Good conditions at Fly Flatts this morning to the north and east but some thick cloud to the west and milky skies to the south. Broken cloud and sunshine on a SW>2 at 12 degrees.
All was quiet until 0830 hrs when the first skein of Pink Footed Geese came over from the west and to the north of me heading >E. After that Pinks piled through on a broad front to the north and south of me and some overhead but all heading directly east. By 0930 the tap was turned off and no more geese over throughout the day.
As well as Pinks the first move of Woodpigs was apparent moving >S over the west moor. This early move also dried up around 0930 hrs.
With empty skies now, other than a few Jackdaws moving >S, it was time to check the passerines around the boatyard area. At least 11 Stonechat were fresh in as well as a Reed Bunting and another Black Redstart, this one being a female as opposed to the last one being a 1st winter male.
By 1000 hrs ,as I was tackling up, the Stonechats and Black Red moved across to the south shore then flew over the Flat Moor towards Slade where I relocated them on the way home.
Mid afternoon was a different story with the Stonechat and Black Red group obviously continued through and not to be found whilst just the 3 resident Stonechats were left in the compound.
Strange how quiet the skies were as if nothing had happened in the morning. Just a Raven and Sparrowhawk over the Nab. What a morning!!
Fly Flatts
153 Pink Footed Geese.............>E, 8 skeins, 178,148,170,90,32,130,180,225.
98 Woodpigs.............................>S
21 Mipits..................................>S
34 Jackdaw..............................>S
11 Stonechat
1 f Black Redstart
1 f Reed Bunting
1 Raven
1 Sparrowhawk
13 RL Partridge
+ usual sp.
BS