A cool and breezy start to the morning with a SW>4 and the sun just breaking through at a temperature of 7 degrees.
As I drove into the boatyard it soon became apparent that there had been an overnight fall of Wheatear with at least 14 just around the compound and east bank all typical newcomers very flighty and unapproachable. By the time I,d walked the west bank and got back to the compound there was not a Wheatear in sight so obviously just dropped in on their way through.
Meadow Pipits were again flying overhead >N whilst 4 Redshank were below the west bank at the north end. A surprise to get 2 Sand Martin over the west moor >N and only spotted due to a Merlin making unsuccessful swoops at them. Very rare I get a Sand Martin until autumn vis mig.
A group of 7 Ringed Plover were very mobile skimming over the water from bank to bank
occasionally landing on the top of the west bank track luckily not spotted by the Merlin or 3 Kestrels up there.
A Robin in the boatyard was an unusual visitor.
After returning from a shopping spree in Brighouse mid afternoon the temperature was up to 20 degrees with solid blue sky, sunshine and little wind which was a cue for me to opt out from the definitely not reservoir watching conditions and catch up on some jobs.
I took the car down Girlington to get it re shod so in the time I had to pass whilst waiting for it I checked around the Seabrook Crisp factory which is a winter hot spot for big gulls but most had left for breeding grounds now with just a few LBBs and Herrings left.
Another day of the hot stuff to face tomorrow then back to some decent winds and low temperatures.
Fly Flatts
7 Ringed Plover
4 Redshank
2 Sand Martin
3 Kestrel
1 Merlin
1 Robin
2 Herring gull
+ usual sp.
BS