After a night of torrential rain but no thunderstorm the conditions were back to my idea of perfect with full cloud and light drizzle and rain showers with thick fog on the moor tops. A light SW>2 at 14 degrees. By midday the dreaded hot stuff had re-appeared.
Despite the good conditions things were fairly steady but enough going on to keep me alert throughout.
No gulls in the fields today but several LBBs passing over >W without stopping. Just a handful of Black Headed present but good to get the first Common gull back to the water. A small group of 4 Snipe shot through low and west only giving me chance of one record shot before disappearing over the moor.
A high count of Meadow Pipit, Linnet and Goldfinch around whilst 2 Willow Warblers were in the track-side tree. A single Mistle Thrush flew through >NE whilst several Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin were skimming the water.
Apart from that it was the usual 2 Oystercatcher, Lapwings, geese etc whilst the sky failed to produce any raptor movement, although we are now getting near the time for passing Marsh Harrier through this region.
Regrettable to say, it looks like this weather is set to continue over the weekend before any chance of decent cloud, wind and rain. At least last nights rain has filled up my water butt and given me a night off watering the gardens.
BS