Another bright morning at Fly Flatts with a cold NE>5 at 7 degrees but feeling much colder out of the sun.
A second pair of Ringed Plover had arrived but only other waders were 4 Redshank and 2 Oystercatchers. Herring and LBB gulls were heading >NE along with a single Black Headed which are nearly non existent at the moment.
Only the one Wheatear found which was a Greenland, leucorhoa, which was probably the same bird that I found on the 16th, being in the same area.
Still no sign of eastern promise yet after a moderate to strong E>4-5 blowing for 2 days.
Mid afternoon and a check of Doe Park was disappointing to find the water right up to the overflow and no exposed shore whatsoever. Unlike Fly Flatts, this reservoir must be able to be filled from another source being so full after no rain for days even though the valve is open keeping the stream flowing.
Just a single Gt Crested Grebe and Cormorant on the water but the visit was saved with hirundines in the sky to the north with 4 Swallow, 5 House Martins and 1 Sand Martin. Only Swift to go now which should be getting sighted in the next week.
Also looking >N were about 40 LBB gulls soaring around very high and probably being over Hewenden reservoir. Walking back up the road to the car 4 Willow Warblers and several Chiffchaffs were in the allotment trees.
BS