A busy schedule today but managed a quick look at Fly Flatts whilst Im on a run.
1545 hrs in 60% cloud cover with a strong W>6 at 26.6 m.p.h. The water was like the north sea with a deep swell and white horses lashing against the east banking.
Windsurfers were arriving at the same time as me and this evening is boat night so just time to check the water before it all kicks off.
Half way along the west bank produced nothing and then by chance I just caught sight of a small duck bobbing about in the swell. A dash further along the banking and another 10 minutes search finally pin pointed a female Common Scoter ,as always well out on the water, and disappearing from sight below the waves.
A race against time now with the windsurfers ready to launch so it was up tripod and a few record shots in case it got flushed.
The bird was slowly moving north so I walked further along the banking and set up the tripod low down to stop the strong wind wafting it but a search of the water found nothing.
Not believing I could have missed it leaving I scanned the area another 15 minutes but failed to relocate the bird and by this time the windsurfers were in full swing but it must have sneaked off as I was walking on the banking. Another few minutes watching to see it got flushed by the windsurfers but strangely no further sighting.
Up to 5 Dunlin and 8 Common Sandpipers were dotted along the east shoreline but otherwise down to the usual species.
A long drive home with the Cold Edge Road resurfacing team stopping the job at Slade so rather than sit and queue I had to go back along the top road to Oxenhope but well worth it for my 5th Common Scoter of the year.
BS