A pleasing morning at Fly Flatts in very calm conditions then increasing to a light SW>2 with full cloud at 4 degrees.
The breeding pair of Ringed Plover arrived overnight, just 3 days later than last year, hopefully looking to breed again later in the season. They,ve bred 4 survivors and lost 3 chicks over the last 3 years, assuming that its the same pair, which is highly likely as they have settled in the exact same area.
The 5 Reed Buntings are still in the compound area along with 3 Meadow Pipits whilst a Raven was overhead along with 2 Herring gull >NE. I always check these Reed Buntings through as it was 13/2 /2000 when HC and me went to Shepley to view a Little Bunting. Just the usual Canadas and Mallards on the water.
A scope of Haigh Cote Dam from the top road produced a male Goldeneye and several small gulls.
A visit to Shelf mid afternoon for the Little Egret after a text from PT was productive with the Egret showing well but poor for photos at a distance and down in the grass. Amazing that it has been present 3 days in such an exposed area where Peter has had it very near the road down in the beck.
Many thanks to Peter Turner for up to date text messages and directions. Good to meet you down there today Peter.
Whilst I was in the area I was going to call at Tesco for the Waxwings but the traffic queues on Halifax Road for road works were horrendous so I decided to give that a miss.
BS
BS