VISMIG STARTS
Saturday 28th November 2020
Taylors Fields (Down in dip - area called tram at SD5391876841), Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: ENE 6-14mph, 3-5c, 0mm rain, 90% down to 60%, 1018-1020mb pressure. Very cold but not freezing, Started count at 0730hrs and finished at 1000hrs.
Disappointing numbers did expect more with low wind easterlies together with drop in temperature, but this seem to have the reverse effect. First Chaffinch at 0756 and first Linnet at 0815hrs.
Linnet: 131 (111se and 20w) 30,10,10,10,7,14,30,10,10
Friday 27th November 2020
Taylors Fields (Down in dip - area called tram at SD5391876841) Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: SE 2mph, 4-6c, 0.mm rain, 90% clould, 1021mb pressure. commenced counts from 0730 and finished at 1030hrs. All movement SE unless stated.
Lot quieter than I would have thought with the changeover to east, but could have done with a notch or too higher with the wind to stir things up, but still grateful for what we had. Certainly no bloggers today and wondering what happened with the Linnets. First Chaffinch at 0748hrs and first Linnet at 0837hrs.
Linnet: 208 (121se and 87w)
Thursday 26th November 2020
Taylors Fields (Down in dip - area called tram at SD5391876841) Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: SSW 2-3mph, 5-7c, 0.mm rain, 80 down to 60% cloud and by 0900hrs low cloud started moving in from Farleton and Hutton Roof and had swamped us by 1000hrs. Vis then down to about 100 yards. 0730hrs to 1030hrs. All movement SE unless stated.
A little slower than recent but still birds about. Again had to do some calculating in regards to bloggers especially with the Chaffinch. Also left out 240 Linnets which all came through to West between 0914 to 0925hrs, but they may not have been bloggers and were not seen to return, so I may well be doing myself a injustice, however I got the impression they could have been our new Winter flock. Also I left out a further party of 50 Chaffinch which came west at 0849hrs and I had a 50 Chaffinch return party to SE at 0947 which I took also to be the same party (eg: possibly the start build of our Chaffinch wintering flock.
Linnet: 281 (221se and 60w) with exclusions of 4 parties totalling 240.
Wednesday 25th November 2020
Taylors Fields (Down in dip - area called tram), Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: West 5 - 8 mph, 7c, 0.mm rain, 50% cloud, very bright by 1000hrs when stuff started to drop off 1009 - 1012mb pressure. 0730hrs to 1115hrs. All movement se unless stated.
Nothing like yesterdays sampling but the winds had moved to west, this should all change by tomorrow and go back to the East. Also today I noticed several large Chaffinch parties which may well have been late onward migration fragmented parties which came through between 0945hrs and 1000hrs. We also have a 30 Chaff blogging party and also a 100 Linnet party backwards and forwards so everything needs careful study at the moment to make sure we are just recording the onward migration. First Chaffinch: 0753hrs, First Linnet at 0811hrs.
Linnet: 378 (224se and 154w) (19 parties from lower ten to 50s)
Tuesday 24th November 2020 (1115hrs to 1300hrs)
Taylors Fields (Down in dip - area called tram), Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: SE then S 8-15mph, 10c, light spitting at times, 100% cloud, 1006mb pressure. Just a sampling from 1115hrs to 1300hrs. And birds still coming through at the same pace on me leaving. Exceptional numbers for time of day and makes me wonder just what happened earlier!!!
Linnet: 303 (233se and 70w) 30,25,5,30,50,6,11,6,3,12,70(w),25,20.
Alba Wagtail: 1 se
Starling: 15w (one party)
Monday 23rd November 2020 (1030hrs to 1130hrs)
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: South 10-15mph, 7c, 0.mm rain, 100% cloud, 1021mb pressure. Just a sampling from 1030hrs to 1130hrs.
Linnet: 99 all se (6 parties: 20,15,16,10,8,30)
Thursday 19th November 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: N then NW 7-15mph, 5c, 0.mm rain, 20 to 50% cloud, 1020 to 1024mb
Still bits and pieces going on, together with large Chaffinch blogging party of up to 60 birds and also a blogging Alba party of some 20 birds, probably interested in the muck piles starting to develop. A small party of Pink Feet very high to SE. First Chaffinch at 0736, First Linnet from 0740hrs.
Linnet: 103 se (25,10,8,15,12,25,8) plus bloggers of about 40
Tuesday 10th November 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: East 3-5mph, 9c, 18% to 50% cloud, 0.mm rainfall, 1019mb pressure. Watching from 0715hrs and finished at 0915hrs.
