A reasonable morning weather wise at Fly Flatts with 80 % cloud cover and some sunshine on a N>3 at 15 degrees. By late afternoon it had gone pear shaped with full sun on a light NE>2 at 21 degrees and looking like the heat has to stay for a few days yet. The only consolation being the water level will drop as the valve is still open.
As I arrived there were 4 Black Headed gulls on the jetty, an unusual visitor for this site, and it soon became apparent that there was a bit of a move on with a steady flow >NW all morning.
Another wave of juv Wheatears had arrived overnight with 7 in the boatyard but all had moved on by late afternoon. A single female Tufted duck was on the water along with 4 LBB gulls and up to 400 Canadas now, the Greylag family having moved on. Most of the Canadas seem to be flying so should be making a move soon and at least then I,ll be able to stop scrubbing down the floating jetty ever morning before I start birding.
The Common Sandpipers that had 2 chicks showing on the 4th of this month has kept them well hidden with no sightings until today when one seems to be missing but the other growing well and should fledge in just over another week if it keeps its head down. One adult is on watch constantly, presumably the female, whilst the male has gone.
Last year with plenty shore I had 11 pairs bred and only 1 pair that I know of this year. All the early arriving Common Sands moved on within a couple of weeks of arriving.
Half way through the month now so things should be kicking off anytime now, watch this space!
Fly Flatts
2 Ringed Plover
1 Common Sandpiper + 1 juv
7 juv Wheatear
1 f Tufted duck
4 LBB gull
107 BH gull.................>NW
+ usual sp.
BS