At last a return to Fly Flatts after a break of 6 days due to snow and ice. An icy cold NW> 6 up there but bright skies with only 10 % cloud cover. The water is full to bursting breaching the southern track in places and still some snow in shaded areas as well as the lagoon being still part frozen.
Unfortunately no welcome back committee with the birds up there but replenished the seed supplies in anticipation of a reward in the near future.
The Mallards were still on the water along with 2 Canada geese whilst 3 Stonechat were at the northern end of the boat yard. Several Red Grouse were up on the hillside below the Nab along with 7 Carrion Crows, a high count for here.
Herring gulls headed >W with 9 over and at least 20 Golden Plover on the flat moor but very hard to find until they move. No sign of an expected Curlew back yet, my first last year being 5th Feb but not established on the moor until 5th March.
Otherwise quiet but a good walk in the fresh air blowing the cobwebs off and feeling extra good after spending the previous 2 hrs in Bradford Arndale centre and Primark, that just is an horrific experience but a mans got to do what a mans got to do.
BS