2017 Autumn Visible Bird Migration Daily Records over Hutton Roof and Burton In Kendal

Just a little sketch showing the directions of migration over Hutton Roof (Click over to enlarge)

IF YOU WANT TO CHECK OUT HISTORIC RECORDS PLEASE CLICK OVER THE FOLLOWING LINKS:

VISIBLE BIRD MIGRATION RECORDS - AUTUMN 2009

VISIBLE BIRD MIGRATION RECORDS - AUTUMN 2010

VISIBLE BIRD MIGRATION RECORDS - AUTUMN 2011 

VISIBLE BIRD MIGRATION RECORDS - AUTUMN 2012 

VISIBLE BIRD MIGRATION RECORDS - AUTUMN 2013 

VISIBLE BIRD MIGRATION RECORDS - AUTUMN 2014

VISIBLE BIRD MIGRATION RECORDS - AUTUMN 2015

VISIBLE BIRD MIGRATION RECORDS - AUTUMN 2016

VISIBLE BIRD MIGRATION RECORDS - AUTUMN 2017

2017 - Almost Daily Records below:-

There as been a large fall of Blackbirds at Spurn yesterday evening - see details below

late autumn Spurn spectator sport - watching (& listening to) Blackbirds spiralling off high, heading inland. 566 over in the last hour of light #blackmagic #vismiggold pic.twitter.com/fB4pB6bjdb

— Jonnie Fisk (@jonnie_fisk) November 8, 2017

Spurn has always been good for Blackbirds, I would love to share this fabulous letter with you which I so kindly received from Alan Porter 17 years ago describing a "large fall" etc.

Notes from: Alan Porter  (received 8.11.00)

  

                                            SPURN NOV 5^TH 2000

Bryan, 

Here are some brief notes on bird passage observed during my stay here up till now

                                    Period Thurs 27^th Oct – Sun 5^th Nov

Thrush passage up to my arrival had been very light, highest counts as follows:-

Redwing: 800 on Oct 27^th, 600 Oct 7^th, apart from these only up to 100 on other dates.

Fieldfare: Highest total 58 on October 27^th

Blackbird: Highest total 100 on 15^th Oct. Spurn as you will know is noted for Blackbird passage, but up until my arrival they had just not appeared yet this season. 

However things changed on Friday November 3^rd, a large Thrush arrival.  They were moving West very high over the area at first light, but by 9am began to come in low over the sea in flocks of 20+ birds, accompanied by Fieldfare, Starling and a few Redwing, 9 Ring Ouzle were also noted.

Most birds continued Westward, but the total of Thrushes grounded along the spit by evening was:-

            Blackbird – 3,500 grounded

            Fieldfare – 600 grounded

            Redwing -  600 grounded

            Starling  -   256 (this count was for birds in off the sea.

            Snow Bunting – 23 grounded

A very impressive passage. 

Starling:  Movement is generally very light and no large numbers have yet been recorded 

Pinkfoot Goose: For the 3^rd year running daily records have been broken: Oct 31^st being the best day with 2,900 Pinkfoot going South well out to sea, mainly around Noon.

As you will be aware, the weather is the most important factor when hoping to see a good movement, and for most of my stay here, it has been a constant run of SW or W winds in the depressions moving across Britain.

On the night prior to Fridays large Blackbird arrival, there was just a suggestion of an Easterly wind over Norway and clear skies, which must have given the Blackbirds the urge to move.  Their place of origin was nicely confirmed by the fact that the ringing group resident here for the week, rung a total of 260 Blackbirds, one of which carried a STAVANGAR NORWAY ring.

They were mainly young nbirds along with some females, and lesser numbers of males.

A lovely sight the same evening (Friday 3^rd Nov) was to see the Blackbirds who had grounded, and stayed around Spurn that day, leaving the “Point” to continue their journey.  When I arrived at the “Point” at 3.45pm very many Blackbirds were sitting on the Buckthorn hedges, chattering away exitedly at around 4pm with the sun still well up they began to lift off, and rise high in the air out of even binocular view.  That evening I logged l097 Blackbird rising, and leaving the “Point” between 4pm and 4.50pm a wonderful sight.

Also of interest we had 23 Woodcock come in from the East.  They all came in singly, and spread out throughout the day.

I shall be staying here a few days more until Friday 10 Nov and Easterly winds are forecast so it may be good.

Hope the info has been of interest.  If anything coincides with what you see around your patch I would be glad to hear  Good Luck, Alan.

Ps: On Fri 27^th Oct 10,000 Redwing, 2000 Fieldfare, 700 Blackbird passed over Farn Isles, Northumberland. I don’t know which direction or what time of day.

****************

Monday 6th November 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (West flank of Hutton Roof)  0700hrs to 0815hrs

Wind: South 5-7mph, frost on car and low degrees at start, 55% Cloud cover, 1023mb pressure. Lots of blue smoke collected in the valley below us and you could smell it as well, presume from last nights local bonfire and fireworks.  Very quiet again this morning and looking like maybe the finish for yet another year, although I will try and give it another day or two just to make sure. Very hard work this morning because I again noticed almost everything coming through would soon come down to the trees.  And I had blogging parties of about 20 Mipits, 50+ Linnets in small 10-20 parties, mixed Chaffinch and Linnet parties of 50 plus, Goldfinch up to 20. Starlings still coming through to West.

Chaffinch: 82 (64SE, 10W, 7S, 1N)

Linnet: 17 SE (10,7)

Goldfinch: 10 SE (one party)

Grey Wagtail: 1 SE

Fieldfare: 5 W (one party)

Redwing: 2 W

Blackbird: 1 W

Starling: 25W (20,5)

Woodpigeon: 65 (all West 18,33,13)

Also: Starling ex roost to East, 5000 at 0712hrs then parties of 20,40,50,20, followed over the hour.

Monday 6th November 2017 0000hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Monday 6th November 2017 1300hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Sunrise 5th Nov 2017 (Click over to enlarge)

Sunday 5th November 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (West flank of Hutton Roof)  0630hrs to 1030hrs

Wind NW 6-9 mph, 4c to 10c, 50% cloud down to 20%, 1009mb, blue skies, bright with little wind. Very poor vismig, the worst so far this year with little movement, in fact all the finches were just not interesting and quite a lot coming down in the nearest trees. Early doors was showing single turdus species flying in all directions and lots of Blackbirds present locally. Interestingly a few more Meadow Pipits today than usual and also a Grey Wagtail visiting the muck pile. 

Chaffinch: 107 (86SE, 21W) plus also a few blogging
Goldfinch: 1 SE
Linnet: 10 SE (4,6) plus also a few blogging
Alba Wagtail: 23 SE (10,4,5,1,2,1)
Grey Wagtail: 1 SE
Meadow Pipit: 21 SE (10,2,5,1,1,1,)
Fieldfare: 163 W/NW (50,20,20,50,15,8)
Blackbird: 1W
Starling: 36W (6,30)

Also: Starling: 10,000 plus x roost to the East at 0715 (spectacular!). Also Kestrel (local)

Sunday 5th November 2017 0000hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Sunday 5th November 2017 1200hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Saturday 4th November 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (West flank of Hutton Roof)  0630 to 1030hrs

Wind: WSW 6-15mph, 8c, 90% down to 40% cloud cover, 1002mb pressure.  Still lots of Chaffinch about but the Northerly (Chaffinch) line has all but finished!  Thrushes did not want to know. I did have one small party of 15 Fieldfare which I just saw plummet down from the skies and on to the local hawthorn berries. Again good Linnets and later a really large mixed Chaffinch/Linnet blogging party (50+) Greenfinch terrible this year, More Pink Feet in the distance.

Chaffinch: 508 (432SE, 43W, 5S, 28N) best parties: mainly on the SE line:37,25,2x20,15,2x12,2x11,3x10.
Linnet: 74 SE (15,20,15,5,15,4)
Greenfinch: 1SE
Goldfinch: 6 SE (one party)
Alba Wagtail: 5 SE (1,1,1,1,1,)
Fieldfare: 18 W (drop from sky into hawthorn laden with berries)
Redwing: 2W
Blackbird: 1SE
Mistle Thrush: 1SE
Woodpigeon: 104 (either SE or NW)
Pink Footed Goose: 120 (70 SW at 0919hrs and 50NW at 0950 (Kirby Lons to Lakes)

Also: Starlings ex roost 7000 then some 500 in dribs and drabs x roost to E from 0714hrs, also had a party of 10 alba wagtails which were blogging on the nearby muck pile. 

Saturday 4th November 2017 0000hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Saturday 4th November 2017 - 1200hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Friday 3rd November 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0630 to 1115hours

Wind: SSW 6-12mph, 7c and never warmed up, 85% Cloud, 1013mb pressure. A sort of high cloud mottled sky with blue showing through here and there. Another terrible day with few Thrushes, but another great day with the Chaffinch, and again it was active with the North directions which although odd birds went through right from off, but the main larger parties seem to all be between 0900hrs and 1015hrs. Had Brambling today as well at least a party of 3 and a single bird as well. Pink Feet very active on the coastal with a large party of no less than 500 (probably lots more). Blackbirds must have come through last night with several small groups. Bulk of activity had stopped by 1015hrs with trickles of Chaffs after this.

Chaffinch: 855 (484 SE (best parties SE included: 60,40,2x20,18,2x15. Also 96 West and 13 South, 262 North, NW or NE (best parties to the North included: 35,30,2x25,20,2x17,16,14,11,3x10

Brambling 4 W (3,1 W)
Linnet: 101 SE (6,10,20,7,5,13,20,5,15) plus a mixed 100 blogging party of Chaffs and Linnets mixed.
Alba Wagtail: 2 SE (1,1,)
Fieldfare: 191 all NW (9,2,70,40,20,5,5,40)
Redwing: 6 W (5,1)
Blackbird: 8 all West (2,2,2,1,1)
Starling: 100W (30,20,30,10,10) missed many
Woodpigeon: 20 SE (one party)
Pink Footed Goose: 500+ behind Arnside Knott to NW at 0840hrs and then 30S at 0920hrs 

Others: Starling ex roost 2500 to the East minimum at 0713hrs, also 6 Long Tailed Tits in the hedgerows considered local. 

Friday 3rd November 2017 0000hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Friday 3rd November 2017 1200hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Thursday 2nd November 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof)  0630 to 1130hrs

Wind: North 5mph, 5c to 12c, 20% cloud, mainly blue skies, 1015mb pressure.  A bit of a let down in regards to the birding after a superb day yesterday.  No massive Chaffinch surge today, but of interest was that a line of Chaffinch (in more moderate parties 5s,8s,10s) did go to the NW,N,NE straight from the word go! but nothing like yesterday. A few small meandering Fieldfare parties early on. A few Starling parties to the West.

