A trip to the far NW boundary of my 10 mile stretch to see if MDs reported Shoveler was still present which luckily it was. The weather was poor with a W>4 and heavy rain showers along with a few sunny spells.
The drake Shoveler was showing well in with the Tufteds though otherwise it was down to the normal species with no sign of the Iceland or Caspians though Mark had a Caspian yesterday.
Very few Herrings were present showing a possible near the end of the gull season although there were plenty in the Cullingworth fields as I passed.
Late afternoon at Fly Flatts found it windy and cold with light rain which quickly deteriorated to a near gale SW>6 with heavy rain, sleet and snow.
Luckily, as soon as I arrived, I walked the south shore which produced the Ringed Plover flying from the SE ponds out onto the south shoreline and as it landed a second wader flushed but kept nearby. The RP kept having a go at the mystery wader but then they settled down feeding together on the shoreline.
A dash back to the car for tripod and scope though by now the weather had turned real grizzly so huddled behind the tailgate I scoped the bird. It had a very white underside and face with long bill but I couldnt get the curve on it due to the black muddy background, plus the scope was wafting in the wind and steaming up. It stood very upright with no bobbing which ruled out Sandpiper but with still no definite id I needed to try get some mega distant shots.
With my home made lens cover, modified dog coat, and a towel over the camera I walked down the slipway and onto the beach as far as I could before starting to sink in the mud and got what I could photo wise and amazingly the photos picked up enough to show it as a winter plumaged Dunlin. So two drenchings today but a prize every time. Its all starting to happen now.
Redcar Tarn
1 drake Shoveler
+ usual sp.
Fly Flatts
1 Ringed Plover
1 Dunlin.
BS