Song Thrush versatily and SKY the Lark returns

Tuesday & Wednesday February 26th and 27th 2013 - Diary Sketch

Tuesday 26^th February 2013

0600-0700hrs  - A full moon and almost clear skies which made it quite light at early doors.

Also a ground frost this morning, which we did not have the previous night (Monday), although today’s ground frost was by far lighter than we have come to experience in the more recent past.

Coming down Clawthorpe road towards “Sunny Glen” I had six male Blackbirds, close together and holding debate deciding who gets what!!  I’ll bet that debate turned to “scrapping” shortly afterwards.

0900-1200hrs – Dalton, Trig, Lancelot Clark Storth, Storth Woods, Dalton.

I was audience for some fifteen minutes and held spellbound listening to the sweetest of many calls coming from a Song Thrush which was on the highest point of the tallest tree, delivering his continual squeaks, squeals, chatters, wolf whistles and lots, lots, more. I should have stayed much longer listening to him, it was just the ticket!  Probably the best entertainment around and natural and free, and a mean feast to try and understand. He was holding his “high stage” just close to the bottom of the Dalton Crags incline. 

I tried to decipher some of the stuff he was singing, which went something like: 1) weehoo, weehoo, 2) Wee-hoo-wit, wee-hoo-wit, 3) Wit-woo, Wit-woo, 4) her-kleep-kleep, her-kleep-kleep, 5) Chit-chit-chit-chit 6) See-it, see-it (7) The yaffle call of the Green Woodpecker and (8) Lots of Starling chuckling mimickry.  He delivered most of the mixed bag with a “immediate repeat” of the same syllables (as shown above), and would then start to sing them all jumbled up.  But really there could have been lots more on offer if I had stayed longer. In these very fortunate situations I really do need to spend more time “listening and taking it all in” for today it had certainly started my “adventures” off in the most cheering and refreshed of mind.

(It also took me back to 29^th June 2011 when I was listening to a versatile Song Thrush over at Pickles Wood, and this one did the most wonderful of impressions of the Curlew and the Oystercatcher, but the best of all had to be the impression of the  “Trimphone”.  I just couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

The Trimphone came out in the 1970’s and had almost ceased production by the late 1980’s yet here we had a Song Thrush mimicking the call exactly, and the year was 2011. So had the bird inherited that talent from its ancesters and having been handed down through its genes, or could there possibly have been some other reason. Whatever the reason I am sure the 2011 bird was not 40 years of age!)

(Back to Tuesday 26^th February 2013)

By now the morning had turned so pleasant, with sunshine all around, and

Hurray! a Skylark was seen crossing over Dalton from East to West, another Pecker (Great Spotted) was heard drumming from near where the Charcoal Burners used to be.

And whilst climbing up through the deforested track, I was met with what at first appeared to be lots of “little white fairies” daintily dancing in the vertical at various stages.  They were almost silver in true colour and a lot larger and far longer winged than the conventional “midge”. But whatever they were obviously they had been a fresh “hatch” this very morning.

A Green Woodpecker was “yaffling” from down at Dalton Woods, with its sound almost drowned out by the gaggling calls made by two passing Greylags overhead traversing from East to West.

At the Trig Point, another Song Thrush was in full song, again on the highest branch on the tallest tree some 200 yards North West in line with the pathway which leads to the Cairns.  Also another Green Woodpecker was “yaffling” from somewhere over towards Park Wood direction.

sketch whilst at the solar panels

Crossing over into Lancelot Storth and breaking any surface ice in the large black cattle troughs.  I decided to do a small ten minute sketch of the solar panels and the water tubs and its surroundings.   Whilst doing the sketch I had a bird constantly singing from further back beyond the panels.  Although I could hear it reasonably clear, I just couldn’t see it although I did recognize the “type” of call to be conducive with a member of the “Bunting” family. Instead of going down and checking it out like I would normally have done, for some reason I just get so ingrossed with my sketch and by the time I had finished it the bird had flown.

Another pair of Green Woodpeckers were reverse calling to one another from further down and across to the North West side close to the Burton Fell boundary.

At the rear of the Dalton hamlet from within the Storth woodland, there was such a enormous explosive cackling noise came from overhead when four male Blackbirds were chasing one another and having a scrap in the process.  It really does look like bullying tactics may be used here!

Wednesday 27^th February 2013.

0600hrs – 0700hrs – Heavy ground frost today.

(0630hrs)  Saw a Brown Hare going down the lane towards Henridding which then jumped over the wall into the fields.

A lovely singing Song Thrush was calling from Russell Farm in Dalton, to the rear of the “ancient stone circle”, and it was still singing away from the same spot later at 0830hrs.

Also it looked like being the morning of the “Dunnocks”, because on Vicarage Lane they appeared to be singing from everywhere.  It certainly suggested today for some reason there was definitely something starting to happen with this species.

A pecker (Great Spotted) was heard again drumming,  and also another fabulous singing Song Thrush were calling from Curwen Wood at the “Claw House corner.  Also a Bullfinch was quietly “piping” away at The Woodlands.

0830hrs-1200hrs – Dalton Hamlet – Trig – Lancelot – Pickles Wood

Disturbed three Lapwings within the fields of Russell Farm, they noisily ascended and headed off to the West.  Also heard the quiet piping of Bullfinch at nineteen trees.  Yesterdays Song Thrush at Dalton Crags was again “serenading” with his versatile repertoire.

And whilst climbing up through the “deforested” at Dalton, a lovely surprise awaits with the melodious greeting from SKY (our resident Skylark at this spot) who broke into full song along with another bird nearby which after seeing them together earlier, presumed the other bird to be SKY’s good lady.  In fact on my approach there were actually four birds, one of which left the others and traversed high and to the West.

On my approach to the Trig and whilst there, even more Skylarks could be heard passing overhead North.  Still no Mipits to mention.

A Green Woodpecker “yaffling” from Lancelot bottom close to Pickles Wood and further Bullfinch “piping” on my return past Browside on Vicarage Lane.

Red - poll needed the Ice Breaker

Thr and Fri Feb 21st and 22nd 2013 - Diary Sketch

On my way up through Dalton Crags to Hutton Roof summit, I have found it necessary during these past few freezing mornings to break up the ice and remove it from the cattles drinking trough, easily attained with my well worn "walking stick", the ice has ranged between 3/4" to 1 1/4" thick.

Today I was doing it on the Dalton trough, and it obviously makes such a racket breaking up the ice. Within minutes I could hear from over the nearby wall and from within Lancelot even more cattle, and they had started "mooing" away, which obviously had only started on account of hearing the noise of breaking ice.  I got the immpression they where actually communicating and telling me in their language, that they also wanted their ice breaking up. So I then went over into Lancelot and started breaking and clearing the ice on their trough too.  Within minutes of me breaking their ice, they were participating in taking a drink.

Deer Ticks, Peckers, Daphne and Other Birds

Wednesday February 20th 2013 - Diary sketch

Wow! It came as a surprise yesterday to find a full adult deer tick well embedded in the upper arm. And again today more ticks comfortably attached in the lower leg regions of my moleskins…

Nothing new about “deer ticks”, I certainly get my fair share of them, especially during the late Summer months, but didn’t really expect to get them on a cold freezing frosty February early morning. 

This morning Peckers (Great Spotted) were going at it! from all directions of Dalton in fact I counted five separate birds drumming their territories which had no less than two hundred yards between each of them.  This was only a very small part of Dalton, so how many can there be throughout.  I might just try and get around and survey the “drumming birds” in the full Dalton area tomorrow.

Prior to two days ago I had not heard any drumming this year and heard my first only yesterday on the edge of Curwen Wood, followed two hours later by a couple more just to the back of Plain Quarry within Dalton Crags. They must be sending their messages “by relay” to one another.

I couldn’t wait any longer I know its nearly the time for “Daphne” (Mezereum), and so decided to trundle my way across the Roof in earnest!  Oh! this year is going to be somewhat special for this species.  I found several of the well established small shrubs, its soon became obvious I was premature with my visit and that I was perhaps up to ten days to early. Still I could witness with amazement the solitary flower presently “open”, yet lots and lots of beautiful red/purple buds, in near readiness for exploding into delicate bloom which together will bring the sweetest of aroma to the fortunate. By the way my wife regular quizzes me for more information wanting to know who Daphne is!! 

Birds really did seem a little subdued this morning with a nil count on any passage birds in the skies.  I can only think that maybe the sudden change back to freezing cold temperatures during the recent nights, have now put a “pause” on the movement of Larks and Pipits coming through, yet would expect this to change after the weekend.

Also today listening so closely for the “little bit of bred and no cheese” and half expecting the Yellowhammers to be back at their sites, but no signs yet.  I was to early because it was 29th February when I recorded them back last year (2012).

Still no signs of the Great Grey Shrike and probably to early, its usually about March when he comes back, but still worth checking out his usual “perches” including his favourite “The Shrike Tree”.

 “Zigzag”  with a “kwa” the Woodcock made his presence again today, as he hastily made his retreat.  I don’t think I can ever remember seeing so many of them.  Every day I seem to be flushing them from the “verges of the pavements” or in between the grassed intermediate broken pavements.  A most beautiful bird

Skylark Is certainly not Larking about

Skylark is not "larking" about

A couple of days late for me but so what! He's arrived almost right on cue!

Today for me the first Skylark could be heard from far high above Dalton (deforested) with just a faint rolling “churrup” call. This tells me that plenty more will come through during the next couple of weeks.
Now then, I am left wondering whether this one today was a far away breeding bird just crossing over the Roof, and when would “Sky” our Dalton regular arrive back on his favourite territory on the Crag House side of Dalton?

I walk through the Crags daily to reach the Hutton Roof summit and I know that any morning now I will hear him (Sky) burst into song from high, and higher, and to his gracious highest! What I am sure is, he will not be doing his “Tree Pipit” mimic calls this week or next week, in fact I would not expect that perfect imitation to at least the second week of April.

Coupled with these fresh, sunny February mornings, the “Lark” singing away, always brings so much cheer to most of us, giving us his special melodious welcoming in preparation of the fast approaching start to “ Wake up and get out its nature time once again”.

I know exactly when things started to change for the better, it was Friday last the 15th February!

Every morning up and out well before dawn, there's been little going on for me on the bird front  other than the odd low flying “Oystercatcher” or the high flying “Golden Plover” passing overhead, the only other species to be seen or heard in that early morning darkness was Terence the Tawny Owl who kept his guard at various points along “Nineteen Trees”.

After leaving Dalton Lane and turning into “The Trees” you would regularly see him perched in the higher branch of one of the ancient trees. Your headlights would just about catch his presence and he looked so light coloured, which makes me suspect he is of the “brown phase” and not the “grey phase”. I think most tawnie’s in these parts are of the “brown”. Slow driving is essential here, because just now and again he will swoop down almost as if to attack the car headlight, but thankfully would quickly change his direction seconds before to narrowly avoid disaster.

Another great friend in those early hours especially during the latter part of January but far more so during early February was Robin who would sing his little heart out, at regular points quite near to street lighting. There were several of them competing with one another, especially as you start to descend Vicarage Lane. You never once saw them in the darkness, but could hear them clearly and with regularity.

But like I said before it was on Friday last, especially during the final hour of darkness and just as dawn approached, not only Robins were much in evidence, but it was as if all the birds in the neigbourhood had burst into song and it was obvious I was witness to perhaps the first of the years spectacular “Dawn Chorus”.

In addition, over the past couple of days I have seen lots of activity with the local thrushes and much aggresive fighting amongst a pair of Blackbirds, and also noticed a Crow carrying twigs and House Sparrows with nesting material in their bills, all in readiness for nest building.

Skylarks for Valentines Day !!



I have been going up on Hutton Roof daily and as yet no returning Skylarks, but there again the weathers not been at its best for returning birds, but would expect them to start coming over sometime during the next fortnight.



