Wall to wall Wheatears, Fly Flatts

 

                                     Alive with Wheatear

                                    Even up in the trees

                                    Unusual visitor for the compound

                                    1st back, Common Sandpiper

                                    Pink Footed Goose

                                    Then there were two

A decent morning on the weather front with early full cloud slowly breaking to let some sunshine through on a light but bitterly cold WSW>3 at 3 degrees.

    Wheatears were all over the shop this morning with 21 counted just half way on the west bank and 8 on the east bank with a total of 29 but undoubtedly several more if I'd have spent time scoping further afield. My first returning Common Sandpiper appeared in the SE corner, one day earlier than my first last year, whilst 7 Redshank were present along with the usual Curlew, Lapwing and a single Common Snipe. Nothing in the air other than a Raven, Kestrel and several Meadow Pipits whilst a single male Stonechat was near the lagoon.

   On my way out, the Pink Footed goose, that I saw on an earlier visit, had reappeared when surprisingly a second one appeared from behind the reeds. It would be nice to get a pair breeding here.

    Not looking good for tomorrow with plenty cloud and a mix of rain, sleet and snow on a moderate to strong sou'westerly. Possibly improving p.m.

BS

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