A free early afternoon today so arrived at Redcar Tarn at 1330 hrs to heavy rain and a cool E>4 throughout. Quiet on gulls to start with but by the time I,d walked round the water , looking as if I,d walked through it, more gulls were arriving. Nothing unusual today with all LBBs and BHGs whilst the water held the usual Tufted, Coot and Moorhen etc.
Several House Martins, Swallows and Swifts were over the water whilst a single Oystercatcher was in an adjoining field.
On then to Ogden to check the gulls there after DJSs report this morning of a Yellow Legged Herring gull there.
A second reet good dousing here as me and the dogs walked the perimeter of the water checking the water and shoreline in heavy rain. Just 3 Black Headeds on the east side but I could see a group of big gulls on the west side with a Herring gull standing out amongst the LBBs. By the time I got round there just the BHGs were left on the shore with the big gulls flying around over the water. There were 8 LBBs and 1 Herring gull, ( argentatus ) disappointingly , all of which headed off towards Oxenhope.
A Common Sandpiper was on the west shoreline which looked very fluffy underneath and made me think of a possible juv as 2 Common Sandpipers have been at this location since 18/04 this year. A Black Tern would have been nice to finish the session with so many still around but they seem reluctant to move any further west than Fairburn Ings.
BS