A clear morning with a very light SW>2 and light drizzle. The clouds were very dark with the sun trying to break through putting everything into a dark silhouette. The camera was near wide open to get the light in. By late afternoon it was much brighter with the wind increased and turned W>3.
First birds seen as I arrived was a wave of House Martins heading >S along with a few Swallows. Heading for the west bank I checked the lagoon, which hopefully is going to provide me with a Green Sandpiper but its taking a little longer than I anticipated.
Next stop was the lagoon tree where a light coloured bird darted out for flies then back in amazingly fast. I later found this to be 1 of 4 Willow Warbler, a once a year species showing signs of dispersal.
Another passerine darted from below the tree but this was a darker bird which I expected to be a Mipit until I picked up a flash of red as it dropped down to the waters edge. An early Black Redstart, a month earlier than usual and my first ever August bird.
It flitted along the shoreline rocks before flying back to the lagoon area so I continued on to the west bank. The bird had obviously come in with Wheatears where 5 were found along the banking. These Wheatear were all adults in autumn plumage and very mobile as they usually are as new arrivals.
Again,no waders to be found and nothing on the water plus only a handful of LBB gulls >NE.
Back at the boatyard the Black Redstart was waiting for me along with a single Wheatear but very mobile and at distance making it difficult to keep up to in the bad light.
It landed on the boats and fence a few times briefly before heading across the top field along with the Wheatear. They both settled on walls below the road and were still present in the same area late afternoon scoped from the boatyard.
A quiet afternoon session with the highlight being 2 Buzzard up mobbed with a Merlin over Tattie Pie Hill.
Fly Flatts
1 Black Redstart, juv
5 Wheatear, ad
4 Willow Warbler
1 Red Legged Partridge
1 Merlin
2 Buzzard
5 LBB gull.....>SE
16 Swallow....>S
49 House Martin...>S
+ usual sp.
Foxhill Park Queensbury
6 Common gull
Crossroads Inn, Wainstalls fields
41 BH gull
Got to turn up a Med gull in this area.
BS