1530 hrs at Fly Flatts today in a howling SW >5 at 23 mph with dark threatening clouds but good visibility.
Luckily I arrived just as a storm and torrential rain had just past over and another one came as I was leaving making me dash for the car just in time. The west bank at Fly Flatts is not the place to be during a thunderstorm when you,re stood out in the open with an aluminium tripod on your back acting as a lightening conductor.
Bird wise it was quiet with 1 Common Sandpiper, several Lapwings and Black Headed gulls on the shoreline whilst the water held 3 Teal as well as the usual geese.
Only large gull present today was a very pale juv, probably Herring but unable to get any good pics because of the distance and nearly impossible to use the camera and scope due to the howling wind.
An interesting conversation with the local farmer today who told me that the low level of the reservoir, apart from the drought, was due to YW draining it to do some repairs so it should be kept low throughout August which will be a bonus for returning waders.
BS