A foggy start to the morning with a thick low bank of cloud moving over but cleared by 0830 hrs leaving broken cloud and some sunshine on a moderate SW>4-5 at 13 degrees.
The water was very rough so a small black job out in the middle caused some concern at first thinking Scoter. With the scope up on legs and wobbling in the wind I got it as drake Tufted but showing no tuft and being in eclipse, plus me being ever optimistic, I thought there,s a slim chance of either Ring-Necked or Scaup but further investigation soon shot me down, dream on Bri.
No sign of yesterdays Cuckoo plus all but one Wheatear had gone through but 5 Willow Warblers and 2 Wren were in the compound tree.
Swallows were moving >SW fast and low into the wind in migration mode but Swifts have moved off early this year, my last sighting being 20th July to press. Just 2 House Martins over as well as Alba Wagtails whilst 2 Buzzard were distant over the moor.
Going by Pennys report from the Shetlands vis mig sounds to have kicked off so hopefully things will be heading our way.
Present :-
1 m Tufted duck
2 Kestrel
2 Buzzard
2 Wren
+ usual sp.
Vis Mig
1 Wheatear
5 Willow Warblers
37 Swallow...........>SW
2 House Martin.....>SW
5 Alba Wagtail......>W
Sev Mipits..........blogging
BS.