Wild and wet conditions at Fly Flatts early morn with a near gale force W>6 gusting 7 with heavy rain showers constantly moving through. Some very dark clouds moving west to east at a cold temperature of 9 degrees but feeling much colder with the wind chill factor.
A few good soakings this morning but nice to see some real reservoir weather when the white horses race across the rough water lashing up the bank and the scream of the wind whistling through the boat masts.
Had just planned to walk to the SW corner to check that stretch of shore when I found a drake Common Scoter which was difficult to see as it kept disappearing into the deep troughs out of sight. As always, it was up near the north end of the water and out in the centre so ended up walking the west bank to get something near better views.
I got opposite the bird but still at great distance across the water plus the wind was blasting across the banking and the rain lashed down but worth the effort, although I,m not sure the dogs agreed with me. Luckily the rain abated as we walked back to the compound and the wind dried us off nicely.
Rather quiet on the waders with just 2 Ringed Plovers and 4 Common Sandpiper on the near shore but several small waders scurrying about on the mud at the north end with Dunlin and Ringed Plovers but not the weather for serious scoping.
Curlew, Oystercatcher and Lapwing were present along with 2 LBB gulls and a single BH gull whilst once again the area above the water was filled with Swifts and Swallows. Two Grey Partridge and a Red Legged were down the entrance track.
Back to normal now with the laptop after a cheap repair in the form of a £12 keyboard from Argos plugged into the usb socket which over-rides the original keyboard.
BS