Another windy morning with a moderate to strong W>4 gusting 5 and light drizzle showers at Fly Flatts
with near full dark cloud causing silhouetting at 12 degrees.
The highlight of the morning was seeing a juvenile Peregrine low over the water and scattering a family of Carrion Crows with 2 adults and 3 juvs. The Pere locked onto one of the juvs getting very near to taking it out of the sky when the Crow landed on the west bank, either in desperation or knowing it would be safer on the deck.
The Peregrine stooped down towards the Crow with talons outstretched but suddenly back peddled and landed right at the side of the Crow. The 2 birds just stood there like they were thinking " what do we do now" and every time the Crow tried to take off the Pere did the same.
Finally the adult Crow made the decider and saw off the Peregrine. Looks like that juv Pere has a lot to learn as yet.
Otherwise, 3 Common Sandpipers and at least 1 juv were the only waders, with 38 LBB, 14 Black Headed and 2 Herring gulls on the north shore. Just the usual geese on the water along with the Tufted duck family.
Alive with small passerines with Goldfinch, Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails, mainly juvs, plus 6 Reed Bunting and a surprise Willow Warbler in the lagoon tree, whilst Swallows and Swifts were over the water.
A nice find for NK with a drake Common Scoter on the water at Ogden which is doing about as good as anywhere for Scoters this summer. A call at 1530 hrs from a dog walker at Ogden telling me the Scoter was still present.
Very sad news just been announced of the death of Bill Oddie, a great birder and conservationist.
A dry day expected for tomorrow and slightly warmer starting off at 16 degrees on a light to moderate SW but showing early morning hill fog.
BS