Fly Flatts and a 1630 hrs cut off now as the light fades. Good conditions up there tonight after a bad start arriving at the same time as a hail shower but this soon moved over leaving blue skies and cloudy sunshine on a light E>4.
Just 4 Golden Plover on the far east bank all facing into the wind to avoid feather ruffle leading to feather damage, whilst 16 Mallard and a single Black Headed gull were present on the water.
Back on the south shore for a sky watch in the remaining light things improved and it was interesting to see different bird behaviors as darkness approached, totally different from late afternoon visits before the clocks went back.
Herring gulls started coming over >W whilst LBB and BHGs moved over from the south, and leaving >NE all heading for different roosts. Several of the big gulls dropped down onto the water before moving off in their set direction.
The Mallards flew down to their roost at Dean Head reservoir and a flock of around 100 Fieldfare flew high over the north of the water disappearing beyond the Nab >NE presumably to a plantation somewhere to roost.
Driving back up the track in near dark the elusive Stonechat, that dodges me every time I drive up and down, was on the wire fence and allowed a few photos, probably because it knew it was too dark for them to turn out decent. I got past the bird hoping to get a silhouette with the sunset behind it but it must have known my plan and moved to the opposite side of the track so after a few choice words I left it in peace and headed for home admiring the sunset from Cold Edge Road thinking how lucky we are to live so close to the uplands.
BS