Very hard work this morning in the strong WSW >6 gusting 7 at a cold 3 degrees with cloudy sunshine but good visibility.
Plenty to see on the deck but very little sky movement with just a few LBB gulls heading >SW keeping low over the moor. No target birds through, with hopes of an early Tern, I had a Sandwich turn sat on a buoy here at the end of April 2018, whilst MC is getting Common and Arctic in his area, see Oxon blog. The other target bird in these windy conditions is Little Gull, a prediction by MC, which is a bird we only dream about round here although they have been reported in the distant past at both Fly Flatts and Leeshaw.
A group of 7 male Wheatear were on the west bank but an attempt of several photos failed to obtain a sharp one with the wind trying to take my legs from under me. The hardy waders were in good numbers with 6 Redshank, 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Oyks, 6 Curlew and a single Snipe but no Dunlin or Common Sandpiper as yet. Strangely the Ringed Plovers were stood on the edge of the east bank getting the full force of the wind and spray from the water,where you would expect them to be in the shelter of the west bank.
Plenty Meadow Pipits around along with a single Reed Bunting with just a Buzzard and Raven overhead.
A stronger wind forecast for tomorrow with a gale force southerly and heavy rain which could make good reservoir watching conditions.
BS