Fly Flatts was livelier this morning with a moderate E>4 on full cloud at 9 degrees.
Still the usual waders present but very lively moving around from one shore to the other. Only 2 of yesterdays 10 Oystercatcher remained today whilst a single Cormorant flew low over the water >N, not a common bird for this site.
Swifts piled over >N along with a few Swallows and 2 House Martin. A single male Tufted was on the water making me look twice for Scoter.
Star attraction of the morning was a distant falcon speeding >W over the Flat Moor making me think Merlin until I got the camera on it, what a surprise to find a Hobby. Its 5 years since my last sighting here so well pleased, although I expect them every year with the number of Dragonflies present over the summer. Unfortunately I only got about 20 seconds on it before it headed over Tatty Pie Hill.
An ambitious visit to Ogden mid afternoon but needed to check the gulls so with full cloud and a cool E>4 I hoped it would,nt be too crowded. The lower 2 car parks were full so had to share with the druggies up in the top parking area but very few people around the water so no neck pumping today.
Unfortunately, as NK warned me this morning, gulls were poor with just 2 LBBs and a Black Headed and strangely no pre roost birds dropped in. Just the 2 Gt Crested Grebe back on the water plus a Jay and Grey Wagtail and that was about it other than the usual species although I only walked the west side and prom.
A quick check on Ned Hill track on the way home failed to get me my first Whitethroat this year with none in the usual annual area. Just a Mipit and 3 Linnet.
BS