Quiet and decided today will be my last count of the year, although dont want to rule out maybe the odd occasional count if we do have any adverse weather, but for now thats it folks, thanks for checking us out.
Linnet: 104 (70se and 34w)
Its worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Monday 9th November 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: East 3-5mph, 9-11c, 0.mm rain, 28% to 90% cloud, 1017mb pressure. Started watch at 0715hrs and finished at 1000hrs.
Linnet: 82 se (first 0742)
Its worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Sunday 8th November 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: East 12-15, 8c, 0.5 mm rain, 100% cloud, 1017mb pressure. Rained throughout watch. Started at 0715hrs and finished at 0930hrs
Linnet: 39 se (first 0756)
Its worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Saturday 7th November 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: East 3-5mph, 4c at start up to 9c, 0.mm rain, 0% cloud, 1021mb pressure. Starting watch from 0700hrs and finish at 1100hrs.
OK for first hour and completely dropped by 0900hrs.
Linnet: 336 (143se and 193w)
Its worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Friday 6th November 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: ENE 2-3mph at start, 6c rising to 10c, 8% cloud raising to 84% by 0900hrs, 0.mm rain, 1032mb pressure. Start watch at 0730hrs and finish at 1200hrs.
A far better day and the best so far for Chaffinch with numbers getting back to how they used to be eg: 500. The best activity with larger parties seemed to be between 0830hrs and 0930hrs. At first the visibility was bad with low cloud and at times only down to 100 yards but this did clear by about 0815hrs. Probaly better today because of change to light easterlies and of course DRY.
Linnet: 549 (238se and 311w) first bird at 0800hrs (best: 1x40,3x30)
Its worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Thursday 5th November 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind:West 7mph at start, then down to WSW 3mph at 0900hrs, 8c-10c, 0mm rain, 100% cloud and down to 86% by 0900hrs. 1037mb pressure. Started count at 0730hrs and finished at 1100hrs.
Linnet: 161 se
Its worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Wednesday 4th November 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: NW 3-5mph, 4-9c, 0.mm rain, 90% cloud at first then by 0900hrs down to 1%, 1029mb pressure. Start count from 0730hrs and finish at 1000hrs.
Linnet: 57 se
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Tuesday 3rd November 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: SW 7-12 mph, 5c, 0.mm then by 0900hrs 0.1mm rain, 43% cloud, 1011mb pressure. Start count from 0730hrs to 0930hrs. Heavy soaking rain throughout after first 30 minutes.
Linnet: 69 se
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Monday 2nd November 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: WSW 14-23mph freshening to 17-26mph, 9c, 0.1mm to 0.5mm rain, 100% cloud, 991mb pressure. Start count from 0730hrs to 1000hrs
On/off squally showers every few minutes, although the wind was only 5-15mph. Better morning with Linnets.
Linnet: 331 (247se and 84w)
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Sunday 1st November 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind South 21-44 mph then to WSW by 0900hrs, 11c, 0.3mm rain, 100% cloud, 992mb pressure. Start count from 0730hrs to 0830hrs - total washout with continuous light rain and roaring winds around the 30mph.
And yet the Chaffinch still came through, some direct but lots side on.
Linnet: 52 se (3,3,4,20,14,8) first Linnet 0715hrs
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Saturday 31st October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: SSE 22-43mph, 13c, 0.mm rain, 100% cloud and 1001mb pressure. Watching from 0730hrs to 0930hrs
Really did not expect so many birds this morning with openers of 25mph and gradually freshening to 40mph on my leaving at 0930hrs, and still there were single birds going through. A nice party of 20 Fieldfare were that low and tight together resembling a starling squadron on first look. To say it was so windy the Chaffinch and Linnet were not that low, I would say about 30ft or higher.
Linnet: 34 se first bird from 0718hrs
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Friday 30th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: WSW 13-28mph then by 0800hrs WSW 9-21mph, 12c, 0.2mm to 0.4mm rain, 100% cloud, 1006-1010mb pressure. Visibility poor and low clould blocking all perimeters. Watching from 0730hrs to 1030hrs - drizzle rain from the word go but all seemed to stop at 0800 and it began to dry up.
Yet another quiet morning with little in the way of birds, also the Linnets seemed to have packed up now as well, but bitten by plenty of midges..
