More sunshine at Fly Flatts

 

                                    1 of 3 Stonechat

                                2 pairs Pied Wags feeding young.

                                    Count of 7 Redshank

                                    At least 6 Dunlin.

Another stonking morning at Fly Flatts with wall to wall sunshine on a light SE>3 at 8 degrees.

     Plenty activity with the usual waders, several of which were sticking to the east bank peninsular but a bit more movement around the shore with the cold east wind dropped.

    Dunlin were showing well with at least 6 present along with 7 Redshank, 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Snipe and 2 Oystercatchers. 

    The majority of Wheatear have now moved through with just 3 showing as well as 3 Stonechat but no sign of Whinchat down in the bracken as yet. Otherwise, down to the usual species and nothing in the air.

   Tomorrow not looking bad with cloudy sunshine on a light sou'westerly starting off at 5 degrees. Rain moving in over Saturday night ready for a Bank Holiday washout all Sunday. 

BS

New arrivals, Fly Flatts.

 

                                    Now 7 Common Sandpipers present

                                    Redshank withGreylag

                                    5 Oystercatchers, 9 Redshank 

                                Distant Little Ringed Plover in the heat shimmer

                                    1 of 3 Stonechat

                                    1 Buzzard

                                    All against sun angle.

Another bright clear sunny morn at Fly Flatts with full blue skies and sunshine on a moderate SE>4 at 5 degrees. Heat shimmer is now starting to effect distant photos.

    More new wader arrivals this morning with now 6 Dunlin, 7 Common Sandpiper, 5 Oystercatchers,  9 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover and a Little Ringed Plover, as well as the usual Curlews and Lapwings. Unfortunately, once again all using the NE peninsular so at scoping distance and now hampered by the heat shimmer. Once the water drops a bit lower I have access to the east bank although heavy rain is forecast over the weekend, well it is bank holiday!!

    Otherwise, 8 Wheatear, 3 Stonechat, 2 Raven and a Buzzard, plus the usual species with nothing but a few Swallows overhead.

    Another of the same for tomorrow with clear skies and sunshine on a light SE kicking off at 5 degrees. Chance of an odd thunderstorm early evening.

BS

A breezy Fly Flatts.

 

                                Buzzard on a distant fence

                                    Minimum of 15 Wheatear

                                9 Redshank present

                                An unfortunate newt type creature.

                                1 pr Stonechat present.

A bright and breezy morning at Fly Flatts with full blue sky and sunshine on a moderate ENE>5 gusting 6 at 5 degrees with good visibility.

   Thanks to an update from birder Mark reporting that Cold Edge Road is open as far as the quarry I headed up there with hopes of waders although it will probably be into May before anything new arrives. Ruff and Wood Sandpiper are favourites at this site for early May.

    A good count of 9 Redshank, 3 Common Sandpiper, 4 Dunlin and 2 Oystercatchers but all at distance bunkered down on and around the peninsular in the strong wind so it was a scoping job and having to get down low out of the wind. The getting down bit is easy, its the getting back up that's the problem.

   Wheatear were all over the shop with a conservative count of 12 just around the south end whilst several Swallows were over the water. 

    A pair of Stonechat were on the edge of the Flat Moor and a Buzzard was on a distant fence post , but otherwise down to the usual species.

    Another bright and sunny day for tomorrow, still with the moderate easterly wind, at a start temperature of 5 degrees.

BS

Doe Park/ Denholme Clough.

 

                                Doe Park Reservoir 

                                    From the dam wall

                                    From the Clough

                                    Alive with Swallows

                                    and Sand Martins.

                                    Single Heron

                                    Numerous Willow Warblers

                                    2 Common Sandpipers present

                                    1 of 2 Grey Wagtails.

A cloudy morning with early light drizzle on a cold ENE>4 at 5 degrees but sheltered down in the Clough.

   Plenty Swallows and Sand Martins skimming over the water but no sign of House Martin as yet.

Just 6 Canada geese on the water along with a few Mallard and a Heron on the far shore. At least 2 Grey Wagtails were below the dam wall as well as 2 Common Sandpipers which eventually went out onto the jetty to preen whilst a Dipper and Kingfisher were down in the overflow area.

    The Clough was buzzing with Willow Warblers along with at least 4 Blackcaps plus several Chiffchaffs and Linnets along with the usual common woodland species.

   Very little overhead other than 3 LBB gulls and plenty Jackdaws whilst 2 Song Thrush and 3 Mistle Thrush were present.

  Looking like a bright sunny day tomorrow with a slightly stronger NE starting off at 4 degrees. They seem to have back pedalled on tomorrows morning fog.

BS