Comes with the Territory!



Yes it really has happened before. Being visited by the Police after someone has reported you as being a suspicious character and you are left having to explain and prove to them, that you are simply doing a bit of bird watching.  Also whilst birding the odd dog or sheep has sneaked up and grapped things out of my butty bag.  I have also been used as a “lampost”, I have been surrounded and almost attacked by four chunky Rams (at first I thought they were heavy duty sheep)  It also is so funny that so many passers by think all birders are "twitchers", which is definately not the case.  And one of the regular greetings is "Are you one of those twitcher fellows?" and then go on to say "and have you seen anything special.  Sometimes I want to reply with yes I have!  I've had one kangaroo, four rattlesnakes and one hippo flying past on a broomstick"  

  



This is down in Aylesbury were the Peregrine nest on the County Hall. Down there they are monitoring the various bird species catches made by the Peregrine has it hunts during the hours of darkness by using the city lights. So far the following species have been recorded: Woodock, Golden Plover, Lapwing (regular), Snipe, Fieldfare (regular), Wheatear, Arctic Tern (possibly taken during the daytime), Song Thrush, Black Tailed Godwit, Ruff, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Swift, Woodpigeon (regular) and Pipistrelle Bat.

There is also another one hunting the City of Bristol and this is known to have taken Corncrake and Leach's Petrol during the evening hours amongst a varied species diet.  Just shows you what must be passing overhead (probably quite a lot of the species would be on migration).



Must be two of Hutton Roofs Revellers

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Whats been happening?  well nothing much really, just odd bits and bats eg:
Late December Started to notice towards the end of December that the Snowdrops were starting to come through.

3rd January 2012.  Odd Fieldfare calling up near Trig Point on Hutton Roof.

Between the 3rd January and the 6th January 2012, Lots and lots of reports about large skeins of Pink Footed Goose moving over from Norfolk and Lincolnshire heading west into Lancashire with reports of into thousands crossing over Brockholes on Sunday last.

5th January 2012.  Saw large Toad in Clawthorpe.  I dont normally start seeing them until about the third week into February.

6th January 2012.  Every morning over the past couple of weeks, during the hours of darkness (maybe about 0645hrs), There have been Robins singing their little heads off, up to three regulars) on Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal, noticed the songsters where all at various places where there was a "street light"

Max Ming's Confab (Waxwings on Arnside Knott)

Waxwings having a chat about where are the food sources?  Arnside Knott of course!

Vismigging for me as been finished now for a few weeks and a little job I had to do was to redo the sketch at the bottom and to add some new detail, so please enjoy.

Today been up to the Trig Point starting from Plain Quarry, Dalton.  A beautiful morning but little to see or hear, just the odd Redwing.  Wow! I'm told up to 200 Waxwings over at Arnside Knott........

Added 11th Dec 2011 - Went up to Arnside Knott yesterday and had one party of about 15 birds.  Told earlier there had been a party of around 70 present plus other small parties. Did a little sketch above!

Added 12th Dec 2012 - Reports on Lancaster and District Birdwatching Society site of up to 350 Waxwings present on Arnside Knott, yesterday afternoon (11th Dec 2012).

I have now uploaded quite a lot (but not all yet) of my Limestone Pavement photos which you may wish to view. A couple of these very special pavements lie hidden amongst the trees in Dalton or Hutton Roof. Just click here to check out and then select and click over to enlarge, and then if you still want full screen viewing, point your mouse cursor to the top edge of the photo and a new tab which says "zoom or original" will appear, so click here and it should open in full screen.

Please enjoy,
Bryan.

                                                          A redo of my Epipactis Practice Sketch

Checking the birds in Dalton and Lancelot - Thr 15th November 2012

Dalton this morning -Tall and straight and spent leaves

Its that time of the year again for me when things start to quieten down in regards to the visible migration.

I have been up Dalton and Lancelot over the past couple of days looking out for maybe the GGS, nothing as shown as yet although I did have a false alarm yesterday whilst in Lancelot.  Quiet in general, with the odd 40 plus roving parties of Fieldfare mainly feeding from the open floor areas, with some also on the berries. Odd Redwing amongst the parties making their "kwa" at roost call.  Also still some Goldfinches feeding here and there and the odd party still heading South.

Only moderate amounts of berries on the hawthorns this year, so whether there will be enough to attract the Waxwings to the area, time will tell.  Reports today on (South Cumbria Birds Blog) that a Short Eared Owl was present yesterday at Dalton Crags.

Visible Bird Migration Over Burton In Kendal & Hutton Roof - Autumn 2012

(Click over sketch to enlarge)

Visible Migration Wednesday 7th November 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal.

0800hrs - 0900hrs.

Wind: Westerley 10-15mph

Movement: West unless stated.

Fieldfare 30W

Starling 143W

Chaffinch: 15SW

Greenfinch: 2W

Meadow Pipit: 2S

Woodpigeon: 62 NW

Pink Footed Goose: 40W (0802hrs)

This is a true story, just what happened to me this morning...

I went to my usual place on Slape Lane (Burton In Kendal) and the field was full of sheep.  Not worried about that I crossed the field and set up with my chair and everything else I tag along. Before long I noticed this "heavy duty" sheep (really good condition I thought) looking towards me quite bewildered and sort of staring at me!, before long it came close by in hot pursuit of this other sheep in front.  Then the penny finally dropped and I noticed the "heavy duty" sheep was actually showing a large manhood sack and his forehead looked heavy going too.  But thankfully he trundled off in pursuit of his sheep.  So I sort of settled down and tried to concentrate on the "birdless" skies, but then soon after, I noticed that another "three" of these heavy duties started to circle around me and each one of them was giving me the "evils" for what seemed ages.  I imagined for a moment or so that they looked like anytime they would start pounding the floor with their feet before going into the "full charge". 

I soon realised I was on someone else's patch today, so quickly packed up, hid my chair and vacated to a safer place.

Visible Migration Monday 5th November 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal, Cumbria.

0730hrs - 0900hrs

Wind: Westerly 2mph and variable

Movement: West unless stated otherwise.

Fieldfare: 34 (30W one party and 4 SW)

Redwing: 10 SW one party.

Starling: 39 (34W and 5SW)

Chaffinch: 11 (mainly W)

Greenfinch: 1

Woodpigeon: 126 mainly SW plus another party of 200 which could have been locals feeding on spent maize.

Visible Migration Sunday 4th November 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton in Kendal, Cumbria.

0730 to 0900hrs,

Wind: Easterly 12-15mph with gust to 20

Movement: West unless stated otherwise.

Fieldfare: 50 mainly W, some SW best: 30,7,5.

Starling: 206 (130 W the rest S)

Woodpigeon: 158 W or SW

Chaffinch: 29 mainly W

Goldfinch: 7 SW

Greenfinch: 1 SW

Alba Wagtail: 2 SW

Meadow Pipit: 6 SW

Pink Footed Goose: 17W at 0800hrs and also a little later 7 SW

Visible Migration - Friday 2nd November 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal Cumbria.

0930hrs-1030hrs.

Wind: SW 20-25 mph.

Movement: West unless stated.

Even quieter.  Fieldfare local flock now down to about one hundred birds, still enjoying themselves on the local spills.

Fieldfare: 29 W (one party 20, 7 others singles)

Redwing: 1 W

Starling: 69 (58W and 11S)

Chaffinch: 25 E or W

Goldfinch: 3 SW

Woodpigeon: 204SW (one flock 200)

Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1 SE (probably local)

Visible Migration - Thursday 1st November 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal, Cumbria.

0730hrs-0900hrs

Movement: West unless stated.

Again very quiet.  Fieldfare local flock now down to about two hundred birds, these still busying themselves with the spoils of hedgerow hawthorn berries, spent crab apples or spent "maize". But the bulk of the previous days birds had obviously moved on.

Fieldfare: 157

Redwing: 5 (2E,3NW)

Starling: 50 S

Alba Wagtail: 1 SE

Chaffinch: 33 (mainly W or SW)

Goldfinch: 15 (one party SW)

Woodpigeon: 86 SW (one party 80)

Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1 NE (probably local)

Sparrowhawk: 1 (local I'm sure)

Greylag Goose: 2 NW

Visible Migration -  31st October 2012 - Slape Ln, Burton In Kendal, Cumbria.

0730hrs to 0845hours

Wind: South 15-20mph

Movement: West unless stated otherwise.

Not much doing again today, rain on and off and strong winds.  Thrushes (90%) Fieldfares of around the 500 mark where he there and everywhere in the Burton/Vicarage Lane and Slape Lane Areas, taking rest and feeding up on the numerous hawthorn berries.  You would see them all the time leaving, coming back, moving from tree to tree etc etc etc. This is how its been now for a couple of days, but certainly a increase in numbers today.

Fieldfare: 48 (these came in from the West but went down and joined the rest on approach)

Redwing: 1W

Starling: (Roost cleared at 0715hours) then, 65S (15,50)

Chaffinch: 59 mainly SW but some W

Redpoll: 2W

Goldfinch: 8 SW (2,6)

Greenfinch: 2W

Woodpigeon: 28 SW

(Click over sketch to enlarge)

Visible Migration Tuesday 30th October 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal, Cumbria.

0730hrs to 0930hrs.

Wind: W 2mph

Movement: West unless stated otherwise.

Nothing wanted to get going this morning.  Did have a party of perhaps 200 Fieldfare, messing about going up then down from tree to tree, no interest whatsoever in movement. Only 3 parties West today, but quite sure that one the LM roost has dispersed that the S/SW/SE parties are fresh arrivals this morning.

Fieldfare: 27W (12,12,1)

Redwing: 24W (10,8,4,2)

Starling: 296 W & S (30S,30S,40S,10S,30W,6W,40W,100S,8S,2S)

Woodpigeon: 114 SW (best 70,20)

Chaffinch: 116 (mainly W, some SW) (Best parties: 23,13,12,11)

Siskin: 7 E (one party)

Greenfinch: 5 W (several more heard)

Redpoll: 2 W

Brambling: 2 W

Goldfinch: 9 SW

Whooper Swan: 1W

Goosander 2W

Raven: 1 SW (probably local)

LBBG: A constant stream of at least 100+ heading S.

Visible Migration Monday 29th October 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal, Cumbria.

0730hrs to 0930hrs

Wind: NW 3-5mph

Movement West unless stated. 

Today the migration never got off to well with low mist to all perimeters and visibility almost down to a couple of hundred yards around the watchpoint.  So obviously I was missing birds. Gave it to 0930hrs and still "misted out" so called it a day.  Although within half hour of leaving and getting home, the mist had almost lifted and I could see stuff moving from my bedroom window (which included the odd one hundred party of Thrushes and big Starling squadrons heading W).  So later on (12noon) I gave it another bash, but it dried up just after my arrival other than the odd party. Pretty good today for the Starling, which 95% came through within the same 100 yard wide corridor, all to the West.

First Session:

Fieldfare: 303 all West (6 parties: best parties: 100,80,3x30)

Redwing: Just odd ones I could hear settled in the hedgerows or boundary trees on way up.

Starling: 581 all W (14 parties: best parties: 160,2x60,3x40)

Chaffinch: 47 all W or NW

Goldfinch: 10 N one party.

Redpoll: 2 S

Woodpigeon: 80 SW

Also Marsh Tit in hedgerow on way up Slape Lane. (Not vismig)

Second Session:

1200hrs- 1400hrs

Wind NW 3-5mph

Movement West unless stated.

Fieldfare: 680 (8 parties: best parties: 180,120,2x100,60,2x50)

Starling: 410 (5 parties: best parties: 200,120,50, 2x20)

Woodpigeon: 100 SW (one party)

Visible Migration - Sunday October 28th 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal, Cumbria.

