Brass Monkey weather at Fly Flatts.

Yet another visit to Fly Flatts battling with the strong wind with a NNE> 5 and temperature of
5 degrees but colder with the wind chill factor. Skies were bright with some cloudy sunshine and visibility good .
                       Once again the strong wind killed the job dead with very little to report, this is becoming a habit, but stick with me , I,ll find some birds yet.
                          The water was rough with white horses lashing the south shore with just the usual Mallards spread between the water and the east shore but no sign of the Goldies today.
A steady flow of gulls >NE into the wind comprised of mainly Black Headed with 12 LBBs and 4 Herring whilst 2 Raven were over the Nab.
                                                                  A last scan before knocking off  found a large flock of around 100 bounce back Fieldfare heading >NE but way out over the western ridge fighting against the wind keeping low just above the sky line.
A good check along the west bank failed to produce Ring Ouzel.
                                                                  At least someone near to home found some birds today with firstly a text from Angela from the Angela and Gary team reporting a Brambling on a Rowen tree by, or in , her garden. Then a text from my PFG spy at Shelf  Moor, Peter Turner, reporting a large skein of Pinkies heading east out of the area. This was at 1225 hrs coinciding with a report from SB reporting c 800 Pinkies >SE over Todmorden at 1145 hrs so could be the same , or part of, the same skein.
Lastly a report from DB with a Red Kite and Buzzard over the Queensbury end of Swalesmoor at around 1515 hrs so at least its told me that there are birds around the  Queensbury area, its just me thats now getting them.
                                   Clocks back tonight so a bit more daylight in the morning but my tea time visits will soon be getting shorter, either way, I bet the winds still blowing.
BS

Bright and breezy, Fly Flatts

                                        17 Golden Plover present but very mobile

                                    Noisy Raven over the quarry.

     Goldies back on the distant east shore.

                                       Only gull present, single Black Headed.

1500 hrs at Fly Flatts and the wind blowing at 28.5 m.p.h. NW>6 making it a struggle to even open the car door to get out. Fortunately it eased down to NW>4 with a mix of cloud and sunshine.
                                                                 Just a year to the day that I found a pair of Ring Ouzel down by the feeding station but no such luck today with just a few blogging Mipits below the bank and a very mobile Stonechat in the same area as yesterday.
                                                                 A flock of 17 Golden Plover were uneasy in the wind and kept flying a circuit of the water before returning to the east shore where 44 Mallard were spread along the waters edge. A noisy cronking Raven was over the quarry briefly before dropping down below the Nab.
                        The same sort of weather for tomorrow but once again the dreaded wind thats suppose to get up to near gale force blowing from the North by midday, great !!!
BS

Fogged off at Fly Flatts.

  Herring gulls passing through >SW

                                       Distant Stonechat through the murk.

Hopes of a better day at Fly Flatts were soon dashed late afternoon to find heavy drizzle and mist rolling over the moor from the west on a light W>4. The cloud base never rose above the turbines and wave after wave of  scud clouds piled across the water interrupting visibility for 10 to 15 minutes each time .
                 A walk to the NW corner of the west bank produced nothing with empty shorelines and water, not even a Mallard in sight.
Back at the south shore Herring gulls were coming through low >SW with a count of 16 singles.
              The only other birds seen were 2 Kestrel over the quarry and a single Stonechat as I drove back up the track but this soon disappeared into the mist.
Back to a strong NW tomorrow and dip in temperature, see if that works.
BS

More gales for Fly Flatts.

                     As good as it got. 1 distant Buzzard carrying vole.

Another wind torn visit to Fly Flatts late afternoon with the wind slightly lower than yesterday but still blowing W>6 at 28 m.p.h. making a walk along the west bank viable but very hard scanning or even holding the bins still.
                                         Only 50 % cloud cover today with plenty blue sky and sunshine though icy cold which didnt seem to please the birds much with empty skies throughout other than one buzzard carrying a vole back for tea whilst 3 Kestrels were up over the nab and quarry.
                                         A small wader flew low over the west banking and disappeared over the NE corner not to be seen again. Too distant and fast to i.d. but possibly Dunlin as the usual Dunlin was not to be found. Otherwise it was down to 36 Mallard and a few Red Grouse.
                                      Tomorrow promises light westerlies and cloudy so hopefully I,ll be able to get out of this rut.
BS

Gull weather at Fly Flatts

                          Herring gulls through in good numbers.

