A very light SE>2 at Fly Flatts this morning rising to SE>3 p.m.. A cool start at 3 degrees with 60% cloud cover.
Another overnight arrival with Common Sandpipers everywhere giving a count of at least 11 but did,nt check the north end. Greylags and Mallards now have young with no Canada goslings as yet.
More Dunlin have arrived with 3 on the east bank and still present late afternoon having moved across to the SW corner. Only a single Wheatear today but time for a few more waves to follow.
Still no sign of Linnets as yet and just 3 Swallows. Its looking like the Swifts will arrive before the Swallows this year up on the tops.
Otherwise it was the usual species but a much livier day with plenty to watch and photograph throughout. I,m even getting used to the slow auto focus of the Canon 7d mk1 and enjoying not hugging Big Bertha round with me. The Canon 300mm is about half the weight and handles the heat shimmer better.
Rain tomorrow hopefully which should give things a boost and will at least help to put out the annual moorland fires which could be seen over Huddersfield/Saddleworth areas from the tops.
Fly Flatts
11 Common Sandpiper
4 Redshank
1 pr Ringed Plover
3 Dunlin
3 Snipe
1 pr Pied Wagtail
2 Red Legged Partridge
3 Reed Bunting
1 Kestrel
1 Merlin
1 Wheatear
3 Swallow
3 Pr Mallard + 4 ducklings
9 Greylag + 4 goslings
1 Raven
+ usual sp.
BS