Fieldfare: 219 West (20,30,40,30,30,60, 9 SE)
Redwing: 17 West (12,5) first light.
Starling: 95 West (4,10,2,30,10,8,30,1)
Chaffinch: 409 (178SE,173N best:1x20,1x11,2x10,1x9,2x8), 50W, 8S)
Linnet: 35 SE (5,30) bloggers moved on.
Alba Wagtail: 3 SE
Skylark: 1E
Pink Footed Goose: 70 SSE at 0920hrs
Woodpigeon: 35 W

Others: Starling x roost 2500 to the E with regular small parties following on over the hour.
Also of interest lots of Woodcock came in last night with several being flushed this morning in the Hutton Roof woodland by a keeper with dogs. 

I was trying to imitate the Red Legged Partridge which was calling this morning and I thought it sounded much like saying "ticketiboo" but you must say it in superspeed to get the effect!!

Thursday Nov 2nd 2017 0000hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Thursday Nov 2nd 2017 1300hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Wednesday 1st November 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (West flank of Hutton Roof)  0630hrs to 1100hrs

Wind: WSW 13-20mph, 11c, 100% Cloud down to 40%, 1017mb pressure. A scattering of Thrushes early on and then a short lived Fieldfare boost of around 500 plus came through about 1000hrs and seem to come along the top of Hutton Roof ridge and onward to the NW. Then it dried up around 1030hrs and that was it.  A few Redwing parties came in from the South and went West or North West. Lots of Pink Feet parties going South over Arnside Knott and onward across the Bay. Also between 0930hrs and 1015hrs a eruption of Chaffinch (some very large numbers totalling 485) came over and headed North/North West in the same corridor has you get with the Thrushes (also thinking about it the timing of the Chaffs also corresponded with the similar time to the Thrush push), you would never get Chaffs heading this way as a rule.  Obvious thinking at first makes you wonder about roosting birds, but if that was the case why am I not seeing it before now!! Lots of Linnets everywhere.Also a party of 14 Fieldfare with a finch header and one 20 party of Redwing also with a finch header. Must have been a terrific fall of Dunnock last night with scores jumping out of the hedgerows etc.

Fieldfare: 925 W/NW (best parties: 1x200,2x60,5x50,3x40,2x30)
Redwing: 97 West (best parties: 1x30,1x20)
Mistle Thrush: 1W
Starling: 35W (20,2,5,4,4)
Greenfinch: 1 SE
Chaffinch: 955 (485 to the NW best parties to the North West were 40,40,100,30,20,17,8,10,60,20,40,20,50). 311 to the SE, 9 South, 150 to the West)
Linnets: 209 SE (30,8,40,30,30,25,6,40 North) plus a 100 plus blogging party.
Alba Wagtail: 5 SE (1,1,1,2) plus lots hanging around the muck piles.
Meadow Pipit: 1 SE
Woodpigeon:52 NW (20,5,4,10,13)
Pink Footed Goose: 440 S very approx because of long range, but noticed them going N to S over Arnside Knott and onward over the Bay (80, 250 (0955hrs), 30 (1000hrs, 40 (1004hrs) 40 (1035hrs) must have been lots more.
Red Admiral Butterfly: 1 S

Wednesday 1st November 2017 - 0000hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Wednesday 1st November 2017 - 1200hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Tuesday 31st October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal

(West flank of Hutton Roof)   0630hrs to 1015hrs

Wind: WSW 12-23mph, 11c, 100% cloud, 1022mb. Quiet with the Thrushes today with a few parties early doors but nothing much after the first hour. Good Linnets going directly through, and also about 100 bloggers in the area. Chaffinch numbers again excellent with a few large parties. Another 6 Whoopers W/NW 

Fieldfare: 371 all NW ( 8 parties 12,30,20,2,20,70,70,2,3,70,22,50)

Redwing: 236 W or NW (9 parties 30,30,15,30,16,15,30,30,40)

Starling: 26 W

Chaffinch: 408 (342SE and 66W) (best parties:1x35,1x30,3x20,2x13,1x11.

Linnet: 132 all SE (6,12,3,7,8,4,20,7,4,6,6,10,20,4,15)

Goldfinch: 59 SE (1,8,20,30)

Alba Wagtail: 3 SE

Whooper Swans: 6 W-NW at 0715hrs

also: Starling: 2000 plus 200 x roost at 0723hrs.

Tuesday 31st Oct 2017 0100hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Tuesday 31st Oct 2017 1300hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Monday 30th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal
(West flank of Hutton Roof)   0630hrs to 1515hrs

Wind: East 2-3mph, 1c frost on car, 60% Cloud, 1031mb pressure. Coldest day so far this year and again it became very cold by mid afternoon. A good day for the Fieldfare which came through in steady trickles for most of the count with the last party recorded approx 1445hrs. With the Fieldfare all were going North West and two corridors had formed which included a regular route from a SE to a NW going along the west flank of Hutton Roof and another corridor which brought birds from a SSE direction which came over Dalton Hall Estate and high above my watchpoint. Some of the parties on the second corridor were really high and tight fast balls giving you a look which you come to expect with balls of pigeons, tight and not separated which you normally get with Fieldfare. Also very interesting was seeing a couple of parties of FF which also had several finches with them and these also kept with the Thrushes to a NW, they either took the lead of the FF or were directly under them. When I have had this in the past I have usually associated with Brambling! Massive Starling party to leave roost and witnessed also parts of them coming through back to the roost at 1515hrs. Witnessed over 5000 leave roost at 0707hrs then it was like slow release after that with regular large 30-50 parties coming through over the next hour or two.  Whooper party to the North!

Fieldfare: 2681 all NW (54 parties mainly 40-60 but also had 1x180,1x150,1x120,3x100,5x80,2x70
Redwing: 276 all NW Best parties 3x30
Song Thrush: 4 SE
Starlings: 247 W (but do think there would have been hundreds missed today)
Chaffinch: 504 (399 SE, and especially interesting to record 18 birds (8,6,1,3) heading to the NW with the 8 and 6 in association with Fieldfare, and also 87 to the West.
Linnet: 62 SE (20,30,12) also several small blogging parties with total birds over 100.
Goldfinch: 10W (one party)
Alba Wagtail: 3 SE (1,1,1)
Meadow Pipit: 4 SE (one party)
Lapwing: 1 SE
Whooper Swan 5 N (one party 0920hrs) strange! 
Pink Footed Goose: 23 NW at 0928hrs
Woodpigeon: 82 NW (30,5,18,12,10,3,4)
Heron: 1 W (very high)

also Starling: 5000 x roost plus a (slow release over the next couple of hours of parties between 30 to 50s) 

I started my count to see over 5000 starlings having left their roost at 0707hrs

and I managed to do a full shift today and finished at approx 1515 hours,

Which would have been 1615 hours yesterday but they put the clocks back earlier today,

And guess what? I managed to see hundreds of Starlings return from their days work!

Long shifts this ere vismigging larky!!

Monday 30th Oct 2017 0100hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Monday 30th October 1200hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Sunday 29th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal
(West flank of Hutton Roof)  0630hrs to 1030hrs

Wind: North 7-15mph with wind freshning at 0745hrs to 15mph then at 0930 dropped back to 5mph, 7c but felt more like 1c (very cold!) 50% Cloud cover, 1024mb pressure.  Quite a few thrushes first thing then dry up. Very quiet day with everything. More Starling but noticed they come through much further South has expected and probably coming from a Aire Gap direction and look much like they are going past the Arkholme to Carnforth areas and on to the West with a few just spilling over to us at HR.Odd Red Admirals on the Ivy (hedges). 

Chaffinch: 157 (119 SE and 40W)
Linnet: 71 SE (15,30,20,6) Lots more about in blogging parties
Goldfinch: 4 SE
Meadow Pipit: 2 SE
Alba Wagtail: 2 SE
Redwing: 37 W (33W 4NW)
Fieldfare: 274 W/NW (40,24,6,50,8,15,3,1,2,25,4,60)
Starling: 258 W (30,2,6,20,1,30,30,60,20,60)
Woodpigeon: 61 SE (15,40,6)
Red Admiral Butterfly: 1

also: Starling: 2,500 East (approx) x roost

"Once the "Shebbies" have left the roost

More from the East arrive to give it a boost

And out the same come back East to find

their beetles and grubs in Londales fields to find"

Sun 29th Oct 2017 0100hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Sun 29th Oct 2017 1300hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Saturday 28th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal,
(West flank of Hutton Roof)  0730hrs to 1400hrs

Wind: WSW 7-15mph, 9c, 99% Cloud, 1026mb pressure.  Visibility at times down to 100 yards, throughout hampered by low cloud and off/on light rain but survived to enjoy my first decent move of Redwings (33 parties) which kept coming through at regular intervals right up to my leaving at 1400hrs, also a few Fieldfare. Good Linnets.

Chaffinch: 388 (194SE 194W)
Linnet: 193 all SE
Goldfinch: 19 (12W 7SE)
Greenfinch: 2 SE (1,1)
Siskin: 1 (audible party)
Alba Wagtail: 12 SE (1,2,4,3,1)
Meadow Pipit: 3 SE 
Redwing: 844 all W/NW (33 parties1x60,4x50,3x40)
Fieldfare: 215 all W/NW (7 parties best 1x70,1x40,1x30)
Starling: 228 W (8,15,6,40,1,2,6,150)
Woodpigeon: 27SE (2,25)

Also: Starling x roost 500 approx

"If you could fight your way through the sight of 1000s of Jackdaws,

If you could bear to put up with the Jackdaws squaking all morning

If you could try not to swear at the on off visibility throughout,

If you could bear not to shout, or complain at the on/off regular rain, 

Then you will be a vismigger my son"

Sat 28th October 2017 (Click over to enlarge)

Sat 28th October 2017 1300hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Friday 27th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal
(West flank of Hutton Roof)  0730hrs to 1115hrs

Wind NNE 3-5mph, 5c, 20% Cloud, 1032mb pressure. Gone a lot colder at first light but soon became sunny with clear blue skies.  Again nothing much doing. Best Starling party for a long while at 120W also two Pink Feet parties.

Chaffinch: 227 (183 SE, 34W)
Goldfinch: 12 SE - one party
Linnet: 86 SE (5,5,3,4,40,10,8,4,7) also a large blogging party to the South
Meadow Pipit: 4 SE (2,1,1,)
Alba Wagtail: 1 SE
Redwing: 151 (110 SE, 28 N/NW) 5,7,18,7,20,8,10,8,10,20,8,30
Fieldfare: 20 NW (one party)
Blackbird: 1W
Starling: 147 W (5,20,120,2)
Woodpigeon: 158 S/SSE (9,20,10,12,5,30,20,8,13,2,12,20,5)
Pink Footed Goose 105 SE (80SE over Hutt Rf at 1035hrs and 25S/SSE over Warton Crag at 1038hours.

also: Starling - over 1000 to the East ex roost at 0800hrs

"I looked high, I looked low,

I looked across, I looked far and wide

and all I saw was Mr Blue Sky 

 it was not electric but light"

Friday 27th Oct 2017 0100hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Friday 27th October 2017 - 1300hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Thursday 26th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal
(West flank of Hutton Roof)  0730hrs to 1030hrs

Wind: WSW 5-6mph, 9c, 98% Cloud cover, 1022mb pressure, Rain specking and light rain off and on from 0915hrs.  Again exceptionally quiet.  Just odds and sods of thrushes which I think had spent the night in Hutton Roof woodlands.

