Ogden – Fly Flatts circular

13:00 – 17:00

3 weeks since the walking boots had an outing so a trip to Fly Flatts from Ogden was the order of the day. First time I’ve done this walk and it was further than I expected.

An interesting day as days go. The weather, unfortunately, did not pay enough attention to the weather forecast and it was very breezy with drizzle most of the time.

A quick scan of Ogden water on the way to the old Withens pub revealed 2 LBBG and plenty of BHG.

Of the 23 windmills 7 were out of action – funny though on the photo non of them are moving. A poor do for the Greens.

On the way past the golf course and beyond Withens, I had just Meadow Pipits for company.

Things began to look up with the appearance of a solitary Lapwing on the wall opposite the turbines.(It was in the exact same place, 1 hour later, on my way back).

A  Kestrel passed by with a couple of Swift.

Then a first for me a very fast small dark falcon flew very close in hot pursuit of a small bird possibly a swallow. I’m not great with falcons but I’m pretty sure this was a Merlin.

A few Greylag were seen on the Res., in the far distance, from the road.

Another bonus as I headed up the footpath to the Res. a couple of Wheatear on the wall.

I sheltered a while out of the drizzle before going to the res. here there were 38 Canadas and a Common Sandpiper.

In the heather a Red Grouse was heard calling.

Leaving the water for the return journey, another first for me (I’m fairly sure ) a  Whinchat on the wall. Also a juv. meadow pipit. hiding in the grass.

Heading back to Ogden 10 swift > NW also in the Ogden woodland Goldfinch, Wren and a GSW at the north end.

On the water many BHG with just a couple of Common Gulls as far as I could make out.

(I was a tad disappointed that I had to come back the same way as I went – next time I’ll take the OS map).

It’s amazing what a new species does to your morale when the weather is crap.

Whinchat ? – No Stonechat  cheers Bri.

Is this a juv. Whinchat?  Oops Stonechat

Meadow pipit keeping out of the wind.