At last, a clear morning at Fly Flatts, starting off with a low cloud base but clearing by 0800 hrs to leave blue skies and sunshine on a SW>3 at 4 degrees.
First bird this morning was a male Wheatear seen at distance from the entrance track and the first back this year. This is the earliest I,ve had one back, sharing the record with my first back on the
17/3/2020, other than that I usually get my first arrival back around the 24th March or even early April.
Three Ringed Plover were present with lots of aggression from the 2 males towards each other which happened the same last year until 1 male left and the other pair stayed on to breed. Two Oystercatchers were also on the banking along with several Curlew and Lapwings.
Canadas, Greylags and a Barnacle goose were on the water along with a few Mallard whilst just a single Herring gull went overhead >SE.
The Pied Wagtail pair are back and using the same nest as they have for the last 4 years with the only other small passerines being 3 Reed Bunting, 1 pair of Stonechat and several ,new in, Meadow Pipits plus a single Skylark up by the top gate.
A report this morning from Oakworth birder Andrew who,s been watching a wooded area waiting for Chiffchaff to return and this morning one appeared near to Haworth station.
Other than a Redshank yet to show at Fly Flatts, it will be a race between Dunlin, Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper but that will be around the second week of April and all depending on getting some shoreline to hold them, when/if, they arrive.
BS