Mid afternoon at Fly Flatts was a real wild affair with a moderate NW>5 at 3 degrees with heavy rain, hail and snow showers.
On arrival the sky was blue with some sun but as I got half way on the west bank the blue sky turned grey and the moor disappeared out of sight as a blasting hail storm came over pelting me with hail stones as big as pot knurs, or at least they felt like it on the face.
That soon passed and the rest of the watch was sunshine and showers, some falling as snow.
Waders were lively, frantically feeding with at least 6 Ringed Plover, possibly more, but very hard to keep the scope steady in the wind, whilst up to 5 Redshank kept skimming over the water, one with a small newt in its bill.
I was hoping to get some of the Liverpool Little gulls with the wind in a favourable direction but this was,nt to be.
On the way back 18 Golden Plover were in the usual field and hopefully they,ll increase in numbers and keep in the area helping to invite Dotterel in next month.
A calmer, drier day tomorrow so it will be another try for Wheatear and Common Sandpiper.
BS