A lovely bright dry morning at Fly Flatts with some early haze brought in by the SE>2 turning >E at 4 degrees with broken cloud and sunshine.
With the water level still dropping in the dry period and the valve being open to feed the stream there is more shore showing daily which is inviting in the waders.
Dunlin were up to 6 this morning along with 5 Common Sandpiper, one of which is holding territory, 1 pair of Ringed Plover and at least 5 Redshank.
The two pair of Greylag surprised me, both having young, and the first Canada goslings have appeared which in turn brought in 6 LBB gulls and 3 Raven, although the Greylags ,in previous years, have had no difficulty in raising their families.
The pair of Teal are present daily now but always at distance whilst 2 Wheatear were present and 5 Swallows flew low and >S over the water. The annual breeding Swallows are back at their usual nest site on Balkram Edge.
The Barnacle and Canada pair are always present but no sign of breeding so far.
The next waders on the list for May are Ruff, Sanderling, Turnstone, Whimbrel and Little Ringed Plover although I,m not holding my breath on the latter as this is a very poor site for this LRPs.
BS