A pleasant morning at Fly Flatts with a light SSW 2 and full sun clouding by 0945 hrs. The temp was up to 12 degrees playing havoc with the heat shimmer.
A walk the full length of the west bank this morning, with the wind finally dropped, which proved worthwhile. As I got part way on a wader flew in high from the SW which I first suspected Redshank, but as it got nearer, doubt set in with a wrong flight pattern. I kept it in the bins so as not to lose it and as it landed there was no wing lifting that Redshank do.
With the scope up on its legs I immediately picked it out as a Greenshank but way across on the north shore. A few record shots, not expecting to get anything, then carried on the west bank to try get something near in range. Next time I stopped and scoped it was gone, and after a good while scoping the full reservoir shoreline I had to admit it was gone. This was possibly the Manchester Audenshaw reservoir bird which has now left their area so possibly dropped over the hill to my area, as birds seldom do and visa versa.
There are 2 pairs of Oystercatchers with 2 chicks each now and still a Dunlin which I believe its mate is breeding on the moor. Otherwise, 4 Common Sandpiper, 3 Redshank and 3 Curlew, wader wise.
A poor year for Snipe with just a single pair present that I know of whereas at least 6 pair were always present a few years ago, and the same story at Leeshaw.
At least 8 newly fledged Pied Wagtails are dotting around the south shore as well as 2 pair of adults whilst the white Greylags are taking over with 2 families doing well.
A mixed bag of sunshine , cloud and possible showers tomorrow with a moderate SSE strengthening late morning.
BS