Another special for Fly Flatts, Ruff.

 

                                    6 Common Sandpipers present

                                    Strange perch for a Snipe

                                    Up in the low cloud.

                                    Best I could get of the Ruff

A murky morning at Fly Flatts with a mix of rain and drizzle throughout on a SSW>4 at 6 degrees with a low cloud base.

    A poor morning with just the usual Redshanks, Dunlins and Common Sandpipers until I picked up a Ruff through the scope, way out on the peninsular. The bird was in with Redshanks and Common Sands but way out of camera range and in the murky drizzle. Bang on time for this species to visit Fly Flatts with the last 2 years producing birds on the 2nd, 4th, 12, and 13th of May.

    A Snipe on the compound fence was an unusual sight with Snipe being a rare species at this site in the last few years. Otherwise, Stonechat, Wheatear and the usual species.

     Showing tomorrow as a washout with cloudy sunshine and heavy rain throughout the day with thunderstorms after midday on a moderate SE.

BS

Cold, wet and windy, Fly Flatts.

 

                                    Black rain clouds over Fly Flatts

                                Several Common Sandpipers

                                    As well as Dunlin

                                2 pair of Pied Wagtails feeding young

                                    As well as Stonechat

Another mid winter feeling morning with an icy cold moderate to strong W>5 gusting 6 at 5 degrees with a mix of sunshine and heavy showers.

    Much quieter this morning with the strong cold wind keeping most of the waders to the NE corner and peninsular or actively buzzing around the water and shorelines.

   Dunlin, Common Sandpiper and Redshank up to good numbers, but again, no sign of the Ringed and Little Ringed Plover.

   Wheatears are still hanging on with 4 battling the wind on the west bank whilst raptors were enjoying the wind with 4 Kestrel and 3 Buzzard up hovering into the wind.

    Otherwise, as previous blogs, but no Whimbrel over today.

A forecast of sunshine and showers for tomorrow on a light SE at 6 degrees.

BS

Fly Flatts.

 

                                Usual Common Sandpipers

                                    and Redshank

                                    Greylags growing well

                                    Now 7 white Greylags

                                    Plenty Swifts over

                                        1 of 4 Wheatear

                                    1 pair of Tufted over.

                                    2 Pair of Stonechat feeding young

A slightly milder morning at Fly Flatts with 80 % cloud and some sun on a light W>3 turning WSW>3 at 6 degrees.

    A good start to the morning with 2 Whimbrel high over the water heading >NW. Fortunately they were calling or they would have gone over unseen as I was sweeping the Canada goose poo off the floating jetty at the time ready for this afternoons sailing.

   Quieter on the wader scene this morning with just Common Sandpiper and Redshank with no sign of Dunlin or Plovers although I suspect that they will still be around. A single Buzzard was overhead along with several Swallows and Swifts whilst 4 Wheatear were on the west bank.

    Two pair of Stonechat are now feeding young as well as 2 pair of Pied Wagtails. Around 60 Canada goslings are present as well as around 30 Greylag goslings.

     A chance of windy and wet tomorrow with 50% chance of showers through the day on a moderate westerly at 6 degrees.

BS

    

Bitter cold and windy. Fly Flatts.

 

                                    White Horses on the water

                                    Little Ringed Plover still present

                                    Usual Common Sandpipers

                                    as well as Redshanks

                                    and Dunlins

                                        1 of 4 Buzzard >NE

                                    Gulls getting more popular

Another bitter cold morning with what felt like the coldest morning of the year up there with a biting NW>5 gusting >6 at 3 degrees. Clear skies and sunshine but clouding over mid watch.

    Near enough the same as yesterday less the Ringed Plover which failed to show but more sky movement with 4 Buzzards up together drifting >NE as well as a steady flow of Herring and LBB gulls also >NE whilst Swifts and Swallows headed directly >N.

    Just a single Wheatear this morning along with 2 Red Legged Partridge plus the usual species.

A morning of cloudy sunshine with cloud thickening late morning with a chance of light showers on a moderate westerly starting off at a milder 6 degrees.

BS