1500 hrs at Fly Flatts found it very hot and sticky, 17 deg , with a good 90 % cloud cover but spoilt by a very slight >NW 2 with not enough breeze to bring down the temperature or get rid of the flies.
A twist of fate here as I usually head straight for the west banking but today, for some reason, I decided to check the compound area and south east banking first which turned out to be a good move.
Three Ringed Plover were in the boatyard area around the slipway and jetty with 2 Dunlin further on past the boathouse but at distance. Several Common Sandpipers were also in the area.
On then to get some seed down before exploring the west bank which turned out to be a nightmare. Swarms of black fly were all along the banking like clouds of smoke and after about 50 yards I about turned and got the heck out of there before I got eaten alive.
With the west bank check abandoned I headed back to the boatyard where the wind was slightly stronger coming across the water and enough to keep the flies at bay. By this time the Plovers had worked their way northward along the east bank and only visible by scoping so if I had,nt altered my normal system I,d have missed them, bit spooky that.
Otherwise it was down to the usual Redshank, Reed Buntings, Curlews etc and a growing number of goslings although the poor Mallard ducklings are now down from 9 to 4 remaining.
Once again nothing in the Nolstar field on the return journey.
Another 5 Swift over Queensbury today but none at Fly Flatts which was strange given the swarms of flies there.
BS