A 1600 hrs trip to Ogden half hoping for Shoveler on the water failed to produce and in the howling WNW>6 I decided to drop down to the bottom of the golf course to try snap a Whinchat after one was seen there yesterday, NK and 4 today PS.
As soon as I arrived at the bottom of the hill a small bird flitted across from the golf course to the fence, Whinchat. A very distant view and about 5 seconds to lift the camera, focus and snap before it was gone down into the undergrowth never to re appear and that was the first and last Whinchat sighting.
At least 11 Pied Wagtails were on the green along with Meadow pipits but no sign of the usual Tree Pipits as yet.
The skies were full of wave after wave of Swifts, Swallows and House Martins moving >N whilst several Jays were down in the Bilberry Bushes which are not yet in fruit.
A single Heron was down in the beck and a few Willow Warblers in the foliage but far too windy for anything up singing.
Hope this wind drops by morning.
BS