At last a chance to get back to Fly Flatts after a few days absence due to weather and early darkness but after a bright day today I headed up there at 1500 hrs to some very black clouds but sunshine in a strip of clear sky to the west extending the daylight until just after 1600 hrs. The wind was a cool NW>6 but this dropped to around 4 by half way through the watch. The water is full to overflowing and breaching the south path as well as gushing down the outlet. Some snow is still lying in shaded areas.
Other than 12 Mallard the water was void of bird life and no pre roost small gulls came in although a steady flow of Herring gulls were moving over very high and >SW with a count of 28.
The resident Kestrel was hovering throughout right into last light but seemed to be having little success whilst a small tight flock of 15 Siskin flew over the NW corner heading >NE . At least 3 Stonechat were down near the feeding station.
And that was it , very few birds but a pleasant hour by the water with the sun dropping down below the horizon at 1550 hrs.
BS