Much better reservoir weather this morning at Fly Flatts with a moderate SW>4 gusting 5 at 12 degrees with full cloud and rain throughout.
With weather conditions good for reservoir watching I headed up there, despite the detour around Mixenden, with the road still closed. Very wild with a mix of horizontal drizzle then rain and dark skies but looking ideal for a group of Black Tern coming through, which did'nt happen, MC must be hanging on to his down in Oxford.
Plenty gulls passing over with LBBs, Common and Black headed all >NE but otherwise empty skies.
At least 6 Wheatear were present along the south bank but, despite ample exposed shore, plus the peninsular and lagoon, only a single Common Sandpiper was showing, wader wise.
Nothing in the way of small migrants as yet apart from several Meadow Pipits but hopefully the annual Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher, Black Redstart and Warblers etc will be appearing shortly in the compound and lagoon trees and bushes.
The Dipper than I got last month made a re-appearance in the waters edge on the south bank, looking out of place in the reservoir. Otherwise down to the usual species but nice to get back to Fly Flatts with plenty potential for passing waders over the next few weeks.
The annual wintering Common gulls are now returning to Foxhill Park with up to 15 present early morn.
Part cloudy with a light WSW for morning.
BS