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Saturday, August 7, 2021

Wheatears and Stonechats. Fly Flatts, (permit only).

 

Stonechats on the move today.


Several in the moult

                                                Swarms of Meadow Pipits
                                           Wheatears also moving through
                                                   Several juv Stonechat
                                             Mipit and Wheatear
                                                   Wheatear on the south bank.

                                                        more Stonechat







                                                 Mainly adult Wheatear, all in autumn plumage.


Decent reservoir weather today with full cloud on a light S>3 at 12 degrees with light rain showers.
Late afternoon saw a change in wind direction and strength with a SW>4 and heavy drizzle then rain throughout.
                   Wheatears and Stonechats were the bird of the day both morning and afternoon with Wheatears slowly ground hopping >S but not moving out of the area until late afternoon. 
                      A nice group of Stonechat were busy feeding along the wire fence of the boat compound not seeming disturbed by the rain and drizzle which is hardly surprising for this hardy little bird which often over winter at Fly Flatts even in the snow. This is my first sighting of Stonechat this year at this location.
              Whilst busy watching the Stonechats this afternoon I nearly missed a Cormorant sneaking through low over the water and away >SW. A rare bird for Fly Flatts.
A few LBB gulls headed >SE whilst Meadow Pipits are building up into large numbers ready for the starting flag.

Fly Flatts
9 Wheatear
7 Stonechat
1 juv Pied Wagtail
21 LBB gull........>SE
1 Cormorant.......>SW
+ usual sp.
BS