which now has a peat ridge running along it.
back and full black belly. Probably just full breeding plumage
without trying to split species.
1530 hrs and another of those hot visits saved by the NE >4 making it feel quite pleasant apart from the quiet clear blue skies. With the water dropping rapidly now and well below the overflow waders were again out in force although the bulk of them were across on the east shore working the peat ridge now showing over there.
Up to 9 Common Sandpipers were across on the east with another 3 near the clubhouse and 2 on the south shore. The single Ringed Plover was still present but mobile way across in the NE corner whilst around 6 Redshank were up in the air protecting their new born chicks.
The Dunlin flock of 5 were beyond the boat house in the inaccessible reedy area but as I was walking back on the west bank 2 newcomer Dunlins dropped in near to me but in a bad position on a bend in the banking so a quick look in the bins and one pic was all I could manage. The bird on the right was noticeably smaller with a much more chestnut back and full black belly. Without starting splitting variants its possibly just in full breeding plumage but I,ll be looking out for it next visit.
Next wader target birds are Little Ringed Plover, Sanderling and Turnstone but if any other wader species drop in I,ll not complain.
This is the hardest time of the year for birding Fly Flatts as waders take over the reports and time is spent with head down checking the shoreline when I really should be spending more time watching the sky although I,m fairly safe whilst its so clear and blue.
Hope you,ve all had a good Bank Holiday, back to it tomorrow.
BS.