Redcar Tarn , Keighley was bleak with SW>5 and heavy horizontal drizzle turning to rain. So much so that most of the gulls had left the water and were seeking shelter scattered around the surrounding fields.19 Tufted duck were on the water along with 3 Teal on the island plus the usual geese and Mallards, Coots and Moorhens.
Across the road in the cemetery site field there were several Herring, LBB, Common and BH gulls along with around 60 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatchers and several Meadow Pipits. MC checked the field about 1 hour after me and picked up a Dunlin.
With the cloud dropping and rain worsening I moved on down to the lower land at Silsden to check the flooded fields there where the river Aire had broken its banks in several places. Much of the area is inaccessible but scanning from one vantage point, viewing at distance I picked up :-
21 Curlew
19 Oystercatchers
4 Redshank
3 Cormorant
1 Mute Swan
8 Mallard
5 Canadas
1 Buzzard
Not bad for an area only 45 minutes away and in such bad conditions.
