Wind: NW 15-20mph then decreasing for return at 1030hrs.
Movement: South unless stated otherwise.
Chaffinches all East or West (pred West)
Redwing: First party through at 0733 and the majority going either West or South West, coming in from the East, the occasional party would go North. But by 0900hrs 90% of the birds instead of carrying on the West or South West already mentioned, were coming back on themselves (or fresh birds from elsewhere?) to a East, North East with the majority going North. We have had similar scenario's to this before when I was at Haslingden and Jean has also written a article in British Birds relating to this same thing (to check article click on this link and download http://www.britishbirds.co.uk/bbjan2005.pdf. Perhaps this could have been going on in a much smaller scale here today. Had to pack up at 0930hrs and the Redwing were still coming through but only by now a trickle. Resumed watch at 1030hrs and only then had one party within a hour but worth going back to pick up a couple of Pink Footed Geese parties.
Redwing: 887 (33 parties - best parties: 70,40N,60,60,60N,60N,50)
Chaffinch: 138
Pink Footed Goose: 46 (one party of 12W at 1050hrs - one party of 34W at 1100hrs)
Regarding the birds turning back I wonder if this is something as simple ( and at the same time complex) as the weather ie the wind. I was watching a short weather feature showing the possible movement of the birds and the fact that the wind would allow the migration and then swing to make it more difficult due to head and cross winds.
This was mentioned for this weekend although I do not know if the wind did this as it was forecast as i have not checked...just a thought. Any body else have a theory?
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The above figures are from my own weather station in the garden. Whilst they are not indicative of true migration it does show a change in the wind direction on a local scale.
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www.wildrossendale.blogspot.co.uk/ Go On...Go Wild!!
Hi Steve, Thanks for your great comments and also for your great suggestions which as you know are always well appreciated here, and it is possible you could be correct. Nobody seems to have worked it out yet, but your suggestion holds much merit.
With regards to Hutton Roof today it seemed to hold out on Westerley to North Westerley and I cannot say that I actually noticed any particular change, but there again like you suggest, it may only take the slightest change of direction. I am sure you must be right together with different altitude pressures etc may also contribute to this.
At long last with regards Hutton Roof things are just starting to warm up, especially with regards the Thrushes, if anything they seem to have come very early this year.
Earlier in the week I also tried out a new venue "Shore Road/Carnforth which actually lies across the Veer just below Warton Crag. But it looks good and was picking up plenty of Greenfinch (60+ in one hour and at about 1130hrs) and other good stuff. Must give it another check out soon... especting the area to be really good for continental Chaffinches etc.
Keep looking, keep replying etc etc, always much welcome, thanks..