Chaffinch: 192 (108 SE, 84W) 1 party x18
Goldfinch: 17 all W (2,8,1,6)
Linnet: 52 (15,5,7,5. all SE and 20W)
Alba Wagtail: 2 SE
Meadow Pipit: 2 SE
Redwing: 64 (44SW,20NW) 13,20,11,20.
Fieldfare: 27 (26 SW one party, 1NW) 
Starling: 5W
Pink Footed Goose: 35 SW at 1012hours

Also: Starling: 2,200 SSE x roost LM (2,000 approx, 200)

Thank you Sedbergh your a great crowd last night,

Just like Cumbria Wildlife Trust crowds always are!

It was a great pleasure for me to try to imitate see-ips,

chack chacks, pssst psst, chup chups, chum chums, 

chip chips, hou-whit's, phews, pee-u's and lots more to.

and please remember the RSPB definition of a "twitcher"

Is a dodgy birdwatcher, nem mind them! why not become

a VISMIGGER!!

If you want to check out the Trektellen Counts Click here

Thr 26th Oct 2017 0100hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Thr 26th Oct 2017 1300hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Wednesday 25th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (West flank of Hutton Roof)  0730hrs to 1200hrs

Wind: West 12-22mph,10c, 97% Cloud, 1014mb. Very quiet first thing, then seemed to pick up as the morning progressed.  Interestingly from 1015hrs to 1045hrs I started to get large Chaffinch parties coming in from the East and at first thought maybe they were late roost parties perhaps coming out of the maize fields, but quickly dismissed this idea when I noticed they were actually coming from far back over and along Hutton Roof and at the same time as them I got the Brambling! Also worth mentioning that this behaviour was first witnessed today and no records have been recorded of it prior to today. This involved 9 parties some which were 28,25,20s. I had a sprinking of thrushes which were ambling about and not that interested in fact most of them dropped straight out of the sky into the nearest feeding areas. Nice to get my first Brambling. Woodpigeon movement today.

Chaffinch: 394 (233 West and 161 SE) best parties: 1x28, 1x25, 2x20, 3x15, 2x10.
Brambling: 4 W (one party)
Goldfinch: 44 (1W all others SE)
Linnet: 118 SE (11,30,5,9,40,20,3,10)
Alba Wagtail: 13 SE (1,4,4,1,1,1,1,1)
Meadow Pipit: 2 SE (1,1)
Starling: 57 W (10,2,8,1,10,7,2,2,15)
Redwing: 190 (170 W/NW,20SW,)
Small Turdus: 1SE
Woodpigeon: 268 SE (best parties: 140,40,50)
Red Admiral: 2 S (1,1)

Other: Starling: 1000 ex roost LM to East 0754hrs

Baffling Chaffs

So what was that all about then!

Chaffinches from mid morning –ten thirtyish!,

All going overhead West in 25s,20s,15s and tens,

In all I bet I had ten parties at least!

By eleven o-clock they had finished.

I thought, hi hi they are roosting birds,

Having had a lie in, snug in the maize fields.

But then I noticed they were travelling a long way

All across Hutton Roof summit not just local,

Or creeping all along the western flank (Dalton Hall side)

And surely if this was the case why on earth,

Had it not showed up before now! I watch daily.

Then a small Brambling party also went West,

And this discounted my earlier thoughts of “roosting” Chaffs,

So what was going on then!

Nice one!

(25th Oct 2017)

Wed 25th Oct 2017 - 0100hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Wed 25th Oct 2017 - 1300hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Tuesday 24th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (West flank of Hutton Roof)  0730hrs to 0930hrs

Wind: South 12-25mph, 12c, 100% cloud, 1011mb pressure. Another terrible morning with a reasonable start which went to nothing after 30 minutes. Rain throughout, sometimes heavy and then visibility closing all the time especially on the sides but came right down to 30 yards at the finish. On way up in darkness this morning seemed to be several Song Thrushes some in the middle of the road and I had to keep stopping or slowing down until they moved, can only presume good fall last night. First birds (Redwing) at 0750hrs and first Chaffs at 0755hrs. 

Chaffinch: 112 mainly SE (105SE, 7W) 1x21,1x15,1x10.
Goldfinch: 6 SE one party.
Linnet: 54 SE (15,4,16,10,9)
Alba Wagtail: 2 SE
Redwing: 19 W/NW (4,15)
Fieldfare: 27 SE (2,2,1,11,9,2)

also: Starling very impressive leaving roost L/Moss this morning with 820 approx all E
(500,300,20) 6ft deep from as far as the eye could see to my NW and to my SE probably well under counted!!

Redwings – Co-ordinances for the moment!

Watching thrushes as they leave Hutton Roof at first light,

They should have got their bellies full to the brim, I hope.

They take to the air reminds me of pigeons as they circle or part circle,

Usually just the once, but sometimes twice and needs to adjust,

Today’s co-ordination could well be different to what yesterdays was,

Maybe the wind has changed direction or the pressures are wrong,

But within minutes they will get it right and go the way they want to go.

Can I be sure they will have got it right! And the answer will always be yes,

Because others that follow and leave the same wood much later, will

Do the same and will also go the same way as the previous birds and

Follow on birds will also do the same – today was set to West West West

But yesterday was not West, they all went to the South West.

Yesterday was a South Easterly wind, today was a Southerly wind

Do you think they have a compass in their brain!

24^th October 2017 

Tuesday 24th Oct 2017 0100hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Tues 24th Oct 1300hrs Click over to enlarge

Monday 23rd October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (West flank of Hutton Roof)  0730hrs to 1015hours

Wind: SE 9 to 15 mph, 9c, 90% cloud, 1013mb pressure.  I guess its a question of following "The Lord Mayor's Show", because it was ever so quiet with hardly anything on the Thrush activity! Good Linnets again and a nice bonus with a pair of "Tree Sparrows". Definate fall of Blackbirds last night with lots and lots on the hedgerows. Early doors large midge plumes

Chaffinch: 136 (123SE,13W)
Goldfinch: 10SE (2,8)
Linnet: 66 SE (16,6,4,1,40)
Meadow Pipit: 6 SE (1,2,1,2)
Alba Wagtail: 8 SE (1,1,4,1,1)
Tree Sparrow: 2 SE
Redwing: 23 (3 S/SE 20SW)
Blackbird: 4 SE (1,3)
Small Turdus: 2 (1SE,1SW)

Others: Starlings 750 E x roost LM (250,500)

Monday 23rd Oct 2017 0100hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Monday 23rd October 2017 1300hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Sunday 22nd October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0730hrs to 1200hrs 

Wind: West 25-45mph, 10c, 100% cloud, 1002mb pressure. Strong winds (the remaining residue from Storm "Brian" but what made things worse was it was on/off drizzle or light rain throughout the morning.  However it was clear that the Redwings were moving today and noticed that the main line was coming up out from somewhere behind the stable offices of Dalton Hall, thus presuming the birds were coming from Docker/Majors Nursery areas and heading towards the West/North West out. There would have been large numbers of Starling today probably missed but they were too low to the ground and blending into the trees on the sides of Hutton Roof. Also a large number of the Chaffinch today were recorded coming through to the West. Nice to get more Whoopers and a bonus with the Pintail. Tomorrow should be interesting with the Thrushes!

Chaffinch: 214 (109 to the South East and 105 to the West/S West
Goldfinch: 45 SE (9,15,6,15)
Linnet: 11 SE (5,6)
Alba Wagtail: 2W
Skylark: 1 SE
Redwing: 771 all W/NW (32 proper parties above 10) 35,5,1,20,7,10,50,10,40,20,10,50,30,10,30,10,40,15,20,40,15,50,30,7,2,15,5,2,8,12,7,5,3,13,30,40,40,20,5,30,60,20,20,40.
Fieldfare: 120 all W/NW (3 parties 20,50,50)
Starling: 45 all W (20,5,5,15)
Pintail: 1 NW
Common Snipe: 2SW
Whooper Swan: 5SW at 1145hrs

Sunday 22nd Oct 2017 0100hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Sunday 22nd Oct 2017 - 1300hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Sunrise looking East (21st Oct 2017) Click over to enlarge

Saturday 21st October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0730hrs to 1100hrs (Storm "Brian")

Wind: SSE 16-33mph (Storm Brian), 10c, 81% Cloud, 992mb pressure. Most activity was between daylight and 0930hrs, very little afterwards just trickles. Everything struggling with strong winds. A good few small Redwing parties which went varying directions and very low down. Odd Fieldfare parties which all went SE, odd Starling parties close to the ground (must have been lots missed). Best was the Linnet parties (well pleased with these! been good now for a day or two). 

Chaffinch: 117 SE (mainly 1s,2s,3s)
Goldfinch: 77 SE (8,15,20,6,16,12)
Linnet: 109 SE (30,6,14,4,40,15)
Greenfinch: 5 SE (one party)
Meadow Pipit: 4 SE (2,2)
Alba Wagtail: 11 SE (1,2,2,2,2,1,3)
Swallow: 1 SE
Redwing: 363 (175SW,119 SE, 61N/NW, 8W)
Fieldfare: 64 SE (25,25,6,4,3,1)
Starling: 39 W (3,2,4,15,15)

Others: Kestrel 1 local Buzzard x4 (local)

Sat 21st Oct 2017 0100hrs (Click to enlarge)

Sat 21st Oct 2017 at 1300hrs (Click to enlarge)

This is a very interesting article which you may wish to check out and titled "75% decline over 27 years in total flying insect biomass in protected areas" which has been carried out in Germany over many years!  Please click here to read more 

Friday 20th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0730hrs to 1400hrs

Winds: SSW 3mph at times South 8-10mph. Fogged out right up until about 1020 when it started to lift and better by 1100hrs when it was up to 80% visibility. Earlier it had got down to 30 yards at times, together with drizzle and light rain. Even so did manage to record 42 Chaffinch which more or less went directly overhead. After 1100hrs started to get good parties with Linnet and Goldfinch (my largest Goldfinch migration vismig party ever at 44 birds) Also 12 parties of Redwing and 3 parties of Fieldfare low to moderate height. Still plenty of Red Admiral butterflies going South even though at times it was not sunny!