Linnet: 19 se (5,4,10)
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Thursday 29th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: SW 12-23 mph and shortly the wind will go SSW, then S, and by 0900hrs did a swing around to SE. It is still so unsettled and giving the birds no stability. Rainfall shows at 0.7mm to 1.2mm,but by 1100hrs its will be 3.6mm, 100% Cloud, 1006mb pressure. Watching from 0730hrs to 0930hrs
Yet another day with few birds on the go.
Linnet: 21 se (5,16)
Its worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Wednesday 28th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: SW 16-30mph, 8c, 0.9mm rain, 96% cloud, 994mb pressure. Off and on heavy showers, nice skyscapes. Watching from 0730hrs to 1000hrs.
Linnet: 188se
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Tuesday 27th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind SSW 8-18mph, 7c, 0.2mm to 0.4mm rain, 100% cloud, 993mb pressure. from 0730hrs to 1100hrs - On off light rain throughout. Wind change mid morning to SE 8-10mph.
The Chaffinch picked up a little and also the parties were bigger.
Linnet: 221 (181se and 40w) first bird 0716hrs
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Monday 26th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: SW 10-22mph, 8-10c, 0.8mm to 1mm, 99% cloud, 988mb pressure. Proper washout with on/off heavy rain throughout. From 0730hrs to 0900hrs
The Starling East x roost were mega high and must have got such a lift today with this sw, so I did just about latch on to a few hundred but missed the majority. The went through at exactly 0700hrs. Most of the birds I did have were happy enough to be coming directly West and into the wind, with very few going the regular SE.
Linnet: 88 (10se and 78w) in small groups today. (first bird 0713hrs)
Its worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Sunday 25th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: South 15-32mph, 6-8c, 0.4mm rain, 100% cloud and 988mb pressure. From 0615hrs to 1000hrs (Clocks went back this morning) On off rain showers wind freshning to 30 plus mph at times.
Birding poor, but getting used to it!
Linnet: 33 (3se and 30w)
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Saturday 24th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind South 20-39 mph, 8c, 0.1mm to 2.6mm, 100% Cloud, 994mb pressure. From 0715hrs to 1000hrs, also at times drizzle/light rain.
I know I keep saying it every year, but I have no idea how these small birds found the energies weaving to and fro and in and out and dipping and climbing to combat these strong Southerlies today which regularly reached no less than 30 mph and probably more, whilst at times I did checked with nearby Preston Patrick weather station which actually showed it to be 45 knots. Even the Gulls and Crows were struggling today, whilst these little fellows fought hard and won.
Linnet: 22 se (1,1,4,3,4,9) first birds 0805 singles and noisy.
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Friday 23rd October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind South 10-20mph, 5-6c, 0.1mm to 0.4mm then 1.4mm by 1100hrs, 100% cloud, 1004mb pressure. Light rain throughout watch. Start from 0715hrs and finish at 1115hrs.
For the first time the Chaffinch numbers were better today, and strange they all came through whilst raining as did the Linnets who also faired well today. Also a hint of Thrush movement.
Linnet: 376 (299se and 77w) first birds at 0755hrs
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Thursday 22nd October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: WSW 21-30mph, 10c, 0.1mm rain, 100% Cloud, 999mb pressure. Drizzle and light rain throughout watch. Start at 0715hrs and finish at 1000hrs.
Still little movement with Chaffinch and beginning to wonder if they have chosen to go by a different route this year, I will be amazed if we get a sudden rush, I really dont think it is going to happen.
Linnet: 233 se (25,30,20,20,25,10,20,10,30,30,7,6)
Worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Wednesday 21st October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. WindSE 7-23mph, SSE by 0800hrs, 12c 0.4mm down to 0.1mm, 100% cloud, 993mb pressure. Start from 0715hrs and finish at 1000hrs.
So so quiet! Even the good old faithful Linnets were struggling this morning!
Linnet: 49 se
Worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Tuesday 20th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: SE 9-30mph, 10-14c, 0.mm rain, 100% cloud, 996mb pressure. Started at 0715hrs and finished at 1030hrs
Still quiet with the Chaffinch, I though with us going into low pressure things may have picked up.
Linnet: 312 (287se and 25w)
Worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Monday 19th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: SSE 5-15mph, 8-9c, 0mm rain, 100% cloud, 1014mb pressure down to 1011mb. Start at 0715hrs finish at 1030hrs.
Still nothing doing with the Chaffinch, but reasonable numbers of Linnet.