0700hrs to 0930hrs

Wind: SW 10mph and freshning

Movement West unless stated.

Rain off and on from the start, getting worse towards mid morning then continuous rain throughout the day (so far). Just some early Thrushes on the move but by about 0900hrs thrushes started to gather and go in nearby trees, didnt seem interested in furthering their move, just local meandering backwards and forwards so stopped counting. Today for me was the first proper "Leighton Moss Starling Roost exodus" with several thousand coming to the SW, S and mainly to the SE, also of interest was that they never left the roost proper until 0900hrs. (To me seemed strange so late in the morning thinking it would have been 1000hrs if it was yesterday!) but certainly a 24 hour mass increase must have taken hold. I am told also that today for others (not me!) has been the best Starling passage West to press this Autumn, so probably the roost numbers will swell massively over the coming days.

Fieldfare: 463 all W (9 parties, best: 2x100,2x60,50,30,30)

Redwing: 21 all W (2 parties)

Starling: 31 W (3 parties)

Chaffinch: 28 W(mainly pairs or singles)

Goldfinch: 1 E

Greenfinch: 4 (2NW,2SW)

Alba Wagtail: 1S

Meadow Pipit: 2S

Visible Migration Saturday 27th October 2010 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal.
Vismig - Saturday 27th October 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal.
0800hrs to 1030hours.
Wind: N 1 mph then variable, then by about 0930 increased to N 8mph and increasing
Movement: West unless stated.
Today was a far contrast to yesterday. A few Thrush parties came through and are still coming through in dribs and drabs (one party every 20-30 minutes and you "take your chance" whether it be half a dozener or the usual 30/40 or a one off mega party like I had this morning (approx 200). And thats about it. I came away at 1030hrs had enough!! All birds heading W or NW to W eventually. Altitude again only 100ft or less (approx).

Fieldfare: 616 W (12 parties, best: 200, 60,3x50,2x40)
Redwing: 174 W (5 parties, best 60,50,2x30s)
Starling: 40 W
Chaffinch: 42 SW (hundreds of local Chaffs also hitting the spent maize fields)
Siskin: 1 SW
Redpoll: 2 S
Alba Wagtail: 2 S
Meadow Pipit: 2 SW
Skylark: 2 S
Yellowhammer: 1 S
Also Long Tailed Tit party presumed local.

Visible Migration Sat Oct 27th 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal, Cumbria.
1330hours - 1500hrs.
Wind: NNW 5mph
Movement: West unless stated.

Fieldfares still going through regular at 15 to 20 minutes up to 1500hours. After 1500hrs birds going down into Hutton Roof.

Fieldfare: 1020 all W (13 parties best: 200,2x150,100, 80, etc)
Starling: 24 W
Chaffinch: 6 W
Linnet: 2 W
Woodpigeon: 12 S

Below is a sketch of actual corridors used by the Thrushes, yesterday.

Visible Migration Friday 26th October 2010 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal, Cumbria.

0800hrs to 1200hrs.
Wind: NNE 5mph at first then up to 12mph and then North for a while.
Movement: predominately West, but some North West and some North.

(I stood at the footpath crossroads on Slape Lane, which is off Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. It is a new site for me with plenty of open area, and certainly better for picking up the Thrushes, and also very suprised to the amounts of Chaffinch on this line also. The area is probably best described as being at the base of Hutton Roof. Today all Thrush movement at around 100 foot and lower approx altitude. Early door birds would go down into trees on arrival for several minutes then alight and on their way. probably 30% of birds showed little urgency, more meandering. Others did go straight through without deviation.

Fieldfare: 6472 (60% W, 20% NW, 20% N) (96 parties,best:330,300,200,3x160,4x150,6x100)Redwing: 566 (Mainly NW) (17 parties, best: 90,70,70,50, 4x40)
Starling: 368 (W or NW) (14 parties, mainly around the 20+ mark)
Chaffinch: 224 (Mainly W) mainly pairs, but also some parties, missed lots)
Redpoll: 2 W
Goldfinch: 22 W (one party 20)
Linnet: 6 E (one party)
Greenfinch: 9 W (singles/pairs)
Meadow Pipit: 3 S
Alba Wagtail: 2 W
Woodpigeon: 41 S or SE
Pink Footed Goose: 120 SW (one party early doors of 70 and included a "much whiter than the rest" bird mid formation, also a party of 50 SW at 1130hrs.

Visible Migration - Thursday 25th October 2012 - Hutton Roof -1st real FIELDFARE PUSH....

(Click over image to enlarge - On the 17th October 2012 The One Show on TV, showed a piece on the Peregrine in the lighted city of Bath and some of its evening captures included Corncrake, Leaches Petrol, Moorhen, Fieldfare, Swifts, Golden Plover etc etc.)

0730 - 1600hrs. (2 hours break in between) Wind: NE 8mph freshning at times and going N by early afternoon.
Movement: West unless stated otherwise.

A far better day, which got going with the Thrushes from about 0845hrs and was pretty good until 0920hrs, then they dropped off and the odds and sods that did come through after that seemed disorientated and odd birds started going in all directions. From 12noon onwards it really did pick up with 1365 Fieldfare between 1200 and 1330hrs (The count for these was taken from Taylors Fields at Dalton which is at the Bottom of Hutton Roof). As expected Starling picked up today.

Fieldfare: 2007 SW early then developed to W 95%, and the other 5% going NW or SE (best parties: 250,200,180,110,100)
Redwing: 271 SW or SE
Starling: 302 all SW or W
Meadow Pipit: 14 S
Chaffinch: 98 W,E and S
Alba Wagtail: 6 W or E
Linnet: 5 E
Goldfinch: 4E
Greenfinch: 12 E or W
Jay: 1 NW
Goldcrest came along with LTT
Kestrel: 1 (looked like a mover)
Woodpigeon: 31E lots more but somehow overlooked.

Visible Migration Wednesday 24th October 2012 - Hutton Roof Cumbria.


0700hrs to 0930hrs, then crossing over the roof mobile for another 3 hours.
Wind: Started East at 3mph and swung to NE from 0900 to about 10mph
Movement: South unless stated.

Thrushes were going in all directions again, same high pressure stillness and again flattened good passage. Its obvious this high pressure is going to take some moving, but looking at all the signs it now does look good for tomorrow and the weekend. More Starling parties coming through today, usual sizes today at 15-20, west or north west. And several small parties of daytime moving thrushes about (Fieldfare mainly to the NW, but just now getting reports in about a few parties coming down the Lyth Valley NW to SE), so at least theres something going on now throughout the day, unlike more recent days. The late morning Thrushes I got were sort of meandering, with a lazy daudling sort of flight and only at tree top levels. So all this going on I think tomorrow may be pretty good once them "cold northerlies" have settled in.

Fieldfare: 165 Mainly NW but one party SE (best: 40,40,20,20,20,16)
Redwing: 77 Mainly SW but one party E and one party SE (best: 30,20,8)
Blackbird: 1 SW
Starling: 43 (all W or NW) best 20,15,8.
Chaffinch: 59 (either E or W)
Brambling: heard but could not see - too high
Greenfinch: 10 (either E or W)
Meadow Pipit: 17 S
Alba Wagtail: 3 E
Common Snipe: 1 flushed on Hutton Roof
Red Admiral Butterly: 1

Visible Migration - Tuesday 23rd October 2012 - Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0715hrs - 1030hrs.
Wind: E 5mph, still that stillness atmosphere.
Movement: South unless stated.

To say massess (tens of thousands) of Thrushes had landed yesterday on the East Coast and also to say people were reporting hearing "Redwing calls" throughout yesterday evening, very little was showing today and before long (eg: 0900hrs) everything went dead yet again and that stillness returned and the same "going nowhere" type of cloud formations started to form yet again, the sort which hardly anything ever passess through them and I suppose associated with "high pressure". It was very warm also for the time of the year.

Fieldfare: 91 E (1,2,38,50)
Redwing: 143 (directions mainly SW but some W, N and E) best: 40,30,20,20,20.
Blackbird: 2 W
Mistle Thrush: 4 W
Chaffinch: 122 (some E some W)
Brambling: 1E
Siskin: 4 E
Redpoll: 4 E
Goldfinch: 8 E
Greenfinch: 23 E (best 15)
Meadow Pipit: 20 E/SE
Alba Wagtail: 1E
Yellowhammer: 1 E
Long Tailed Tit: 15 (one party probably local).

Visible Migration - Monday 22nd October 2012 - Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700-1100hrs
Wind: E 10mph.
Movement: South unless stated.
Lots of Greenfinch on the move, several also albas to the East at first thing.
Fieldfare: 65 (all directions eg: NE,SW, 30 party SE, E)
Redwing: 30 (26N 4E)
Song Thrush: 2 NE
Mistle Thrush: 7 (5W 2NE)
Chaffinch: 87 (East and West)
Greenfinch: 95 (all East, best: 20,20,13,12,10,9,5)
Redpoll: 7 (missed loads)
Siskin and Linnet: Plenty heard could not get on them.
Meadow Pipit: 9 E
Yellowhammer: 1W
Woodpigeon 15E.
1400hrs to 1600hrs - Dalton Crags to Hutton Roof Trig Point. bbAt least 200 mixed Redwing (80% and Fieldfare%) feeding up in Dalton Crags, will have come in earlier and will probably roost. Hopefully catch them tomorrow in my early counts. Nothing whatsoever was moving this afternoon over HR other than a single corvid.

Visible Migration Sunday 21st October 2012 - Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs-1000hrs.
Wind: E/SE 5mph, bright clear skies
Movement South unless stated.

Fieldfare: 2W (calling and straight determined West)
Redwing: 33 all SW but for last party of 8 which went W.
Blackbird: 3SW
Mistle Thrush: 5SW
Starling: 7SW
Stock Dove: 2SW
Woodpigeon: 3SW
Chaffinch: 122 some E some SW
Redpoll: 7SW (one party)
Goldfinch: 4E
Greenfinch: 21 SW (20 in one party)
Meadow Pipit:49 S
Greater Spotted Woodpecker: 1E

Visible Migration 20th October 2012 - Hutton Roof Cumbria.
0800hrs-1030hrs.
Wind: S/SSW/SW 10mph.
Cloudy, very mixed grey then intermittent blue. also rainbows but no rain.
Movement: South unless stated.
Redwing: 61 mainly SW (3,2,7,4E,7,20,9,2W,3,2,10,2)
Mistle Thrush: 7 SW (1,2,2,2,)
Fieldfare: 14 SW (8,6)
Blackbird: 1W
Starling: 1W
Chaffinch: 168 (some E some W) best parties: 10,9,6s,5s,4s etc)
Redpoll: 1
Goldfinch: 3W
Greenfinch: 4W
Siskin: 1E
Meadow Pipit: 17
Yellowhammer 1S
Alba Wagtail: 2S
Greater Spotted Woodpecker: 1E

Visible Migration Friday 19th October 2012 - Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs to 1030hours
Wind: SE 5mph at times variable
Movement: South unless stated.
First Fieldfare of the year. Extremely slow from 0900hrs. Sort of stillness about, unusual and varied cloud formations at times.
Fieldfare: 10 SW (one party early doors)
Redwing: 32 (9SW,17SW,6E)
Mistle Thrush: 6W (keep coming through in their singles! all low)
Chaffinch: 105 (some E some W)
Brambling: 5 SW (noisy)
Siskin: 1
Redpoll:4 SW
Goldfinch: 6E
Alba Wagtail: 2 (1S,1E)
Meadow Pipit: 25 (S or SE)
Jay 1 SW


Visible Migration 18th October 2012 Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs-1000hrs.
Weather: 12mph SE, Rain off and on and blue skies of and on.
Movement: South unless stated.
Thrushes quiet again, a party of 7 Jays SW.

