A good start to the day with Redwings piling through from 0745 - 0930 hrs in a strong S> 6.
All the flocks were coming over the garage very low in the wind having to rise up to get over the houses. By 0930 hrs the wind was increasing and rain starting and the move fizzled out.
1500 hrs at Fly Flatts was interesting to say the least with a strong gale S>9 blowing at 48 mph and gusting at 51 mph, a record reading for me up there. The skies were dark grey but the rain held off throughout.
It was fascinating to watch the water with waves crashing over the north shoreline and spray blowing off the water looking like smoke blowing over the reservoir . Waves and white horses formed spume around the shoreline.
Checking the Beaufort scale 47-54 mph has passed gale force and is classed as strong gale so another 4 mph would have taken it to storm force which it probably would have been on the west bank but going by the Queensbury Beaufort Scale it would be classed as " Nobbut a stiff breeze".
Bird wise gulls were moving through with no effort and some LBBs even landed on the edge of the water to preen with spray blasting over them, its amazing how hardy they are.
Up to 28 Herring gulls flew over in twos and threes all >SE whilst around 75 Lesser Black Backed headed >SW mostly low and some skimming the water. 15 Black Headed went over high >SE whilst a flock of c50 Redwings headed >S keeping below the skyline and passing under the Nab.
Todays conditions were ideal for a maritime special to come over but not for me today but despite that an enjoyable hour in extreme conditions.
Thanks to dog walker Cath who called me at last light this evening from Ogden reporting a Wigeon on the water there. Probably one of yesterdays Mixenden birds.
BS