Fly Flatts, p.m. Interesting skies and 1st returning Redshank

                                   A good return of Curlews

 First returning Redshank. Way over on the east bank
                             out of range in the dark conditions.

    Some interesting cloud formations, A series of skyscapes.

                                   Scud clouds over the western ridge

                                  Low cloud base looking south

                                 Trouble coming, rain from the SW

                                   Brighter to the NE

             3 tiers of cloud to the south

                                     Dark clouds approaching from the south.

                                   Rolling clouds over the Nab

                                  Sun trying to get through the cloud, SW

               Dark low cloud base looking NW over the water.

After a good mornings watch in excellent moving conditions I headed back to Fly Flatts at 1430 hrs to find the wind still from the south blowing S>4 but very dark skies with scud clouds rolling across bringing heavy showers.
                                       A walk on the west bank before the serious showers started proved a good move when a scan of the east bank picked out the first returning Redshank of the year. With the distance and dark skies a record shot was the best I could achieve.
                                     Scanning the moor to the west several Fieldfare were heading >N very low and fast in migration mode so a good cross over with Redshank coming and Fieldfare going.
Quiet otherwise with the change in the sky other than Canadas and Curlews
                                    Back at the car the conditions were changing constantly with bright skies one minute then black skies the next. The showers were frequent and very heavy from the south but luckily God invented the hatchback which I stood under to keep dry.
                                 The only birds over were a few Lapwing with no movement from yesterdays Golden Plover flock so a quick change of rig from Sigma 150-600 sport ( Big Bertha ) to
Canon L 70-200 mm to take a few sky shots of some interesting cloud formations.
                                With it highly unlikely of getting a second Snow Bunting of the winter and winter wildfowl non existent, other than Whoopers, having no Goldeneye or Wigeon for some strange reason  I,ll set my sights higher now with target bird having to be Osprey with some on the move and some non breeders already back in Scotland. Other than that I,ll wait to be surprised by any sky movers or early returning waders.
BS