1530 hrs at Fly Flatts with bright sunshine, just what I didnt want, 40 % cloud cover and a strong to near gale W>6-7 easing to W>5-6. Good visibility.
Most of the Common Sandpipers have now moved over to the NE banking where there is a portion of peat shoreline showing but the ones with juvs are sticking it out around the South and SE areas. Two Dunlins were mobile over the moor with no Curlews or Redshank present. The moor sounds deathly silent now without their calls.
Approaching the feeding station with another bag of Nyjer seed produced a nice surprise with a juv Wheatear in the area, back 4 days earlier than my last years record at this site. The bird was very flighty and kept between me and the sun, hence the over exposed images, but nice to know they,re are on their way. Its possible this early in July to get some returning still in their distinctive male/female plumage rather than their autumn plumage where it is harder to distinguish sexes.
A Merlin skimmed over the Nab tempted out by the number of Swifts moving through >N whilst LBB gulls headed >W into the wind.
A pleasing,bracing hour up there and the bonus of a touch of dispersion starting.
Took my new toy out today on its maiden voyage, a Canon 2x
converter which takes Big Bertha up from 600mm to 1200mm but didnt get much chance to try it out yet in the strong wind. I occasionally use a Canon 1.4 converter which takes me out from 600mm to 840mm so I,ve high hopes with the 2x so bring on the Scoters.
BS.