Dark clouds and rain showers at Fly Flatts today on a cold NE>4-5.
Quiet at the south end both morning and afternoon watches with the cold wind seeming to pin the waders down under the shelter of the north east banking with just a few Redshank and Common Sandpipers using the SE corner.
Scoping from the east most point of the boat yard I could see the shoreline was alive with Common Sandpipers and Redshank with the highlight being a group of 15 Dunlin spread along the mud and occasionally flying fast and low over the north edge of the water, estuary style, before settling again. A great sight to see but unfortunately too far off even for Big Bertha to get any decent shots.
Last year I could easily scan and photograph all the east bank from across the water but now that I cannot use the west bank it leaves me struggling as the angle from the boatyard to the east bank cuts out a lot of the bays and gulleys where the waders get, plus the distance is much greater.
Despite efforts to keep water in until September seems to have been scrapped as I have not seen the team of Ornithologists up there since and I have just received an e mail from Bentleys saying work is commencing next month and the whole area is to be shut down. I have to attend a site meeting with them to gain access and get their health and safety rules but its not looking good on the birding scene with serious disturbance around the bankings and with no water all the young unfledged goslings and ducklings will be in trouble with 43 Herring gulls and 8 Crows present today.
Other than that, the sailing club season has had to come to an abrupt end before its even got started ,much earlier than expected.
BS
WEST YORKSHIRE BIRDING. BRIAN SUMNER. I am based at Queensbury and bird a patch within a 10 mile range of home incorporating 16 stretches of water, several plantations, a belt of woodland, stretches of river and canal and good areas of moorland. I specialize in upland birds, reservoir and sky watching. My local patch is Fly Flatts reservoir. Any reports can be sent by text or call to 07771 705024 or see profile for e mail address. All images on this blog are copyright.(2024).