A windy start at Fly Flatts with full cloud on a SSW>4 at 10 degrees. Rain by 0845 hrs turning torrential by 0945 hrs.
A low expectancy visit to Fly Flatts was just that this morning with, as usual to this site, come September, the returning waders always seem to pass to the west of me at the western side of the ridge with not a wader of any description after a scope of the full circumference of the shore line.
Several Meadow Pipits on the shore and some ground hopping through but nothing on the scale that there should be at this time of year. Going back a few years when visible migration was at its best DCB,HC and myself would clock over 10,000 Meadow Pipits over our watchpoint on Windy Corner during a Sunday mornings watch plus a hoard of other species. Unfortunately the days of inland vis mig seem to be over, in this area at least.
Red Grouse were present this morning with 5 on the south shore, obviously scared off from a nearby shoot yesterday as Red Grouse are a rare sight up at Fly Flatts now when it used to be alive with them on the Flat Moor.
A charm of around 50 Goldfinch were moving around the thistle tops and regularly harassed buy 3 Kestrel Whilst a single Wheatear and 3 Stonechat were the only migrants found.
The water held just 2 remaining Canada geese as well as a single female Mallard with 12 LBB and 4 Black Headed gulls on the north shore. No movement in the sky.
A chance of early morning rain and mist tomorrow clearing mid morn on a moderate SW at 12 degrees. Cloudy sunshine pm with risk of showers late afternoon.
BS