A deteriorating morning with a cold 3 degrees S>4 wind and light rain. Dark scud clouds were moving through cutting visibility beyond the western ridge. By 0930 hrs heavier rain and dark clouds moved in.
After two exciting days, today was an anti climax with any chance of sky movement restricted to the brighter, clearer sky to the east. As I passed Mixenden this morning there were no Whoopers to be seen on the water but a while after DJB reported 6 seen from Soil Hill which were there on my return journey. These 6 Whoopers had either just come in or were hidden under the east bank as I passed.
Thanks also to fireman,Craig, for ringing me about the Whoopers and sorry to any political correct bods for using the term 'fireman' which I,m told is no longer allowed !!!.
With nothing in the air at Fly Flatts it meant a lot of scope work checking around the bankings for waders which proved good with, apart from the 2 pair of Ringed Plover, another 2 males had arrived, but will probably be seen off by the other 4.
Two Oystercatchers and 3 Redshank were also present but another good week yet before I can expect the first Common Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover and 3 week before the first arrival of Dunlin.
Canada geese are over the 100 mark now with several more already on the moor whilst 4 Greylag were present including the pure white bird. All the Mallard on the water now are drakes with the females away nesting . Otherwise it was down to Curlews, Lapwings and Meadow Pipits with the Golden Plovers keeping their heads down today.
It looks like the winter gull season is all but over now with very few left in the fields or on the move. A very poor winter for Caspian, Iceland, Mediterranean and Great Black Backed, so now its a wait until early summer, June/July, which is peak time for Yellow Legged Herring gull,in my area at least.
BS