Chaffinch: 203 mainly SE with some going W and S (best parties: 1x9,1x7,2x6,4x5)
Goldfinch: 72 SE (3,44,25)
Linnet: 43 SE (4,4,15,20)
Redpoll: 2 SE
Alba Wagtail: 23 all SE (1,1,1,2,1,1,6,1,1,1,2,1,1,2)
Meadow Pipit: 3 SE
Starling: 8 W (3,5)
Redwing: 356 W (12 parties: 20,4,60,30,40,12,30,50,10,20,20,30,30)
Fieldfare: 125 NW to S/SSE (3 parties: 35,60,30)
Mistle Thrush: 5 SW (3,2)
Turdus species: 2 (1NW,1SE)
Cormorant: 1 SE
Woodpigeon: 2 SE
Red Admiral Butterfly: 11S (all singles)

Also: Starling: 162 E x roost LM (150,4,8), Kestrel (local) Buzzard x 4 (local)

Fri 20th Oct 2017 0100hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Fri 20th Oct 2017 1300hrs (Click over to enlarge)

This morning looking South East (Click over to enlarge)

Thursday 19th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0730hrs to 1200hrs

SE 8-15mph 10-11c, 75% Cloud cover, 1005-1003mb pressure.  A far better day today with plenty going on.  Also 15 Redwing and 2 Fieldfare parties. Redwing went quiet after 0900hrs Any small parties after this dropped into Hutton Roof.

Chaffinch: 463 mainly SE (just a few going W)
Goldfinch: 119 SE (12,10,8,5,9,4,4,4,10,20,10,4,4,7,7,1)
Greenfinch: 1 SE
Linnet: 66 SE (20,40,1,5,)
Reed Bunting: 1 SE
Swallow: 3 SE (one party)
Skylark: 5 SE (4,1)
Alba Wagtail: 8 SE (1,1,2,2,1,1)
Redwing: 366 S/SSE/SE ( 16 parties: 30,10,20,20,20,14,30,6,30,40,30,20,10,30,14,22)
Fieldfare: 61 SE (3,2,3,1,22,30) (all came between 1100 and 1130)
Small Turdus: 5 SE (1,1,2,1)
Mistle Thrush: 4 SE (2,1,1)
Red Admiral Butterfly 1

also: Starling: 65 x roost LM (4,3,50,4,2,2) Kestrel (local)

Thr 19th October 2017 0100hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Thr 19th October 2017 1300hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Also:  Robert Ashworth of Kendal has kindly reported the following Hutton Roof records:

Hawfinch - At least 2 possibly 3 today (18th October 2017).  One South over Lancelot and then later two in trees by the bonk in Lower Dalton.  These two were associating with a mixed flock of birds including Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Bullfinch and Thrushes.

A possible Lapland Bunting flew east today (18th October 2017) over Burton Fell, associating with a small party of Skylark. 

Wednesday 18th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0730hrs to 1100hrs

Wind: East 3-5mph, 7c to 11c, Cloud 40%, bright skies 60%, 1014mb pressure. Could not believe it after all the right things seemed to be in place! (to a human being!) so what on earth went wrong. Even after almost 40 plus years of vismigging it proves that early speculation is still in doubt! Other than trickles of birds going through, they just did not seem interested with lots of blogging parties of both Chaffs and Goldfinch.  Its funny when adverse weather like yesterday brought more birds through than the calm weather of today!  Here goes.

Chaffinch: 95 mainly SE (a few west and a few south)
Goldfinch: 70 SE (4,14,5,7,20,8,12)
Linnet: 1 SE
Meadow Pipit: 3 SE (1,2)
Alba Wagtail: 1 W
Redwing: 37 (12SW,4W,11E,10SE)
Small Turdus: 2 W (1,1)
Mistle Thrush: 2 SE
Woodpigeon: 62 S (13,20,7,20,12)
Red Admiral Butterfly: 2 (1,1)

Also: Starling: 113 E x roost at LM

Wed 18th October 2017 0100hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Wed 18th Oct 2017 1300hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Tuesday 17th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0730hrs to 1100hrs

Wind: WSW 26-40mph with gust to 50 plus, 11c, 97% Cloud, 1010mb pressure.  Did not really expect anything today and was pleasantly surprised, it was for me more of a question of witnessing incredible endurance rather than quantity of numbers!  The birds were still trickling through even on leaving, most of the birds were coming through side on to try and compensate against the strong rear to side on winds (for the birds).  It was also amazing to see all the gulls first thing how they fought the winds, tipling and tumbling with twist and turns and rise and falls to negotiate the wind and its differing strength layers etc. Absolutely brilliant to watch!  Also a couple of nice Redwing parties came through to the SE at about 0930hrs.

Chaffinch: 104 mainly SE (22S 10W)
Goldfinch: 24 SE (3,7,4,9,1) all seem to cut the wind really well.
Meadow Pipit: 1 SE
Swallow: 1 SE
Blackbird: 2 W (1,1)
Song Thrush: 2 SW (1,1,)
Redwing: 68 E/SE (40,20,8)
Small Turdus: 1SE
Large Turdus: 1 SE
Starling: 6 W
Lapwing: 10 SE (one party)

Also: Starling 992 x roost LM (200,450,300,2,30,10)

Tues Oct 17th 2017 0100hrs

Tues Oct 17th 2017 1300hrs

Monday 16th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0730hrs to 0900hrs (Storm "Orphelia")

Wind: ESE 7-13mph (prediction) but in reality it was ESE 15-25mph at start and then at 0830hrs dropped to around the 5mph, 12c, 100% Cloud with 250 yards limited visibility and just about viewing the top of Hutton Roof, vis to my West was very poor, 12mb pressure. Today there was a complete "darkness" throughout with a strange "yellow band" which I am told was a sahara sandstorm. Also when the winds dropped there was rain specking and light off and on showery weather Had to leave early on account of appointment. Went back up at 1345 to 1515hrs for yet another session (see below)

Chaffinch: 39 SE

Goldfinch: 9 SE (5,4)

Linnet: 6 SE one party

Alba Wagtail: 3 SE (1,2)

Swallow: 1 SE (being blown back regular)

Song Thrush: 1 SE

Redwing: 13 SE (5,8)

Woodpigeon: 14 SE (5,9)

Others: Starling x roost 35E (15,20)

Also: 1345hrs to 1515hours,

Wind: Freshened to: 20 to 30 mph SE, 17c, 1004mb pressure. Birds were going through the strong freshening winds in small occasional trickles. Nice and sunny at times.

Chaffinch: 29 SE 1x4,2x3,3x2 all the rest brave singles.

Goldfinch: 9 SE (7,2)

Song Thrush: 1 SE

Pink Footed Goose 20 S over Warton Crag area at 1510hrs.

Red Admiral Butterfly: 4 S (all singles)

Monday 16th October 2017 0100hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Monday 16th October 2017 1300hrs (Click over to enlarge)

CHAFFINCH 

numbers have been very poor this year compared to past years and I put this down to the Westerley winds and also maybe the mild weather has also had a part to play.  Just to try and give you some idea I have made up this document showing numbers for comparisons. 

Chaffinch 2014 (counts are made over a approx 3 hour period, although extended to 6 hours or more on the large count days (so treat as approx)

Date and wind direct    Strength Wind  Numbers of birds

Oct 5^th  South                9mph                775 birds

       9^th  SS East             15mph           1310 birds 

     10^th South                18mph             1351 birds

     11^th E/S East              6mph              560 birds

     13^th NE                    13mph               458 birds

     14^th NE                   15mph                411 birds

     15^th E                      10mph               449 birds

     16^th E                         7mph              563 birds

     17^th S                         6mph              571 birds

     18^th S                       15mph            1022 birds

     19^th SW                    25mph              850 birds

     20^th WSW                14mph               574 birds

     25^th S                        10mph            1079 birds

     26^th SW                    20mph               604 birds

So obviously 2014 was a exceptional year which I put down to having a good build of Easterlies and Southerlies winds.  And I guess if you have a prolonged period of good winds (eg E and S) then it does not matter at the end you can take on a few Westerlies (as above) and it will still be OK because of the prior build, but it would not have been OK if you had not had the good run of E and S winds leading up to it.

Today (15th October 2017) The winds have changed over to the South (at long last) and I thought it would have been good, but no it turned out to be awful yet again, and thinking about it, it is probably down to two things 1) you have not had the build of prolonged Easterlies prior, and secondly I also think that perhaps the exceptional mild warm weather this year has not created the same inception interest to the migrants as you would get with the frost you associate with at this time of year. While we were getting Easterlies this year (2017) in the early part of the season (shown below) eg: September 23^rd to October 1^st I recorded good average numbers. 

Chaffinch – Autumn 2017

Date and wind direct    Strength Wind  Numbers of birds

Sept 23^rd  SS East             7mph           344 birds

         24^th  ESEast              8mph           444 birds

         25^th  ESEast              5mph           274 birds

         26^th  ESEast              5mph           477 birds

         27^th  ESEast             15mph          279 birds

         30^th South                 9mph           576 birds

Oct  1^st    SS East               7mph           301 birds

Yet after October 1^st 2017 the numbers of Chaffinch reduced drastically from less than 200 down to 80 with most mornings averaging around the 150 mark over a 3 hour watch.  Its obvious to me that the reason for one definitely is everyday since Oct 1^st this year there have been consistent  Westerlies up until today (15^th Oct) when we had a change to Southerly yet this Southerly still only produced around 150 birds.  Also I am sure that the constant mild wet spells have not helped in the matter. It will be especially interesting to see what this next 7days produce. 

Sunday 15th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0730hrs to 1100hrs

Wind: S/SSE 10-23mph, 12c, 30% later to 100% cloud, 1013mb pressure.  Movement never really got going, just a few early Alba and then trickles after a late start of about 0815hrs.  I am wondering if the problem with the recent movements is mainly down to the "mild" weather, by now we have usually experienced frosts! Lots of flying Hornets and Wasps this morning. 

Chaffinch: 158 (132 SE, 22W, 4S)
Goldfinch: 74 SE (5,6,4,7,5,1,20,20,6)
Linnet: 3 W
Meadow Pipit: 1 S
Alba Wagtail: 11 SE (4,1,4,1,1.)
Mistle Thrush: 6 SE (5,1)
Large Turdus: 2 E
Small Turdus: 3 (2W, 1E)
Song Thrush: 1 E
Woodpigeon: 12 SE (7,5)
Pink Footed Goose: 18 SE (Over Hutton Roof to Ingleborough at 0935hrs)

Sunday 15th October 2017 0100hrs

Sunday 15th October 2017 1300hrs

Saturday 14th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0730hrs to 0945hrs

Wind WSW 15-29mph, 15c, 100% Cloud, 1017mb pressure. A complete write off with no birds at all. Visibility in and out between 30 yards to 100 yards and back again plus drizzle to light rain throughout etc.  I am sure it will be OK when this drizzle packs up and I do intend to try and get out again later - so please come back and check later. 

