As this morning all the birds were pinned down in the shelter of the north bank with Common Sandpipers, Redshank and a single Oystercatcher scurrying across the mud with just 4 Common Sands, 2 Redshank and 2 Dunlin on the south shore.
About half of this mornings gulls were on the water in the NW corner whilst a few Herring gulls were overhead travelling >NE. A single male Wheatear and 2 male Reed Bunting completed the show.
The wind and temperature were so bad that the junior sailing afternoon had to be cancelled which must have been a disappointment for the youngsters on what was going to be the first day of their season and especially as they are rapidly running out of water.
Birding around here could be a bit awkward tomorrow with bikes all over the shop and several road closures so may have to get the 3 dogs and camera gear on a bike so they will let me through.
And just to show its not all gloom and doom today heres a real belter of a report.
Chris King went up to his patch at TMR ( BOG members only) this morning in search of a Cuckoo and had to make do with an AVOCET which he turned up by the water and then re located it shortly afterwards where it remained until at least lunch time.
This is only the 2nd ever sighting of Avocet in the Bradford area, the other being in the drained reservoir at Horton Bank Top 29/04/1995, one which myself and many other birders were privileged to see.
A cracking find by Chris, a fitting reward for all the time and effort he puts into TMR, an area which is seldom watched now, probably, as with Fly Flatts, due to its position catching all the worst of the weather. Hopefully tomorrow it will fly over the Nab to Fly Flatts !!
Who me, jealous !!!!!!
BS