Unfortunately the persistent strong,cold winds have kept the skies quiet and this evening was no exception with a near gale NE > 6-7 with specks of light rain and cloudy skies. The difference this evening was shoreline at the SW and SE corners which are already attracting the birds which seem to favour the south end. Remember May 2011 when the water was at an all time low and the SE corner held 19 Ringed Plover, 16 Dunlin, Sanderling and Little Ringed Plover for several weeks whilst a Bar Tailed Godwit was on the eastern shoreline.
This evening I walked the length of the reservoir, or should I say got blown, and just got the usual Common Sandpipers, Wheatear etc but as I got back to the south end watching several Common Sandpipers using the new shoreline a smaller bird flew over the water then the high pitched call, Dunlin. I noted where it landed and on getting closer I picked out another 3 in amongst the stones on the shoreline.
Next job was tripod up and camera fixed but it was difficult in the wind as if I got the set up low down out of the wind I lost sight of the birds with no chance of hand held in the conditions. The birds were struggling walking on the edge of the water and kept getting blown over which made them very flighty so every time I got set up they would move to another position. After about 30 minutes I,d got the photos I wanted so I quietly moved away leaving them struggling on the waters edge.
DJSs gull movement >NE had dried up this evening or I did,nt see any. Being busy getting the Dunlin pics I probably missed 6 Osprey over my head!
are mind blowing.
BS