0700 hrs at Fly Flatts feeling like mid December with a blasting icy cold WNW>6 , the early sun soon being replaced with rain showers along with some sleet.
A walk down to the reservoir and on to the north end failed to produce any early returning Common Sandpipers as yet though 5 Redshank and 3 Oystercatchers were along the east banking.
Only a few Canadas and Mallard on the water whilst 4 LBB gulls went overhead >S.
The cold wind seemed to have cleared the area of last weeks Wheatears with just 1 pair found below the top road and a party of 4 Raven headed noisily overhead >W.
Several Snipe were chipping as well as Goldies and Curlews calling but all but the latter keeping out of sight.
Three Goldies were in the Cold Edge Road kennel field.
Good to bump into DP and NK up there doing the rounds. And still not a hirundine in sight, the first Swifts will be here before I get my first Swallow at this rate.
A phone call just now from NK, DP reporting 15 Swallow at Mixenden coming through in the lee of Hunter Hill.
BS