A wild morning at Fly Flatts with a strong to near gale SW>6 gusting 7 with 80% cloud and patches of sun at 14 degrees. Several low scud clouds moving rapidly through low.
A near, all time record for Fly Flatts with a complete clear out of birds with 2 hours searching turning up just the resident 5 Crow family and 3 Canadas. Amazingly, nothing on the water, in the sky or on the shore. Even the usual resident birds are missing this year with no Lapwing, Golden Plover and Snipe whilst Red Grouse are now extinct up there where, not long back they were common throughout the year.
By this time last year the compound bushes were alive with Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat, Stonechat, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff, with Black Redstarts showing along with double figures of Wheatear, this year, nothing? Even the Meadow Pipits are down to a handful and none today.
I need a good September up here to revitalize the enthusiasm.
A very light south easterly in the morning which could spell fog and a chance of showers.
BS