Redwing: 16 (4N,2SW,10NE)
Mistle Thrush: 5 (3W, 2E)
Blackbird: 2W, also with big fall landed on Hutton Roof. All points of Lane up.
Jay 7SW (one party) 0925hours.
Alba Wagtail: 3 (2E 1W)
Chaffinch: 66 (50%W 50%E probably S later)
Siskin: 9E (one party)
Greenfinch: 9W
Brambling: 1W (very high)
Meadow Pipit: 4S
Woodpigeon:11E (3,8).
Coal Tits, Great Tits: several
Starling: 15W.


Visible Migration - Wed 17th Oct 2012 - Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0900hrs-1045hours.
Wind: ENE 15mph then decreasing.
Movement: South unless stated.

Small Redwing parties obviously foraging and going in most directions, principally North. a 4 Jay party North.

Redwing: 77 (11SW,6W,52N,8E)
Starling: 9W (4,2,3)
Chaffinch: 47E (all East today best: 6,5)
Meadow Pipit: 12 (E & S)
Goldfinch: 2E
Redpoll: 3 (1E,2S)
Siskin: 5E
Alba Wagtail: 1
Greater Spotted Woodpecker: 2NE (1,1)
Jay: 4N (0950hrs)


Visible Migration 15th October 2012 Hutton Roof (Clawthorpe Side) Cumbria.
0700hrs to 1000hrs
Wind: variable E or W.
Movement: South unless stated.

No good straight from first light at 0700hrs, and heavy rain stopping anything from coming through. After 0830hrs went to light off and on showers and then dry by 0900hrs with mixed high cloud, some low cloud over Lune Valley kept popping up and created a mist out but quickly dissapeared. Just the odd Thrush parties.

Redwing: 79 (best: 20W,30S,8S,5SW,2SW,1S, 5 dropped straight from sky into Hutton Roof trees)
Mistle Thrush: 5 (2S and 3W - one with no tail - kept up with mate without any problem!)
Blackbird 1SW, 1NNW
Starling: 4W (2,2)
Chaffinch: 57 (some E some W)
Siskin: 1
Goldfinch: 15W (One party 12)
Greenfinch: 1 (missed lots overhead)
Meadow Pipit: 42 all S (best parties: 25,9,5)
Yellowhammer: 1

Over the past couple of days have also been going out from 1700hrs to 1900hrs from Dalton to the Trig Point to check out Thrush roosting sites, but absolutely nothing showing.  Will probably venture again later today...


Visible Migration - 13th October 2012 - Hutton Roof (Clawthorpe Side)
0745hrs-1030hrs
Wind: SE 3mph
Movement: South unless stated.

Nothing much got going today here. Odd early Redwing small parties all went SW, three good Starling squadrons all went SW.

Redwing: 89 SW (10,21,12,6,12,13,3,4,8)
Mistle Thrush 7W (2,1,1,1,2)
Chaffinch: 149 (mainly W but 25% E)
Meadow Pipit: 36S
Starling: 57 SW (30,20,7)
Goldfinch: 15E (6,2,2,5)
Greenfinch: 2W
Redpoll: 2S
Siskin: 4S
Alba Wagtail: 2
Long Tailed Tit: 18 (one party probably local)
Blue Tit: 2
Common Snipe: 2W.

Visible Migration 11th October 2012 Hutton Roof

Wind: East 15mph.
Movement South unless stated.

Today again mega quiet but a little more variety, and more Redwings starting to come through. All Redwing passage was from SSW to North, within a small 100yard wide corridor. Seen at first coming from what would be a Dalton area and weaving in and out whilst crossing over Hutton Roof against a strongish Easterley 15mph side wind and onward over Whin Yeats towards the Lune Uppers direction.

Redwing: 169 North (4,12,26,30,30,20,10,28,11.)
Mistle Thrush: 13 (3N and the rest W best party 5)
Blackbird: 2W (and also several new arrivals heard from the Roof)
Starling 4E (which could have been continentals) hundreds E from roost.
Chaffinch: 54 (E or W) a very poor showing.
Brambling: 2W (and calling) FIRST OF YEAR
Goldfinch: 8 E or W
Greenfinch: 6W
Siskin: 5
Meadow Pipit: 31 S or SE
Alba Wagtail: 2
Yellowhammer: 1S

(Photo: Sunrise over Ingleborough from Hutton Roof - this morning)


Visible Migration Wed 10th October 2012 Hutton Roof.

0700hrs to 1000hrs.
Wind: Easterly 5-7mph
Movement South unless stated.

Still very quiet, best Redwing party at 28 went W.

Meadow Pipit: 40 South or SE (best parties: 6s,5s)
Chaffinch: 152 (mainly E but about 1/3rd West)
Redpoll: 2W
Greenfinch: 32 (8E all others W. best part 15W)
Goldfinch: 20 (17E 3W best party 10E)
Starling: lots going East
Woodpigeon: 23 (8W all others E)
Blue Tit: 1
Coal Tit: 1
Robins: everywhere
Mistle Thrush: 6W
Redwing: 48 (2E,2E,28W (0850hrs),6E,10N
Skylark: 1S
Alba Wagtail: 11 (all S best party 8)
Common Snipe 1W.


Visible Migration Tue Oct 9th 2012 Hutton Roof, Cumbria.
0700hrs-0900hrs
Wind: E 5mph (50% overcast at first and 50% clear blue)
Movement: South unless stated.

Very slow start, then a slight pick up after 0800hrs, finished by 0830hrs
And then very difficult to see anything because all blue skies.

Redwing: 5 (all SW) (3,2)
Mistle Thrush: 15 (1W,12E,2E)
Meadow Pipit: 51 some South, some SE.
Greenfinch: 5W
Chaffinch: 108 (mainly E some W best parties 5s)
Goldfinch: 11 (1W,10E)
Redpoll 3
Alba Wagtail: 3
Swallow: 2
Skylark: 1
Woodpigeon: 14W (4,10)
Kestrel: 1SE
Cormorant: 3SW

(Photo: This mornings "sunrise" over Ingleborough from Hutton Roof)

Visible Migration Mon 8th October 2012 Hutton Roof (Clawthorpe side)
0715hours to 1030hrs
Wind: E 5mph,
Movement: East unless stated

Overcast skies, perfect conditions for both listening (motorway noise subdued because of E), and good background. Chaffinches increased. Little Thrush action.

Meadow Pipit: 158 (Some South, Lots SE)
Chaffinch: 278 (Mainly E some W. (parties up to 10s)
Redpoll: 8 W
Goldfinch: 7 (1W the rest E)
Siskin: 18W (12,6)
Greenfinch: 17 (mixed E or W)
Linnet: 1W
Redwing: 20E/NE (14,6)
Mistle Thrush: 15 (2E others W)
Alba Wagtail: 4
Grey Wagtail: 1E
Starling: 6E
Woodpigeon: 12W (5,7)
Stock Dove: 2W (1,1)

Visible Migration Fri 5th & Sunday 7th October at Hutton Roof.

Visible Migration Friday 5th October 2012 Hutton Roof.
0715hours to 0815hours: Westerly 6 to 8mph.
Movement South unless stated.
Meadow Pipit: 35
Chaffinch: 23
Alba Wagtail: 7
Greenfinch: 2
Goldfinch: 6

Near Outfield Farm, Near Docker.
0845hours to 0945hrs
Chaffinch: 29
Meadow Pipit: 12
Alba Wagtail: 1
Woodpigeon: 5
Swallow: 2
Crossbill: 5W
Linnet: 1

Visible Migration Sunday 7th October 2012 Hutton Roof.
0715-1045hrs
Wind NW 2 to 3 mph. Clear Blue skies, frost at start
Movement South unless stated.
First day of early Redwing passage. A pair of Twite nice suprise
Redwing: 71 all East /NE (14,13,5,5,2,7,9,9)
Blackbird: 1W
Mistle Thrush 1W
Goldfinch: 13 (6E all others W)
Chaffinch: 193 (mainly W some E)
Starling: 39 E
Meadow Pipit: 51
Redpoll: 15W
Greenfinch: 4W
Linnet: 6W
Twite: 2W
Alba Wagtail: 4
Jay 3 SW
Reed Bunting: 1
Woodpigeon: 56 all East (40,10)
Jackdaw: 100 (60W,40W) tight balls

Visible Migration - Thr 4th Oct 2012 - Hutton Roof

Visible Migration Thr 4th October 2012 Hutton Roof.
0700 to 0900hrs
Wind: W3mph
Movement South unless stated.

Again very slow today, probably on account of the early mist, which at first was clear although the bottom of the valleys on either side where under thick Mist which eventually came up to the Hutton Roof summit and just killed it off.

Been out later (1230hrs to1500hrs) for a walk up to Trig Point, and there were odd parties of Mipits and Chaffinch going through, and also they where going in a South direction down at the bottom as though coming from the Farleton, Curwen Wood to Dalton Areas.

Meadow Pipit: 104 Mainly S but some SSW
Chaffinch: 45 Mainly W some E
Greenfinch: 5 W
Alba Wagtail: 3
Linnet: 3 W
Siskin: 4 W
Blackbird: 4W
Mistle Thrush: 3 W
Skylark: 2
Redpoll: 2 W
Swallow: 1

Visible Migration - Wed Oct 3rd 2012 - Hutton Roof (Clawthorpe) Side

Visible Migration Wednesday 3rd October 2012 Hutton Roof (Clawthorpe side)
0700-0900hrs (first birds 0727hrs)
Winds: W/SW 10-15mph and gusting
Regular intermittent heavy showers.
Movement: South unless stated.

Again another poor morning when birds just could not get going with the atrocious weather.

Meadow Pipit: 54
Goldfinch: 3W
Chaffinch: 33 (mainly West, odds E)
Stock Dove: 1W
Alba Wagtail: 4W

Visible Migration 2nd Oct 2012 - Hutton Roof and searching new areas.

Visible Migration – Tuesday 2nd October 2012 – Hutton Roof.
0715hrs – 0815hrs
Wind S/SW 12-15mph.
Movement: South unless stated.

Still quiet with atrocious weather, strong winds, heavy rain showers.

Meadow Pipits: 32
Chaffinch: 32 mainly W some E
Alba Wagtail: 3
Mistle Thrush: 4W
Goldfinch: 2W

After an hour, I decided to check out new areas for possible future Mipit counting.

I was trying to find potential sites which met the following criteria: 1) A site which was a busy flight path for Meadow Pipits heading South on their Autumn migration. 2) A suitable “laybye” or pull in where I could park the car under this busy flight path, whilst at the same time respecting privacy to nearby residents. And 3) A area suitable which did not have “interfering traffic noise or background noise). To find these sort of areas can be very difficult.

I took the small road which leads from the small hamlet of Hutton Roof and is signposted to Kirkby Lonsdale, which heads in a East direction. There is a “pull in” which is probably about ¾ way along this road and shown on the map as “Gallowbar Lane. The area is at SD5905078808. At this point there is actually a “muckpile” just beyond the gateway. A good open “vista” to the South West, which I suspect to be a main mipit thoroughfare to the South, in the direction to “Docker” and beyond, to its South West and West is Hutton Roof Crags, and to its North is the “Lune Valley”, near the Lupton area, and areas further North of Kirkby Lonsdale. Sadly to its East and close up is a large copse area. Probably this site would be very sheltered at this point, but considered perhaps secondary, if better sites could be found.

Shortly after leaving this site and arriving at the junction where if you turn right it takes you to Burton In Kendal, turn left it takes you to Whittington and if you retrack it takes you to Kirkby Lonsdale. About 100 yards before this junction and heading directly in a Southerly direction were parties of hirundines and Chaffinches, these I would presume if carried on in the same flightpath would go behind Newton, towards the Arkholme/Gressingham/Claughton/Littledale areas and onward through the Trough Of Bowland.

