26 degrees at Fly Flatts with 80% cloud cover but unlike yesterday it was workable and dog friendly with a moderate S>4 blowing making it very refreshing.
With a flying visit at 1430 hrs just half an hour to have a quick check round then off to Pellon Lane to collect Ollie from his make over, nearly thinking it was,nt worth it and not going but am I glad I did.
A scan with the bins revealed a very distant wader across on the eastern peninsular which flew across to the west bank about three quarters of the way on so a dash on whilst checking my watch but not thinking too much of it , possibly Common Sand but alarm bells ringing all the same.
When I got as far on as time allowed I scanned the cobbles to find a black and white face looking towards me. Pied Wagtail was my first thought not being able to get a size at that distance. Then it came more into view, Turnstone !. A drop down the other side of the banking out of sight and a dash on to a better vantage point with a distance good enough for shots but without fear of spooking the bird. From there it was a belly crawl to the top of the banking, which isnt easy with 2 Poodles sat on your back.
After 5 minutes laid there the Turnstone, or Ruddy Turnstone as they like to call it now, walked along the waters edge near enough for the above shots before I slithered back below the banking leaving it to feed along the waters edge. As I got back to the south shore the Turnstone was working its way back along the west bank about 3 parts on.
No sign of the Scoter but all my time was taken up with the special visitor and one to knock off the list of target birds.
BS