A W>3 was promising today at Fly Flatts but unfortunately spoilt with only 20 % cloud cover with blue skies and 23 degrees sunshine once again bringing movement to a standstill.
Other than Black Headed gulls and Lapwings on the south shore all the activity was on the east shoreline with the usual 3 Teal, several Lapwings, 1 LBB gull and a Common Sandpiper. Strangely a second female Tufted has appeared from nowhere along with 2 young ,none flying, chicks making 2 female and 6 young now present. This second Tufted and young must have come over land from Cold edge the same as the other did.
No photos today with the dreaded heat shimmer.
Some rain, cloud and westerlies forecast for tomorrow, excellent if it comes off.
An interesting conversation with a gamekeeper at the garage this morning about the state of play on the moors. He says the long hot drought has caused a real shortage of insects with very few flies and midges and hardly any Mayfly which has in turn cleared the moors, both local and further afield, of Stonechat, Whinchat and Wheatear , which is what we have found around this area. With peat drying out in the flat areas there is also a shortage of Cotton grass which is another food source.
He says very few shoots will be taking place and none in all the fire affected areas where peat is still smoldering underground and it will take 10 years before heather shoots start to get established again and many years after that before wildlife return such as voles, Lizards and the like.
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.(2024).