1215hrs to 1315hrs - Wind WSW 16-30mph, 15c, 100% Cloud, 1016 pressure.  Visibility a little better to about 150 yards with freshening winds.  A little passage on arrival which quickly phased out to nothing at all.

Chaffinch: 32 (2S 30SE) best: 1x10,1x6.
Goldfinch: 46 SE (16,20,10)
Alba Wagtail: 1 S
Meadow Pipit: 1 SE
Redwing: 1 (audible only)

Other: Long Tailed Tit: 16 SE (hedge hopping), Kestrel (local)

Sat Oct 14th 2017 0100hrs

Sat Oct 14th 2017 1300hrs

Friday 13th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof)  0700hrs to 0745hrs then 0900hrs to 1030hrs

Wind: SSW 15-36mph (felt like South winds), 15c, 100% Cloud, 1011mb pressure. At times heavy rain showers.  No birds during early period it kept very dark.  So counts made from 0900hrs onwards.  I got the impression things were looking up with the change to a Southerly feel and obviously the birds seemed happier, yet still struggled with the strength of winds. Also they appeared to be going more direct although some had to fly side on to compensate and some were getting blown back and arcing to retry, and the party sizes started to build as well so I do think maybe Sunday and Monday could be good if the winds stay the same (eg: Southerly with a touch of SSE maybe. 

Chaffinch: 124 SE (Parties: 1x20,2x8,2x7)
Goldfinch: 37 SE one party (25,12)
other Starling 12 E (10,2) x roost LM.

Friday 13th October 2017 0100hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Friday 13th October 2017 1300hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Thursday 12th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof)  0700hrs to 0930hrs

Wind: SW 12 - 25mph, 9c but felt 5c, 50% Cloud, 1013mb pressure.  Again very quiet with very little movement (literally trickles!), birds not that interested, and by the time I was leaving several Chaffinch blogging parties were building! As well as the finches even the much larger Lesser Blackback Gulls were having to compensate flying side on whilst heading SE. 

Chaffinch: 81 (54 SE, 19W, 8S) much blogging by 0900hrs
Goldfinch: 22 S/SE (3,1,12,6) again much blogging going on!
Greenfinch: 1SE
Meadow Pipit: 14 (7SE,5S,2W)
Linnet: 16 SE (one party)
Song Thrush: 5 (2SW,1SE,3W)
Small Turdus: 2 SE (1,1,)
Pink Footed Goose: 15 NW over HRoof at 0904hrs

Others: Canada Goose: 16SE (directly overhead) at 0720hrs, Starling: 62 x roost to E (40,715) Chiffchaff (1) in hedgerows.

Thursday 12th Oct 2017 0100hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Thursday October 12th 2017 1300hrs (Click over to enlarge)

Well so far this year the weather charts have not been that helpful indicators with the continentals (simply because of the atrocious weather) but I am sure they will prove to be good indicators over the coming two or three weeks!!

Wednesday 11th October 2017 - NO COUNTS TODAY - ADVERSE WEATHER

"But I did stop at home and have my porridge"

Wed 11th Oct 2017 - 0100hrs

Wed 11th Oct 2017 1300hrs

Tuesday 10th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof)  0700hrs to 0930hrs

Wind South West 3-15mph, 12c, 80% Cloud at first down to 50%, 1009mb pressure. Conditions were very mild for most of the watch, but again very poor.  Today hardly any Thrush movement and again the finches just were not interested, the ones that did go through seemed to be chasing one another in sallies and such!

Chaffinch: 88 (25W, 15S all others SE)
Goldfinch: 19 S/SE (8,4,7)
Redwing: 20 W (3,,5,5,7) 13 seen to come out of HRoof orientate and then W
Small Turdus: 7 W (2,1,1,3)
Large Turdus: 5W (probably Fieldfare)
Mistle Thrush: 1SW
Song Thrush: 2 W (1,1)
Meadow Pipit: 1S
Common Snipe: 2S
Pink Footed Goose: 20N over HRoof at 0912hrs
Woodpigeon: 4SE

Others: Starling x roost 100

Tuesday Oct 10th 2017 0100hrs

Tuesday Oct 10th 1300hrs

Monday 9th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0700hrs to 1100hrs

Wind: SW 6-12mph, 11c, 100% Cloud dropping to 30%, 1018mb pressure. From first light low cloud giving poor visibility, you could not see the tops of Hutton Roof just shrouded in low cloud, this kept going for most of the morning, but in the main the worst cleared by about 0800hrs and at that point thought to be overnight Redwing lifted out of HR and circled to get orientation before either going SW or West. More birds followed throughout the morning and all but one went West. Passerines just trickles (poor).

Chaffinch: 106 mainly SE (22W, 2S)
Goldfinch: 39 SE (4,15,20)
Redwing: 177 mainly West (16SW,12W,16W,11W,15S,3W,42W, 7W,15W,5W,10W,10W,3W,12N.)
Blackbird: 1 SW
Small Turdus: 9 (all singles to the West)
Large Turdus: 1 West (thought to be Fieldfare)
Mistle Thrush: 2 SW
Starling: 50 all to West (15,20,15)
Meadow Pipit: 8 SE
Woodpigeon: 12 SW
Jay: 1 NW
Red Admiral: 3 S (1,1,1)

Others: Pintail 3W ?, Starling: 120 E x roost (30,10,30,50), Kestrel: 1 (local)

Monday 9th Oct 2017 0100hrs

Monday 9th Oct 2017 1300hrs

Sunday 8th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0700hrs to 1000hrs

Wind: 3mph Westerley, 9c to 12c, Cloud cover at 75% dropping to 35%, 1018mb Yet again incredibly quiet for time of year. Just a small party of Redwing NW.

Chaffinch: 90 (24S, 16W all others SE)
Goldfinch: 45 SE (2,4,1,6,5,6,10,3,8)
Swallow: 12 SE (7,5)
Meadow Pipit: 1 SE
Song Thrush: 1 W
Redwing: 6 NW at 0812hrs
Blackbird: 1W
Small Turdus: 6 (1W, 1SE, 3W, 2SW)
Alba Wagtail: 1W
Pink Footed Goose: 16 (8 SW at 0930hrs, 8 SW at 0935hrs)
Woodpigeon: 20 SE (8,2,6,4)

Others: Starling: 31 E x roost. Kestrel: 1 local

Sunday 8th Oct 2017 0100hrs

Sun 8th Oct 2017 1300hrs

Saturday 7th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0700hrs to 1100hrs

Wind: West 20-25mph without relenting, at 0830hrs dropped to 10-15mph, 13c, 85% Cloud cover with odd small blue patches shining through. Pressure at 1014mb. Off and on Drizzle and light rain throughout. Again movement was just stuff trickling through which is still is on leaving. Lots of Jays around local. 4 medium sized waders W to E (Golden Plover?)

Chaffinch: 145 (80 SE, 33 W, 32S)
Meadow Pipit: 21 (1 and 20 blog party)
Goldfinch: 60 SE (5,10,7,5,9,10,5,5,4)
Alba Wagtail: 1W
Mistle Thrush: 2 SE
Song Thrush: 1 SE
Pink Footed Goose: 30 S (One skein over Hutton Roof at 0850hrs)
Jay: 1S
Waders: 4 E (probably Golden Plover)

Others: Starling: 92 E x roost LM (50,12,20,10). Kestrel: 1 (local)

ALSO OUT OF AREA: Craig Bell has had reports of REDWINGS today over Ashworth Moor Res Nr. Rochdale today and also audible calls yesterday evening over Crawshawbooth. 

Saturday 0100hrs

Saturday 1300hrs

Friday 6th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0700hrs to 1100hrs

Wind: NNW 5-6mph, 6c - very cold probably 3c, High pressure at 1025mb, Blue skies and sunny early. Lots of Song Thrush activity on my way up flitting hedgerows etc. Again the movement was dismal which expected with NNW.  Even more Pink Feet on the move today. Occasional trickles of pairs of chaffs even on leaving

Chaffinch: 148 (16W 5S 127NE)
Goldfinch: 75 SE (4,7,1,4,15,6,4,30,4)
Linnet: 4 SE (1,2,1) 
Reed Bunting: 1 SE
Meadow Pipit: 8 SE (1,,1,2,3,1)
Alba Wagtail: 6 SE (1,5)
Swallow: 1 S
Mistle Thrush: 2 SE (1,1)
Song Thrush: 1 SE
Small Turdus - Song Thrush/Redwing: 5 (3 W,1 SE, 1 SE)
Pink Footed Goose: 250 SE all extremely high 80 @ 0920hrs over Hutton Roof, 60 @ 0925hrs over Carnforth, 60 @ 0940hrs overhead at Burton, 50 at 1020hrs overhead at Burton. 
Cormorant: 1 SE

Others: Jay 4 (1,2,1 SE), Sparrowhawk 1 in lane (local) Starling: 96 all E x roost LM (40,2,10,10,30,4), Woodpigeon 7SE

Weather chart from 0000hrs on 6th October 2017

Weather chart from 1200hrs 6th Oct

Thursday 5th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0700hrs to 1015hrs

Wind: NW 8mph-25mph, 7c increasing to 10c, 40% Cloud cover, 1013mb pressure. From 0900hrs Cloud decreased to blue skies and sunny. Movement just never got going, but just has I had thought "no chance whatsoever on North Westerlies" and it lived up to its name.  But after saying that the ironical thing about it is that in another week to ten days I will be wishing for light North Westerlies to bring in the Thrushes and continental finches etc. Still more Pink Feet crossing over. Small movement with Jays. 

Chaffinch: 135 (84SE, 31W, 20S)
Goldfinch: 31 SE (12,7,4,8)
Swallow: 4 S
Mistle Thrush: 1 SE
Blackbird: 1 SE (high)
Small Turdus - Song Thrush/Redwing: 5 (2SE,1W,2NW)
Redwing: Audible only (thought to be just a single)
Jay: 7 S (2,4,1)
Woodpigeon: 7 (5NW and 2 SE)
Pink Footed Goose: 175 S/SSE (6 skein) (20 @0730hrs, 9 @ 0756hrs, 24 @ 0825, 42 @ 0832hrs, 30 @ 0925hrs and 50 @ 0950hrs)
Red Admiral Butterfly: 2 (1,1)

Others: Starling: 142 E (x roost LM) (100,25,6,6,)

Weather chart at 1000hrs 5th October 2017

Wednesday 4th October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0700hrs to 0915hrs

Wind: West 20-35mph, 11c, 100%cloud, 1018mb pressure.  To-day was again very cold with strong Westerlies which were constantly gusting and at the time of leaving rain specking to light rain.  Birds just did not want to know with just a minimal amount having a go.  What was in interesting today was that some of the Chaffinch and Swallows went directly South which you never usually get here.  Also small parties of Pink Feet from South East to North West (3 skeins - one mega high). Even the geese struggled at time with the winds. 

