Thursday October 18th 2007 - Haslingden Grane (Stoney Rake)

0730hrs-1300hrs

Wind: Variable - W 2mph

Movement: West unless specified different.

A thick ground frost this morning. A great morning with lots of Fieldfare on the move, quite regular, though missing hundreds and probably low thousands which I could just about glass them going over the Edgeworth above the further away valley which lies between Bolton - Darwen - Blackburn - When I was seeing these and could also see further parties in the further distance. Also Redwing moving, but no Starlings. But I did OK where I was and well happy with what I got.  Also 4 Pintail.  3 small bunting size birds which I have never heard the call before which went something like "Urmz urmz - rat tat tat" and repeated - difficult to explain, but if anybody knows anything it would be gratefully received.

Fieldfare: 1553 (28 parties, best parties: 70,80.72.180,70,140,80,150,130) Cloudbase at first then lower - mainly 1000hrs-1200hrs

Redwing: 353 (14 parties, best parties: 50,24,20,50,30,38)

Song Thrush: 2

Starling: 44 (best party 20, 4E) What could have happened to the Starling movement????

Siskin: 98 (Best parties 27,10 10,10) loads missed and again some going out North East.

Chaffinch: 212 (best parties 20,9,18,7) (5E 1S)

Greenfinch: 14

Goldfinch: 8

Crossbill: 6 (1E)

Bullfinch: 1

Reed Bunting: 3 (2E)

Redpoll: 35 (one party 11)

Brambling: 3 (minimum)

Pied Wagtail: 13

Skylark: 2

Cormorant: 1

LBBG: 37 (best party 15 - it was interesting to note that every bird was a dark immature - no adults!)

BHG: 5

Jackdaw: 118 (best party 46 (0915hrs) and 14)

Magpie: 1 (very high)

Carrion Crow: 20 (best party 9 & 8)

Rook: 2 SW

Pintail: 4 (one party)

Lapwing: 1S

Cheers,

Bryan.

PS: Anyone wanting to see Crossbills - Grane is full of them at present!! (or they where this morning....)