I had a quick check out at Newton, and before long decided to check out the Docker areas, so I left the laybe at Newton on the main road (B6254) in a Arkholme direction and after only a few hundred yards took the right turn signposted to Docker. After travelling on this road for just short of one and a half miles. You come to a short tarmac pull in, a few hundred yards past a farm on the right signposted “Twinfields pedigree herd (Outfield Farm). The area is (SD5823374284). Slightly East to the area of Docker. Straightaway after parking up, there where at the point about 30 blogging Mipits and quite a lot of hirundines and Chaffinces and Mipits going steadily through. The views to the back or North and West are open with good “skyviews”, but the views directly to the East and South East are quite distant and open with good views over "Goodber" etc, but a drawback is that the immediate areas which take up about ¾ of the view is within background of fields and trees etc and passage birds could well be missed with the blend into the background. Although you do see the top ¼ of open sky. During the 30 minutes I stayed there I never encounted any traffic, could not hear any traffic noise from afar (not bad to say it was blowing South Westerlies). And away from site of any nearby buildings. So I would probably say that the site meets with 75% of the requirement and I will certainly give it a more in depth check out very soon.

Shortly just after leaving this road (just a couple of hundred yards), I turned to the right hand which took me up towards Docker and onward to Burton West. At the point where I turned off there were also many blogging Meadow Pipits, which again just reinforced the strength of the area and confirmed many suspicions I had had for a long time.

Visible Migration - Monday 1st October 2012 - Hutton Roof and Newton etc.

(The above sketch is based on my findings so far, from research gathered over the past three years, doing random counts from selected areas along the above routes.  I have made the arrows thicker indicating the strongest to the weakest corridors.)

Visible Migration on Monday 1st October 2010.
Lower down than Hutton Roof Timber Yard (SD5845477148)
0700 to 0800hrs
Wind: SW 7-8 mph and increasing.
Movement: South unless stated otherwise.

Never really got going, first mipit at 0711 and then just trickles. Had to break off at 0800hrs.
Meadow Pipit: 112 (mainly S but some SE best: 10s7,4s.
Alba Wagtail: 3
Chaffinch: 8
Skylark 1
Buzzard: 1
Siskin: 1

Down past Whittington to the Laybe at Newton (SD5979575008)
0845hrs to 0915hrs
Quiet compared to yesterday although the conditions looked perfect.

Meadow Pipit: 19
Alba Wagtail: 8
Reed Bunting: 1
Chaffinch: 37 (all South)
Swans: 3 (distant! Following line of Lune to the North)
Curlew: 1 North.

Laybye just a little further on just having left Newton and on a very dangerous bend.
(SD5930074162)
A perfect place for a “open vista” ideal for "goose watching" and looking towards Goodber and Thrushgill areas.
0930hrs to 0945hrs
Pink Footed Goose: 100 approx to SSW (distant over Goodber towards Littledale.)
Chaffinch 2
Meadow Pipit: 7.

Then a quick check around the Arkholme Areas for future watches.

Hutton Roof (Clawthorpe side)
1030hrs to 1130hrs.
Wind: SW 8-10mph
Meadow Pipit: 131 (best 25,20 6,6)
Goldfinch: 43 (best 20,15)
Chaffinch: 8 (mainly pairs)
Mistle Thrush: 3
Alba Wagtail: 2
Greenfinch: 2
Skylark: 1.

Visible Bird Migration Records - Autumn 2012

Visible Migration Wednesday 7th November 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal.

0800hrs - 0900hrs.

Wind: Westerley 10-15mph

Movement: West unless stated.

Fieldfare 30W

Starling 143W

Chaffinch: 15SW

Greenfinch: 2W

Meadow Pipit: 2S

Woodpigeon: 62 NW

Pink Footed Goose: 40W (0802hrs)

This is a true story, just what happened to me this morning...

I went to my usual place on Slape Lane (Burton In Kendal) and the field was full of sheep.  Not worried about that I crossed the field and set up with my chair and everything else I tag along. Before long I noticed this "heavy duty" sheep (really good condition I thought) looking towards me quite bewildered and sort of staring at me!, before long it came close by in hot pursuit of this other sheep in front.  Then the penny finally dropped and I noticed the "heavy duty" sheep was actually showing a large manhood sack and his forehead looked heavy going too.  But thankfully he trundled off in pursuit of his sheep.  So I sort of settled down and tried to concentrate on the "birdless" skies, but then soon after, I noticed that another "three" of these heavy duties started to circle around me and each one of them was giving me the "evils" for what seemed ages.  I imagined for a moment or so that they looked like anytime they would start pounding the floor with their feet before going into the "full charge". I soon realised I was on someone else's patch today, so quickly packed up, hid my chair and vacated to a safer place.

Visible Migration Monday 5th November 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal, Cumbria.

0730hrs - 0900hrs

Wind: Westerly 2mph and variable

Movement: West unless stated otherwise.

Fieldfare: 34 (30W one party and 4 SW)

Redwing: 10 SW one party.

Starling: 39 (34W and 5SW)

Chaffinch: 11 (mainly W)

Greenfinch: 1

Woodpigeon: 126 mainly SW plus another party of 200 which could have been locals feeding on spent maize.

Visible Migration Sunday 4th November 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton in Kendal, Cumbria.

0730 to 0900hrs,

Wind: Easterly 12-15mph with gust to 20

Movement: West unless stated otherwise.

Fieldfare: 50 mainly W, some SW best: 30,7,5.

Starling: 206 (130 W the rest S)

Woodpigeon: 158 W or SW

Chaffinch: 29 mainly W

Goldfinch: 7 SW

Greenfinch: 1 SW

Alba Wagtail: 2 SW

Meadow Pipit: 6 SW

Pink Footed Goose: 17W at 0800hrs and also a little later 7 SW

Visible Migration - Friday 2nd November 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal Cumbria.

0930hrs-1030hrs.

Wind: SW 20-25 mph.

Movement: West unless stated.

Even quieter.  Fieldfare local flock now down to about one hundred birds, still enjoying themselves on the local spills.

Fieldfare: 29 W (one party 20, 7 others singles)

Redwing: 1 W

Starling: 69 (58W and 11S)

Chaffinch: 25 E or W

Goldfinch: 3 SW

Woodpigeon: 204SW (one flock 200)

Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1 SE (probably local)

Visible Migration - Thursday 1st November 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal, Cumbria.

0730hrs-0900hrs

Movement: West unless stated.

Again very quiet.  Fieldfare local flock now down to about two hundred birds, these still busying themselves with the spoils of hedgerow hawthorn berries, spent crab apples or spent "maize". But the bulk of the previous days birds had obviously moved on.

Fieldfare: 157

Redwing: 5 (2E,3NW)

Starling: 50 S

Alba Wagtail: 1 SE

Chaffinch: 33 (mainly W or SW)

Goldfinch: 15 (one party SW)

Woodpigeon: 86 SW (one party 80)

Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1 NE (probably local)

Sparrowhawk: 1 (local I'm sure)

Greylag Goose: 2 NW

Visible Migration -  31st October 2012 - Slape Ln, Burton In Kendal, Cumbria.

0730hrs to 0845hours

Wind: South 15-20mph

Movement: West unless stated otherwise.

Not much doing again today, rain on and off and strong winds.  Thrushes (90%) Fieldfares of around the 500 mark where he there and everywhere in the Burton/Vicarage Lane and Slape Lane Areas, taking rest and feeding up on the numerous hawthorn berries.  You would see them all the time leaving, coming back, moving from tree to tree etc etc etc. This is how its been now for a couple of days, but certainly a increase in numbers today.

Fieldfare: 48 (these came in from the West but went down and joined the rest on approach)

Redwing: 1W

Starling: (Roost cleared at 0715hours) then, 65S (15,50)

Chaffinch: 59 mainly SW but some W

Redpoll: 2W

Goldfinch: 8 SW (2,6)

Greenfinch: 2W

Woodpigeon: 28 SW

Visible Migration Tuesday 30th October 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal, Cumbria.

0730hrs to 0930hrs.

Wind: W 2mph

Movement: West unless stated otherwise.

Nothing wanted to get going this morning.  Did have a party of perhaps 200 Fieldfare, messing about going up then down from tree to tree, no interest whatsoever in movement. Only 3 parties West today, but quite sure that one the LM roost has dispersed that the S/SW/SE parties are fresh arrivals this morning.

Fieldfare: 27W (12,12,1)

Redwing: 24W (10,8,4,2)

Starling: 296 W & S (30S,30S,40S,10S,30W,6W,40W,100S,8S,2S)

Woodpigeon: 114 SW (best 70,20)

Chaffinch: 116 (mainly W, some SW) (Best parties: 23,13,12,11)

Siskin: 7 E (one party)

Greenfinch: 5 W (several more heard)

Redpoll: 2 W

Brambling: 2 W

Goldfinch: 9 SW

Whooper Swan: 1W

Goosander 2W

Raven: 1 SW (probably local)

LBBG: A constant stream of at least 100+ heading S.

Visible Migration Monday 29th October 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal, Cumbria.

0730hrs to 0930hrs

Wind: NW 3-5mph

Movement West unless stated. 

Today the migration never got off to well with low mist to all perimeters and visibility almost down to a couple of hundred yards around the watchpoint.  So obviously I was missing birds. Gave it to 0930hrs and still "misted out" so called it a day.  Although within half hour of leaving and getting home, the mist had almost lifted and I could see stuff moving from my bedroom window (which included the odd one hundred party of Thrushes and big Starling squadrons heading W).  So later on (12noon) I gave it another bash, but it dried up just after my arrival other than the odd party. Pretty good today for the Starling, which 95% came through within the same 100 yard wide corridor, all to the West.

First Session:

Fieldfare: 303 all West (6 parties: best parties: 100,80,3x30)

Redwing: Just odd ones I could hear settled in the hedgerows or boundary trees on way up.

Starling: 581 all W (14 parties: best parties: 160,2x60,3x40)

Chaffinch: 47 all W or NW

Goldfinch: 10 N one party.

Redpoll: 2 S

Woodpigeon: 80 SW

Also Marsh Tit in hedgerow on way up Slape Lane. (Not vismig)

Second Session:

1200hrs- 1400hrs

Wind NW 3-5mph

Movement West unless stated.

Fieldfare: 680 (8 parties: best parties: 180,120,2x100,60,2x50)

Starling: 410 (5 parties: best parties: 200,120,50, 2x20)

Woodpigeon: 100 SW (one party)

Visible Migration - Sunday October 28th 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal, Cumbria.

0700hrs to 0930hrs

Wind: SW 10mph and freshning

Movement West unless stated.

Rain off and on from the start, getting worse towards mid morning then continuous rain throughout the day (so far). Just some early Thrushes on the move but by about 0900hrs thrushes started to gather and go in nearby trees, didnt seem interested in furthering their move, just local meandering backwards and forwards so stopped counting. Today for me was the first proper "Leighton Moss Starling Roost exodus" with several thousand coming to the SW, S and mainly to the SE, also of interest was that they never left the roost proper until 0900hrs. (To me seemed strange so late in the morning thinking it would have been 1000hrs if it was yesterday!) but certainly a 24 hour mass increase must have taken hold. I am told also that today for others (not me!) has been the best Starling passage West to press this Autumn, so probably the roost numbers will swell massively over the coming days.

Fieldfare: 463 all W (9 parties, best: 2x100,2x60,50,30,30)

Redwing: 21 all W (2 parties)

Starling: 31 W (3 parties)

Chaffinch: 28 W(mainly pairs or singles)

Goldfinch: 1 E

Greenfinch: 4 (2NW,2SW)

Alba Wagtail: 1S

Meadow Pipit: 2S

Visible Migration Saturday 27th October 2010 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal.

Vismig - Saturday 27th October 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal.

0800hrs to 1030hours.

Wind: N 1 mph then variable, then by about 0930 increased to N 8mph and increasing

Movement: West unless stated.