Linnet: 470 (290se and 180w)
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Sunday 18th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: E3-5mph, 8-9c 0.mm rain, 100% cloud, 1025mb pressure. Start at 0715hrs and finish at 1030hrs
Again so quiet with little Chaffinches, can only hope this low pressure coming in will charge things up.
Linnet: 186 (154se and 32w)
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: N 6-10mph, 7-9c,0.mm rain, 100% cloud,1025mb pressure. Count starting from 0715hrs to 1030hrs
Quiet again, were on earth are our Chaffinches by now I am usually into the 500 to 1500 numbers? A few straggling thrush parties and that was it!
Redwing: 294 all nw
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Friday 16th October 2020 (part count)
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind NNE 7-13mph, 7c at start rising to 10c by mid morning, 0.mm rain expected, 100% cloud, 1028mb pressure. Count starting from 1000hrs until 1130hrs.
Very quiet and everything died down 1100hrs, I just got a couple of parties before everything went dead and their was a atmospheric strange feeling, and whatever It was I think the birds just gave up, likewise the birder.
Redwing: 230 nw (best: 1x60,1x50,1x40)
Worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Thursday 15th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: NNE 7-9mph by 1000hrs changing to NE 9 and freshening to 15mph, 5c at start and then up to 8c late morning but felt cold throughout because of no sun and wind chill. 8% Cloud at start and increasing up to 77% by mid morning. 1029mb pressure. Watch from 0715hrs to 1300hrs. By 1300hrs it was as though someone had turned the tap off and everything stopped.
Still plenty of Thrushes right from the word go, again using two lines one using the A6070 (nearby to M6 motorway) but some of the birds then appeared to be crossing the mosses. The other line and the more popular seemed to be entering at Dalton Crags and following the west perimeter of Hutton Roof towards Farleton. The Fieldfare parties seemed smaller today than they were yesterday.
Redwing: 3416 to nw. (best: 1x130,6x100, lots between 30 and 80)
Worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Wednesday 14th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind NE 8-22mph, 8c to 12c, 0mm rain, 97% down to 62% then down to 6% by 1000hrs, 1023mb up to 1027mb pressure. Start at 0715hrs and finish at 1400hrs.
Excellent with the Thrushes just short of 13,000 in total. There was birds straight from off, but after 5 minutes went into lull which lasted 30 plus minutes before the floodgates started to open. At first it was superb with most of the large parties heading NW and directly over my head and of reasonable to low height, but as the morning went on it soon became clear they were formed into two separate lines. One following the A6070 (or near to following the M6 motorway north) and the 2nd line which is a well established showed the birds coming in from Dalton Hall or maybe a little more East from Docker/Whittington and then entering the area of Dalton Crags (Hutton Roof) and following the west perimeter all the way along to the end at Farleton on a north west. The birds were at times flowing continuous. I had some parties of 400,300,350 and 200 were regular both with the Fieldfare and the Redwing. The Fieldfare were more plentiful.
Starlings 1520 ex roost to the East at 0745hrs, some went through all the way as normal but up to 1000 birds for some reason came down and settled in a nearby Ash Tree, then some 20 mins later set off again yet came down in another tree only about 200 yards away. Here they stayed for some 20 minutes before continuing their journey. During the period they were extremely noisy and agitated. I have had this happen only once before when the sunrise had turned the sky a deep red, but today the sun was very bright but not deep red. Another strange thing is that the roosting birds do not normally come back until just before dark whereby today they came back through in their thousands by 1100hrs. Obviously today there was something not just right for them. I have had to scrap my Starling to the West counts of fresh continental arrivals of which I am sure there were plenty, because after they came back in they messed about backwards and forwards within the local area and it confused the issue, so thought best to delete the totals.
Redwing: 5,721 nw best parties:
Worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Tuesday 13th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: NNE then N 5mph, then yet another swing around to NW and freshening at 10mph. 4c to 7c, 0.mm to 1.5mm by 1000hrs, 50% Cloud, 1010mb pressure. Start at 0715hrs and finish at 1300hrs.
I really have no idea whats happened to the Chaffinch, but still only a small number compared to previous years. Linnets OK again. Again another sampler with the Thrushes, I think tomorrow could be something special.
Linnet: 464 (307se 157w) best parties: 1x70,1x60,2x40,3x30,1x25,3x20.
Worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Monday 12th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: SSW 5mph, 8c throughout, 0.4mm rain throughout, 100% cloud, 1020 to 1015mb pressure. Light rain off/on throughout. Started watch at 0715hrs and finished at 1115hrs.
