Windy Corner watch point.
Windy Corner 1530-1715 hrs. Sunshine and heavy showers, Near gale force W>7
Visibility Yeadon.
With a strong to near gale westerly and some heavy showers, working on the assumption that this sort of weather usually drops birds in, it was off to Oxenhope where I set up shop on windy corner and waited.
Gull numbers were down but I was earlier than usual and gulls were coming in throughout with a good count of Herrings.
2 Common Sandpipers were warning me that they had a chick on tow but they soon got use to my presence whilst 2 Oystercatchers were on the west shoreline.
During a heavy shower blasting over the water I squat below the wall for cover looking east where I picked up a small fast bird in the distance heading towards me. With the wind and rain blasting I could,nt get it in the scope but did,nt need to as it flew overhead landing in the nw corner. I couldnt tell whether it was Ringed or Little Ringed until the rain stopped and I got it in the scope, Little Ringed Plover, great stuff.
The bird seemed settled as I left probing away on the waters edge.
c 300 LBB gulls
14 Herring gulls
2 Common gulls
4 BH gulls
2 Common Sandpiper + 1 chick hiding well
2 Oystercatcher
1 Little Ringed Plover
Plenty Swallows and Swifts
Lots of Goldfinch with juvs.
No Curlews present.
BS