Today was a far contrast to yesterday. A few Thrush parties came through and are still coming through in dribs and drabs (one party every 20-30 minutes and you "take your chance" whether it be half a dozener or the usual 30/40 or a one off mega party like I had this morning (approx 200). And thats about it. I came away at 1030hrs had enough!! All birds heading W or NW to W eventually. Altitude again only 100ft or less (approx).

Fieldfare: 616 W (12 parties, best: 200, 60,3x50,2x40)

Redwing: 174 W (5 parties, best 60,50,2x30s)

Starling: 40 W

Chaffinch: 42 SW (hundreds of local Chaffs also hitting the spent maize fields)

Siskin: 1 SW

Redpoll: 2 S

Alba Wagtail: 2 S

Meadow Pipit: 2 SW

Skylark: 2 S

Yellowhammer: 1 S

Also Long Tailed Tit party presumed local.

Visible Migration Sat Oct 27th 2012 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal, Cumbria.

1330hours - 1500hrs.

Wind: NNW 5mph

Movement: West unless stated.

Fieldfares still going through regular at 15 to 20 minutes up to 1500hours. After 1500hrs birds going down into Hutton Roof.

Fieldfare: 1020 all W (13 parties best: 200,2x150,100, 80, etc)

Starling: 24 W

Chaffinch: 6 W

Linnet: 2 W

Woodpigeon: 12 S

Below is a sketch of actual corridors used by the Thrushes, yesterday.

Visible Migration Friday 26th October 2010 - Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal, Cumbria.

0800hrs to 1200hrs.
Wind: NNE 5mph at first then up to 12mph and then North for a while.

Movement: predominately West, but some North West and some North.

(I stood at the footpath crossroads on Slape Lane, which is off Vicarage Lane, Burton In Kendal. It is a new site for me with plenty of open area, and certainly better for picking up the Thrushes, and also very suprised to the amounts of Chaffinch on this line also. The area is probably best described as being at the base of Hutton Roof. Today all Thrush movement at around 100 foot and lower approx altitude. Early door birds would go down into trees on arrival for several minutes then alight and on their way. probably 30% of birds showed little urgency, more meandering. Others did go straight through without deviation.

Fieldfare: 6472 (60% W, 20% NW, 20% N) (96 parties,best:330,300,200,3x160,4x150,6x100)Redwing: 566 (Mainly NW) (17 parties, best: 90,70,70,50, 4x40)

Starling: 368 (W or NW) (14 parties, mainly around the 20+ mark)

Chaffinch: 224 (Mainly W) mainly pairs, but also some parties, missed lots)

Redpoll: 2 W

Goldfinch: 22 W (one party 20)

Linnet: 6 E (one party)
Greenfinch: 9 W (singles/pairs)
Meadow Pipit: 3 S

Alba Wagtail: 2 W

Woodpigeon: 41 S or SE

Pink Footed Goose: 120 SW (one party early doors of 70 and included a "much whiter than the rest" bird mid formation, also a party of 50 SW at 1130hrs.

Visible Migration - Thursday 25th October 2012 - Hutton Roof -1st real FIELDFARE PUSH....

0730 - 1600hrs. (2 hours break in between) Wind: NE 8mph freshning at times and going N by early afternoon.

Movement: West unless stated otherwise.

A far better day, which got going with the Thrushes from about 0845hrs and was pretty good until 0920hrs, then they dropped off and the odds and sods that did come through after that seemed disorientated and odd birds started going in all directions. From 12noon onwards it really did pick up with 1365 Fieldfare between 1200 and 1330hrs (The count for these was taken from Taylors Fields at Dalton which is at the Bottom of Hutton Roof). As expected Starling picked up today.

Fieldfare: 2007 SW early then developed to W 95%, and the other 5% going NW or SE (best parties: 250,200,180,110,100)

Redwing: 271 SW or SE

Starling: 302 all SW or W

Meadow Pipit: 14 S

Chaffinch: 98 W,E and S

Alba Wagtail: 6 W or E

Linnet: 5 E

Goldfinch: 4E

Greenfinch: 12 E or W

Jay: 1 NW

Goldcrest came along with LTT

Kestrel: 1 (looked like a mover)

Woodpigeon: 31E lots more but somehow overlooked.

Visible Migration Wednesday 24th October 2012 - Hutton Roof Cumbria.

0700hrs to 0930hrs, then crossing over the roof mobile for another 3 hours.

Wind: Started East at 3mph and swung to NE from 0900 to about 10mph

Movement: South unless stated.

Thrushes were going in all directions again, same high pressure stillness and again flattened good passage. Its obvious this high pressure is going to take some moving, but looking at all the signs it now does look good for tomorrow and the weekend. More Starling parties coming through today, usual sizes today at 15-20, west or north west. And several small parties of daytime moving thrushes about (Fieldfare mainly to the NW, but just now getting reports in about a few parties coming down the Lyth Valley NW to SE), so at least theres something going on now throughout the day, unlike more recent days. The late morning Thrushes I got were sort of meandering, with a lazy daudling sort of flight and only at tree top levels. So all this going on I think tomorrow may be pretty good once them "cold northerlies" have settled in.

Fieldfare: 165 Mainly NW but one party SE (best: 40,40,20,20,20,16)

Redwing: 77 Mainly SW but one party E and one party SE (best: 30,20,8)

Blackbird: 1 SW

Starling: 43 (all W or NW) best 20,15,8.

Chaffinch: 59 (either E or W)

Brambling: heard but could not see - too high

Greenfinch: 10 (either E or W)

Meadow Pipit: 17 S

Alba Wagtail: 3 E

Common Snipe: 1 flushed on Hutton Roof

Red Admiral Butterly: 1

Visible Migration - Tuesday 23rd October 2012 - Hutton Roof, Cumbria.

0715hrs - 1030hrs.

Wind: E 5mph, still that stillness atmosphere.

Movement: South unless stated.

To say massess (tens of thousands) of Thrushes had landed yesterday on the East Coast and also to say people were reporting hearing "Redwing calls" throughout yesterday evening, very little was showing today and before long (eg: 0900hrs) everything went dead yet again and that stillness returned and the same "going nowhere" type of cloud formations started to form yet again, the sort which hardly anything ever passess through them and I suppose associated with "high pressure". It was very warm also for the time of the year.

Fieldfare: 91 E (1,2,38,50)

Redwing: 143 (directions mainly SW but some W, N and E) best: 40,30,20,20,20.

Blackbird: 2 W

Mistle Thrush: 4 W

Chaffinch: 122 (some E some W)

Brambling: 1E

Siskin: 4 E

Redpoll: 4 E

Goldfinch: 8 E

Greenfinch: 23 E (best 15)

Meadow Pipit: 20 E/SE

Alba Wagtail: 1E

Yellowhammer: 1 E

Long Tailed Tit: 15 (one party probably local).

Visible Migration - Monday 22nd October 2012 - Hutton Roof, Cumbria.

0700-1100hrs

Wind: E 10mph.

Movement: South unless stated.

Lots of Greenfinch on the move, several also albas to the East at first thing.
Fieldfare: 65 (all directions eg: NE,SW, 30 party SE, E)

Redwing: 30 (26N 4E)

Song Thrush: 2 NE

Mistle Thrush: 7 (5W 2NE)

Chaffinch: 87 (East and West)

Greenfinch: 95 (all East, best: 20,20,13,12,10,9,5)
Redpoll: 7 (missed loads)

Siskin and Linnet: Plenty heard could not get on them.

Meadow Pipit: 9 E

Yellowhammer: 1W

Woodpigeon 15E.
1400hrs to 1600hrs - Dalton Crags to Hutton Roof Trig Point. bbAt least 200 mixed Redwing (80% and Fieldfare%) feeding up in Dalton Crags, will have come in earlier and will probably roost. Hopefully catch them tomorrow in my early counts. Nothing whatsoever was moving this afternoon over HR other than a single corvid.

Visible Migration Sunday 21st October 2012 - Hutton Roof, Cumbria.

0700hrs-1000hrs.

Wind: E/SE 5mph, bright clear skies

Movement South unless stated.

Fieldfare: 2W (calling and straight determined West)

Redwing: 33 all SW but for last party of 8 which went W.

Blackbird: 3SW

Mistle Thrush: 5SW

Starling: 7SW

Stock Dove: 2SW

Woodpigeon: 3SW

Chaffinch: 122 some E some SW

Redpoll: 7SW (one party)

Goldfinch: 4E

Greenfinch: 21 SW (20 in one party)

Meadow Pipit:49 S

Greater Spotted Woodpecker: 1E

Visible Migration 20th October 2012 - Hutton Roof Cumbria.

0800hrs-1030hrs.

Wind: S/SSW/SW 10mph.

Cloudy, very mixed grey then intermittent blue. also rainbows but no rain.

Movement: South unless stated.

Redwing: 61 mainly SW (3,2,7,4E,7,20,9,2W,3,2,10,2)

Mistle Thrush: 7 SW (1,2,2,2,)

Fieldfare: 14 SW (8,6)

Blackbird: 1W

Starling: 1W

Chaffinch: 168 (some E some W) best parties: 10,9,6s,5s,4s etc)

Redpoll: 1

Goldfinch: 3W

Greenfinch: 4W

Siskin: 1E

Meadow Pipit: 17

Yellowhammer 1S

Alba Wagtail: 2S

Greater Spotted Woodpecker: 1E

Visible Migration Friday 19th October 2012 - Hutton Roof, Cumbria.

0700hrs to 1030hours

Wind: SE 5mph at times variable

Movement: South unless stated.

First Fieldfare of the year. Extremely slow from 0900hrs. Sort of stillness about, unusual and varied cloud formations at times.

Fieldfare: 10 SW (one party early doors)

Redwing: 32 (9SW,17SW,6E)

Mistle Thrush: 6W (keep coming through in their singles! all low)

Chaffinch: 105 (some E some W)

Brambling: 5 SW (noisy)

Siskin: 1

Redpoll:4 SW

Goldfinch: 6E

Alba Wagtail: 2 (1S,1E)

Meadow Pipit: 25 (S or SE)

Jay 1 SW

Visible Migration 18th October 2012 Hutton Roof, Cumbria.

0700hrs-1000hrs.

Weather: 12mph SE, Rain off and on and blue skies of and on.

Movement: South unless stated.

Thrushes quiet again, a party of 7 Jays SW.

Redwing: 16 (4N,2SW,10NE)

Mistle Thrush: 5 (3W, 2E)

Blackbird: 2W, also with big fall landed on Hutton Roof. All points of Lane up.

Jay 7SW (one party) 0925hours.

Alba Wagtail: 3 (2E 1W)

Chaffinch: 66 (50%W 50%E probably S later)

Siskin: 9E (one party)

Greenfinch: 9W

Brambling: 1W (very high)

Meadow Pipit: 4S

Woodpigeon:11E (3,8).

Coal Tits, Great Tits: several

Starling: 15W.

Visible Migration - Wed 17th Oct 2012 - Hutton Roof, Cumbria.

0900hrs-1045hours.

Wind: ENE 15mph then decreasing.

Movement: South unless stated.

Small Redwing parties obviously foraging and going in most directions, principally North. a 4 Jay party North.

Redwing: 77 (11SW,6W,52N,8E)

Starling: 9W (4,2,3)

Chaffinch: 47E (all East today best: 6,5)

Meadow Pipit: 12 (E & S)

Goldfinch: 2E

Redpoll: 3 (1E,2S)

Siskin: 5E

Alba Wagtail: 1

Greater Spotted Woodpecker: 2NE (1,1)

Jay: 4N (0950hrs)

Visible Migration 15th October 2012 Hutton Roof (Clawthorpe Side) Cumbria.

0700hrs to 1000hrs

Wind: variable E or W.

Movement: South unless stated.