I got a sampler of Thrushes which seem to start at about 20 minutes after first light yet gave up after 10 minutes in, although you did get bits and pieces throughout morning with birds going in all directions. The Linnet passage today was superb and still going through on leaving. Still getting odd Swallow movement.
Linnet: 653 (443 se and 210w) best parties: 4x60,1x50,3x40,3x30,1x25,3x20
Also:
Starling 1589 E x roost start with 600 at 0800hrs then, 500,7,5,12,2,200,3,40,25,12,40,20,20,3,15,6,8) Growing daily.
Worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Sunday 11th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: NNE 3-5 mph, 5c to 10c 0mm rain, 10% Cloud, 1025mb pressure. Started at 0700hrs and finished at1030hrs. Far too bright/ far too mild and far too changeable wind directions - to be any good today.
Still mega slow. Had Swallows, Pink Footed Goose and a few Redwing.
Linnet: 149 (79se and 70w)
Worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Saturday 10th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: Starts at West 15-29mph, 8c, 0.6mm rain down to 0.1mm rain, 100% Cloud, 1017 to 1018mb pressure. First Chaffinch 0735hrs, first Meadow Pipit 0745hrs.
Linnet: 361 (188se and 173w)
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Friday 9th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: Starts Westerly at 5-8 and freshened a little by 0900hrs, 9c, 0.1mm on/off, 100% down to 70% by 0800hrs cloud then later filling in again mid morning, 1013-1014mb pressure. Started from 0700hrs and finish by 0930hrs.
Yet another quiet morning and never got going. Had Song Thrush calling over head as soon as I popped my head out of the door.
Linnet: 155 se (40,30,20,30,7,11,17)
Worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Thursday 8th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: Starts at NNE 14-28 and by 0930hrs decreases to 5mph and wind swings around to NW, 8-10c, 0mm rain, 20% cloud and increasing to 80%, 1003 increasing to 1007mb pressure. Cold with dampness in the air.
Nothing really got going again and its no wonder with yet another mid morning swing around with the wind directions and the sudden decrease, they just do not like that! and you are never going to get birds with these sort of conditions. Although if there had been birds around it would have been the most perfect of light grey filled in skies, you would have been able to pick out birds over a long area, but that was not to be today. The few birds going over early were seen at moderate height but having to fly side on to compensate for the strong NNE. The Redwing were seen just on the change of wind and it was so comical to watch them, they just could not settle for a direction from nw to w to sw eventually and over several minutes. Another 3 were seen to tumble from the sky into local hawthorn (berry) tree. The berry crop around here looks very poor this year!.
Linnet: 113 (63se and 50w)
Always worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Wednesday 7th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: West 6-12mph, 9c-11c, 0.1mm to 0.2mm, 58% Cloud, 1005mb to 1009mb pressure. Start 0700hrs and finish 0930hrs
Just never got going at all! just trickles of Chaffinch throughout. A nice start with some small early Redwing parties all going West.
Linnet: 83 se
Always worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: SSE 2-3mph then switched completely over to the SW and still changes, temp 9-12c, Rain 0.2mm to 0.9mm, 90% down to 60% cloud, 991mb pressure. Start count from 0700hrs and finish at 1200hrs.
Rain from the off, then dry then rain then dry for a reasonable period before rain showers again. Only ever light rain and at times birds just mustered through it. Never great numbers but nice and steady with a peter out from about 1000hrs. Slightly better numbered Chaffinch parties up to 11 and 9, but in the main averaging 3s. Linnets definately had build today. Redwing calling on arrival still dark 0745hrs. Thousands of midges, about 1/4" in size and like a smaller version of the St. Marks Fly, and they bite well!
Linnet: 226 se (best parties: 1x50 2x20,1x14,1x12,1x10)
Migration notes:
always worth being aware with the Linnets that they often have a tail party which follows on a second or two later. A similar situation to what you regularly see with Swallows - be ready for the tail party..
They were moving again today but in 95% of the cases they were going to the East with just a sprinkling heading West. They were not in the numbers I had the other day, today perhaps 1 every 20/30 seconds. I can only presume they prefer moving whilst in rain or damp conditions as it was today and how it was the other day when I got good numbers.
Always worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Monday 5th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: WNW to later NW and NNW 2-3mph, 8c to 13c, 0mm rain, 14% cloud, 990mb pressure. Start count at 0700hrs and finish at 1100hrs
Another quiet day which never really got going, but even saying that there has been a constant trickle of singles and pairs of Chaffinch throughout, but for now the build has disappeared and like I say left with singles and pairs.
