Atrocious conditions at Fly Flatts this morning with a very low cloud base and banks of mist brought in on a moderate SW>5 at 8 degrees with heavy rain and horizontal drizzle throughout. Mid afternoon was about the same with the wind increasing and again heavy drizzle giving me my second dousing of the day.
Once again, this seems to be the kind of weather conditions that waders like making it a lively mornings watch though no newcomers today. The usual Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, Common Sandpiper and Oystercatcher were busy working the shoreline whilst a single Snipe was doing aerobatics up in the mist.
Most of yesterdays Wheatear had moved through leaving 3, plus the breeding pair, all feeding along the shoreline.
The Ogden Mute Swan was out on the banking wing flapping briefly before swimming out onto the open water and looking to be feeding ok. Once again , good to bump into Judy and Geoff Hogg doing a check of the swan hoping that soon it will move on.
A couple of LBB gulls and a single Heron were about as good as it got otherwise.
Nearly into June now so Fly Flatts target bird has to be Common Scoter, apart from any exotic waders which don,t usually appear until July.
BS