Chaffinch: 50 (19SE, 7W, 9S)
Goldfinch: 40 SE (10,5,25)
Swallow: 3 S (1,2) the two were within a inch or two of the floor)
Mistle Thrush: 1NW
Small Turdus (Song Thrush/Redwing): 2S
Pink Footed Goose: 26 all NW (8 at 0735hrs, 3 at 0750hrs, 15 at 0840hrs (mega high)

Other: Starling: 70 E x roost probably LM.(50,20)

Weather chart at 0100hrs today (Click over to enlarge)

I am thinking about including "weather charts" over the next week or two in preparation for the continental bird arrivals!

Tuesday 3rd October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0645hrs to 1100hrs

Wind: WNW 12-30mph although for most of the time it was 20 to 25 mph 9c, 70% Cloud, 1018mb pressure.  Bitterly cold this morning and I personally would have thought perhaps 3c at best. Small birds struggled. First of all I did see odd birds flying at mega height and could just about make them out to be passerine (thought to be Chaffinch) but far to high to maintain looking at them through binoculars for any length of time, I did try for about 10 minutes and saw no more birds go through so just took it maybe it was a one-off situation and probably missing odd birds but not a "general thing".  Yet other birds did trickle through at much lower altitudes and went past me like rockets at I guess at about 30-40mph and they seemed to have had little control on themselves it was not a question of compensation flight, I really don't think they stood a chance and once in the "flow" were just taken along until a dip in the wind came about and then they could correct themselves. The altitude of these birds was about 50-75ft. Still some were trying and making it and the Goldfinch were again frequent. Of special interest also this morning was the regular movement of Pink Footed Goose with 7 skeins which all came in from a North direction from behind Farleton and the early ones went straight down to the South, whilst the latter skeins (mega high) sort of crossed first to the West and then at somewhere around Levens would go directly South and across the Morecambe Bay.  At 0945hrs the highlight of the morning had to be 5 Whooper Swans (very high crossing over from the North West and going out SE towards the Ingleborough direction. 

Chaffinch: 95 (65 S/SE 30W) best: 1x5, 1x4. (from 0740hrs)
Goldfinch: 62 SE (2,17,6,16,5,5,11)
Alba Wagtail: 1 W
Swallow: 4 (2,2)
Song Thrush: 1 SE (0705hrs)
Small Turdus (Song Thrush/Redwing): 4 W (dropped into Hutton Roof)
Pink Footed Goose: 348 S/SW (1x18 - 0830hrs, 1x100 - 0848hrs, 1x80 - 0905hrs, 1x40 0928hrs, 1x40 - 0932rs, 1x30 - 1004hrs, 1x40 - 1015hrs).
Whooper Swan: 5 SE (one party) at 0945hrs
Cormorant: 1 SE
Red Admiral Butterfly: 3 S (incredible in this wind! and not much sunshine either)

Others: Raven: 2, Starling: 1 x roost LM, 

Monday 2nd October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0645hrs to 1000hrs

Wind: West 22-38mph, 12c, 99% Cloud alternating to 60%, 1004mb. Light rain throughout with off and on. Surprised to see birds attempting with all this adverse stuff, but they did persist and still are on leaving.  Most of the birds heading South East were having to compensate flying because of the strong winds by flying side on and it was pitiful to watch at times, yet at the same time fascinating and incredible! It just goes to show when migration is set to go there is no holding back for some of the little beauties. A good amount of Goldfinch, several Swallows and just one Small Turdus this morning. No Blackbirds.Very very pleased I did decide to check it out this morning!

Chaffinch: 164 (129 SE,25W,10S). 
Goldfinch: 59 SE (4,1,8,5,5,6,30)
Swallow: 9 SE (1,1,7)
Small Turdus: 1 SE

Others: Greylag Goose 1 SW (0820hrs), Kestrel (local)

Sunday 1st October 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof) 0645hrs to 1130hrs

Wind: SSE 7-17mph, 12c, 100% Cloud cover, low cloud at times and light rain on and off whilst impairing visibility on the margins. 1007mb pressure.  Movement was nil at first with birds from about 0800hrs to about 0830hrs then nothing just slight trickles throughout the morning and still trickling through on leaving. Just a few Thrushes this morning. The Blackbirds on the hedgerows had cleared out and I was left with just a single XL size Blackbird male and a ordinary size female and that was it. 

Chaffinch: 301 (295 SE and 6 W) best parties:1x15,2x13,1x12,1x11,1x10
Goldfinch: 93 SE (9,7,20,20,12,25)
Meadow Pipit: 39 SE (13,15,10,1)
Linnet: 1 SE
Alba Wagtail: 4 SE (2,2)
Swallow: 12 SE (3,5,4)
Blackbird: 1 SE and high
Small Turdus (Song Thrush/Redwing): 11 SE (1,5,,1,2,1,1)
Mistle Thrush: 3 SE (1,1,1)
Cormorant: 5 SE (1,4)

Saturday 30th September 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, (West flank of Hutton Roof)  0645hrs to 1230hrs

Wind:South 9 mph freshening to 12 by about 1100hrs, 9c at start, 80% Cloud cover at start going to 60% by mid morning. 1013mb. Rain specking and light at times. Nothing much - umbrella for 5mins then clear.  Again very slow movement for most of the watch, probably 1130hrs to 1200hrs was the busiest. A definite stir up with the thrushes, lots of Blackbirds fallen overnight, on all the hedgerows and local bushes.  Also increased Redwing arrived in dribs and drabs.

Chaffinch: 576 (560SE and 16W) best parties: 1x30,1x17,1x15,1x14,2x9, odd 8s and 7s, lots of 5s and 4s and less.
Meadow Pipits: 66 SE (best parties: 1x20,1x18,2x5.
Goldfinch: 50 SE (7,121,5,6,1,7,5,8)
Linnet: 1 SE
Swallow: 6 SE (4,2)
Alba Wagtail: 5 SE (2,2,1)
Redwing: 8 SE (3,2,3) also
Redwing/Song Thrush: 16 all SE (1,5,2,3,1,3,1)
Blackbird: 4 (2W and 2SE) (2,1,1) also scores grounded
Mistle Thrush: 3 SE
C. Buzzard: 1 SE 
Cormorant: 1 SE
Red Admiral Butterfly: 3 (all singles)

Others: Buzzard: 3, Kestrel: 1, Starling: 230 East presumed x roost LM

Friday 29th September 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (West Flank of Hutton Roof) 0645hrs to 0745hrs, then family taxi and then 0900hrs to 1100hrs

Wind South  8- 12mph changing to South West, 100% Cloud which started breaking at 1000hrs, 1011mb pressure. Heavy Rain then Light Rain and clearing at 1030hrs. Strange watching birds go through in the rain, yet when the rain stopped the birds descreased. (Nowt as queer as birds!) Blackbird fall last night?

Chaffinch: 189 (12W all others SE) 1x10,1x9 several 7s 6s, mainly 3-5s
Meadow Pipits: 27 (best 1x9,1x6)
Goldfinch: 116 at first going South then later back to South East (7,6,12,16,9,4,20,6,20,16)
Song Thrush: 3 (1W and 2SE)
Blackbirds: 2 SE (also many on the hedgerows)
Alba Wagtail: 6 SE (3x2)
Swallow: 19 SE (12,4,3)
Starling: 12x roost LM

Thursday 28th September 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (West Flank of Hutton Roof) 0645hrs to 1130hrs.

Wind: SSW 5-6mph, 11c, 80% Cloud, then clear blue with gradual increase in cloud to about 50%, visibility at all times good.1015 pressure. Never really got going but really quiet as the morning progressed.  Obviously the birds were just not ready or at ease with a Westerley however slight the wind was!!

Chaffinch: 151 (21W all others SE) best parties: 1x5,4x4

Meadow Pipit: 26 all SE (best 1x8,2x4)

Goldfinch: 18 SE (4,2,4,8)

Siskin: 5 SSE (one party)

Linnet: 2 SE

Greenfinch: 1 SE

Reed Bunting: 1

Alba Wagtail: 13 SE (1x5,1x2, 6x1)

Skylark: 2 SE (audible only two parties)

Song Thrush: 1SE

Mistle Thrush: 4 SE (3,1)
Swallow: 2 SE

Cormorant: 1 SE

Red Admiral Butterfly: 16 (all singles)

Others: Starlings: 321 E (160,3,21,60,24,50,3) all presumed X roost LM

The Confessions of a “Vismigger”

I guess it’s over 40 years that I have been “guilty” of vismigging! And when I stop to take account I guess there are odd experiences I have to laugh at!  And I guess when you are up and about during unsociable hours and you stand around long enough in one place (watchpoint) you will obviously draw attention to yourself, possibly by law officers or by other individuals and also you maybe accepted to by passing pets and cattle.  and it can all add up to varied experiences.

Confession 1  “The Confrontation with Sgt Plod”

 On two separate occasions when I was out early in the morning at my vismig watchpoint down in East Lancashire arriving at just before daybreak I have been approached by the Police – “What are you up to then?” and I have to try and then explain that I am doing nothing wrong just vismigging like many other folk up and down the Country – well you can guess what comes next!  “What on earth is vismigging?” OK I’ll give it you straight it’ a sort of birdwatching and counting the birds flying overhead.  I then need to carry on and say “look here I can tell you are wondering what sort of crackpot you may be dealing with here! So I then go into a brief summary mode trying to educate them into “why not become a vismigger, I am sure you will enjoy it and further action may be required like showing them my book which I write all the totals down etc etc. Anyway I say to them (there is always two) why are you here bothering me on this lovely morning Sir?  Oh don’t worry the lady who lives at the house just at the bottom of the lane has seen you come up here on several occasions and has rang us to say she was worried about who would be using the lane at this time of morning, thinking maybe you were up to no good eg: fly tipping or such. Anyway we will call in on her on the way down and put her mind at rest.  OK sorry to have bothered you sir and have a good days “vismigging”. I was thinking when they said fly tipping, well the Thrushes were travelling overhead and going “zip zip” I guess this could be called “fly zipping”

Confession 2 “The Butty Bag Bounty”

When I am going vismigging I always take my haversack which contains my “beloved butties” my little flask and other goodies like maybe a bag of crisp or whatever. And the amount of times I have been so engrossed with the approach of say a large quantity of Meadow Pipits passing over and the need for lots of concentration to count the birds through and then you just about here the rustling call of what is probably the silver paper wrapping of your butties, you quickly look down at your bag and your too late a dog has ran off with your butties or your bag of crisp.  I have even had those cocky spring lambs trying on similar tricks, not so much taking my butties but coming up and bite nipping my trousers whilst catching me in the process! – clear off you little sod-pots (giving it lightly here!)

