An horrendous morning weather-wise at Fly Flatts with a moderate SW>5 increasing as the watch progressed with heavy horizontal rain and drizzle showers at 5 degrees, and very dark clouds moving overhead.
The strong SW wind livened the birds up tremendously which did,nt seem to mind the rain either.
A better count of Curlew this year with several pairs constantly in the air as well as Lapwings and Meadow Pipits.
The first Redshank of the year, at this site, skimmed over the water towards the north shore but not to be re-locared. A pair of Tufted duck were new in, with 3 Mallard, several Canadas, Greylags and the usual Barnacle. I,m wondering now if NKs sighting of 2 Barnacles at Cold Edge yesterday were separate to the one I have daily at Fly Flatts, making the 3 I had at this site a few weeks ago that I thought were just moving through.
The highlight of the morning was undoubtedly Ringed Plover with 7 birds present flying around over the water from one bank to the other. There were 2 pairs plus 3 loose males, all of which will move on apart from the original annual breeding pair, unless the other pair stay on, but with very limited shoreline its unlikely.
Otherwise, just 2 Oystercatcher and the usual species. No recent sightings of the Golden Plover flock. On the way back through Mixenden the elusive Ring Necked Parakeet was showing with 2 present but on the tree top with the sun directly behind them.
BS.