A late start today arriving at Fly Flatts at 1545 hrs with 50 % cloud cover and sunshine on a W>3
at 12 mph dropping to dead calm and 0 % cloud cover by 1645 hrs.
A walk the length of the west bank provided 5 Common Sandpipers, 3 Redshank and 8 distant Wheatears, some on the moor and others on the Robin rock.
Two male Reed Bunting were near the seed along with around 30 Mipits whilst the water held 2 Greylag, several Canadas and 6 drake Mallard.
A 30 minute sky watch from the NW corner found around 30 Herring gulls and 8 LBB gulls all >W whilst raptors started coming from the west all heading >NNE disappearing into the distance towards Whetstone Gate. A count of 7 Buzzards was pleasing, 4 very high and direct with 3 lower and soaring as they went. The 3 lower birds were in partial moult with either wing or tail feathers missing. Three Sparrowhawks came over separately very high and gliding on the same track as the Buzzards as well as 1 Kestrel with 2 local Kestrels hovering over the Nab.
So once again Westerlies saved the day at Fly Flatts although still no Swift or hirundines over the water though Swallows are back at their breeding site on Balkram Edge.
BS