A knock at the door this morning whilst I was at work marked the arrival of Big Bertha 2 and by 1430 hrs she was built up and camera,d up raring to go.
I know I always say I prefer rain but theres rain and theres rain and today it went to extremes with torrential rain like someone had a hose pipe on me.
It started off light with a moderate >NW4 but as I got part way on the west bank the heavens opened and the mist came down. A dash back to the car and after drying the dogs and myself off the weather improved and looked brighter to the west.
Back on with the dogs coats and geared up off we went again with the mission of checking for yesterdays Ringed Plovers but part way on the west bank it happened again. Out of nowhere the mist dropped and the rain lashed horizontally in the wind giving us the second soaking of the day.
Back at the car and ready to call it a day, once again the weather brightened so thinking the wind would dry us off we set off again but twice bitten I headed to the boatyard where I could scan the east bank without venturing too far from shelter.
The 10 Teal were still present along with a few BH gulls and 2 Dunlin were on the shoreline in the same area as yesterday but no sign of any Plovers but at the distance its possible I could have missed them although JM failed to find them this morning.
The south shore was alive with Mipits and up to 10 adult Wheatear along with 3 adult and 4 juv Pied Wagtails.
So a steady but wet start for Big Bertha 2 but at least I,m prepared now for when the Ospreys come piling over.
BS