Fly Flatts 1430-1630 hrs. Fog then mist, strong WSW>7 gusting 8 Torrential rain throughout.
This has got to have been the worst conditions I,ve ever done Fly Flatts in with driving horizontal rain the whole time I was up there but thought it could be worth it at this time of year.
Started at the NE end working all around the shoreline to the SE corner which turned out to be where all the activity was.
The southern shore line was alive with grounded Meadow Pipits all sticking to the sheltered end of the water.
As I got near the se corner I got a quick wader call and a Turnstone, spooked by the Mipits that I had disturbed, lifted up from behind stones on the sandy beach and lifted over the wire fence to land again at the far side of the boathouse and out of site. Also further along that banking was a single Black Headed gull and a single Curlew.
With visibility low and the rain still pounding at me I walked up the track and back along the top road to the car parked at the northern end managing to get past all the druggy cars without a confrontation.
By now I was completely waterlogged to the skin so I thought, might as well check Cold Edge Dams out, cant get any wetter.
The mist had lifted when I got to the dams but still the heavy rain blowing across the moor so it was a quick check and away.
As I climbed the banking 2 Wigeon must have been right in the se corner of the water so as soon as I appeared they launched themselves and headed off down the Calder Valley.
Otherwise things were quiet although I didnt check the top dam and surrounding area, enoughs enough so back home for some dry clothes.
To make it worse, as I got home the sun came out, the rain stopped and the skies turned blue, so did the air!!!
Just had it pointed out to me that my comment box was on the blink but sorted it now, thanks HC.
BS