Just after parking up in the compound a tight group of large waders were high over the water heading >NE. Thinking these had to be Black-tailed Godwits I grabbed the bins and was surprised, if not slightly disappointed, to find 17 Oystercatchers. The group flew off over the Nab closely followed by a second group of 11 which dropped down onto the west bank. After this there was a continuation of singles and small groups with a count of 43 in total as the move stopped at 0845hrs. Some of the birds stayed on the banking along with the 6 ever present birds.
Other waders were 4 Common Sandpiper, 3 Ringed Plover, with the female of the breeding pair now absent and probably sitting eggs, along with 3 Redshank and the usual Curlew and Lapwing.
A good count of gulls on the northern end of the west bank with 26 Herring and 12 LBBs all on egg/chick or frog watch. A single Raven over the quarry and around a dozen Swallows >N, but undoubtably this morning, it was Oystercatchers that stole the show.
A check on the Nolstar fields on the way home failed to find any Goldies but the rare sight here of a single Jay overhead, probably on its way to Mixenden reservoir.
Back to rain tomorrow with a very light sou'westerly and a report of very poor visibility in the morning.
BS