1st of several broods of Canadas
Fog on the west bank
looking out to sea.
South Bank
Ringed Plover in the murk.
1 of 9 Wheatear
Ringed Plover appearing out of the fog.
Common Sandpiper
During a clear period
Not a good morning at Fly Flatts with a clear start lasting for 15 minutes then thick fog rolling in on a light NW>3 at 10 degrees. The fog lifted briefly for about 30 minutes before a second bank came through putting out the lights. As I was tackling up ready to leave, the sky cleared with blue sky and sunshine which is no better than fog at Fly Flatts.
Despite the lack of visibility I was able to walk the reservoir bankings and check the fringes for waders which produced more Ringed Plover with 6 now present as well as 8 Common Sandpiper, 2 Redshank and a single Snipe along with at least 9 Wheatear.
Several Canada goslings have appeared overnight being the first broods to hatch, a few weeks later than the Greylags whilst a single drake Teal flew over the water.
Not much time to watch for movers between the fog banks but 6 Dunlin blasted low over the water >N, disappearing into the fog so unable to say whether they landed at the north end of the reservoir though unlikely with no shore at that end. Also 2 LBB gulls headed >SW whilst 8 BH gull headed >NW, all checked for Little gull. A handful of Swallows headed >SE but Swifts are a bit slow getting going.
A Red Kite drifted over Foxhill >E mid p.m. as I was dog walking, and several Swifts this evening.
Looks like some heavy rain for the morning on a light south wind which is,nt a problem to me as long as the fog keeps away.
BS