
S/SE, Wind speed here dropped to 3-5mph. These are purely my counts whilst
present, please go to the Heysham Blog to see also what Pete had prior to my
counts.
Chaffinch: 79, Meadow Pipit: 52, Blackbird: 3, Song Thrush: 3, Alba Wagtail:
15, Grey Wagtail: 2, Goldfinch: 67, Swallow: 2, Siskin: 3, Skylark: 4,
Greenfinch: 1
then from 1345 to 1445hrs back to Burton In Kendal. Wind freshened
to 20/25 mph ESE. All movement S/SE
Meadow Pipit: 3, Chaffinch: 20 (still moving through regular on my leaving at 1
every 3 minutes), Red Admiral Butterfly: 1.
Wednesday 2nd October 2013 - Visible Migration over
Vicarage Lane Fields, Burton In Kendal. 0715hrs to 1000hrs. Wind Speed: 20mph gusting
to 25 and 30mph at times. All movement S/SE. Rain at first for 45minutes then
dry, but threatening rain with spots on leaving at 10.
There must have been a massive fall of Robins in the early hours, because the
hedgerows this morning were absolutely full of "ticking" Robins.
Chaffinch: 79, Meadow Pipit: 4, Swallow: 52, Skylark: 3, Goldfinch: 68, Mistle
Thrush: 1
Vicarage lane Fields, Burton In Kendal. 1345hrs to 1500hrs Wind
Speed: 20mph and gusting to 25 and 30mph at times. All movement S/SE.
threatening rain throughout.
Chaffinch: 18, Goldfinch: 20 (one party), Meadow Pipit: 1, Swallow: 1.
Tuesday 1st October 2013 - Visible Migration over Vicarage Lane
Fields, Burton In Kendal. - 0715hrs to 0745hrs. Wind Speed
East 20-25mph. All movement S/SE.
Chaffinch: 31, Swallow: 6, Meadow Pipit: 3, Blue Tit: 1.
Afternoon Session - Burton In Kendal 1500hrs - 1630hrs Wind Speed
East 20-25mph. All movement S/SE.
Chaffinch: 31, Swallow: 28 (3,3,15,7), Meadow Pipit: 4, Mistle Thrush 1.
from Heysham Observatory - 0830hrs to 1100hrs. Wind Speed East
12-15mph. All movement S/SE (these are purely my counts, Pete did prior to
0830hrs to check out all please go to Heysham Blog.
Meadow Pipit: 69, Chaffinch: 44, Alba Wagtail: 9, Grey Wagtail: 1, Swallow: 11,
Goldfinch: 1, Pink Footed Goose: 71 (69+2).
Monday 30th September 2013 - Visible Migration over Vicarage Lane
fields, Burton In Kendal - 0700hrs to 0755hrs. Wind Speed East
10-15mph.
All movement S/SSE - although the first bird was at 0705hrs It didn't really
start to about 0730hrs and then I had good numbers up to leaving:
Chaffinch: 93, Meadow Pipit: 19, Swallow: 42, Alba Wagtail: 4, Goldfinch:
38 (2,10,25,11) Sparrowhawk on the move: 1
another count at Vicarage Lane fields, Burton 1500hrs - 1630hrs.
Birds still moving through, as they will have been all day long in dribs at
about 1-2 per minute (Chaffinch)
Chaffinch: 30
(best 5,3), Swallow: 25 (1,4,25), Goldfinch: 12 (one party)
Counting from Red Nab, Heysham and also at Heysham Observatory (along
with Andrew Cornell) 0835hrs to 1200hrs. Wind Speed East 10-15mph
and variable down and up.
Straightaway on visiting Red Nab, we found a "Black Redstart" on the
fence post alongside one of the caravan gardens. It flew off after
identification and was not seen again. Also a Whitethroat and a Chiffchaff.
The counts we had at both areas in Heysham were: Pink Footed Goose: 40 (1
skein), Alba Wagtail: 20, Grey Wagtail (3), Goldfinch: 35, Linnet 16, Siskin:
8, Meadow Pipit: 141. (This is only part count at Heysham) to check out the
full numbers including earlier stuff with Pete check here: http://heyshamobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/
Sunday 29th September 2013 - Visible Migration over Vicarage Lane
fields, Burton In Kendal - 0700hrs to 1100hrs. Wind Speed: E 9mph then
swung to NE 4-5mph then down to 2-3mph then back to E 7-8mph. All movement
S/SSE.
