A windy morning at Fly Flatts with a WSW>4 bringing drizzle over the moor on full cloud at 11 degrees
but good reservoir watching weather.
Some signs of movement today with a third adult Ringed Plover arriving along with 2 adult Dunlin and 4 Common Sandpiper present. Still only 2 Wheatear on site whilst the 2 Barnacle geese along with a Greylag x Canada hybrid were amongst the c 300 Canadas. The 2 Greylag families seem to be moving now between Fly Flatts and Cold Edge Dams.
A few Swift moved >S but no sight or sound of any Curlew today, neither moving or present.
A call from NK sent me to Mixenden reservoir mid afternoon, rather than Ogden, when he reported a single Shelduck on the water late morning. On arrival the Shelduck was still present, being an adult female, but keeping at distance across the water. At one point it flew but just did a circuit before landing again in the same area. Not easy to photograph with the wind blasting across the water.
Shelduck have been a bit scarce this spring with just 2 at Fly Flatts in May, although August, September are usually the best months at Fly Flatts. A nice find by Nigel at a site which badly needs a boost this year.
Also, on the water were 5 LBB gulls and a surprise visit from a Common gull as well as 6 Canadas.
FLY FLATTS
3 Ringed Plover
3 Dunlin
4 Common Sandpiper
2 Wheatear
2 Red Legged Partridge
4 Pied Wagtail
2 Barnacle geese
1 Greylag x Canada hybrid
+ usual sp.
MIXENDEN
1 ad f Shelduck
5 LBB gull
1 Common gull
6 Canadas
+ usual sp.
BS