Grim conditions at Fly Flatts late afternoon with 24 degrees of blinding sun but a good moderate SW>4 blowing. The heat shimmer was like working in mist making it hard to see any distance through the scope, without trying to take photos.
As I entered the west bank Wheatears were at last flitting about everywhere with at least 11 counted but all distant and in the sun so could have been more. They are a month late now with juvs usually through first but todays birds were all adults in full autumn plumage. The birds were all very flighty as they usually are as they first arrive but this batch were on a moving mission as when I returned from the NW corner all were gone.
The heat had brought things to a stand still with all the birds present squat down and reluctant to move. A Green Sandpiper was just showing its head from this mornings position whilst the Greenshank showed briefly near to where it was this morning only to disappear in a channel in the banking.
Nothing on the N or NE banking other than the 3 long staying Teal and strangely there are now 8 well grown Tufted with the females having 4 each now instead of 4 and 2.
Two Buzzard were high over Tattie Pie Hill ( DJS and me love that name) whilst a single Raven cronked over the Nab.
Grey cloud needed now to bring in the next batch of waders.
BS