Things never really got going today, and the variable wind changes
really did not help matters. There is a steady trickle of Mipit's and mainly
Chaffinches going on even as I left and probably like yesterday will go on for
the rest of the day. Estimated going through at about 1-2 birds per
minute.
Chaffinch: 259, Meadow Pipit: 171, Swallow: 50, House Martin 40, Alba Wagtail:
10, Grey Wagtail: 6, Goldfinch: 20, Linnet: 1, Mistle Thrush: 10, Great Spotted
Woodpecker: 1S
Saturday 28th
September 2013 -Visible Migration over Vicarage Lane fields, Burton In
Kendal - 0700hrs to 1030hrs. Wind Speed 15mph (F4) All movements
S/SSE. Mipits at long last!
Meadow Pipit: 793 (best parties: 26,18,15,14,14,13 and twelves - the bigger parties
all more or less within the first hour, then pairs to fives after that.
Chaffinch: 126
(best: 13,13), Alba Wagtail: 18 (best: 7,4), Grey Wagtail: 4 (one party),
Goldfinch: 21 (best 8,6), Greenfinch: 3 (theres plenty on the move but they are
down running along the bottom (eg: Hutton Close, The Vicarage level). Linnet:
1, Swallow: 38 (best: 7,6,5,4) Merlin: 1S, Cormorant: 1S,
Woodpigeon: 2, Pink Footed Goose 8W
An afternoon session - Vicarage Lane fields, Burton In Kendal 1300hrs
to 1600s. All passage again S/SSE
A White "Barn"
Swallow" was among the Swallows going through, just could not
believe it at first, in all my years birding, I have never had one of these
before. It was going through with a flock, a "dirty white"
coloured appearance with perhaps some "pinky light brown" mixed into
the plumage.
I am really
glad now I decided to go out again and give it another shot, because besides
having this sighting, it was incredible to see so many swallows going through
and they were still going through on my leaving. They were going through fairly
regular at first on a really broad front, but as the afternoon went on 95% of
them seem to all come through just above "Pickles Wood" and its
sides. I wondered if it was a good line for them to get more feed from
the trees!
Swallows: 376 (best: 33,30,24,20), White "leucism" Barn Swallow:
1, House Martin: 32 (7,2,18,5) Chaffinch: 74, Meadow Pipit: 39, Grey
Wagtail: 7, Alba Wagtail: 1, Goldfinch: 24.
Notes:
Reports coming
in that the Mipit's have also been going strong over Caton, Heysham and Sunderland
Point. Yet they just have not been getting them further down in East Lancs and
further East over in Bradford, it does look that for this part of the country
at least that the passage is more of a Westerley thing, I suppose its even
possible that with these continual Easterlies winds possibly bringing them
across that we could even get more than usual this year.
Friday 27th September 2013 - Visible Migration
over Vicarage Lane fields, Burton In Kendal - 0645hrs to
0745hrs. All movement to the SE
Winds E 12-15mph (or F3/4 beaufort)
Nothing got going before 0726hrs just the odd bird, so actually only got to
watch for 20 minutes before I had to leave. It was poor compared to yesterday
but this was probably due to the late start by the birds.
Chaffinch: 42 (best: 5,5,5), Meadow Pipit: 14 (10,4), Siskin: 2, Woodpigeon: 1
Over Heysham Observatory from 0830hrs to 1030hrs slightly less Wind
though still East at 10mph (F3 beaufort) All passage South East. (The following
count is only part of the totals at Heysham):
Meadow Pipit: 160 (9,8,7), Chaffinch: 27 (3s,2s,1s), Grey Wagtail: 2,
Goldfinch: 4, Alba Wagtail: 8, Mistle Thrush 7, Blackbird: 2, Heron 2 NW,
Swallow: 18, Pink Footed Goose: 49 (40,9).
Thursday 26th September 2013 - Visible Migration
over Vicarage Lane fields, Burton in Kendal - just half
hour 0700hrs to 0730hrs, all movement to the SE. Winds E 10mph (or F3 beaufort)
Chaffinch: 111 (best: 8s and 5s), Meadow Pipit: 35 (best: 8,5,4), Swallow
7 (1,1,3,2) Redwing 1 (first of the year and audible only), Goldfinch:
20 (one party), Alba Wagtail: 3, Woodpigeon: 4.