No good straight from first light at 0700hrs, and heavy rain stopping anything from coming through. After 0830hrs went to light off and on showers and then dry by 0900hrs with mixed high cloud, some low cloud over Lune Valley kept popping up and created a mist out but quickly dissapeared. Just the odd Thrush parties.

Redwing: 79 (best: 20W,30S,8S,5SW,2SW,1S, 5 dropped straight from sky into Hutton Roof trees)

Mistle Thrush: 5 (2S and 3W - one with no tail - kept up with mate without any problem!)

Blackbird 1SW, 1NNW

Starling: 4W (2,2)

Chaffinch: 57 (some E some W)

Siskin: 1

Goldfinch: 15W (One party 12)

Greenfinch: 1 (missed lots overhead)

Meadow Pipit: 42 all S (best parties: 25,9,5)

Yellowhammer: 1

Over the past couple of days have also been going out from 1700hrs to 1900hrs from Dalton to the Trig Point to check out Thrush roosting sites, but absolutely nothing showing.  Will probably venture again later today...

Visible Migration - 13th October 2012 - Hutton Roof (Clawthorpe Side)

0745hrs-1030hrs

Wind: SE 3mph

Movement: South unless stated.

Nothing much got going today here. Odd early Redwing small parties all went SW, three good Starling squadrons all went SW.

Redwing: 89 SW (10,21,12,6,12,13,3,4,8)

Mistle Thrush 7W (2,1,1,1,2)

Chaffinch: 149 (mainly W but 25% E)

Meadow Pipit: 36S

Starling: 57 SW (30,20,7)

Goldfinch: 15E (6,2,2,5)

Greenfinch: 2W

Redpoll: 2S

Siskin: 4S

Alba Wagtail: 2

Long Tailed Tit: 18 (one party probably local)

Blue Tit: 2

Common Snipe: 2W.

Visible Migration 11th October 2012 Hutton Roof

Wind: East 15mph.

Movement South unless stated.

Today again mega quiet but a little more variety, and more Redwings starting to come through. All Redwing passage was from SSW to North, within a small 100yard wide corridor. Seen at first coming from what would be a Dalton area and weaving in and out whilst crossing over Hutton Roof against a strongish Easterley 15mph side wind and onward over Whin Yeats towards the Lune Uppers direction.

Redwing: 169 North (4,12,26,30,30,20,10,28,11.)

Mistle Thrush: 13 (3N and the rest W best party 5)

Blackbird: 2W (and also several new arrivals heard from the Roof)

Starling 4E (which could have been continentals) hundreds E from roost.

Chaffinch: 54 (E or W) a very poor showing.

Brambling: 2W (and calling) FIRST OF YEAR

Goldfinch: 8 E or W

Greenfinch: 6W

Siskin: 5

Meadow Pipit: 31 S or SE

Alba Wagtail: 2

Yellowhammer: 1S

Visible Migration Wed 10th October 2012 Hutton Roof.

0700hrs to 1000hrs.

Wind: Easterly 5-7mph

Movement South unless stated.

Still very quiet, best Redwing party at 28 went W.

Meadow Pipit: 40 South or SE (best parties: 6s,5s)

Chaffinch: 152 (mainly E but about 1/3rd West)

Redpoll: 2W

Greenfinch: 32 (8E all others W. best part 15W)

Goldfinch: 20 (17E 3W best party 10E)

Starling: lots going East

Woodpigeon: 23 (8W all others E)

Blue Tit: 1

Coal Tit: 1

Robins: everywhere

Mistle Thrush: 6W

Redwing: 48 (2E,2E,28W (0850hrs),6E,10N

Skylark: 1S

Alba Wagtail: 11 (all S best party 8)

Common Snipe 1W.

Visible Migration Tue Oct 9th 2012 Hutton Roof, Cumbria.

0700hrs-0900hrs

Wind: E 5mph (50% overcast at first and 50% clear blue)

Movement: South unless stated.

Very slow start, then a slight pick up after 0800hrs, finished by 0830hrs

And then very difficult to see anything because all blue skies.

Redwing: 5 (all SW) (3,2)

Mistle Thrush: 15 (1W,12E,2E)

Meadow Pipit: 51 some South, some SE.

Greenfinch: 5W

Chaffinch: 108 (mainly E some W best parties 5s)

Goldfinch: 11 (1W,10E)

Redpoll 3

Alba Wagtail: 3

Swallow: 2

Skylark: 1

Woodpigeon: 14W (4,10)

Kestrel: 1SE

Cormorant: 3SW

Visible Migration Mon 8th October 2012 Hutton Roof (Clawthorpe side)

0715hours to 1030hrs

Wind: E 5mph,

Movement: East unless stated

Overcast skies, perfect conditions for both listening (motorway noise subdued because of E), and good background. Chaffinches increased. Little Thrush action.

Meadow Pipit: 158 (Some South, Lots SE)

Chaffinch: 278 (Mainly E some W. (parties up to 10s)

Redpoll: 8 W

Goldfinch: 7 (1W the rest E)

Siskin: 18W (12,6)

Greenfinch: 17 (mixed E or W)

Linnet: 1W

Redwing: 20E/NE (14,6)

Mistle Thrush: 15 (2E others W)

Alba Wagtail: 4

Grey Wagtail: 1E

Starling: 6E

Woodpigeon: 12W (5,7)

Stock Dove: 2W (1,1)

Visible Migration Sunday 7th October 2012 Hutton Roof.

0715-1045hrs

Wind NW 2 to 3 mph. Clear Blue skies, frost at start

Movement South unless stated.

First day of early Redwing passage. A pair of Twite nice suprise

Redwing: 71 all East /NE (14,13,5,5,2,7,9,9)

Blackbird: 1W

Mistle Thrush 1W

Goldfinch: 13 (6E all others W)

Chaffinch: 193 (mainly W some E)

Starling: 39 E

Meadow Pipit: 51

Redpoll: 15W

Greenfinch: 4W

Linnet: 6W

Twite: 2W

Alba Wagtail: 4

Jay 3 SW

Reed Bunting: 1

Woodpigeon: 56 all East (40,10)

Jackdaw: 100 (60W,40W) tight balls

Visible Migration Friday 5th October 2012 Hutton Roof.

0715hours to 0815hours: Westerly 6 to 8mph.

Movement South unless stated.

Meadow Pipit: 35

Chaffinch: 23

Alba Wagtail: 7

Greenfinch: 2

Goldfinch: 6

Near Outfield Farm, Near Docker.

0845hours to 0945hrs

Chaffinch: 29

Meadow Pipit: 12

Alba Wagtail: 1

Woodpigeon: 5

Swallow: 2

Crossbill: 5W

Linnet: 1

Visible Migration Thr 4th October 2012 Hutton Roof.

0700 to 0900hrs

Wind: W3mph

Movement South unless stated.

Again very slow today, probably on account of the early mist, which at first was clear although the bottom of the valleys on either side where under thick Mist which eventually came up to the Hutton Roof summit and just killed it off.

Been out later (1230hrs to1500hrs) for a walk up to Trig Point, and there were odd parties of Mipits and Chaffinch going through, and also they where going in a South direction down at the bottom as though coming from the Farleton, Curwen Wood to Dalton Areas.

Meadow Pipit: 104 Mainly S but some SSW

Chaffinch: 45 Mainly W some E

Greenfinch: 5 W

Alba Wagtail: 3

Linnet: 3 W

Siskin: 4 W

Blackbird: 4W

Mistle Thrush: 3 W

Skylark: 2

Redpoll: 2 W

Swallow: 1

Visible Migration Wednesday 3rd October 2012 Hutton Roof (Clawthorpe side)

0700-0900hrs (first birds 0727hrs)

Winds: W/SW 10-15mph and gusting

Regular intermittent heavy showers.

Movement: South unless stated.

Again another poor morning when birds just could not get going with the atrocious weather.

Meadow Pipit: 54

Goldfinch: 3W

Chaffinch: 33 (mainly West, odds E)

Stock Dove: 1W

Alba Wagtail: 4W

Visible Migration – Tuesday 2nd October 2012 – Hutton Roof.

0715hrs – 0815hrs

Wind S/SW 12-15mph.

Movement: South unless stated.

Still quiet with atrocious weather, strong winds, heavy rain showers.

Meadow Pipits: 32

Chaffinch: 32 mainly W some E

Alba Wagtail: 3

Mistle Thrush: 4W

Goldfinch: 2W

After an hour, I decided to check out new areas for possible future Mipit counting.

I was trying to find potential sites which met the following criteria: 1) A site which was a busy flight path for Meadow Pipits heading South on their Autumn migration. 2) A suitable “laybye” or pull in where I could park the car under this busy flight path, whilst at the same time respecting privacy to nearby residents. And 3) A area suitable which did not have “interfering traffic noise or background noise). To find these sort of areas can be very difficult.

I took the small road which leads from the small hamlet of Hutton Roof and is signposted to Kirkby Lonsdale, which heads in a East direction. There is a “pull in” which is probably about ¾ way along this road and shown on the map as “Gallowbar Lane. The area is at SD5905078808. At this point there is actually a “muckpile” just beyond the gateway. A good open “vista” to the South West, which I suspect to be a main mipit thoroughfare to the South, in the direction to “Docker” and beyond, to its South West and West is Hutton Roof Crags, and to its North is the “Lune Valley”, near the Lupton area, and areas further North of Kirkby Lonsdale. Sadly to its East and close up is a large copse area. Probably this site would be very sheltered at this point, but considered perhaps secondary, if better sites could be found.

Shortly after leaving this site and arriving at the junction where if you turn right it takes you to Burton In Kendal, turn left it takes you to Whittington and if you retrack it takes you to Kirkby Lonsdale. About 100 yards before this junction and heading directly in a Southerly direction were parties of hirundines and Chaffinches, these I would presume if carried on in the same flightpath would go behind Newton, towards the Arkholme/Gressingham/Claughton/Littledale areas and onward through the Trough Of Bowland.

I had a quick check out at Newton, and before long decided to check out the Docker areas, so I left the laybe at Newton on the main road (B6254) in a Arkholme direction and after only a few hundred yards took the right turn signposted to Docker. After travelling on this road for just short of one and a half miles. You come to a short tarmac pull in, a few hundred yards past a farm on the right signposted “Twinfields pedigree herd (Outfield Farm). The area is (SD5823374284). Slightly East to the area of Docker. Straightaway after parking up, there where at the point about 30 blogging Mipits and quite a lot of hirundines and Chaffinces and Mipits going steadily through. The views to the back or North and West are open with good “skyviews”, but the views directly to the East and South East are quite distant and open with good views over "Goodber" etc, but a drawback is that the immediate areas which take up about ¾ of the view is within background of fields and trees etc and passage birds could well be missed with the blend into the background. Although you do see the top ¼ of open sky. During the 30 minutes I stayed there I never encounted any traffic, could not hear any traffic noise from afar (not bad to say it was blowing South Westerlies). And away from site of any nearby buildings. So I would probably say that the site meets with 75% of the requirement and I will certainly give it a more in depth check out very soon.

Shortly just after leaving this road (just a couple of hundred yards), I turned to the right hand which took me up towards Docker and onward to Burton West. At the point where I turned off there were also many blogging Meadow Pipits, which again just reinforced the strength of the area and confirmed many suspicions I had had for a long time.

Visible Migration on Monday 1st October 2012.

Lower down than Hutton Roof Timber Yard (SD5845477148)

0700 to 0800hrs

Wind: SW 7-8 mph and increasing.

Movement: South unless stated otherwise.

Never really got going, first mipit at 0711 and then just trickles. Had to break off at 0800hrs.

Meadow Pipit: 112 (mainly S but some SE best: 10s7,4s.

