Decent reservoir weather at last which really brought the place to life. The SE ponds that were drying out are well topped up now and the wet and softened mud got the waders feeding.
The morning started with a very low cloud base and heavy drizzle but by mid watch the low cloud had lifted and rain showers replaced the drizzle. A light S>3 was blowing with a temp of 14 degrees.
By late afternoon the torrential showers that started around midday continued throughout the watch with a moderate SW>5 at 16 degrees. A couple of the extra heavy showers had me dashing back to the cover of the car tailgate whilst they passed over.
The birds were loving it , all very mobile and out on the muddy shore feeding.
At one point 9 very small Lapwing chicks and 4 Redshank chicks were out on the east shore along with the family of Ringed Plover and several Common Sandpipers, Redshank and Lapwings.
Dunlin numbers have risen to 6 present and 3 fly overs >S whilst a single male Ringed Plover appeared this morning but could,nt be relocated by the second watch.
The 2 juv Ringed Plovers, now at 28 days old, are getting more independent now flying to other parts of the shoreline but still watched by at least 1 of the adults.
A good days birding thanks to the weather.
Fly Flatts
1m + 1pr Ringed Plover + 2 juvs at 28 days old.
6 Dunlin on the deck + 3 >S
8 Common Sandpiper
5 Redshank
14 Golden Plover
1 Kestrel
1 Peregrine
4 Raven
+ usual sp.
BS