photo opportunity.
run of Myxomatosis purposely administered.
A milder day after a cold start with temperatures of 5 degrees raising to 8 degrees on a chilly NW>4 with cloudy sunshine. Still no sign of rain in the near future and all the ground bone dry with just a few of the ponds remaining. A few month ago mud was the big problem at Fly Flatts but now its dust with clouds of it blowing around and when a works vehicle passes by along the track its a matter of closing your eyes and holding your breath until it clears.
A very quiet day wader wise with most of the small waders moved on leaving just a single Ringed Plover and 3 Dunlin. Common Sandpipers are still plentiful and these will remain to breed in the area.
Gulls were the bird of the day with around 200 mixed LBB and Herring present on and off throughout the day but , as KM would say," nothing jumps out and hits me as being unusual". Its getting towards peak time for Yellow Legged Herring gull shortly with about 6 sightings last year in June/July so I,ll be scoping them regularly from now.
At least 3 Wheatear are still present although this spring has been poor for this species but my big counts usually come with returning birds in the autumn.
Fly Flatts
1m Teal
2 Oyks
1 Ringed Plover
3 Dunlin
8 Common Sandpiper
1 Redshank
3 Wheatear
5 Greylag
c 200 mixed Herring and LBB gull
+ usual sp.
Stay safe. BS