Short Eared Owls staying back late whilst there are still voles
whilst on the way back a Buzzard was over the Shelf Moor trailer park field which held 138 Lapwing.
Back up at Fly Flatts conditions were better than this morning with the sun blanked out with 90 % cloud cover and a light NW>4. Nearing the end of the watch large black clouds came over the moor bringing heavy rain and drizzle followed by mist but by that time my job was done.
Walking the west banking a single Buzzard, closely followed by another 3, came over the moor very high and at distance from the SE soaring but keeping moving finally disappearing over the western ridge and away to the >NW. These birds looked like movers rather than locals judging by the height they were at and keeping going as they did.
Two Kestrels were over the moor mobbing a Merlin that flew fast and low towards the Fill Belly Flat, a bird that looks like its going to over winter here unless conditions get too bad.
A single Raven was over the Nab whilst 11 Lapwing and 9 Golden Plover dropped in to roost at Slade.
A final check of the boatyard came across Short Eared Owl quartering the hillside before heading off towards Oxenhope.
At last, some life at Fly Flatts.
BS