Notes:
"No traffic noise today just the rustling noises of maize blowing
resulting from the Easterly 10mph winds or F3 on the beaufort scale!"
"Some of the Mipits are flying side on to compensate for the wind."
"0730hrs - Got to go "daddies on chauffeuring duties today and again
tomorrow, but will get over to Heysham for about 0830hrs and give Pete Marsh
assistance in the vismig counting down there."
over Heysham Observatory - 0830hrs to 1030hrs, all movement to
the SE winds still E at 8mph (or F2-3 beaufort). Pete Marsh did prior to
0830hrs. - numbers are purely for my count only.
Meadow Pipit: 197 (best parties: 14,10,8,8,8) the total count for this
species including Pete's was over 400. Chaffinch:77, Greg Wagtail:
2, Alba Wagtail: 27 (best parties: 7,5,4), Goldfinch 30
(22,6,2), Greenfinch: 6, Swallow: 42 (6,9,7,7,13,1)
Notes:
"Again Swallows are keeping tight and directly SE with haste"
"Mipits are on a broad front, but lots of them are crossing over the Bay,
probably from Ulverston and Grange areas."
"At Heysham, it's pylons and wires, almost everywhere you look in front,
lots of straight lines of wires on top of one another running parallel.
and in between the wires the mipit's are bobbing through in pairs and
groups,
today the skies are generally grey, but by mid morning blue holes
fractured the grey,
and guess what, more lines started to appear within them already
stretched lines,
but these lines were white and fluffy, and straight, and some thin and
some fat,
some were criss- cross, and these lines within the lines were
aeroplane lines,
And still the Mipit's kept bobbing through in pairs and groups".
"When I bobbed my head above the "Mount",
I saw Heysham one, or was it two, I really don't know
Today the sirons were calling so loud,
just like the one I remember as a child down in East Lancs,
it used to be on the fire station, which they would test every week,
It was supposed to warn us of a "bomb raid" then later,
I heard it was to warn us of a nuclear fallout.
With scaffold, tubes and pipes and lots of steam,
and noise so loud came from that grey coloured tower so vast,
Time to quickly retreat below that "Mount" from where I came,
A second or two in time would pass for me to pace descent"
Back into quiet, with feathered friends to watch and count,
This has got to be for me the right side of that
"Mount".
Wednesday 25th September 2013 - Visible migration over Burton In
Kendal 0700hrs to 1000hrs.
Again counting from the fields off Vicarage Lane. The weather today was
even more "murky" than yesterday resulting in a far poorer count.
However I did manage a few which were going directly overhead. eg:
Chaffinch: 152 (mainly to the SE), Meadow Pipit: 33, Swallow: 25, Alba Wagtail:
2, Common Snipe 1, Goldfinch: 9, Siskin: 3 Reed Bunting 1.
Of note: Odd parties of Redwing came into the east coast yesterday evening.
Notes:
"Buteo calling regular, at first seemed distant and at times my
imagination was running away with itself thinking I had heard distant Golden
Plover".
"For most of the count there must have been just a little, meagre amount
of Westerley wind, because you could clearly hear the amplified motorway
traffic coming from that direction."
"Flies continually hovering under this fabulous great old Ash (I hope it
stays fit and does not get that nasty disease) The flies are not the smallest
of midges which are so annoying and bite and get in your hair making you itch,
they are bigger in size, yet not the size of the mayfly, a sort of in between,
but not annoying".
"0830hrs, birds semi-lulled and visability closing in even further".
"Co blimey! that musk smell has been at this very spot for at least three
days now and was obviously left behind whilst Reynard made his travels through
the Maize. The smell clings, but not too unpleasant, yet must be really
powerful. Its no wonder some of these after shave lotions are called
"musk" but they could never really, really, get a musk to last as
long as "Reynard's does".
"Its the very peak time of mipit migration now, but little to show at the
moment, no twittering today above the clouds, well maybe the odd one, so don't
think I am missing the birds, I just don't thing they are bothering today"
Maybe tomorrow will be better down at Heysham.
