A very dark cloudy sky early morn at Fly Flatts but good visibility on a S>3 at 10 degrees.
The sky brightened with some sun mid watch then light rain by 1000 hrs.
My morning intentions were to head back to Leeshaw to try catch up with the gulls from the last 2 days but a massive grid lock at Keelham, for some unknown reason, with nothing moving, I did a quick turn around and headed to Fly Flatts which turned out to be a good move.
As soon as I arrived it was obvious that there was a big Meadow Pipit move on with birds piling over on a broad front at two levels. Several Mipits were also blogging along the banking and around the entrance track area.
When geared up and starting to walk, a small flock of 6 Stonechat were very active among the Mipits then suddenly a Robin type bird flew up and landed about 50 yards from me. Through the bins it was a Black Redstart, exactly a year to the day that one was in the same area.
It flew to a nearby position where I just managed some quick shots before it disappeared, not to be re-located. When I checked on the Stonechats they were also gone not to re-appear throughout the watch.
Two skeins of Pink Footed Geese headed >SE but well to the south of me and only visible scoping.
The 1st skein had 38 and the 2nd 17. LBB gulls headed >NW whilst Goldfinch, Swallow and Reed Bunting were on the move. Otherwise down to the usual species.
BS