Sunshine and waders, Fly Flatts

 

                                    At least 8 Dunlin present

                                    Islands appearing out in the water

                                    1 of 6 Redshank

                                    Single Oystercatcher

A bright sunny morning at Fly Flatts with full blue sky on a light SE>2 at 10 degrees.

     A better wader morning though mostly scope work with several of the birds over on the NW banking. At least 8 Dublin, 6 Redshank, 4 Common Sandpiper and a single Ringed Plover along with Oystercatcher, Curlew, Lapwing and a single Snipe.

   The long staying pair of Tufted were on the water as well as one LBB gull. No hirundines or Swifts this morning and nothing moving skyward.

    A strange year with the geese with around 200 Canadas but only 6 goslings seen so far. The majority of the Canadas are out on the water looking like none breeders. Two pair of  Greylags, each with one white bird, had 7 goslings each but within a few days, adults and goslings have left the area, though its not unusual for Greylags and Mallards to walk their young across the moor to Cold Edge Dams.

   Several well grown Lapwing chicks around the fields at the moment but no proof of breeding Curlew as yet.

Another cloudy sunshine day tomorrow on a light NNE starting off at 9 degrees.

BS

Fly Flatts.

 

                                    1 of 8 male Pied Wagtail

                                    1 of 4 Oystercatcher

Good weather conditions this morning at Fly Flatts with full cloud cover on a light E>3 at 7 degrees.

    Most waders were at distance this morning ,way across on the north shore with 8 Redshank, 

2 Dunlin, 4 Oystercatchers and 3 Common Sandpiper whilst a Snipe was on a distant fence post.

    Several Swallows were heading >N over the water and 3 LBB gulls were in the NW corner.

A surprise to find 6 male Pied Wagtails on the south shore as well as the 2 breeding pair, now feeding young. A Cuckoo was calling from Dean Head.

Just a pair of Tufted on the water as well as the usual geese with a very low count of Canada goslings this year.

A forecast of cloudy sunshine for morning on a light ENE starting off at 7 degrees.

BS

One to forget, Leeshaw/Leeming.

 

                                        Leeshaws resident Pink Footed Goose.

Another icy cold morning at Leeshaw reservoir with a biting NNE>4 and full cloud at 8 degrees.

    Although there are tons of exposed shore the only wader, other than Curlew and Lapwing, was a single Oystercatcher.  Nothing on the water other than the usual geese whilst 15 LBB and 2 Herring gull were on the north shore.

     Plenty Swallows, Swifts, House Martin and Sand Martins over the water but otherwise nothing.

By 0900 hrs around 200 mountain bikes came past along the track closely followed by around 50 runners on a sponsored race. To add to that, several anglers were turning up so time to up stumps and away.

   A stop off at Leeming on the way back was a dog walk only with 3 Mallard, 1 LBB gull and about 5 Willow Warblers despite the low water and large areas of muddy shore.

   After this morning I'll never complain about Fly Flatts again!

A part cloudy morning forecast for tomorrow, with again, a NE turning E kicking off at 7 degrees.

BS

An icy cold Fly Flatts.

 

                                        Gulls on the north shore

                                This Herring type had a bit of a Caspian look.

                                    Long billed, dark eye but very distant

                                    Still under investigation.

                                    Few Swifts through >SE

                                    2 Dunlins found.

                                More Oystercatchers on the move,  38>NE

An icy cold start to the morning with a moderate ENE>4 gusting 5 with white horses across the water and spume blowing around the shoreline. The wind was forecast as light ! Full cloud with some quick breaks of sun at 7 degrees but feeling much colder with the wind factor.

    A walk the full length of  a very blustery west bank this morning but very few waders across on the north shore, though it was hard to keep the scope steady, with just Redshanks and Common Sandpipers showing.

  A group of  8 LBB gulls were across on the mud along with 2 Herring gulls, one of which looked good for Caspian with a long bill and small dark eye though difficult at the distance and in heat shimmer so will have to see if I can enhance the photos at all for more detail.

   On returning to the SW corner 2 Dunlin were feeding in the spume on the waters edge whilst 6 Swifts headed >W. The last 30 minutes of the watch provided several groups of Oystercatchers over >NE, the largest flock being 10 with a total of 38 all >NE. This is the third time recently that I have had Oyks moving over, amazing to see and hear. The Ringed Plover was not to be found this morning.

    Sailing regatta day at Fly Flatts tomorrow so a new venue for the mornings watch.

Another cool, cloudy morning forecast for tomorrow on a moderate >NNE starting at 7 degrees.

BS

    

Much of the same, Fly Flatts

 

                                    1 of 4 Common Sandpipers

                                        Few breeding Curlew

                                    8 Oystercatcher over >SE

                                    Dunlin, Redshank.

                                Now 6 Dunlin and 10 Redshank present

                                Very poor year for Meadow Pipits

                                        2 Breeding pair of Pied Wagtails.

A breezy cold start to the morning with a NNW>4 at 7 degrees but clear blue skies and sunshine.

    An arrival of more Dunlin overnight with at least 6 counted and possibly more at the north end.

The usual Common Sandpipers were very mobile as well as the Redshanks whilst 8 Oystercatchers flew over high and >SE.

    A single LBB gull was on the north bank as well as 2 Black Headed gull but otherwise all the usual species. The fire brigade have now left the area, satisfied that there is no chance of it re-igniting.

   A part cloudy morning with chance of light rain on a light NE kicking off at 9 degrees.

BS