A few gulls on the water
1 of 8 Stonechat
juv Whinchat
Nice to be able to walk the west bank without risk of being blown into the water with 20 % cloud cover , wall to wall sunshine at 14 deg on a light NNW>3 though not good skies for movement other than 4 Jays very high and >W, which were obvious movers.
No waders around the shores whilst the water held 4 LBB and 4 BH gulls along with the family of 4 Mallard. 4 Kestrels were up together though being disturbed by a nugget with a drone on the top road that seemed to enjoy flying it towards them and 2 Sparrowhawks made several low fly pasts , an unusual bird for up there but the reason being, as I got back to the south end the track towards the top gate was alive with around 50 Goldfinch and the same amount of Meadow Pipits feeding on thistle tops , this being what had attracted the Sprawks.
The 3 Stonechats by the lagoon from yesterday had now built to 8 plus 1, possible 2, juv Whinchats very active in and out of the reed beds. One of the Stonechat actually landed on the back of one of the workmens trucks briefly but moved quicker than my old 7d mk 1 could focus.
A good check around the Ring Ouzel area failed to provide after HC/DCB had 3 over their watch point this morning. Thanks for keeping me informed lads.
BS