Surprise bird, juv Cuckoo.
Too fast for the cameras auto focus.
Ideal conditions this morning at Fly Flatts with a light SW>4 at 13 degrees with 80% cloud cover and odd pockets of sun.
A real raptor morning with Buzzards, both movers and locals, along with Sparrowhawk and Kestrels. What I nearly dismissed as one of the Kestrels low over the water came as a shock when I got it in the bins to find juvenile Cuckoo. By the time I started knocking photos off it was past and just landed briefly on a distant fence before continuing >S. I had expected missing out on Cuckoo this year with the usual annual birds never appearing.
Only 3 Wheatear left from yesterdays 15 whilst Swallows and Linnets were on the move. A single cronking Raven was over the quarry.
Present :-
Sparrowhawk
2 Kestrel
2 Buzzard
1 Raven
+ usual sp.
Vis Mig
3 Buzzard..............>S
1 juv Cuckoo.......,>S
9 Swallow............>SW
17 Linnet.............>W
3 Wheatear
2 Willow Warblers
BS