Alba Wagtail: 3

Chaffinch: 8

Skylark 1

Buzzard: 1

Siskin: 1

Down past Whittington to the Laybe at Newton (SD5979575008)

0845hrs to 0915hrs

Quiet compared to yesterday although the conditions looked perfect.

Meadow Pipit: 19

Alba Wagtail: 8

Reed Bunting: 1

Chaffinch: 37 (all South)

Swans: 3 (distant! Following line of Lune to the North)

Curlew: 1 North.

Laybye just a little further on just having left Newton and on a very dangerous bend.

(SD5930074162)

A perfect place for a “open vista” ideal for "goose watching" and looking towards Goodber and Thrushgill areas.

0930hrs to 0945hrs

Pink Footed Goose: 100 approx to SSW (distant over Goodber towards Littledale.)

Chaffinch 2

Meadow Pipit: 7.

Then a quick check around the Arkholme Areas for future watches.

Hutton Roof (Clawthorpe side)

1030hrs to 1130hrs.

Wind: SW 8-10mph

Meadow Pipit: 131 (best 25,20 6,6)

Goldfinch: 43 (best 20,15)

Chaffinch: 8 (mainly pairs)

Mistle Thrush: 3

Alba Wagtail: 2

Greenfinch: 2

Skylark: 1.

Visible Migration Sun Sept 30th 2012 at Near Hutton Roof Timber Yard and later at Newton (Nr. Whittington)

0700 to 0815hrs

Wind: SW 20 to 25mph gusting even stronger.

Movement South unless stated.

A few Mipits braved it from 0725hrs and then ceased after about 0815hrs.

Meadow Pipits: 33 S (best 6,5,4,4)

Alba Wagtail: 1 S

0830 to 0930hrs

A good decision to move down to Newton. Immediately Mipits moving and Swallows etc.

Meadow Pipits: 54 S (best 12,10, 6,5, mainly pairs)

Alba Wagtail: 3

Chaffinch: 14

House Martin: 27 S (best party 20)

Swallow: 16 S (best 4,3,3)

Greenfinch: 3 S

Starling: 3 S

Curlew heard in distance – probably on Lune borders.

Visible Migration – Sat Sept 29th 2012 – Timber Yard/Docker (just SE of Hutton Roof) SD5845477148

0745hrs-0845hours, then again at 0930hrs-1000hrs.

Wind: NW 20-25mph

Movement: South unless stated.

Thought I would try out a new area to try and map out the Mipits and although the strong winds killed off the movement, it really does look promising from here and I will now try it out over the next few days, that’s hoping the winds calm off a bit.

Meadow Pipit: 301 (best: 12,14,40,20,12,30,37,13,10)

Lapwing: 4S

Alba Wagtail: 6

Skylark: 6

Chaffinch: 7

Starling: 20 E

Swallow: 1

Goldfinch: 1.

Visible Migration Hutton Roof Fri Sept 28th 2012

0700hrs-1130hrs.

Wind: W 8-10mph and increasing at times.

Movement: South unless specified.

Again another slow start and carried on that way with regular intermittent rain showers. Nasty cloud showing and lots of low cloud towards Kirkby Lonsdale.

Redwing: 1 (calling from House on Vicarage Lane, Burton at 0645hrs)

Mistle Thrush: 4W

Meadow Pipit: 176 (best parties: 10s,8s)

Chaffinch: 76 mainly W but some E

Siskin: 3 E

Linnet: 1W

Alba Wagtail: 5

Reed Bunting: 1

Common Snipe: 2 (paired)

Swallow: 3

Pink Footed Goose: 33S (1135hrs)

Thur 27th September 2012 – Hutton Roof – Vismig

0700hrs-1115hrs.

Wind: 3mph and freshening.

Movement: South unless specified.

Today was a steady sort of morning, it was not a Mipit peak day, but still excellent with plenty of varied stuff coming through all the time. A late Chiffchaff . First Redwing calls. Lots of Song Thrush on the lane whilst going up. Lots of Robins also.

Redwing: A party going over Burton at 0615hrs several calling. Also one up at Hutton Roof calling at 0727hrs.

Blackbird: 1W

Mistle Thrush: 17W (one party 6,3 and the rest singles)

Meadow Pipit: 351S SE at first, then mid morning to South (some mega high) (best parties: 40,26,15,12, 12,8,5s,4s and lots of singles and pairs).

Chaffinch: 168 mainly W but some E (best parties: 7s,6s,5s,4s)

Goldfinch: 108 all W (best: 40,18,8,8,7,6s)

Linnet: 8 all W

Greenfinch: 19W (best 11,5)

Redpoll: 2E

Siskin: 7W (5,2)

Alba Wagtail: 4W

Starling: 10E

Skylark: 5S

Swallow: 11W (7SE 4W)

Woodpigeon: 6E

Raven: 1S (definite mover)

Hen Harrier: 1 male to NW

Also:

Chiffchaff 1 (singing)

also later on 1330hrs to 1430hrs from Vicarage Ln, Burton In Kendal.

all South.

Swallow: 26 (14,10,2)

Meadow Pipit: 9 (3,2 and singles)

Chaffinch: 19 (best 5)

Linnet: 4 (one party)

26th Sept 2012 – Vismig – Hutton Roof, Cumbria (Clawthorpe side),

0715hrs-0900hrs.

Wind: NE 15mph to 20mph

Movement: East unless specified.

Most stuff going directly into wind. Albas seemed to start off well today. A surprise Grey Plover. Most birds struggling with wind. Only a few Mipits.

Alba Wagtail: 5 (all singles)

Grey Wagtail: 1

Chaffinch: 43 (5W all others E) Best parties: 5,4

Meadow Pipit: 21 (South) Best party: 4

Goldfinch: 1W

Mistle Thrush: 2E

Starling: 4E (2,2)

Grey Plover: 1E (also calling)

Swallow: 4E (3,1)

LBBG: 1E

26th Sept 2012 - Vismig - Hutton Roof, Cumbria (Trig Point)

1230hrs - 1500hrs.

Wind: NE 8mph

Movement SE unless specified.

Fairly quiet, but a few mipits trickling through along with Goldfinch and Siskin.

Siskin: 6S(one party)

Goldfinch: 29S (2,15,12)

Linnet: 2W

Swallow: 6S (one party)

Meadow Pipit: 24 (all SE best party 6 and 3s)

Jay: 1SGSW: 1S

Sun Sept 23rd 2012 - Hutton Roof Vismig

0700hrs-100hrs

Wind: NE 5-7mph with gust to 12-15

Moves: South unless stated.

Very cold with the Easterlies, and not much moving at all, what bit there were dried up by about 0830hrs. Few Swallows and what there were went back to their normal routes via East or West. Pretty good on the Goldfinch today.

Meadow Pipit: 136 (best 11,5,4, but in the main just pairs to 4 and lots of singles)

Chaffinch: 74 (going both East and West as usual)

Goldfinch: 52 (best parties 12,10,10,9, odd ones W but mainly to the East.

Linnet: 4 W (singles)

Redpoll: 2 W

Greenfinch: 5 (2 W and three singles E)

Alba Wagtail: 4 (3E and 1W)

Mistle Thrush: 4 W (singles)

Swallow: 7 (5 West one party and 2E)

Woodpigeon: 11 (6W others all East)

Skylarks heard but not seen.

Also lots of Black Headed Gull and a few LBBG heading East.

Saturday September 22nd 2012 - Hutton Roof Vismig

0800-1100hrs.

Little Wind, blue skies.

Movement: South unless stated otherwise.

Didnt break any pots but OK up to about 0915hrs then died off.  First time I have ever had hirundines going directly South at Hutton Roof, they normally go E or W. Start of Mistle Thrush.

Meadow Pipit: 300 exactly (best parties probably ex blogs 51,20,18, but mainly pairs.

Swallows: 239 best parties: 18,30,20,18.

Alba Wagtail: 3 (2W)

Chaffinch: 84 mainly E some W

Greenfinch: 1

Siskin: 8 (4S 2E)

Skylark: 10 (2,6,2)

Goldfinch: 31 (one party 16) mainly E or W.

Redpoll: 4 (2,2)

Starlings: 3

Mistle Thrush: 14 (4,8,2)

Woodpigeon: 3 (2E)

Here is a catch up of my recent VISMIG reports:

Saturday September 15th 2012 – Hutton Roof (Clawthorpe side)

Winds: W 15mph - time 0830-1000hrs.

All movements South unless specified.

Meadow Pipit: 117 (a 50 move on blogging party, otherwise best 6s)

Linnet: 1

Starling 3W

Redpoll: 2

Goldfinch: 6

Chaffinch: 10 (best 4)

Woodpigeon 2SE

Skylark: 2

House Martin 1E

Kestrel 1.

Tuesday September 18th 2012 – Hutton Roof (Clawthorpe side)

Winds: Westerley 10-12mph – 0730hrs-0930hrs.

All movements South unless specified.

Meadow Pipit: 137 (best: 12,10,9)

Chaffinch: 16 (best 6)

Goldfinch: 1E

Swallow: 14 (5E)

Grey Wagtail: 2 (paired)

Wednesday September 19th 2012 – Hutton Roof (Clawthorpe side)

Winds: Westerley 2 mph. 0700hrs-0930hrs.

All movements South unless specified.

Meadow Pipit: 81

Chaffinch: 85 (mainly West some East) best parties: 9, 6s,5s.

Goldfinch: 18 (10W rest E)

Linnet: 13 (one party 12W)

Siskin: 10 (8W)

Cormorant: 1W

Starling: 9 (all E)

Mistle Thrush: 2E

Swallow: 16 (1SE)

Alba Wagtail: 3W

Skylark: 3S

Pink Footed Goose: 76 (one skein W at 0806hrs)

Also:

Greater Spotted Woodpecker: 1W

Willow Warbler: 1 (local and singing)

Chiffchaff: 1 (local and singing)

Friday September 21st 2012 – Hutton Roof (Clawthorpe side)

Winds: Easterlies 8-15mph. 0830hrs-1030hrs

All movements South unless specified.

Today obviously blocking, although some Chaffinch really high and missed, hirundine using side on for SW move. Most Mipits using compensate flight (again side on)

Meadow Pipit: 79 (best 27 ex blog, then 8, some 5s and mainly 4s)

Chaffinch: 14 (1E)

Reed Bunting: 1

Goldfinch: 23E (best 12E and 6E)

Swallow: 40 (26SW,14E)

House Martin: 25SW (11,13,1)

Alba Wagtail: 1

Skylark: 8 (5,3)

Thrush: 1 (small brown thrush E probable Song Thrush)

Woodpigeon: 1SE

Raven: 2 probably local.

Monday 3rd September 2012.

Shore Road, Carnforth, Lancs.

0845hrs-1130hrs.

Wind: 9mph WSW

Movement: South unless stated otherwise.

First day for me and obviously good signs of hirundine passage starting. Can't get there earlier, but all gone quiet by 10.30hrs. Probably stay with Shore Road for a while until after the "hirundine passage" and then back up to Hutton Roof.

Swallow: 289 (best parties 30,30,20,20) 90% South 10% East following River Keer.

House Martin: 20 one party direct South.

Meadow Pipit: 24 (best 5, other pairs and singles)

Alba Wagtail: 24 (best party 6)

Linnet: 51 (best parties 30,10)

Greenfinch: 6

Goldfinch: 10 (best 5)

Skylark: 1

Chaffinch: 1

Reed Bunting: 5 (one party 4)

Siskin: 1

Marsh Harrier: 1S

Kestrel: 1S

Curlew: 2W

Bar Tailed Godwit: 1W

Starlings: Regular small groups probably local.

Cormorant: 3 (all singles W at various times)

Lapwing: 71W (30,40,1)

Canada Goose: 40 E (one party)

BHG: coming through W all the time but one party 60

Common Gull: 150 all in one party W

LBBG: 1W

Woodpigeon: 2S