Another bright clear morning at Fly Flatts with 100% cloud cover on a bitterly cold SW>5 rising to moderate SW>6 late afternoon. The morning temperature was reading 4 degrees but feeling much colder in a 'lazy wind', ( old Yorkshire saying when the wind goes through you being too lazy to go round.)
Ringed Plover were back down to 3 with 5 missing. Not sure if I,m getting new waves of Plovers moving through or the same birds that I,m not being able to find some days. The usual 2 Oystercatchers were present whilst the first 2 returning Redshanks arrived back at the north end of the reservoir.
A Merlin skimmed low over the water near to the Ringed Plovers but either did,nt see them or had already eaten. Otherwise it was down to the usual species plus a single Raven, 5 Herring gulls, a Kestrel and a Buzzard.
On the way home, a stop off at Mixenden found a single Ring Necked Parakeet in its usual tree.
Good to meet DJS on the west bank at Fly Flatts whilst we watched the waders.
Fly Flatts
3 Ringed Plover
2 Oystercatcher
2 Redshank
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
1 Raven
5 Herring gull
+ usual sp.
Mixenden
1 Ring Necked Parakeet
BS