The fog didnt clear until I was tackling up at 1000 hrs. By late afternoon it was clear with full cloud and a strengthened W>5 with some light drizzle.
The morning watch comprised of walking the south and west bank checking the shoreline with no visibility beyond that. A few Dunlin and Common Sandpipers appeared through the fog but that was as much as I could achieve.
Late afternoon produced a little more with several Dunlin on the NE shore but a count was difficult from the west bank with the scope being buffeted about in the wind.
The pair of Ringed Plover were in the lagoon area, the male showing signs of post breeding Primary moult with several Primaries missing or raggy looking though it doesnt affect the birds flight. They can start the moult at their breeding ground but the full moult usually takes place towards October.
Just 3 LBB gulls on the water , and just when I thought it was all over, a female Mallard appeared on the water with 9 bumblies. That means I,ll be watching these daily as they slowly disappear which ducklings usually do at Fly Flatts though geese do well.
The 4 Greylag goslings I,ve been watching from their first days were today doing a lot of wing flapping looking like they may fly in the next few days.
Fly Flatts
2 Ringed Plover
4 Common Sandpiper
6 Dunlin
1 Redshank
1 f Merlin
1 f Tufted
3 LBB gull
+ usual sp.
BS