                                               All >SW

Arrived at Fly Flatts just in time to see DJS driving off after watching from the top road.
It was one of those days when you get out of the car and want to get back in it as the wind and drizzle hits your face, but he who dares, so on with mine and the dogs coats and away we went towards the west bank.
                The sky was dark grey with lower scud clouds bringing drizzle over the moor from the west on a strong W>7 near gale making it unwise to walk far along the west bank with the wind up to a speed of 32 m.p.h.
                            A scope scan from the shelter of below the banking found the long staying Dunlin still present way across on the east banking but otherwise nothing either on the water or shoreline.
                             A walk along the east side through the boat yard in shelter of the club house planning on an early finish soon changed when a Buzzard flew low over the water disappearing over the west bank which boosted moral . This was followed by 2 Carrion Crows over and 2 distant Raven above the Nab.
                       Back at the car on the south shore the team settled down in the back after a few treats and I got set up behind the shelter of the tailgate for a sky scanning session.
It wasnt long before I started to pick birds out , some low down and others just showing in the cloud base which was now below the wind turbines.
                      Another 2 Buzzard were up together over the Nab along with 3 Kestrel whilst 2 Fieldfare flew over the quarry top >SE.
Big gulls started to come through all SW with 3 Lesser Black Backed followed by a steady flow of Herring gulls in twos and threes with a count of 37 after a 30 minute watch and probably several missed up in the cloud.
                        A lucky glace in the opposite direction just in time to see 4 Teal heading my way over the flat moor looking like they were heading for the water but as they got out in the open and the wind hit them they did a quick u turn and headed back towards Cold Edge. Unfortunately it was way too dark for photos so only managed a few record shots of the Herrings up in the brighter sky .
                 What was going to be a cut short session in the conditions ended up as an extended 2 hour interesting watch in bad weather which seemed to suit the birds.
                                                  A check on Mixenden reservoir and Cold Edge Dams on the way past failed to find the 2 loose Whooper Swans reported to me by HC this morning as they flew past the Oxenhope watch point and low over Soil hill as if to land at Mixenden or Ogden. DJS also checked Mixenden earlier, and none of my dog walker spies from Ogden called me so they possible flew through or landed briefly before moving on again.
Strong winds for the rest of the week apparently so the job could go either way but I,ll be out there watching those skies.
BS

Fly Flatts p.m.

Vis mig was poor over Queensbury this morning with just low numbers of Woodpigeons >S plus a few Chaffinch/ Brambling flocks >W looking like another vis mig season is getting near the end with probably a couple of weeks left as it winds down other than Swans, Geese and ducks which will continue moving.
                           Fly Flatts was yet again spoilt with the strong wind blowing WNW>5 at 24 mph and a forecast of near gale force westerlies over the next few days.
Once again an empty camera with just 32 Mallard on the east shore, 3 LBB gulls over >SW and a single Canada goose on the water. Raptor wise, 3 Kestrels were over the Nab whilst 2 Buzzard were high over Tatie Pie Hill.
                                This time last year at Fly Flatts I was watching Great White Egret, Caspian gull and Ring Ouzel within a few days of one another so theres still hope yet.
                                 Luckily I have,nt missed any important shots whilst my Canon 7d Mk 2 is away for repair but its been away 6 weeks now so come Wednesday I,ll be heading for Janet Greens, all guns blazing.
Good to bump into DJS and Jen up at the Withens on Black Redstart watch as the peak time approaches although an early sighting was recorded a few weeks back at Ringstone Reservoir. Late October, early November is the best time for Black Redstart sightings.
BS

Back to a clear Fly Flatts pm.

With a full afternoon of thick fog up here in the gods I set off late afternoon wondering where to go but looking across towards the west the fog was clearing with a band of clear sky showing over Fly Flatts.
On arrival the visibility was good with just a few low scud clouds moving across and blue sky above. The wind was a cold NW>5.
                                           The weather was good but the birding was poor with no sign of the Wheatear or Dunlin , the only passerines being a few blogging Mipits.
The shoreline held 28 Mallard and 3 LBB gulls with another 3 LBBs over >NW along with 5 Herrings and 9 Black Headeds.
                                              A quick check on Cold Edge Dams found 98 Canadas and 11 Greylag, the Pink Footed goose reported there is the now domesticated hybrid with orange legs. This bird dropped in 4 years ago and now lives happily with the other domestic geese.
BS

A Sunday morning wasted.

0715 hrs and off to Fly Flatts with high hopes of visible migration only to see low cloud base over the tops. I had thoughts of aborting but with a red ball sunrise to the east and brightening skies I continued on only to find Fly Flatts in dense fog and getting thicker by the minute. A walk half way along the reservoir for the dogs sake but without even being able to see the water so by 0830 it was up stumps and away.
                                 A reluctant call at Ogden on the way back, which was below the cloud base , just found the usual gulls on the water with 12 LBBs and around 40 small gulls.
I was going to check passerine alley and pick up a Yellow Browed Warbler !!! but by now the place was looking like Blackpool front on a wakes weekend with cars piling in so I decided it was time to get out of there.
                        I,ve had a good week of vis mig whilst at work and nothing on my morning off, luckily its back to work tomorrow.
BS

Queensbury Vis Mig a.m. Fly Flatts p.m.

                           A late Wheatear, west banking

                                         then upon the track.

 Ducks taking refuge in the channel away from a windsurfer.

