Back to the top coat at Fly Flatts this morning with an icy cold SE >4 although the temperature was reading 6 degrees. Full cloud apart from a few short spells of sunshine breaking through.
With the cold wind back, the skies were empty, other than a few Lapwings struggling to keep the Crows away whilst 2 Raven were over the Nab. No new Waders in as yet with just the 2 Oystercatchers, and the Ringed Plover still on the missing list.
A scope of all the broken walls in the top fields failed to find an early Wheatear with just 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 Reed Bunting and several Mipits whilst 2 Lesser Black Backed gulls were on the water with the usual geese and Mallard.
As I set off driving back up the track from the boatyard a Snipe flushed from the dyke and straight across the front of the car. This is another species in decline at this site with very few sightings, whereas a few years ago they were a common sight.
An extended dog walk p.m. across the fields to the Old Guy Road cricket pitch to check for Linnet or Wheatear produced neither but grass cutting on the pitch did'nt help matters, although Linnets don't usually arrive back at this site or Fly Flatts until the end of the month, just after the Wheatears begin to arrive. A Wheatear was reported at Shelf Moor this afternoon, T.Mc.
A chance of rain tomorrow and early fog on a light SE wind but temperatures starting off at 9 degrees. Early morning visibility given as very poor.
BS