out of the window through a scope.
Oh its DJS on Scoter watch.
faster than this by August 12th.
1500 hrs at Fly Flatts with no sign of yesterdays track repair contractors but as I got down there several YW officials were along the west banking checking the bank condition with the use of a drone. This restricted me to the east bank around the boat compound area which turned out to be a good move. The weather was ideal with a SW>4 and full bright cloud cover bringing light drizzle across the water.
My first scan over the water had in mind Kittiwake after DJSs find earlier in the day with one on Withens Clough reservoir, but instead I found a black blob nearer to the north end and in the centre of the water. This had to be Common Scoter which a few pics from Big Bertha proved to be 4 males.
After finding a better position on the east bank and alerting the cavalry through the grapevine I had a much better view of them but still at great distance. They eventually drifted nearly opposite me but still out in the centre, this plus the height of the waves made getting any decent photos not easy.
By this time DJS had arrived on the scene scoping down on the Scoters from the top road where I later met up with him for a quick chat.
A group of 9 small waders, looking like Dunlin kept flying over the water from the NE corner but too far to positively I.D whilst a couple of Dunlin were along the east bank along with several Common Sandpipers.
Herring gulls moved steadily >W with a good show of feeding Swifts over the water, some very high whilst 2 Kestrels hovered in the wind.
Thanks to last weeks westerly gales for providing us with the goods today.
BS