With gale force winds and very heavy rain throughout the day up here in the 'Gods' birding had to be abandoned. Just 4 very wet dog walks in Foxhill park which, despite the rain, still produced several Swallow skimming low over the grass whilst up to 6 Pied Wagtail were ground feeding on the football pitch.
Walking up on the top pitch in the strong wind and lashing rain took me back to my football days with me in goal and HC on the front line. We were used to playing in the wind and knew to keep the ball down but visiting away teams had never played in Queensbury conditions and could,nt handle it. Many times they scored own goals when their goalie , with the wind in his face, kicked the ball out high, only for the wind to pick it up and blow it back into his own net, happy days.
With the amount of rain today, and the same forecast for tomorrow, with gales and wind throughout, it looks like I can forget any autumn waders at Fly Flatts now as I,m expecting the water to be back up on my next visit.
The weather has also badly affected visible migration due to the wind, rain and fog and we are already half way through the season with no serious local reports as yet. By the time this weather front sorts itself out we,ll be looking for Redwings and Fieldfare.
BS.