Another dabble at Fly Flatts.

 

                                    Back to 2 Common Sandpipers and a chick

                                    50+ Goldfinch

                                    Swallows skimming the shore

                                    2 Golden Plover present

A lovely, cool windy morning at Fly Flatts with a moderate to strong NNE>5 at 11 degrees with full sun and good visibility, apart from the dreaded heat shimmer.

     Yesterdays wave of Common Sandpiper seem to have moved on leaving just the breeding pair and again only 1 chick seen, so hoping the other 2 are just remaining hidden.

     Two Golden Plover were feeding along the shore whilst a Snipe was flushed by one of the Common Sandpipers which sent it high and fast over the moor.

   Lots of Swifts in the air with Swallows skimming low over the shore and sometimes landing briefly whilst 2 Sand Martins were a surprise heading >W.

   Lots of small stuff with over 50 Goldfinch as well as several Linnets, 1 Stonechat and 1 juv Wheatear along with the usual Meadow Pipits.

     Gulls were active with LBBs on the north shore as well as moving >SE whilst Herring gulls and Black Headed were on the water.

    The weather is going back to pear shaped tomorrow with a light NW starting off at 13 degrees and peaking at 25 degrees late afternoon.

  BS

    

Fly Flatts, better weather, better birds.

 

                                    East bank and peninsular

                                    Golden Plover back on shore

                                    A count of 8 Common Sandpipers plus chicks.

                                This Common Sand made me look twice at this angle.

                                    Goldfinch flock over 50 now.

                                    Single Common Sandpiper chick seen

A more respectable morning weather wise at Fly Flatts with a cold ENE>4 at 11 degrees with patchy cloud and sunshine.

   The moderate NE seemed to have got the waders moving with a new wave of Common Sandpipers in making 5 new birds in along with the long staying 3 plus just 1 of the chicks seen though in a well secluded area so hopefully the 3 chicks are still hanging on. Having said that, a Common Sandpiper I was watching from a distance suddenly erupted in alarm calls and wing flapping when a Weasel came out briefly from under the stones only to be seen off by me for a second time as, for some reason, the Sandpiper didn't attempt to fly to safety.

     Presumably the same Golden Plover was back on the shore before flying over to the Flat Moor whilst the 2 newly fledged Lapwings were close by.

     Lots of aerial activity with Swallows and Swifts as well as LBB and Black Headed gulls moving around.  Just 2 juv Wheatears present whilst the Goldfinch flock stands at over 50, and around 30 Linnets, all moving around the thistle tops. 

   With the water level now lower I was able to walk the east banking to the peninsular but only the geese on there, but proved that all the Redshanks have now gone.

   A day of the same tomorrow weather wise starting off at 11 degrees with cloudy sunshine on a moderate NE. Temp slightly higher than today in the afternoon.

BS

And so it continues, Fly Flatts.

 

                                    1 of 3 Common Sandpipers

                                    The peninsular

                                    Gulls and geese

                                    Juv Wheatear

                                    Juv Lapwing.

                                    Ad Pied Wagtail.

Another day with the thermostat turned up but a lovely cool NE3-4 keeping the temperature at 17 degrees with full sun.

   As expected, in this weather, birds were reluctant to move, apart from several Herring and LBB gulls >NE along with Swallows and Swifts.

   The 3 adult Common Sandpipers are still present with the pair still guarding over their young with one chick seen briefly so hoping they still have the 3.

   Lots of Goldfinch and Linnets around the thistle tops whilst 2 juv Wheatear were exploring the shoreline in the SE corner.

   Sounds very quiet on the moor now with the call of the Curlew gone as well as the noisy Lapwings, though the 400+ Canada and Greylag geese make up for it. The exposed shore in now looking in good condition, being low enough for the wader kick off  but still adequate water for the sailors.

    A temporary respite tomorrow with full sun on a moderate NE but the temperature starting off  at a civilized 12 degrees and reaching 21 degrees p.m, but don't get excited as the heat is back by Wednesday, Thursday. I suppose that some people will appreciate the hot stuff but to me, anyone who likes this heatwave must be ' lame under 't cap.'

BS  

More of the warm stuff, Fly Flatts.

 

                                    Single Stonechat

                                    1 of 3 Common Sandpipers

                            Lucky ducklings, 2 Mallard ready to fledge.

                                1st sign of dispersion, Willow Warbler

                                Common Sandpipers on chick guard duty.

                                Swallows taking flies off surface

A decent E>2-3 saved the morning again with hazy sunshine but the temperature holding down to 17 degrees keeping it workable though by 0830 hrs it was keep in the shade.

      The pair of Common Sandpipers were still guarding their chicks in yet another location whilst a third adult bird was mobile around the shore. After the surprise sighting of 2 Golden Plover yesterday, this morning saw 5 fly low past the wind turbines dropping low onto Ovenden Moor.

    The first signs of dispersion this morning with a single Willow Warbler in the lagoon tree, a sight only seen at this time of year, at this site, when birds start to disperse from their breeding areas.

   Several LBB gulls across on the peninsular along with 4 Black Headed whilst Swifts and Swallows were feeding over the water. Otherwise, just the usual species but slowly getting livelier once this non productive  weather has moved on.

    About the same forecast for tomorrow with a very slight drop in temperatures, starting off at 16 degrees with a slightly stronger breeze from the NE but plenty sunshine after a hazy start.

BS

Seeking the shade, Fly Flatts.

 

                                 Unusual to have Black Headed gull here.

                                    juv Lapwing

                                A rarity at Fly Flatts lately, Golden Plover

                                    2 juv Wheatear showing

                                   Ad Pied Wagtail plus several juvs.

                                Common Sandpiper surrounded by flies.

Another dreaded morning with too much heat. Full sun at 20 degrees but a pleasant E>2 making it workable but keeping to the shade of the car and building. 

    A surprise this morning to find a Golden Plover on the SE shore plus a second fly over and both ending up on the Flat Moor. A rare sighting at this site over the last few years, before which I used to have 300 + nesting on the Flat Moor.

    A flock of 15 Lapwings were moving around the fields, mostly juvs, whilst 2 juv Wheatear were near the compound. Quiet otherwise on the waders with just a single Common Sandpiper making a quick appearance on the west bank whilst 15 LBB gull were on the north shore.

  Plenty juv Goldfinch and Starlings present whilst Meadow Pipits are starting to group ready for dispersion.

    Very little improvement for tomorrow with full sun on a slightly stronger NE breeze and temperatures a touch lower starting off at 16 degrees and getting up to 25 mid afternoon. An added problem over the weekend with a possibility of morning hill fog. I love summer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not.

BS