And how the wind blew, gale force WSW>8 gusting strong gale 9 with some cloud but mostly sunshine at 7 degrees. The water was very rough with a deep swell and white horses with spray from the breaking waves obscuring the view at times. Probably one of the strongest winds that I've been birding in with me and the dogs nearly having our legs blown from under us. By 0930 hrs the wind subsided slightly to WSW>6 gusting 7.
Having said that, a good birding morning with all the birds stirred up and active with others anchored down under the banking. A sight I've never experienced was 3 Cormorant flying low into the wind above the dam wall when a strong gust blew one of them backwards and it ended up crash landing in the middle of the track. It sat a while looking dazed but then checked its wings with a few flaps before settling down in the grass at the track side. As the wind started to subside it took off and continued its journey.
During one of the strongest blasts of wind a Ringed Plover flew in low over the dam wall and dropped down onto the south bank and out of sight, not to be seen again.
At least 5 Redshank were present whilst 21 Oystercatchers were in the big goose field along with 7 Curlew and the usual Lapwings.
Very few gulls moving with 8 Herring, 4 LBB, 1 Black Headed and 4 Common, all moving low over the water and west into the wind.
Despite the wind, a good and exciting mornings birding, the Ringed Plover being a scarcity at this site.
Just the opposite for morning with a very light WSW turning SE and cloudy sunshine, kicking off at 6 degrees.
BS