A new wave of Dunlin in with at least 6 present around the shore along with 5 Common Sandpiper and 12 Redshank and 3 Oystercatchers.
A small group of 2 Herring and 2 LBB gulls were on the north bank on chick watch whilst 2 Wheatear were very flighty. Nothing skyward other than a few Swallows and still awaiting a second wave of Swifts.
On my way home there was smoke just starting to rise from the top end of Ovenden Moor above Ogden. I stopped to check that this had been reported, which it had, and as I got to Illingworth, fire crews were coming from all directions.
Driving over the top of Perseverance Road it was surprising to see a ploughed field full of gulls with around 40 LBB and 10 Herring. I was strapped for time so early afternoon I shot back up there to check them out. They were very hard to see and photograph as they were against sun angle but I could find nothing special among them and all the Herrings had pink legs. Yellow Legged peak time is getting near now with July being the best months for sightings in this area.
A bit further on the road to Ned Hill top it was apparent how serious the Ogden fire was, now spread on both sides of the deep valley and moving down the valley towards the plantation. The bulk of the firefighters were concentrating near the turbine where the fire was getting dangerously close to the first turbine.
There is going to be a lot of chicks and nests lost by the time this fire is controlled and extinguished. Hopefully they will be able to get access to the helicopter which was used last time scooping buckets of water from the reservoir.
Another hot sticky day tomorrow with cloudy sunshine on a light NE starting off at 10 degrees.
BS