With 26 deg and a very light excuse of a SE> 1 , hazy skies and blazing sunshine one could say these were not ideal conditions, in fact they,re probably the worst conditions I,ve been up there in.
Way too hot to take the team up there and obviously too hot for the birds with just a couple of Common Sandpipers in the shade of the lagoon and no sign of Dunlin.
The water held the masses of Canadas along with 2 Black Headed gulls and a single Barnacle whilst several Swallows were overhead but no Swifts.
Being dog less I took the opportunity to walk along the east bank which can only be done when the tide is out, or in this case low water level. The banking is all made up of stone sets all the way along until you get near the NE corner which is peat and inaccessible. Even the wide spit in the centre which looks like sand is sets so not too inviting along that area for waders which is a good thing as this stretch can only be viewed at distance from the west bank using the scope.
By this time my head was cooking so before I started seeing mirages I headed back to the car thanking the man that invented air conditioning.
Checking the weather tonight this stuff could go on for another week at least, by that time if I get any Scoters on the water I,ll be able to walk across the reservoir to them for some close up shots.
BS
WEST YORKSHIRE BIRDING. BRIAN SUMNER. I am based at Queensbury and bird a patch within a 10 mile range of home incorporating 16 stretches of water, several plantations, a belt of woodland, stretches of river and canal and good areas of moorland. I specialize in upland birds, reservoir and sky watching. My local patch is Fly Flatts reservoir. Any reports can be sent by text or call to 07771 705024 or see profile for e mail address. All images on this blog are copyright.(2025).