Perhaps it is exceptionally mild for the time of year, today had a opening temperature of 10c and soon became bright with plenty of blue skies, although yet again, there is no stability with the winds although the winds today were light (NW 2-3 mph), but it is not so much the strength of the wind, but the sudden changes of direction which at present seem to be changing almost by the hour and this probably helps to put paid to any decent movements, because I have always found that as a rule the birds need a day to get used to a particular wind direction and then the following day if the wind is still the same they will sometimes go for it when it can be magic. Off the top of my head I cannot ever recall going through a patch like this, it would by now be very active time of year and should be buzzing. I guess when they do go it may be spectacular.....
Linnet: 96 se
Some of my migration notes from today:
You can tell as a rule the continental Starlings arriving because they come furiously over the hill and then seeing their destination (Leighton Moss) about 4 miles in front of them go into a "happy glide". I notice this regular and again both parties did the same thing today as well.
Now also you sometimes get Redwings also going into that final glide especially just before they are going to alight. The difference is the Starlings are more in a tighter pack whilst the Redwings are more spaced between them or better explained as peppering the sky.
Mavis down in Darwen Lancs had 5000 Pink Footed Goose come in from the West and heading East. She managed to video which you can see by clicking here
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Sunday 4th October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, Wind E 9 to 22 mph, 10c, 0mm rain, 96% cloud, 978mb pressure. Start count at 0700hrs and finish at 1030hrs
It was another rather poor morning for the time of the year. It started reasonable but by 0830hrs it was as though someone turned the tap off and all stopped, but what I did notice was that the wind had previously been at around 12mph and at 0830hrs dropped to around 3mph which it remained for about 45mins before freshening back up again to 10-12mph. But after this only the occasional birds, but still OK. first chaffinch 0717hrs, first Mipit 0715hrs, first Starling x roost at 0728hrs.
Also I noticed the hornets or large queen wasp or whatever had stopped coming through with no movement whatsoever from them either, even though today was dry, warmer with sunshine and less wind, whereby yesterday when it was raining with strong winds they were bombing through - strange and unresolved!
Linnet: 80 se (6,15,16,7,8,6,6)
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Saturday 3rd October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, Wind NNE 9-20, 10c, 0.5mm to 1.3mm rain, 100% cloud, 997mb pressure. Start count at 0645hrs and finish at 1100hrs.
A poor morning with little passage, the birds were few, because of the combination of both continual rain with no let up together with strongish winds, although a few did make it. Also had some Redwings some went w/nw whilst a larger party looked as though they were heading nw but decided to drop off into Hutton Roof. First Chaffinch at 0730hrs, first Meadow Pipit at 0718hrs, first Starling x roost at 0725hrs.
Probably one of the most interesting things this morning was watching the "Hornets" on their migration with 70% going west whilst 30% go South East. They are about 3cm in length and quite chubby in relation to the regular wasp and I would guess at perhaps twice the size of a regular wasp. They come through every year at this time and have an altitude of about 12-15ft and fly singular. They seem to be passing me at about 1 every 5 - 8 seconds. They seem to be in a corridor of about 60ft wide with hedgerows. They just keep coming and I probably saw one to two hundred. They kept going right from first light and still going strong on my leaving at 1100hrs.
Linnet: 106 se
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Friday 2nd October 2020
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton in Kendal. Wind NE 9-17mph, 5-12c, 0mm rain, 85% cloud, 995mb pressure. Start count at 0645hrs and finished at 1230hrs
Today was better, although there was stronger winds, but the Chaffinch party numbers are building nicely. On the odd occasion I looked up to cloudbase and noticed odd finches or mipits going through so wondered just how many birds I was missing. Also better Linnet numbers as you would expect for the time of year. A few more straggling Redwing and Blackbirds. Dropped at 0830 but steady trickles after this and throughout morning.
Linnet: 192 (6,4,6,5,21,6,1,4,30,5,7,12,7,1,4,6,3,9,5,30,6,4,30,1,5,12,8,3,5)
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Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton in Kendal. Wind WNW 7-12mph, 8-11c, 0mm rain, 84% cloud, 997mb pressure. Start count at 0645hrs and finish at 1030hrs and below includes extended watches from 1200hrs to 1300hrs and 1400hrs to 1500hrs.
