Weather that I like, Fly Flatts

 

                                          Juvenile Lapwing

                                        Plenty Swifts over the water.

                                Very distant peninsular in heat shimmer

                                    8 Dunlin, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Redshank.

At last, back to the weather I'm used to and appreciate at Fly Flatts with full cloud on a cool WSW> 4-5

at 16 degrees. Periods of very black clouds over with light drizzle and odd bursts of sun.

     The birds seemed to appreciate the cooler weather being much more active though most keeping well at distance. During one period of drizzle and dark skies a group of 8 Dunlins flew in low over the north end of the water, from the west, and landed on the peninsular which already held 2 Redshank and 2 Oystercatchers with a juvenile. Unfortunately, the water is still too high for me to access the east bank so the only photos possible were from the compound which is out of range and made worse with a ton of heat shimmer.

    A pair of Snipe flew from a top field and landed together on the 'Flat Moor' whilst 3 juv Lapwing and a Stonechat were in the same area. Up above, the sky was full of Swifts along with a few LBB gulls and 3 Kestrel. Otherwise, down to the usual species. Hopefully the Dunlins will stay around a few days despite the shortage of exposed shore.

   Better forecast still for tomorrow with the temp starting at 12 degrees on a moderate westerly with cloudy sunshine.

BS

    

Fresh and breezy Fly Flatts

 

                                    Early morn Short Eared Owl

                                Several Goldfinch present.

                                    Raven feeding young.

                                    Plenty LBB gulls

A much healthier morning at Fly Flatts with 50 % cloud at 19 degrees but a nice chilling moderate SW>4 and the water going down nicely.

    Also much healthier bird wise with still a lull of waders but encouraging to get a Little Ringed Plover briefly as it flushed from the lagoon area but not re-located. 

     Several Swifts and LBB gulls drifting through >SW whilst a Raven was busy feeding 1 of 2 juvs.

A Short Eared Owl was again quartering the moor with a Kestrel and Buzzard overhead. Goldfinch numbers are rising along the track side thistles with a good count of young, whilst several juv Pied Wagtails are still in the area and the 2 pair that have bred 5 and 6 are sitting second broods.

Only 2 Lapwings present today and no Curlews.

    A better forecast for tomorrow with cloudy sunshine on a moderate sou'westerly and a low chance of rain with a start off temperature of 15 degrees and peaking at a more sensible temp of 18 degrees after midday.

BS

Fly Flatts in the haze

 

Short Eared Owl in the haze                                                           

                                    1 of 2 Snipe

                                    Single Oystercatcher

After a 3 hr early morning thunder storm, starting at 0400 hrs, I though it would have cleared the air slightly but Fly Flatts was hazy sunshine at 19 degrees on a light SE>2 with some large fog banks in the valleys.

   Very disappointing up there at the moment with a full clear out of waders other than a single Oystercatcher and 2 Snipe. Curlews and Lapwings are now noticeable by their absence. A Short Eared Owl was the highlight of the morning whilst 6 LBB and a single Herring gull were on the water.

     Plenty Meadow Pipits around and a few Goldfinch on the thistle heads by the track but otherwise very quiet. With the temperature slowly creeping up it was an early finish. At least the garden got a bit of an overnight watering but my water butt hasn't risen at all and luckily the reservoir water level is slowly dropping. The temperature in Halifax early afternoon was reading 34 degrees as Lynda rummaged around Matalan.

    A small touch cooler tomorrow starting off at 18 degrees and rising to 24 degrees p.m. on a light SE with cloudy sunshine.

BS

Not fit for man nor beast, Ogden.

 A very light SE>2 this morning with clear blue sky and full sun at 21 degrees. The wind thankfully increased after midday but too late for birding.

      A quick dog walk half way along the east bank in the shade of the trees and back home by 0900 hrs with the heat building and no fun for the dogs or me.

    Same sightings noted as yesterday with 8 Canada Geese, 3 Heron, 16 LBB and 3 Herring gulls.

I hope that the water level at Fly Flatt is going down as quick as my water butt.

     Another hot day tomorrow starting at 20 degrees and getting up to 29 degrees p.m. with a light SE and chance of some thundery showers throughout the day.

BS

     

Sunny and still, Ogden.

 

                                        Juvenile Heron

                                           1 of 3 adults

                                    Juv

                                    1 of 3 Black Headed gulls

                                        23 LBB gulls on the water

                                    23 LBB and 4 Herring gulls

Too hot and too still this morning to go out into the open, for the dogs and me, so a wander around Ogden in the shade of the trees making it pleasant, with full sun on a light NE>2 at 21 degrees.

     A bit better on the water with a group of 23 Lesser Black Backed, 4 Herring and 3 Black Headed gulls along with 3 adult Heron and a single juvenile along the west bank. The 8 Canada geese were still present along with the usual Mallards and several ducklings.

     Nothing in the sky and just the usual noisy but invisible warblers in the waterside trees.

Another grim forecast for tomorrow starting off at 20 degrees on a light SE with full sun. Possible early morning fog. Roll on winter.

BS

    

Mega Lull at Fly Flatts.

 

                                    1 of 3 LBB gulls

                                Some of the 300 + Canadas

                                    Two 2 CY Wheatear

                                    3 juv Wheatear

A warm morning but with 40% cloud, keeping the sun at bay, and a nice cool SE>3 it felt cooler than the registered 17 degrees.

     Surprise of the morning was 5 Wheatear present at the south end of the water, by the lagoon, and on the Robin Rocks. Another surprise was 2 Skylark near the lagoon, a species rarely seen at this site.

    Otherwise it was unbelievably quiet with not a single wader to be found and nothing in the air other than 3 LBB gulls, briefly dropping down before heading off >SW.

  Plenty juv Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits about but all in all, a real poor morning.

Not pleasing again for tomorrow with a start temp of 19 degrees with full sun on a light SE turning E. At least the water level is dropping but some nice westerly wind and drizzle is required to give Fly Flatts a kick up the backside.

BS