"What a change in the Swallows! today the few small parties I have
had have been tightly grouped and going through direct with no messing
about".
Now the little "nasty" midges have arrived in their battalions, so
its a good thing to wave my stick at them and try to disperse them! but
seriously no joy, just run..."
"I do wish this murk would lift and go away, its been hanging around now
for 3 or 4 days. I suppose its something to do with higher than normal
temperatures for the time of year, plus the fact that the wind is variable to
no wind at all".
"Rustling noises from within the maize which this year is so high, maybe
8ft and carrying two large cobs" Never found out what it was maybe a deer,
or a reynard or a hare or a rabbit who knows".
Tuesday 24th September 2013 - Visible migration Burton
In Kendal. 0700hrs to 1000hrs
Counting from down in Mike Taylors fields, off Vicarage Lane, near Dalton. Good
counts of Chaffinch, still large remnants of hirundines going through and
stopping to feed up over maize fields etc. NO PIPITS RECORDED AT ALL (a
suprise!)
Chaffinch: 239 (best parties: 14,10,10), Swallow 202 (best parties: 35,27,31,36),
House Martin: 40 (best parties 20,10,10), Goldfinch: 22 (best parties: 12,8,2),
Alba wagtail: 2, Common Snipe 4 (one party)
Monday 23rd September 2013 - Visible migration over Heysham
Nature Reserve 0815hrs to 1000hrs
"Swallow migration had its secondary Peak in the UK today"
Most movement had finished by 0900hrs, just trickling parties after
that.
(please note these totals include what Pete Marsh had early doors before
my arrival)
Meadow Pipit: 245 (best parties for me: 30,10,17,40,15,13) all NW to SE
Swallow: 12, Chaffinch: 15, Skylark: 1, Grey Wagtail: 9, Alba Wagtail:
9, Reed Bunting: 1, Goldfinch: 3
Later checking out Hirundines over Burton In Kendal. A couple of
hundred in the air over Mike Taylor's fields, just enjoying the bonanza of
flies. Very difficult to count and gave up in the end. Leaving and more
joining all the time.
Sunday 22nd September 2013 - Visible migration over
Burton In Kendal. "Swallow migration Peaked
in the UK today"
1015hrs to 1115hrs.
First thing it was very poor visability with low mist which did clear
mid morning and allowed me to go out and check the hirundine passage coming
through over Curwen, Slape Lane and Vicarage Lane, Dalton area.
Swallows: 241, House Martin 7, Chaffinch: 16 plus lots more which could not be
counted because I was unsure whether they were on direct passage or just coming
in to feed on the maize. Alba Wagtail: 1 Grey Wagtail: 1, Meadow Pipit: 1 (very
disappointing), Greenfinch: 2, Red Admiral Butterfly: 3.
The hirundine's were still going through on my leaving and would expect
them to be going through on passage for most of the day. These birds are not
going directly through with haste, but casually feeding up whilst gradually
moving South all the time, but has one lot goes out to the South there is
another lot behind them. There seemed to be insects everywhere, lots of midge
and lots of other larger sort of "mayfly" type flies about, so I
suppose the temptation to feed would be a big pull on the birds and why not!!
"needle tails, arcing wide with intermittent swoops and dives and
chattering,
gulping midge and other insects because its a bounty day today and not
to be missed,
migrating slowly South, calling tonight at some darkened reedbed or
maize field,
and again tomorrow night and the night after before crossing the
sea"
Saturday 21st September 2013 - Visible bird migration over Hutton
Roof
0800hrs to 1200hrs.
Very little on the move except several Meadow Pipits, just a few
Chaffinches and a fine party of 5 Skylarks all going SW, but it was obvious
from the start nothing much was going to happen with that poor visability, low
cloud damp wetting mist which was about today and remained so for the rest of
the day. I also had a blogging party of around 20 Meadow Pipits on the
top of the Common. I also had three birds in the same hawthorn bush which
when disturbed flew off with a "Tink" call, which I just could not
bring the call to mind, it certainly was not the "pink" call of the
Chaffinch, but very metallic and interesting! Also a party of four
Swallows went zooming past on a South journey.
With very little happening on the bird scene, spent the rest of the
afternoon getting soaked through and searching out flora in the nooks and
crannies of the grikes and clints for anything rare or out of the ordinary..
