off with the flanks was still present but distant today.
put off with the grey flanks. See comments by CK and MC
or anyone else want to join in.
Thick fog and torrential rain sent me just around Foxhill with the dogs this morning which was adequate to get me my first soaking of the day. Just as I,d got dried off a call from DJS with 3 Terns feeding at Mixenden reservoir but viewing at distance so he was going home to tackle up and get back up there.
Thinking possible Arctic I jumped in the car and headed straight there. The weather was atrocious with a strong NE>5 blowing sheets of rain straight across the water and hitting you face on.
Nothing showing over the water so I walked the length of the very boggy west bank to check they had.nt come down by the overflow but no signs of the birds.
I flushed 4 Moorhen along the waters edge along with a pair of Tufted whilst several Swallows and House Martins were skimming over the water feeding. A group of 16 Black Headed gulls came in and landed on the east shore but the Terns remained a dip.
Back at the SW corner a very soggy looking DJS was trying to shelter behind his scope but giving it up we both headed back to the cars. A good shout Dave which could have turned out good, all part of the fun of birding even if it doesnt seem so at the time.
As if that was,nt enough, late afternoon I headed up to Fly Flatts where the fog had cleared but equally as bad conditions although they did clear slightly after I,d got my hat trick soaking. Ironically DJS had the same idea, reading the perfect conditions for Terns or maritime birds , and got up there just after I,d left.
Yesterdays possible White Wagtail was still present but keeping over in the inaccessible SW corner along with 2 Northern Wheatear but no signs of yesterdays Greenland.
The water, which is rising rapidly daily, held 5 Tufted and 3 Mallard with 5 Herring gulls on the North shore before heading off >SW . Swallows were skimming the water heading south with a few Mipits overhead heading in the same direction.
Highlight of the afternoon was a tight group of 15 Golden Plover over >NE.
Djs picked up the Black Redstart as he passed the farm, see Calderbirds for todays reports from Dave.
BS