Confession 3 “I might has well have been a lamp-post”

Well you stand there long enough in that one place (as you do when you are vismigging!) I guess to some you are just like a lamp post! You are wrapped up enjoying the overhead passage of a group of Skylarks and thinking wow this is great! When all of a sudden the bottom of your leg or trousers goes warm and then quickly wet because you have been “chosen” as the special place for someone’s doggy to sneak up beside you and to cock it’s leg up into the air while at the same time it decides to have a pee……. “the cheeky blighter”

Confession 4 “Chunky – Heavy Duty Sheep” Ganging up on ya

A few years ago I was checking out a area near Clawthorpe and I was wondering about the convergence of a good vismig corridor linking Chaffinches going East to West and West to East but which also ran up with yet another corridor crossing it going from NW to SE.  Anyway more to the point I am stood in the middle of this field (with the farmers permission) and the field was full of sheep, everywhere!  I soon began to notice that some of these sheep were really “chunky” and remember saying to myself that the farmer must be doing a good job getting these sheep into such a good looking shape.  And within minutes four of these burly sheep started to gang up around me and giving me the evils “we don’t like you look”.  I then realized I had to take these chaps seriously because a quick confirmation by looking below proved to me at that moment they were not sheep but strong burly rams which meant business.  I guess I always thought rams had horns but obviously not in every case.  Anyway you have never seen anyone pack up their portable seat and haversack so quickly whilst gingerly creeping out of their “lovely” company and back to the stile from which I came. Brushing my forehead I realized I had a very lucky escape.

*********************************

Wednesday 27th September 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (West Flank of Hutton Roof) 0645hrs to 1130hrs.

Wind ESE 15-25mph (average 20mph) for most of the watch, 12c at start 43% Cloud,1020mb pressure.

Just too much strengthening winds today, although a few did get through, but a far contrast to yesterday in regards to Meadow Pipits, Goldfinch still good numbers and rising. Red Admirals going through on first light sunshine and getting blow but managed to cut through with perseverance, wasp now moving through in large numbers and following the hedgerows to the South/South East.

Chaffinch: 279 SE (best parties: 2x8, several 6s,5s, mainly 2s,3s,4s)
Meadow Pipit: 37 all SE (best 4x5)
Goldfinch: 169 all SE (7,6,12,6,10,5,5,16,6,5,8,8,20,25,6,1,6,13)
Swallow: 5 SE (3,2)
House Martin: 2 SE
Alba Wagtail: 8 SE (2,4,2)
Mistle Thrush: 2 SE (1,1)
Red Admiral Butterfly: 7 (all singles)

Others: Starling: 23 E (all ex roost probably LM)

Tuesday 26th September 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (West side base Base of Hutton Roof flightlines) 0645hrs to 1130hrs

Wind: East at first 5-6 then later freshening to 6-8 SE 11c, 30% Cloud, 1023mb pressure

Brilliant right from the word go at 0653 (first Mipits) but first bird (call only a Redwing at 0646). Without doubt a cracking first hour and more so with the Mipits than the Chaffs, but quieter after that first hour and then just steady trickle passage after 0900hrs for the rest of the morning but still Chaffinches at the rate of 50-75 per hour at time of leaving, and also Swallows picking up at time of leaving. Obviously Mipits must be within a day or two of their "peak". (probably tomorrow!!). Chaffinch and Goldfinch numbers down a bit per ratio. 

Meadow Pipits (963 all SE) best parties: 1x37,1x35,1x27, 2x23,3x20, 2x18, 2x15,1x14, 7x13, 6x12,1x11,14x10, (735 Mipits from 0645hrs to 0800hrs)
Chaffinch: 477 all SE best parties: odd tens but most 7s and 5s.
Goldfinch: 92 all SE (7,7,8,3,6,7,10,6,3,6,10,12,6)
Linnet: 3 SE
Alba Wagtail: 17 all SE (1,1,4,1,4,5,1)
Greenfinch: 1 SE
Mistle Thrush: 1E
Song Thrush 1 SE
Redwing 1 (audible only) 

Starling: 115 E x roost

Cormorant: 4 E one party

Swallow: 78 all SE (3,5,17,1,16,2,3,1,4,2,5,8,8,3)

Jay 1 SE

Skylark: 4 SE (4,1)

Red Admiral Butterfly: 14 (all singles)

Monday 25th September 2017 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (West side base Base of Hutton Roof flightlines) 0645hrs to 1100hrs

Wind: ESE 5-6mph, 12c, 100% Cloud throughout with vis down to 200 yards at best, 1020mb pressure and light rain throughout watch off and on. Trickles coming through all the time but some really good parties which without doubt is showing build - One party of 22 as late as 1000hrs makes everything worth while!! also first Redwing calls x2 and again good Goldfinch numbers

Chaffinch: 274 all SE (best parties: 22 at 1000hrs, 1x13,1x12,1x11,1x10,1x9,3x8, and several x6
Meadow Pipit: 21 (all SE best party 8 but mainly pairs or singles)
Linnet: 1 SE
Siskin: 1 (audible party only)
Goldfinch: 114 (all SE 15,15,1,10,6,10,8,12,12,25)
Alba Wagtail: 4 SE (2,1,1,)
Greenfinch: 2 SE
Redwing: 2 (1,1, audible only)
Swallow: 15 SE (4,7,4)
Starling: 2 NW

Others:
Jay 1 NW, Woodpigeon 3 SE, Canada Goose 2 E,  Sparrowhawk x1, Kestrel x1, Starling: 134 (all E x roost LM)

Sunday 24th September 2017 - Top of Clawthorpe Rd (apex) Nr. Whinn Yeates, Hutton Roof 0645hrs to 0800hrs then over to Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal from 0815hrs to 1115hrs.

Wind: ESE 8-13mph and probably more on the ten plus, 9c, 42% Cloud cover 1017mb pressure. 
On Hutton Roof today it was poor throughout with strongish winds and no birds so I quickly diverted over to Vicarage Lane which proved a wise decision!

Goldfinch first birds at 0704hrs: 15W (one party)
Chaffinch: 39 (13E all others W) 3s,2s and 1s.
Linnet: 5 S (one party)
Meadow Pipits: 35 all South/South East (best 1x5)
Alba Wagtail: 6 SE (4,2)
Starling: 35 all East (X Roost LM)

0815 to 1115hrs - Taylor's Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. 
Nice steady trickle of Chaffinch again using the ridge and maintaining a narrow corridor (50 yardish). Some of the birds were managing to cut the wind, others were getting blown back and arcing and getting through on the next attempt. Wind speed at least 10mph ESE but at about 1015hrs the birds seem to stop coming through other than the very occasional twos or threes and guess what? the wind had dropped down about 3 or 4 pegs but the birds had gone through on the toil, but stopped on the easy passage!  Now back home and noticed they are going through again (or at least the ones which would go past my window).

Chaffinch: 444 (all going South East other than up to 5 which went W) best parties: (1x12,1x10, 3x9,2x8,5x7 lots of 5s. All larger parties were prior to about 0930hrs after that it was mainly 2s,3s,4s)
Meadow Pipits: 5 S/SE (all singles)
Goldfinch: 105 all SE (6,5,15,1,5,10,8,10,20,1,5,5,14)
Linnet: 22 all SE (2,7,3,7,3)
Alba Wagtail: 3 (all singles SE
Swallow: 12 SE (6,1,5)
Jay: 3 all NW (1,1,1)
Starling: 1 E (presumed x roost at LM)
also: Sparrowhawk: 1 and Kestrel: 1

Red Admiral Butterfly 4 South (1,1,1,1)


Saturday 23rd September 2017 - Top of Clawthorpe Rd (apex) Nr. Whinn Yeates, Hutton Roof 0645hrs to 0830hrs then Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal 0900hrs to 1200hrs

Wind: SSE 7-16mph, 12c, 81% Cloud, 1018mb pressure. 

Very quiet especially first thing, it never really got going in the early morning just a little burst as usual and then almost completely dropped by 0730hrs and continued this way. Mipits quite low, hard milky sky - difficult to locate.

Meadow Pipit: 103 all South (best parties: 1x8,2x61x5)
Chaffinch: 38 (15 W all others East) best party 1x6
Goldfinch: 9 S/SE (3,6)

Siskin: 1
Alba Wagtail: 2
Mistle Thrush: 2 S
Raven: 1 S

Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. 0900hrs to 1200hrs

Again very quiet (or so I thought) and then discovered after one hours watching, that the birds were coming through in trickles but where using a cutting to gain height and had been using a very narrow corridor and once I did manage to latch on it was all systems go (well what I should say is that birds were coming over steady numbers.  When I did pack up watching at 1200hrs I did check the lower regions and I am suspicious that the birds where all sort of "tree hopping" and once I got on to them they just at that point were leaving cover to hit the strong winds with some of them seem to have no bother, but lots of them were being blown and arcing around to take it again, some went back for further cover. Goldfinch numbers building better every year!

Chaffinch: 344 all South East (best parties: 1@13,1@11,1@10 1@8, several 7s)
Meadow Pipit: 5 SE (1,3,1)
Redpoll: 2 SE
Siskin: 1
Goldfinch: 95 all SE (8,4,8,6,4,14,10,9,15,7,10)
Alba Wagtail: 1
Swallow: 26 SE (9,6,2,2,6)
Mistle Thrush: 3 SE
Song Thrush: 1 SE
Woodpigeon 2 E
Goosander: 8 SE (4,3,1) 
Red Admiral Butterfly: 9 (all singles)

Others Buzzard: 1, Raven 1

Friday 22nd September 2017 - Top of Clawthorpe Rd (apex) Nr. Whinn Yeates,
Hutton Roof 0645hrs to 1045hrs

Wind: South East 8-13mph, 7c, 23% Cloud cover, 1018mb pressure.

Excellent morning with plenty of birds and steady trickling of Mipits right up to leaving and will probably go on for most of the day. Mipits at times being blown back, all birds flying at mid height. Alba's crossing over Hutton Roof are in 95% of cases going SE and not only that they keep within a tight corridor of about 30 yards wide - ALWAYS!!

