A better day up at Fly Flatts with 100% cloud cover on a SW>3 a.m. then 70 % cloud cover and some sunshine p.m. on a moderate W>4.
A good scope of all the bankings and shoreline found that, as suspected, the majority of Dunlins have moved on leaving 15 along with the usual Common Sandpipers and Redshanks, whilst the single Ringed Plover was still present.
Whilst watching from the boatyard slipway along the south bank all was quiet until all the waders there became unsettled with the 2 Lapwings guarding chicks taking to the air, the Redshanks flew across to the west bank and the Dunlins flew a circuit before landing back on the south shore.
A look through the scope first found another Ringed Plover had come in, and then, better still, 3 Sanderlings had just dropped in and were on the mud just back from the waters edge.
A few distant photos then a dash to the south shore to get a better position for some more shots but still very distant as I knew they were going to move with the Lapwings bombarding them. A look in the camera to see that I,d got something half presentable but when I looked back they were gone.
Back in the boatyard I scoped the east shore and luckily the none breeding white plumaged bird stood out giving away their position.
Late afternoon and the 3 were still in more or less the same area but distant viewing across from the west back. A few shots then back round to the boatyard to check out the Herring gulls as its Yellow Legged time almost but nothing doing. One should be along within the next few weeks along with Common Scoter.
14 Greylag geese and a pair of Tufted duck had appeared since the morning watch but the Greylags soon left towards Cold Edge.
Good to see the lads out on a twitch with luckily several that dipped on the first 2 Sanderlings bagged up today, well deserved for making the effort.
BS, AC, DJS, DF, NCD et al.
P.S. Nick and Dave F later reported 4 Ringed Plover with the Sanderlings.