Fly Flatts.

 

                                    New in, Ringed Plover

                                    Peregrine causing problems

                                    1 of 6 Wheatear

A pleasant enough morning weather wise with full cloud on a cold NW>4 turning W>3 at 12 degrees.

      A new arrival today with an adult Ringed Plover moving around the south and east shore but no other waders other than a distant Snipe, a scarce bird this year at this location.

  A single juv Peregrine and 2 Kestrels were again being a problem along the north shore, the Peregrine just missing snatching a young Tufted off the water.

   At least 6 Wheatear were present along with 3 LBB and 2 Black Headed gulls whilst a single Stonechat was on a distant wire fence. Several Swallows were heading >S in migration mode.

   Another check for Black Redstart failed to turn one up though one is being seen at Blackstone Edge reservoir. Several Wheatear around Withins Head farm.

   A cloudy morn tomorrow with a moderate NW and chance of showers at 14 degrees.

BS

Lots of walking, little to see. Fly Flatts

 

Yesterdays forecast of a very light WNW>2 fell short with a moderate WNW>4 and full cloud after sun for the first 15 minutes before dark clouds took over but remained dry at 14 degrees.

    A real struggle this morning with a walk along the west bank and then along the east bank to the peninsular, and after a full scope 360 degrees around the shore, not a single wader to be found.

     This is understandable with 4 Kestrel and a Buzzard on the north shore, which only the 3 LBB and 2 Black Headed gulls did'nt seem to bother about.

    Back at the boatyard, 6 very flighty Wheatears were on the SE shore with 2 adults in autumn plumage whilst the rest were juvs. Another 4 adults were around the Withins Head farm as I was scanning for a Black Redstart which should be due anytime now.

     Otherwise, just a Raven and a second Buzzard up over the moor along with the usual small stuff around the compound and lagoon areas.

     Not looking bad for morning with a light westerly with cloudy sunshine at 14 degrees. A chance of rain after midday.

BS

Another surprise visitor to Fly Flatts,

 

                                   Little Egret , SW corner

                                        1 of 6 LBB gulls

                                Long staying f Tufted and 3 well grown young.

Another pleasing morning weather wise with full cloud on a light WSW>2-3 at 13 degrees;

      Fly Flatts is producing well lately with yet another surprise visitor this morning. I had just walked up to the SW corner to check the shore, ponds and islands along the south bank, finding  3 Common Sandpiper and 2 Wheatear then went back into the compound to scope the east and north bank.

    Looking back at the SW corner where I had just been, a Little Egret had appeared on the waters edge. After a few minutes it flew across to the north shore but was moved on by 2 juv Kestrel and left NE over the Nab.

   A walk on the west bank to the NW corner produced another Common Sandpiper and a single Dunlin as well as 4 Black Headed gulls but all way over on the NE shore. Otherwise, just 6 LBB gull and the female Tufted with her 3 young which will soon be fledging. Nothing in the sky this morning other that the usual Pied Wags, Goldfinch and Mipits, plus 2 Swifts headed >S.

Another morning of the same tomorrow with a very light WNW at 14 degrees and cloudy.

BS

Harrier and Wheatears, Fly Flatts

 

                                    2 Oystercatchers present

 At least 8 Wheatear                                                                      

                                    All in autumn plumage,

                                     Very distant Cream Crown Marsh Harrier >NW    

A cold dark and windy start to the morning but by 0815 hrs the wind has eased slightly to WNW>3 with broken cloud and some sunshine at 12 degrees with an odd rain shower.

     The first thing apparent was an overnight fall of  Wheatear with mainly adult but a couple of juvs present in autumn plumage all very mobile along the shoreline with at least 8 counted, probably more, with birds later scoped on the north shore though stuck at 8 with fear of double counting.

     The Kestrel family were making a nuisance of themselves on the north shore flushing 3 Common Sandpiper and 2 Dunlin but I would not have picked these waders up in the scope if they had not been flushed.

    A couple of Black Headed and 7 LBB gulls were on the north shore And as I was scoping these I saw a Kestrel and LBB gull mobbing, what I thought was a Buzzard, very high and beyond the Nab. A look through the bins set alarm bells ringing and when I picked it up in the scope it was plain dark brown underside and pale head, Cream Crown Marsh Harrier. It was moving away from me in a NW direction and very soon disappeared into the cloud heading into Lancashire.

    Looking cloudy with showers for tomorrow on a very light WNW at 12 degrees.

BS

Dark, wet and windy, Fly Flatts.

 

                                        1 of 3 Wheatear

                                    SE corner

                                    Along the south shore

                                    The causeways

Poor conditions this morning, after an early bright start, with full dark clouds on a cold 11 degrees WNW>3 and light showers. Heavy rain by 0945 hrs.

    A struggling morning trying to turn something up with 4 Kestrels moving around the shorelines spooking the birds. Common Sandpipers were up to 4 now but very distant and mobile avoiding the Kestrels whilst 2 juv Wheatear were present as well as 1 adult in autumn plumage.

    A  juv Peregrine skimmed over the Flat Moor making a half  hearted attempt at a Mipit and a single Raven was over the quarry.

   The female Tufted is still on the water with the 3 young, which look ready for fledging anytime now, whilst 9 LBB and a Black Headed gull were on the north shore unphased by the Kestrels presence.

    Otherwise, just the usual small passerines along with a few Linnets around the compound area.

A brighter day tomorrow with cloudy sunshine on a moderate WNW  increasing by midday with a starting temp of 13 degrees. 

BS

    

Another day, another dabble at Fly Flatts.

 

                                2 LBBs stood in shallow water.

                                    Arrival of 3 Common Sandpiper

A very dark start to the morning with full dark cloud cover and everything in silhouette but brightened by 0845 hrs leaving cloudy sunshine on a light W>2 at 15 degrees.

     A poor start off with a very quiet walk to the end of the west bank with the only thing of note being a single Buzzard on a distant fence post, 2 Black Headed gulls and 2 LBB gulls, the latter being well out from the east bank but standing in shallow water, showing how low the water is now.

     A Dunlin flew across the NE corner  giving off its familiar buzzing call , whilst 2 Oystercatchers were on the far bank. Otherwise just the usual Kestrels and small passerines plus Swallows >S.

    The morning was like the womens football, boring with nothing happening until the last 10 minutes before it livened up. As I was ready for tackling up, 3 Common Sandpipers dropped in from the SE and landed on an island off the south shore. Shortly after, another 2 flew in but continued across the water to the north end.

    A cloudy morning tomorrow with chance of rain on a moderate WNW at 14 degrees.

BS