Below the fog, Ogden.

 

                                    A misty start, fog on the tops

                                    Clearing by 0830 hrs

                                1000s of  Weevil type creatures along the promenade

                                    1 pair of Tufted.

                                    Arrival of Willow Warblers.

                                    Very few big gulls

                                    Single Greylag.

With dense fog on the tops, as per forecast, it was down to Ogden which was slightly misty but soon cleared to leave full cloud on a light SW>2 at 7 degrees.

 The waterside trees were buzzing with Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs along with a single Siskin, several Chaffinch and Goldfinch as well as Song and Mistle Thrush.

    The water held 2 Canada and a single Greylag goose along with a pair of Tufted duck and the usual Mallards. The strangest thing of the morning was a Little Owl calling from the plantation half way along the east bank. A species that I have never had low down at Ogden before without going up onto the edge of the moor.

   Gull wise, just  3 LBB and 2 Herring on the water. A Raven flew over the plantation.

Looking dry for tomorrow with cloud and some sunshine on a light W turning SW starting off at 3 degrees.

Mega Wheatear overnight fall, Fly Flatts

 

                                    A minimum count of 20 Wheatear

                                    Very distant Wheatear      Stonechat

                                    1 of 9 Redshank

                                2 of last years bred white Greylags.

Another stonking day both weather and bird wise. Clear blue skies and full sun on a light SW>3 starting off at 6 degrees but soon rising to double figures.

    First birds that hit me on arrival were the number of Wheatear in the SE corner and by the lagoon. A count of eight soon rose after I'd walked the south bank and scanned the top field where at least 12 Wheatear were present taking my total count to 20. Unfortunately, not a record for this site where I have had several counts in previous years of over 20 and my record stands at 31. Also several other reports this morning of local Wheatear.

    Swallows were the next feature with a continuous steady flow >N of over 40 birds whilst 3 Stonechat and 4 Reed Bunting were distant beyond the lagoon. No new waders in yet with 6 Oystercatcher, 9 Redshank, Curlews and Lapwings plus a Snipe flew out of the trackside dyke and headed over the Flat Moor as I drove up the exit track.

    Just 2 LBB gulls on the water with a Herring and Common gull heading >SW. Otherwise down to the usual species. Quite a morning to be out.

    Back to basics tomorrow with sunshine and cloud after a possible misty start on a light SW>3 starting off at 8 degrees, rain given after midday.

BS

   

   

Another dabble at Fly Flatts

 

                                Not many mornings like this at Fly Flatts

                                   This first summer Wagtail looked pale enough for 'white'

                                    Male Pied with female sitting eggs.

                                    Only 4 Redshank found today

Another brilliant morning despite a cold SE>4 at 4 degrees with full sun and clear visibility.

    Plenty to see but a bit quieter than yesterday with the cold South Easterly keeping things down.

No new waders in as yet with just Redshank, Oystercatcher, Lapwing and Curlew. A single LBB gull was on the north shore whilst 6 Black Headed gulls headed high and >SW.

    A very pale Wagtail was in the overflow briefly, much paler than the usual female Pieds up there, which I fancied as a white but 3 shots side on and it was away high and north. With no rear view or the back of its neck the only distinguishing feature was the pale mantle. The hints of brown in the wings put it to a first summer bird 1CY, soon to be 2CY.

   Otherwise, several Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings present along with a steady flow of Swallows >NE. A single Buzzard was over Tatty Pie Hill.

   Another bright sunny day tomorrow with a very light wind coming from all over the shop. First SE then W turning NW and finally ending up from the south with a start off temperature of 7 degrees.

BS

Fly Flatts

 

                                Unusual visitor, Pink Footed Goose

                                    3 of 8 Redshank

                                        Distant pale phase Buzzard.

                                    3 Heron present

                                    6 Oystercatchers

A brilliant morning weather wise with 40% cloud in otherwise clear skies and sunshine. Some milky haze over the moor on a light SW>3 at 3 degrees.

   First bird, as driving down the track was the unusual visit , at this site, of a Pink Footed Goose, probably the Cold Edge bird. No new waders in as yet but Common Sandpiper due within a week, closely followed by Dunlin. A good year for Redshank with at least 8 present along with 6 Oystercatchers and several Curlew and Lapwing.

   Very little sky movement other than 3 LBB and 4 Herring gulls >NE whilst the resident pale phase Buzzard was in the haze over the west moor looking like an Osprey until I got a better view of it.

    Herons are still on frog patrol with 3 present whilst Meadow Pipit numbers are rising and my first 2 Linnet of the year. Otherwise the usual Canada, Greylag and Mallard on the water. All quiet in the Nolstar fields.

   Full sun tomorrow on a very light SE at 4 degrees. Hope this doesn't mean fog.

BS

Sunshine and showers, Ogden.

 

                                     In between the showers

                                    The sluice gate area

                                    Track to the Withens.

                                    Few LBB and Herring gulls present

                                        LBB

                                    Single Mistle Thrush.

Horton Bank Top C.P.

A morning of sunshine and showers at Ogden with moderate W>5  at 23 m.p.h. with breaks of sunshine but some real heavy showers of  rain, hail and snow at 5 degrees.

    The waterside tracks were a mass of water and mud after the heavy overnight rain so rather than get the dogs caked up I stuck to the promenade and part way up the Withens track.

    Very little bird wise with the only newcomer being a Cormorant on the water along with a pair of Tufted duck, 6 Lesser Black Backed and 2 Herring gulls.

   The edge of the plantation up the Withens track held a few Chaffinch, Coal, Great and Blue Tits as well as a single Mistle Thrush, otherwise all quiet.

   To make amends this afternoon, plus all the shops shut, I had a quick dog walk at Horton Bank Top which was the quietest visit ever with just Mallards, Mute Swans and Canada geese plus Coot, Moorhen, a single Heron and 1 LBB gull. Work finished at Fly Flatts now so just need the weather to get back up there. First sailing day of the season was abandoned due to high winds.

     Looking dry for tomorrow with cloudy sunshine on a light SW kicking off at 3 degrees.

BS