9 Dunlin present
Hopes of Spotted Redshank but not to be.
More blue skies and sunshine at Fly Flatts this morning but a pleasing cool NE>3 at 9 degrees.
Plenty activity with the usual waders and the water level now down enough for access to the east and north east shore giving a good count of 9 Dunlin, 12 Common Sandpiper, 6 Redshank and 3 Oystercatchers along with a single Snipe.
The first of the Mallard ducklings fledged today with a flight over the water and several more looking ready to fly. This is the best year I,ve ever seen for ducklings with near to all surviving so far and most now well grown. The family of 14 pictured above just lost 4 in the first few day but has amazingly hung on to the rest. The one that fledged today is from a party of 9 and all ready for fledging.
The sky was alive with Swifts today along with several Swallows and 3 Sand Martin but no gull movement this morning.
A call from BV late morning reporting an odd wader but very elusive at Leeshaw reservoir where there is very little shore that can be viewed from the track.
When I got free mid afternoon I shot over there and met Brian by the reservoir. After a bit of a wait the bird appeared at distance which gave the impression of Redshank but looking longer legged and stockier, comparing it to a nearby Redshank.
Parts of its plumaged looked lighter and more barring on its flanks making me think Spotted Redshank but very hard to get any detail at the distance and through a cap full of heat shimmer.
On checking the poor photos I got the bill is Common Redshank and no supercilium putting it back to Common Redshank.
A single Dunlin and 2 Common Sandpipers were also present with 9 LBB and 1 Herring on the water.
Thanks for the call Brian, anything looking a little odd is worth checking at this time of year.
BS