With the dreaded SW wind gone from Fly Flatts this morning the place was back to normal and buzzing with bird life. A pleasing day with an icy cold W>5 this morning turning NW>4 this afternoon with 80 % cloud cover and good visibility.
The 3 Barnacles were on the water and banking throughout the day whilst a walk on the west bank produced 1f Wheatear and a single Stonechat this morning and 2m with 4 female Wheatear and a Stonechat this afternoon.
A female Merlin flew low across the Flat moor lifting up the Golden Plovers, Lapwings and Curlews with a Buzzard overhead.
A Short Eared Owl was sat on a roadside fence post as I arrived this morning but I was right along side it before I saw it and away it went.
Ironically , a text from HC reporting a Red Kite over Fly Flatts just 30 minutes after I had left this evening.
Good to see DJS up there this morning giving the place a serious once over.
1 Merlin
1 Short Eared Owl
3 Barnacle Geese
300 + Canada Geese
2 Redshank
4f 2m Wheatear
1m Stonechat
137 Golden Plover
13 Curlew
2 LBB gulls
1 Buzzard
4 Raven
Tons of Meadow Pipits
BS