Again very little showing, it generally is poor on any winds with a "N" in them, together with all the uncertainty in recent days eg: East to West to East to West all over the place, even in the same morning! But we did get a sprinkling of Chaffinch, some Linnet and my first Redwing and also some early continental Starlings heading directly West. Again witnessed a Meadow Pipit about 50 yards in front of his mate, he then circled around and flew back to his mate which then went into a mid air squabble and chase before carrying on together to the se.
Linnet: 52 se (4,22,6,20)
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Wednesday 30th September 2020 -
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton in Kendal. Wind SSE10-28mph, 10c, 0.1mm and rising to 0.5mm then to strong rain from 0900hrs. 100% cloud, 1005mb pressure. All movement to the SE unless specified. Start count at 0645hrs and finish at 1030hrs
Rained all the way through the watch with very little moving, some albas early doors, also steady flow of Linnets, but for some reason the Chaffinch were not having any other than the most determined. A few Mipits coming through. Also a few little groups of Canada Goose heading SE and very low.
Linnet: 86 se (6,4,10,5,7,40,4,10)
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Tuesday 29th September 2020 -
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind: NNE 2-3 mph then changing over to SW by 110hrs, starts at 6c rising to 12c. 70% clould decreasing to 1% cloud, 1015mb pressure. All bird movement to the SE unless stated otherwise.
Again nothing doing! and why should it, the same thing keeps happening the morning starts off with easterlies and by mid morning its swung around to westerlies, not that there was much wind but nevertheless it must be causing the birds to have hesitation. Also in the valley below was plenty of thick mist which kept on rolling in and back and threatening at times, although the high canopy kept clearn. Once the sun got up by 0900hrs it almost to 95% cleared it out. Just trickles of birds going through.
Linnet: 6
Always worth checking the links:
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Bardsey Bird Observatory
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Always worth checking the links:
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
Trektellen
Monday 28th September 2020 -
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind SE 1-2mph then to ESE, to S, to SSW. 4c to 10c, 0mm rain, 98%cloud, 1012mb pressure. All movement to the SE unless stated. Start at 0630hrs and finish at
Another very slow day, with just trickles throughout the morning, no push whatsoever. A very still sort of morning with little to no wind. I think again the problems were with the wind changing course from Easterly to Westerley.
Linnet: 154 se
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Sunday 27th September 2020 -
Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. Wind NNE 6-7mph, 2c to 6c, 0mm rain, 0% cloud, 1017mb pressure. All movement to the SE unless stated. Start at 0630hrs and finish at 1000hrs
Just never got going and occasional pairs moving through, I think it was the quietest day so far with nothing exciting going on. I am told from several sites that Redwing parties have been seen heading North West from their respective sites, which may just put them on course for us, so lets see what tomorrow brings. The meagre counts for today were:
Meadow Pipit: 72 se
9 first whoopers of the year at Walney Island, Barrow In Furness
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looks out North West towards the lakes
Saturday 26th September 2020 -
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Heysham Bird Observatory
Walney Bird Observatory
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9100 Pink Footed Goose over Walney, Barrow In Furness
Heysham Bird Observatory
Walney Bird Observatory
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Heysham Bird Observatory
Walney Bird Observatory
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Heysham Bird Observatory
Walney Bird Observatory
Bardsey Bird Observatory
Spurn Bird Observatory
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Sunday 20th September 2020
No Counts today from Burton In Kendal. Hopefully back at vis tomorrow (Monday)
3008 Meadow Pipit SE - Winter Hill, Greater Manchester.
16 se Ring Ouzel - Winter Hill, Greater Manchester
3 Redwing, Walker Fold area (Greater Manchester)
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Saturday 19th September 2020 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (SD5382976989) 0630hrs -1100. Wind NE 9-20mph, 8c, 0mm rain, 100% cloud at first then falling. 1024mb pressure.
Again dropped by 0900hrs, with just steady trickles of both Chaffinch and Meadow Pipits throughout watch up to 1200hrs and still occasional singles or pairs on my leaving. Birds early on too high to get on and just by luck saw odd birds like small dots even with the aid of binoculars, so guess I must have missed more than I actually booked. As time went on they seem to come lower, even the hirundines got easier to record as well. First Mipit at 0633hrs, first Chaffinch at 0642hrs. Wind freshened slightly by 1000hrs to approx 8-10mph
Meadow Pipit: 214 (best parties: 1x10,1x9,1x8)
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Friday 18th September 2020 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (SD5382976989) 0630hrs - 1200hrs Wind: ENE 5-8mph, 7-14c, 0mm rain, 8% and build with cloud, 1028mb pressure. All movement SE unless stated otherwise
Best morning so far, with a burst straight away from first light with the Meadow Pipits. Not that we generally get lots of them, but what we got was special with the first party being 15. They dropped at 0900hrs along with everything else, although still going through in occasional trickles right through the morning and up to leaving at 1200hrs. I do intend to go out again at around 1600hrs to check the situation. Also Chaffinch again doing well. Two small parties of Golden Plover to the N/NW. Starlings ex roost growing in numbers and can only think the numbers are swelling with early continentals (already!).
