on the north shore
and Lapwings start to nest.
A cracking day weather wise at Fly Flatts both early morning and late afternoon with wall to wall sunshine at 6 degrees with just 40% cloud. The light winds were all over the shop starting as N>3 then turning NE>4 and round to E>3 in the afternoon.
The north shore was lively early morning with the first 2 Redshank back along with 4 Curlew and an Oystercatcher. Gulls are already on the prowl for eggs and chicks with Herring, Common and BH gulls present.
Lapwings numbers are building with 28 on the shore and around the ponds with several now holding territory.
The single male Blackbird was still hanging around the boatyard along with several Meadow Pipits which have suddenly become a common sight. A pair of Pied Wagtails were back and are probably the pair that raised 2 young here last year.
An interesting call this afternoon from a reliable source, Glen (Sooty)
a Wakefield birder known to HC, reporting a male Snow Bunting which flew from the bottom of Taylor Lane towards Bradshaw and landing around fields behind the bus terminus.
I put out a grapevine then rang JL who kindly checked it out as it was only 200 yards from his home.
John was unable to relocate the bird and a search a little later by DB came up with the same results.
Many thanks to Glen, who found it whilst on Wheatear watch, for the call and thanks also to Bradshaw John and Dave Bruv for following it up. I had a further scan around on my way back from Fly Flatts but with the good weather holding its likely it continued through the area.
Fly Flatts
4 Common gull
6 BH gull
8 Herring gull
1 Greylag
sev Canadas, .......several now in fields and on the moor for breeding.
2 Redshank
1 Oystercatcher
4 Curlew
1 Blackbird
28 Lapwing
1 pr Pied Wagtail
sev Meadow Pipits
BS