slow wing flaps and gliding.
A very active hour at Fly Flatts from 1500 -1600 hrs last light. Bright clear blue skies with 20 % cloud cover to the south , otherwise wall to wall sunshine until it dropped below the western ridge at 1645 hrs. A cool N>5 was blowing but, as last night, this dropped to N>4 mid way through the watch.
The water just held the usual Mallards with a count of 15 which headed down to Dean Head reservoir to roost at last light. As I started to walk along the west banking a large Buzzard sized raptor glided low over the banking about half way on then continued >N about 30 ft above the water with slow deep wing beats and gliding in between. I grabbed a few back end shots at long distance before it was lost over the moor below the sky line.
All I got on it was greyish back and rusty brown underside with the wings looking long and narrower than Buzzard but this could be the angle and distance I saw it at. White markings can be seen from the photos below the rump. I watched for it turning and coming back but of course that doesnt happen. A little further along the banking 8 Fieldfare lifted off from the grass and flew >SW into the sun whilst a steady stream of big gulls flew over throughout, the Herrings >W and the LBBs >NE. Starlings were heading >NE to roost and 11 Red Grouse were counted.
Once again an amazing sunset which is a bit of a distraction from the birds as I always end up watching and photographing it and heres the pics so you dont get away with it either
BS