Fly Flatts 0730-0930 hrs W>5. Low scud clouds with heavy drizzle and intermittent fog throughout.
One minute fog, the next minute clear but continuous heavy drizzle was the order of the morning though amazing to see such numbers of Swifts feeding over the water in the conditions.
Approaching Fly Flatts in the car a Snipe was near the edge of the road by a puddle which would have made a cracking photo, where was the camera, in the back of the car.
I stopped and quietly got out, amazingly the bird stayed put. Camera out and cocked ready , bird gone!
Lesson number one, Always have the camera ready with you.
As I walked along the west banking watching the water and cobbled bank a female Merlin lifted up off the grass bank to my left not 20 yards away, where was the camera, under my coat keeping dry which had to be done in the conditions but had I seen the bird earlier on the deck I could have snapped it.
Lesson number 2, always scan ahead of where you,re walking .
A count of 11 Wheatears around the feeding station area brightened the morning, these being mainly juvs but at least 3 adults just moulting from spring/summer plumage.
Otherwise it was the usual sp. with no Scoters on the water and no gulls or Terns overhead.
Around 9 Golden Plover were scattered around fields surrounding Knoll Farm.
A good soaking but an interesting ,if not exciting, morning.
BS