Leeshaw Reservoir

                             Single Shelduck present

                                            1 of 2 Herring gulls

                                           A very wet Kestrel

               Shelduck on distant north shore

                                        2 Herring  gulls, both pink legged.

   All pics distant in pouring rain.

1530 hrs and after a day of continuous heavy rain and low cloud I headed for Leeshaw Reservoir where, with a bit of careful positioning I can set my stall out under the part shelter of the cars tailgate.
The rain never eased throughout the hour I was there with a light >NE 3 and low scud clouds making it very dark and dismal.
                                    Birding was , as always at Leeshaw, very active mostly with the usual species, the star prize being a white duck hiding in the grass on the north shore turning out to be a Shelduck.
Two Herring gulls were present , both getting a check for the returning Yellow Legged, but a bit early in the season as yet.
                               Three Skylark were unusual for this location found amongst a group of around 30 Mipits moving around the fields whilst several Snipe were up drumming along with noisy Lapwings and Curlews.
An ideal day for Osprey but that never happened and the only raptor present was a single Kestrel whilst several Swallows fed low over the water.
                             The Golden Plover flock at Upper Marsh is up to around 200 but will be dispersing any day now.

1 Shelduck
3 Redshank
5 Oystercatchers
4 Snipe
3 Skylark
1f Wheatear
2 Herring gulls
2 Cormorant, one in full breeding regatta
c 30 Meadow Pipits
1 Kestrel
+ usual sp.
BS