whilst the other 4 were already in autumn
plumage.
After a bad start it all came together in the end this evening.
The plan was after tea to get off on my own up Soil Hill checking for Wheatear and Goldies as well as a quick check on the water at Ogden for Scoter but with 3 dogs sat in the kitchen staring at me with sad eyes I gave in and took them with me.
This scrapped Soil Hill so it was a check on the Ned Hill track which produced nothing followed by a walk at Ogden which presented me with the same as the last few visits except a few more gulls.
I then headed for Leeshaw but found myself at the end of a 1 mile traffic jam from Denholme Gate to Denholme for temporary lights so it was an about turn and head for Fly Flatts in an attempt to save the evening.
Still no Scoters but the water was heaving with a good 400 Canadas as well as around another 100 in the fields with young, a real record year for them.
A scope from the top road over the fields above the reservoir started producing returning Wheatear with 5 showing, 4 of which were already in autumn plumage and 1 male which was just in photographic range was in the moult.
So after a struggle of an evening it all turned out well and the dogs were pleased to have come along.
BS