Another day of hot sunshine and blue skies with a temperature of 22 degrees on a light W>4 once again putting the birds to sleep and clearing the skies. The ponds are dried up now badly needing rain to top them up although the shoreline is looking good with the water draining daily.
Birding, as expected, was poor with just the usual Canadas on the east bank this morning and 1 unfledged gosling which had a few near misses when the juv Peregrine arrived dropping onto the bank frighteningly close to it which made the Canadas group around the gosling until the Pere moved on.
This afternoon 20 Greylags were on the water including the 3 pair and their fledged young. Only 12 LBB gulls present and not a sign of a wader. The Ringed Plover that has been hoping for a mate since the 5th June seems to have finally given up and moved on, not being seen for 2 days now. This is the first day I,ve had at Fly Flatts without a wader of any sort since the 11th February. Even a check of the inlet and conduits failed to provide the goods.
Before I left 4 Kestrels were up in the air together.
Got to get on with my rain dance now though none is expected until the weekend.
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.(2025).