A real unsure and unpredictable start to the morning with luckily the right decision being made.
I got up to the usual dense fog and heavy rain and, not fancying trailing about birding in these conditions yet again, I got on the waterproofs and walked the dogs over Foxhill.
No sooner had I got up the park that the rain stopped and the fog lifted but it was now 0830 hrs and getting late for setting off. Thinking tomorrow is going to be a write off with gales and heavy rain forecast I grabbed the gear and dogs and headed for Fly Flatts.
A moderate SSW>4 was blowing but clear with full cloud at 6 degrees. Deciding to make the effort was a good decision and a good start to November when a Barn Owl showed briefly as I drove down the entrance track disappearing over the Flat Moor.
A check of the migrant bushes and trees came up with a surprise with a Long Eared Owl perched in the tree before flying to a fence post then gaining height and away >S towards Slade whilst being mobbed by Crows. Just a few Canadas on the water with 2 Herring gull overhead and a Buzzard over the east ridge.
A text from NK mid morning reporting a pair of Wigeon on the Raggalds Flood was interesting and worth a look at once I was free mid afternoon. Plenty water at the moment producing 8 Mallard along with the pair of Wigeon plus a few Black Headed gulls and Lapwings. This flooded field never fails to produce but unfortunately the water soon drains since the farmer dug the drain out.
Well spotted to Nigel, these could have easily been overlooked given the distance they were at. Thanks for the shout.
BS