Fly Flatts first light was just below the cloud base with the tops of the turbines hidden and a fog bank hanging over the moor. A cool E>3 was blowing with a temperature of 3 degrees. One hour into the watch and the fog rolled in blanking out all visibility.
Very little happening once again up there with just 3 Raven, 2 Carrion Crow, 1 Stonechat and 6 Red Grouse whilst the water held 15 Mallard.
A call from my Horton Bank Top Pink Footed Goose early warning system, Peter Turner, reporting Pinkies heading for Queensbury around 1000 hrs but with low cloud they slipped through the net, possibly to the North of me otherwise I would have picked up their contact calls.
Thank for your dedication for the many early warnings throughout the year Peter.
Late afternoon and dense fog in the village but a trip to Leeshaw found it like another world with blue skies and some cloudy sunshine on a very light E>2 at 3 degrees.
Around 250 small gulls were on the water and reservoir walls giving plenty to scope through but only 2 Herrings present. Only a few Mallard on the water as well as a single Cormorant whilst a large flock of around 150 Fieldfare headed off to roost.
A WORD OF WARNING..... Yesterday afternoon on my way back from Fly Flatts I passed 2 cars with their windows trashed. One was parked by the Withins where we park to walk down the Cold Edge track for Black Redstart and the other was parked at Nolstar by the Dotterel field. There has,nt been any problems that I know of lately although the Fly Flatts top gate lock has been cut off twice with a digger damaged and a bowser full of diesel towed away despite 24 hr security guards. Also a pile of stone at the north end ready to strengthen the north shore has disappeared so it looks like the lowlife have crawled back out from under their stone and got back into action.
A long evening ahead now as I have to stay up till all the fireworks are over to calm the dogs which is way past my bedtime but I,ll still be off in the morning trying to find a none foggy venue. ALL THE BEST TO ALL MY WATCHERS > HAVE A HEALTHY AND BIRD FILLED NEW YEAR.
BS