Friday 20th September 2013 - More "Pinks"
(0845hrs-1040hrs) Vismig watching at Heysham Nature Reserve.
It was a great pleasure to be able to do some vis counting at Heysham. I
can assure you its not that I am deserting my local "patch" Hutton
Roof, its just that I am in the area of Heysham over the next few weeks on
sporadic days and so it only makes sense to bob in there and do a little vis
counting.
Today although the conditions (to me) looked favourable, there was very
little moving here in the way of passerine or hirundines, and this remained the
same throughout my watch. Thankfully though the morning was saved by yet
again those magnificent "Pink Footed Geese".
A good couple of hours on the Pink Footed Goose which again where
going through on a reasonable regular basis throughout although they had
started to "lull" after 1000hrs. The geese were coming through
at all levels (mainly high) on a far broad front eg: perhaps about four parties
actually came directly over the "Heysham Nature Reserve Office" or
nearabouts, but the main were crossing over the bay and well back, in fact the
last party looked as though they could have been as far back as "Piel
Island" and also a couple of parties were well inland to the East almost
as far as you can see. Observations were made from the top of the
"Mount" near to the office and overlooking the bay which gave a
superb vista for Pinks.
Pink Footed Goose: 803 (15 skeins,
40,32,40,30,30,45,16,50,130,50,150,50,50,80,5) all coming from North/North
West to South/South West. I did not notice any "East" direction
influence today.
Meadow Pipit: 5
Chaffinch: 5
Swallow: 15
Goldfinch: 5 (one party)
On leaving Heysham, the hirundines had just started picking up a little,
though difficult to count because of the erratic variant directions and
undecided as to which were local or on direct migration.
Of note, when I first bobbed my head above the "Mount" level
and looking directly in front there were literally "thousands" of
dark birds crossing through the back of the power station which kept a straight
line and must have been about "40 birds deep" going from NW to
S/SE. It was really thick and you could see birds from as far left
to as far right on that lineage. I never really got into it, caught out
with the immediate "happening" but can only think that perhaps they
were Oyks, although I did not see any "white" flashes at all,
everything seemed deep black (probably silhouetted).
Thursday 19th September 2013 - Bonaparte's Gull etc
(0845hrs - 0945hrs)
Sadly the weather turned out very badly during the morning and early
afternoon, but with being already in Heysham decided to call upon Pete Marsh
and try and help out with a little vismig counting. Obviously because of the
weather the birds were not going through.
It was a very nice suprise to be given the opportunity to see the rare
"Bonaparte's Gull" at Red Nab which was very busy pruning itself at
the rock pools whilst in the company of many Black Headed Gulls and others.
Thanks to both Peter and Jean for showing me the bird and allowing me to see it
through Jean's fine telescope.
Wednesday 18th September 2013 - "Tickled Pink"
Visible Migration - 0830 - 1030hrs and again 1330hrs to 1500hrs. Burton
In Kendal.
I decided to give vismig a go this morning and was not disappointed with
a good count of Pink Footed Goose coming in from all directions NNE to NW.
Earlier they seem to have that NNE to North direction but by mid morning it was
all from the North through to NW. In the afternoon it was all from the
NE.
Pink Footed Goose, 591 total (10 skeins
70,9,22,60,100,80,80,40,50,80)
Hirdundines - hundreds - There seemed to be a party over Curwen Wood in
excess of 200 mixed with Swallows and House Martins, they were feeding up and
gradually moving off South, whilst at the same time birds were coming in from
the North and topping up the holding party in high numbers yet again, this
seemed to be going on for most of the time whilst vismigging. Only the odd
Meadow Pipit, Lots of Chaffinch, odd Redpoll, Woodpigeon foraging parties
swelling in numbers. Odd large Thrushes to the West presumed Mistle Thrush.
Also now added photo to yesterday's blog.
A "Tickled Pink" day with lots of "pink footed
geese",
Hundreds or a thousand or more will have crossed the sky today,
Some from the North West, some from the Nor Nor West,
Some North, and some from the Nor Nor East came into view.
And only just did they, for some were noisy and very loud,
whilst others were so high, you could'nt hear a sound!
I'm sure they where to Martin Mere bound.....
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