the water last light.
1500 hrs and back to Fly Flatts but no welcoming committee bird wise waiting to greet me.
The sun was well down with 80 % cloud cover and a cold NW>4 blowing as I walked the west bank to the far NW corner. There is some superb Snow Bunting habitat along the way but nothing dropped in as yet.
The water was quiet other than a few Mallards with the flock of Canadas now dispersed, some to Cold Edge Dams along with the 2 Barnacles ,whilst most of this years young have gone further afield.
Unusual to get gulls here last light settling on the water with a mix of Herring, Lesser Black Backed, Common and Black Headed, possible stopping off before moving over the Nab to the Oxenhope roost.
Around 60 Starling came bombing over the water >NE, these probably local birds from the fields heading to a roost.
Three Kestrels were up over the moor whilst a single Raven worked the Slade area.
Noticeable by its absence is Short Eared Owl which has gone from 5 breeding pair to no sightings over the last 2 years . Once a common sight here at last light this is the second year running that I have,nt had a sighting. Hopefully but unlikely they have moved on due to a food shortage but more sinister reasons spring to mind?
BS.