Let the wind blow, West is best. Fly Flatts (permit only)

 

                                    Ringed Plover on some newly exposed shore.

                                            On lookout

                                  Dunlin and Common Sandpiper in the lagoon

                                          A pair of noisy Oystercatcher

                                         Dunlin in the lagoon

                                       1 of 5 Dunlin.  

                                         Playing in the foam.

A good start to the morning with full cloud cover and a moderate W>4 at 10 degrees but feeling much colder in the wind. No waterproofs required today but a top coat on to walk the west bank. 

The afternoon was bright and sunny at 16 degrees with the wind strengthened to W>5 causing white horses over the water and junior sailing instruction afternoon abandoned.

After sweeping the floating jetty this morning I came off with rubber legs with the jetty rocking about on the waves.

                    Another pleasing day, thanks to the moderate west wind, and again, very noisy and lively waders busy feeding around the fringes of the water. Another 4 Dunlin in today plus the long stayer that I suspect to be breeding across on the moor. 

                     A pair of Oystercatchers were in the compound and acting very excitedly with my presence both flying around overhead always landing back in the same area telling me they had chicks present in the long grass. By this afternoon they had moved out of the compound into a nearby field.

                   LBB gulls were moving over >SW, again all sub adults, along with 2 adults on the water whilst Swifts were in good numbers over the water moving in no definite direction.

                   A good video text from MC last night of his trip to twitch the River Warbler found at

Ham Wall RSPB, Somerset & Bristol. Don,t think we,re likely to get many of those around this area.

Fly Flatts

3 Oyks + possible young

5 Dunlin

2 Ringed Plover

7 Common Sandpiper

2 Snipe

1 Redshank

31 LBB...............>SW

2 LBB on water a.m.

3 Kestrel

sev Swifts

+ usual sp.

NOTE. If you go on the Bradford Birders group blog the Leeshaw report for 10th June was from myself and not Brian Vickers as put on by the editor. Also they have put there were 3 chicks whereas there was 2.

BS.

Fly Flatts back to normal, for today anyway.

                                                     Ringed Plover

                                                  1 of 4 Dunlin

                                          Rough waters p.m.

                                               1 of 5 Common Sandpiper

                                                Ringed Plover

                                         Ringed Plover appearing out of the morning mist

                    Curlews starting to move >W, 1 of 3 movers

Early morning mist, low cloud base and low scud clouds with heavy horizontal drizzle on a moderate 

SW>4. Perfect for Fly Flatts. By late afternoon the cloud had cleared with the wind increased and turned to W>5 at 24 m.p.h. with white horses on the water.

                                             You always know that the weather is right for Fly Flatts when you have to don on full waterproofs ,as I did this morning. This break from the stagnant sunny weather boosted the area back to life with an active watch both early morn and late afternoon.

                                               Nothing unusual showing but good to see and hear the waders actively flying around from one bank to the other with their piping calls.

Even the gulls seemed happier with several over >SW and 4 on the water a.m. and p.m.

                                           A small group of 3 early moving Curlews, probably non breeders, dropped in from the east onto the SW corner briefly before heading off high and >W, whilst 4 Dunlin were new in but distant and opposite to sun angle in the lagoon so photos were very iffy.

                                          Unfortunately the sun looks like making a return visit tomorrow but today was enjoyable while it lasted.

Fly Flatts

2 Ringed Plover

4 Dunlin

5 Common Sandpiper

2 Redshank

1 Oyk

4 Golden Plover

3 Curlews...............>W + several breeders

7 Linnet

3 Reed Bunting

4 LBB gull on water

13 LBB gull...>SW

+ usual sp.

BS

 

A better morning at Leeshaw and Fly Flatts is an a mega lull.

 

     LEESHAW                       A better morning for LBB gulls

                                                  Mainly adults today. Probably non breeders    

                                        Oystercatcher with 2 chicks

                                                  1 of 2 Little Owl

                                                  Several Lapwing chicks

                       LBB pulled a Brown Trout out of the water

                                     At least it took its mind off the Oyk chicks

                                               2 Oyk chicks

FLY FLATTS                          LBBs >SW

A much fresher morning at Leeshaw with full cloud cover on a brisk SW>3 at 10 degrees. The sun threaten to appear briefly but it soon clouded over again leaving a good late afternoon at Fly Flatts with dark clouds and a moderate SW>4.

                                   Leeshaw was lively throughout the watch with another morning of LBB gulls coming through >W though none stopped on the water. A single LBB landed on the valve tower and kept flying over the 2 Oystercatcher chicks only to be seen off with one of the adults. The gull eventually landed on the banking and pulled a large Brown Trout out of the waters edge which made it forget about the chicks. Most of the gulls were adults.

                                 Plenty Swallows and Swifts moving through whilst House Martins are nesting under the eaves of the valve tower.

Cuckoos were calling with at least 3 present and 2 little Owls were in their usual spot.

                                  Perfect conditions in the afternoon at Fly Flatts but apart from low counts of the usual species it was mega quiet. I suppose I shouldnt complain with 2 Ringed Plovers resident there but when you,ve looked and photographed them every day, or twice a day, since the last day of February, they tend to get boring.

                                  I,m hoping for a better July onwards up there to make up for a record poor spring.

On the way out, as I unlocked the top gate, a group of 21 LBB gulls came over >SW as well as a few Swifts which just brightened the job up a bit. The gulls were all sub adults.

Leeshaw

1 Grey Wagtail

2 Little Owl

8 Oyks + 2 chicks

61 LBB gulls.......>W  mostly adults

1 LBB gull with Brown Trout

3 Cuckoo

1 Cormorant

sev Swallows, Swifts and House Martins

+ usual sp.

Fly Flatts

2 Ringed Plover

1 Common Sandpiper

21 LBB........>SW  mostly sub adults

several Swift..........>SW

+ usual sp.

BS