A first light and last light session at Fly Flatts today on the last day of the year turned out to be probably the worst on record in 2018.
Conditions this morning were good, if not a bit on the windy side, with 80% cloud cover and good visibility on a W>5 but the area was the quietest I,ve seen for a while with 2 Carrion Crows and a few Red Grouse being the only birds seen. Several Grouse were seen flying low over the water, probably celebrating the end of the grouse shooting season although I have,nt seen signs of any shoots in this area at all .
Conditions late afternoon was another thing with the wind up to near gale W>7 at 33 m.p.h. but still good visibility and decent light. Unfortunately the only birds seen were the same 2 Carrion Crow and Red Grouse.
The last 30 minutes was spent near the top gate scanning the sky for Pinkies and the moor for raptors but nothing materialized. December has been a shocking month at Fly Flatts with strong winds and dense fog dominating the weather but it is winter after all and thats birding, something we just have to put up with or get an indoor hobby.
Ive put all my efforts into Fly Flatts this year and although I,ve had many poor sessions the rewards have been great. Below are just a few of the special birds that have helped to keep me company during 2018 in this bleak lonely spot.
Whooper Swans dropped in on a couple of occassions
1 of several Shelduck
Star performer, Osprey
Fly Flatts bird of the year, Sandwich Tern
Plenty Peregrine sightings harassing the waders
A scarce bird this year, Whinchat
Red Kite, uncommon over this area.
Wall to wall Ringed Plovers
and Dunlin
A good year for Reed Bunting
Redshanks bred well
Cuckoo
A stonking Sanderling
Common Scoters kept appearing
A pleasant surprise, Cream crown Marsh Harrier
Adult summer plumage Turnstone
Distant Greenshank
5 juv Shelduck stopped off briefly
Grey Plover cause quite a bit of interest
Merlin
distant Ruff was a first for here.
More Whoopers
Another first, Barn Owl
A poor year for Wheatear with very low numbers.
Several skeins of Pink Footed geese through.
1 of 2 Snow Bunting sightings. This bird appeared right on the edge of darkness.
A good show of Golden Plover, Dunlin to the left
Not many Wigeon as yet.
Stonechats present almost throughout.
A good vole year for the Short Eared Owls
With that I,ll wish you all a very Healthy New Year, you make your own happiness. From the team , Bobby, Pippa , Ollie and me, as well as Big Bertha who appears to be getting stood on by Bobby in the photo. All the very best to you all and many thanks for tuning in and sticking with me through the quiet times. I hope not to disappoint you in 2019. Keep those reports coming in and enjoy your birding. Brian.