Meadow Pipits 399 all South (best parties: 20 2x11,2x9, several at 5s,6s.)
Chaffinch: 108 (53E all others W) best parties: 3x5s)
Alba Wagtail: 13 all SE (1x4,1x2 all others singles)
Goldfinch: 43 S/SW (20,5,12,6)
Swallow: 3 SW (2,1)
Greenfinch: 1 S
Linnet: 6E
Grey Wagtail: 2W
Skylark: 10 (7S,3W)
Mistle Thrush: 2E (1,1)
Snipe: 1 (audible only)
Woodpigeon: 7 S (4,3)
Starling: 76 in small parties all E (presumed x roost at LM)
Kestrel: 3 (presumed local) 

Wednesday 20th September 2017 - Top of Clawthorpe Rd (apex) Nr. Whinn Yeates,
Hutton Roof 0645hrs to 0900hrs

Wind: South/South West 1-5 mph variable, 11c - far warmer this morning, 100% Cloud (some low) 1015mb. Occasional rain specks

Another one of those super quiet mornings with little on the move. You know it's going to be bad if the Chaffinch are not making a effort.  Although I did for a minute or two think it was going to be good with having a party of 28 Meadow Pipits coming through together, but I now think they were probably a ex roost or blogging party from just a little further North of us. In other words excitement short lived!!. Also another lovely moment was when a Chiffchaff landed in the small trees at the side of the watchpoint and was constantly call with its "hou whit" contact call, and then would break out in the full Chiffchaff song but only in a minimal of volume. The few Mipits that came through were direct flightpath with some high but all seemed to be ambling along as though you were watching them move through in slow motion. Still a good morning. First birds 0710hrs

Large plume (hundred or more) of gnats above us, which would fluctuate between about 8ft and 30ft high and would occasionally descend with lightening speed before they arose yet again. They were not the regular very small gnat (otherwise called midges) but more the larger size of "Black Gnats". Neither where they interested in biting like normal midges do!

Chaffinch: 25 (15W 10E)
Meadow Pipit: 73 all S/SE (best party 28, 2x5,2x4)
Goldfinch: 22 S (8,5,9)
Linnet: 12 S (3,9)
Swallow: 1 S
Starlings: 2W all others 46 E (E birds thought to be x Leighton Moss roost)
Pink Footed Goose: 19 from Carnforth direction of the bay to NE (one skein at 0750hrs)
Jay: 1 S 
Chiffchaff: 1 (grounded) dropped in at 0730hrs - full song

Others: Kestrel, Sparrowhawk

Tuesday 19th September 2017 - Top of Clawthorpe Rd (apex) Nr. Whinn Yeates, Hutton Roof 0645hrs to 0830hrs then  a walk over Holme Park Fell for "fern" studies
Wind ENE 1-5 mph, 5c, 69% Cloud, 1020mb then brightened up with blue skies and then back to mixed cloudy and blue skies, warm on leaving. Very quiet yet again. Highlights were Tree Pipit (audible only), Whinchat and Wheatear. 

Chaffinch: 37 (8 E others W)
Meadow Pipit: 67 S/SE (best 8,6,3x4s)
Alba Wagtail: 3 all SE
Goldfinch: 27 S/SE (6,10,6,5)
Linnet: 10 S (3,7)
Greenfinch: 1 S
Swallow: 11 (1E 10SW) (1,3,1,3,3.)
House Martin: 9 W (5,4)
Mistle Thrush: 8 SW (3,5)
Woodpigeon: 12 (5SE,7W)
Stock Dove: 4 E

Holme Park Fell (0830hrs to 1100hrs)

Meadow Pipit: 6 SE
Skylark: 3 (grounded)
Swallow: 20 (2SE,4 S,1S 13E)
Whinchat: 1 (grounded)
Wheatear: 1 (grounded)
Red Admiral Butterfly: 1 S
Bullfinch 3 (grounded in Holme Stinted Pastures)
Tree Pipit: 1 (audible only)

Kestrel x 1

Monday 18th September 2017 - Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal 0645hrs to 0745hrs and later Top of Clawthorpe Rd (apex) Nr. Whinn Yeates, Hutton Roof 0900hrs to 0930hrs. Winds North 6-7mph, 7c, 78% Cloud, 1019mb pressure
Really quiet today with very little moving, probably because of the pressure with the winds moving complete around and eventually to take on Southerly directions ready for tomorrow. A couple of unrecognizables eg: Small Duck (Wigeon size), and possible Egrets.

Chaffinch: 19 (Mainly to the West, some to the East)
Meadow Pipit: 2 SE
Starlings: 119 all E (one party 100 stretching wide) Obviously ex roost which seems to be growing in numbers.
Swallow: 15 SE (one party)
Mistle Thrush: 2 to NW
Goldfinch: 8 S/SE (5,3)
Grey Lag Goose: 7 (2W at 0648 and 5SW at 0735)
Small Duck: 4 SE (larger than Teal maybe early Wigeon?)
Egrets? from a long way 3 very high to the SE at 0705 (brilliant white)
also Kestrel x 2

Top of Clawthorpe Road, Nr. Whinn Yeates 0900hrs to 0930hrs
Meadow Pipit: 20 mainly SE (in 7,4,3,2,2,1,1)
Goldfinch: 38 S/SE (8,20,10)
Chaffinch: 10 (1E all others W)
Mistle Thrush: 1 S
Song Thrush: 6 SW (thought to be early continentals)
Swallow: 2 W

Sunday 17th September 2017 - Top of Clawthorpe Road (apex) Nr. Whinn Yeates, Hutton Roof 0645hrs to 0845hrs then Mike Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane Burton 0900hrs to 0930hrs

Wind: N 7-12 mph, 10% Cloud, 7c, 1016 pressure.  Very cold throughout - never really got going, what birds did come through more or less dried up from 0800hrs.

Meadow Pipit: 60 all SE (best parties:1x6,1x5, 3x4)

Chaffinch: 44 (26 E all others W) thats the out direction for birds here eg: E to W or W to E

Goldfinch: 49 (11 W, 38 S (best 30,10,8)

Linnet: 15 (7s,6s,1E,1E)

Swallow: 2 E (1E,1E)

Alba Wagtail: 3 SE (1,2)

Siskin: 1

Mistle Thrush: 3 SE

Pink Footed Goose: 1 small party audible only.

Others included: Sparrowhawk 1, Kestrel 1

Mike Taylors fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal 0900hrs to 0930hrs.

Chaffinch: 15 (4 SE and the rest all W) (4, then 3x2 and 5x1)

Grey Wagtail: 1 (E)

Swallow: 6 S (5,1)

Goldfinch: 2 (1W 1E)

Meadow Pipit: 1 SE

Out this afternoon - doing fern (aculeatums) investigations so will check out the birds on or going over Holme Park Fell at the same time.

Saturday 16th September 2017 - Top of Clawthorpe Road (apex) Nr. Whinn Yeates, Hutton Roof 0700hrs to 0900hrs then mobile on Holme Park Fell 0900hrs to 1300hrs

Was winds from the North/North West at about 7mph, Cloudy at first but became sunny from 0900hrs.

Good migration day, but nothing has good as yesterday. Without doubt the Hirundines were on the move yesterday and gone a lot quieter today. Geese coming through again early on.  First wintering Snipe are in on Holme Park Fell

Chaffinch: 85 (with the majority going West) but perhaps a third of them to the East (7,5s,4s etc)

Meadow Pipit: 140 all SE (best 5,4 but mainly pairs) most birds were flying side on to compensate wind.

Goldfinch: 35 (9,2,6,2,5,11)

Swallow: 25 (best 6,5)

House Martin: 18 (5,9,4)

Linnet: 11 (2,6,1,2)

Alba Wagtail: 2 SE

Siskin: 3W

Skylark: 10 (grounded Farleton)

Starling: 35 in dribs and drabs to the E (prob x roost LM)

Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1S

Goosander: 1 SE at 0840hrs

Greylag Goose: 15 all SE (7SE at 0754hrs) (3SE at 0755hrs) (5SE at 0815hrs)

Pink Footed Goose: 124 S (44 S at 0745hrs), (40 S at 0800hrs), (40S at 0855)

Snipe 3 (first winter birds on Holme Park Fell.

Chiffchaff: 1 On Holme Stinted Pastures.

Ravens: 6, Kestrel: 1, Sparrowhawk: 2, Peregrine Falcon 2.

Red Admiral: 2 S.

Friday 15th September 2017 - Top of Clawthorpe Road (apex) Nr. Whinn Yeates, Hutton Roof

0630hrs to 0830hrs -Rain at first light then OK 10 mins after and got better throughout to sunshine and clouds - Excellent morning and a shame to have to pack it in.

Most of the movement SW,S and SE

Meadow Pipit: 113 S,SE (best parties, 3@8, 6@5)

Chaffinch: 91 mainly W or E (best parties, 1@12, 2x8, 1@7, 2x6)

Goldfinch: 37 S (best parties, 1@15,1@13,1@8)

Linnet: 22 S (best party 20)

Reed Bunting: 2 S

Siskin: party audible only

Redpoll: party audible only

Swallow: 61 (best parties 44,20,7) Mainly SW or SE

House Martin: 12 (2,3,2,4,1)

Alba Wagtail: 5 all SE in singles

Pink Footed Goose: 123 all SW (2 skeins 1@63 at 0750hrs, 1@60 at 0805hrs

Also presumed local: 2 Starling E, 1 Green Woodpecker W, Ravens, Blackbirds and Tits, 4 Thrushes to SW (high at first light).

Thursday 14th September 2017 - Holme Park Fell, (Hutton Roof Complex) 0900hrs to 1100hrs

It was fine with light winds. I was mobile all the time so not able to concentrate on flight lines, but did manage to get a snapshot and it was obvious that Migration has now started with plenty of movement from Mipits, Hirundines and Geese.  On my way up to the far side of the fell I had two separate pairs of Wheatear, A family group of four Stonechats, I could hear Skylark going overhead to the South (unseen), also had two parties of Goldfinch crossing to the South (1 at 40, 1 at 12), At least 25 Meadow Pipits S to SE in 5,4,3s and mainly singles or pairs, Also had a party of 3 Linnet to the SE, 9 Swallows to the SE (2,1,1,1,4) also 1 Cormorant out to East then return to West.  The first Pink Footed Geese came over this morning with a party of 20S at 0940hrs followed by another party of 30 to the SW at 0950hrs, both parties where really high and would have been missed but for the calling birds.  Wish I could have spent more time. brilliant stuff!

Tuesday 12th September 2017 - Holme Park Fell, (Hutton Roof Complex) 0800hrs to 1200hrs

On my way going through the Holme Stinted Pastures I could hear a couple of Willow Warblers along with lots of other mixed calls from several others of the commoner species. My highlight came shortly after ascending up on the Fell with three Whinchat posing on the uppermost branch of one of the sparse larger trees that you find on the fell. The wind was quite strong as well and not the best day for passing birds, although I did have the odd Swallows and Meadow Pipits willing to brave it with their exit South. I did also look for Pink Footed Geese because I usually get them around this date but none today were recorded.

I just had to do this one. I rang a guy to tell him that 100 Pink Feet were heading in his direction. And he said to me what is the ETA, I said what? and he explained what is the expected time of arrival. Straightaway when I got home I did this sketch thinking about airports and observation towers etc etc etc