                                        Dunlin way across on the peninsular

 Uncommon for Fly Flatts , Common Gull

Another hectic vis mig over Queensbury from first light with Woodpigeons coming over in the red sunrise before full daylight followed by a small number of Redwings.
Starlings were piling over in small squadrons all >NW whilst Fieldfares were the big numbers of the day coming over >S in moderate flocks but frequent and mostly low.
                                                     Finches were coming over in decent numbers also mostly low >SW and >W with Chaffinch, Greenfinch , at least 4 Brambling , 5 Siskin and a Lark species, probably Sky though late in the season but one that I,ll never know.
                                                        Lots of higher finches were not identified through being at work and no bins. By 0950 hrs all was quiet in a now clear blue sky.
                                                          Late afternoon at Fly Flatts with 60 % cloud cover on a WSW>5 and hazy visibility to the west. The east shoreline was quiet today with a windsurfer near to that banking trying to find deep water although I picked out the Dunlin on the peninsular but at great distance.
              A walk on the west bank found 23 Mallard in a channel on the northern end and the surprise sighting of a late Wheatear by the water then moving onto the top of the west banking. My latest record by 3 days of this species although DJS has the record with finding a November bird a few years back.
                 Back at the south end a pale mantled gull flew low over the water towards the north end making me think of Herring or better still Caspian but in the end I had to be content with Common gull though nothing like common at Fly Flatts. Two Raven, 3 Red Grouse and 2 Kestrel rounded up the watch.
BS

Back to a force 5 at Fly Flatts but still the waders show.

          Fly Flatts has excelled this year with waders.  Dunlin

                                             Grub up.

 Why they dont like their back to the wind, ruffled feathers causing wear.

 Sun in wrong direction causing shadows

A continuation of Woodpigeon movement this morning with again hundreds over the garage all >S whilst good numbers of Starling moved their usual migration direction of >NW. The show ended around 0945 hrs with just straggler Woodpigeons after that until midday.
                                                       1500 hrs at Fly Flatts with conditions one extreme to the other since yesterday from E>3 yesterday to W>5 gusting 6 today with 60 % cloud cover.
                                                        The watch started well with firstly a Ringed Plover flushed from the south shore which headed fast and low across the water towards the peninsular area but not to be relocated. Next off was 2 Fieldfare moving around the Robin rock which silhouetted by the sun had me going for Ring Ouzel until they flew low down the valley towards Dean Head.
                                                                 A walk along the west banking was unworkable in the strong wind but a scope from squat down below the banking failed to provide anything other than 28 Mallard and 5 blogging Mipits with no Golden Plover present and no sign of yesterdays Pintail or DJSs Wigeon from earlier in the day.
                                                    Back at the car on the south bank and an empty camera and notebook so as a last resort I went through the boatyard and along the east bank cobbles where I picked up yesterdays Dunlin in the distance. When within a decent distance I set up for a bit of a photographic session but now the sun was opposite me throwing shadows on the bird and the wind was also coming from opposite me making the bird face the wind with its back to me. Luckily the Dunlin was busy feeding so I had to keep snapping it as it turned towards me occasionally to probe in the waters edge.
Pleased that the Dunlin saved the day we could now go home and get some tea.
BS

Woodpigeons on the move a.m. Fly Flatts buzzing late afternoon.

            Woodpigeons piling over Queensbury a.m.

        Fly Flatts, Golden Plovers on the NE shore

 Odd looking Dunlin but just due to plumage change.

 Very distant poor pics with heat shimmer off the water.

Another big move day with Woodpigeons away at first light urged on by the frosty low temperatures with hundreds piling over the garage all >S.By 0930 hrs the temperature rose and the move died down though stragglers were still coming over up to midday.
                                                     No winter thrushes over this morning but again several reports of Pink Footed Geese but unfortunately all skirting around the village, hence no sightings.
                                                      Terrible conditions at Fly Flatts late afternoon with wall to wall sunshine and cloudless blue skies on a very light E>2. The reservoir was sheltered from any wind ,this being blocked by the Nab and east ridge ,so the water was still, like mirror glass, reflecting the sun so it was hard to tell where the water ended and the shore started making scanning very difficult.
Even with the temperature down at 11 degrees there was heat shimmer over the water stopping any chance of distant photographs other than a few record shots.
                                                          Despite all this the water and shoreline was heaving with bird life but the sky remained empty. A record count of 78 Mallard was present scattered along the east bank along with 5 Canadas, 8 Black Headed gulls and 3 Lesser Black Backed. The Goldie flock was over in the NE corner along the mud banking but down to a count of 15.
                                                              Whilst scoping through the Mallards I picked up a small wader which threw me for a while, making it worse not to be able to get any clear shots, plus I could,nt get a bill size or shape with the black back ground but I eventually put it down to a Dunlin changing to winter plumage.
                          Walking back along the west bank a bright coloured duck was on its own right at the back of the east bank with its head tucked in refusing to move. A look through the scope found it to be a drake Pintail but out of range for photos in the conditions, the ones I took were unfit for human consumption , so a dash right around the reservoir to the east side to try get it at a better angle and less distant but as I was going through the boat compound the whole shebang of Mallards lifted up and landed on the water at the NW end due to an off the lead dog and its owner going down the northern path.
                      A scan on the banking found the Dunlin still present ,but further north, and the Pintail gone, either away, or on the water with the mass of Mallard which were impossible to scan with the sun throwing them all into silhouette . I,ll try again tomorrow and hopefully it will be cloudy although the forecast says not.
BS