After an afternoon of heavy rain I arrived at Fly Flatts at 1530 hrs just to catch the tail end of the weather front with a very low cloud base blanking out the wind turbines with light rain on a moderate W>4. By the time I,d walked on the west bank to the north end watch point the rain had cleared but the last of the fog banks were moving through knocking off visibility for around 10 minutes a time.
Very hard scoping the mud today with standing water on it making it reflect like a mirror but no waders around the shoreline and no sign of yesterdays juv Ringed Plover and the 2 juv Gt Crested Grebe.
Back along the west bank to the half way mark and another scope across the water towards the vertical fence revealing 2 Ringed Plover very elusive in the ponds under the banking and refusing to come out into the open. Nearby was 9 Teal along with 14 Mallard and the usual LBB gull.
Back to the south shore for a good scoping now that the rain had cleared to find it alive with blogging Meadow Pipits obviously grounded with the conditions. Around 50 were present all along the waters edge and surrounding ponds, probably ready for an early morning move if the weather is right.
On the way back several Swallows were moving >S with several on the wires around Nolstar, an area that has had a poor birding year this time so far with the Dotterel field failing to produce more than half a dozen Golden Plover earlier in the year.
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).