Meadow Pipit: 261 se (best parties: 1x15,1x10,1x9,3x8,3x7 also 6s,5s,4s.
Thursday 17th September 2020 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (SD5382976989) 0630hrs-1100hrs. Wind: NE 5-6mph, 8c, 0mm rain, 0% cloud, 1031mb pressure. All birds heading SE unless stated.
Chaffinch numbers are beginning to build as expected. just steady trickles for first hour then pick up from 0900hrs with slight wind change (NE to E) and also freshened a little to 8-12 mph. brought birds much lower and easier to see. Good to get the first Redpoll of the year. Also had small skein of Pink Feet but going unusually to the North and also missed some early doors.
Linnet: 39 se (6,20,7,5)
Wednesday 16th September 2020 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (SD5382976989) 0630hrs to 1030hrs. Wind: NE 6-16mph, 14c, 0mm rain, 93% cloud, 1023mb pressure. All birds heading SE unless stated
Really slow going throughout and only trickles after 0800hrs.
Siskin: 3
Tuesday 15th September 2020 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (SD5382976989) 0630hrs to 1100hrs. Wind: ENE 3-5mph, 15c, 0mm rain, 100% cloud, 1018mb pressure. All birds heading SE unless stated.
A lot better today, but missed lots. Everything was super high and you missed so many with lots of bino work etc, but still grateful for what I got. The Chaffinch are building well now and once we get a little more wind (maybe tomorrow), I think our numbers will go up. Strange but this happens sometimes when at around the 1000hrs a few birds start to go in a NW direction, but maybe this will have something to do with the wind changing around from Easterlies to South Westerlies at approx that time. My highlight today was not one Swift but two going South with about one hour between them.
Meadow Pipit 15 se
Monday 14th September 2020 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (SD5382976989) 0630hrs to 1100hrs. Wind: SE 3mph, 11c, 0mm rain, 39% cloud, 1020mb pressure. All birds heading SE unless stated
Just trickles throughout, hirundines really high today especially Martins.
Linnet: 11 (one party se)
Sunday 13th September 2020 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (SD5382976989) 0630hrs to 0930hrs. Wind: SW 16-32, 14c, 0.00rain, 88% cloud, 1015mb pressure. All birds heading SE unless stated. Easterlies expected tomorrow so maybe better!
Disappointing with little to no activity. It was interesting to see the Starling ex roost party this morning had grown to about 235. Not a single Meadow Pipit. First Chaffinch at 0717hrs.
Chaffinch: 7 (5se 2w)
Saturday 12th September 2020 - Taylors Fields, Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal (SD5382976989). 0630hrs to 0930hrs Wind:W 12-24mph, 10c, 0.-0.1 rain, 5% to 99% Cloud cover, 1012mb pressure. All SE unless stated
The morning started with a early(0635hrs to SE) skein of Greylag Geese (27) which came over from the Levens Estuary and headed inland to the SE and then returned on the same line at 0653hrs heading NW as though back to their origin. Just a scattering of Mipits at early doors to the SE. Obvious Starling ex roost from the mosses (eg: Leighton or Silverdale) at 0715hrs quite high. Heard occasional calls from Siskin as though in the hedgerows. Nice to see Pintail coming from somewhere over the Bay and heading inland.
Friday 11th September 2020
The wind was crazy up on Burton Fell, yet I still managed to see a party of about 25 Goldfinch. It looked like they were trying to take control as they whizzed passed at tremendous speed.
Local Reports 10th September 2020
I had a skein of 30 Pink Feet heading from Grange direction and heading South over Morecambe Golf Club (Happy Mount Park) at 1233hrs.
Local Reports 6th September 2020
A report of a small skein 30 plus going over Burton In Kendal to South East yesterday (thanks to Mary B) and also several reports of Pink Footed Geese today coming over Whitbarrow and Cartmel and Warcrop areas, and also reports of birds already landing over in Norfolk.
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