A worrying start to the morning with thick fog on the way up there but this soon became patchy with several banks moving through leaving the water and the western ridge visible but no visibility to the east and south east with hazy sunshine. A strong SE>5 was blowing with a temp of 7 degrees.
By late afternoon the wind had eased slightly to SE>4 and temp up to 20 degrees in a 0/8 okt sky.
No Scoter today with just 5 Tufted on the water. Mipits were coming through but only in small numbers whilst Swallows piled through not starting until mid way through the watch all very low skimming the water. Half way on the west bank a scan of the north shore found a single juv Ringed Plover then when walking back another scan failed to find the juv but an adult was present. The north shore now has several channels where waders can just disappear into.
A single quiet call made me look up to find a skein of 18 Pink Footed geese overhead high and >NW whilst 15 Lapwing came in from the west to settle on the south shore staying throughout the day.
Skies were quiet in the afternoon with no signs of the Ringed Plovers though several Wheatears were on the mud with a count of 9 in total around the area.
From opposite the boat house on the west bank I scanned the shore in front of the boathouse through the bins counting the Lapwings in among the Canadas when one of the geese struck me as being very white but I put it down to one preening showing its white underside. Not being happy I set up the scope to find a Bar Headed goose, a first for this location.
It was then a dash around to the boatyard where the geese were now on the water drifting towards the north shore but near enough for a few record shots.
Bar Headed Goose is one of those controversial species with the question of, is it tickable or not but as I dont do an annual list that problem doesnt concern me. Although they originate from escapees there are now several feral birds around the country spreading in the wild mixing with Canadas and Greylags but whatever, its my 129th species for Fly Flatts.
Despite the strong wind and fog a great day at Fly Flatts.
Vis Mig
83 Mipits...................................>SE
10 LBB gull..............................>SW
1 Herring gull...........................>S
18 Pink Footed Geese..............>NW
74 Swallows.............................>S
Present
2 Ringed Plover
1 Bar Headed Goose
7 Canada Goose
9 Wheatear
15 Lapwing
5 Tufted duck
Sev Mipits
BS