Excuse poor quality photos in the conditions.
With mist on the tops, a howling SW>6 and heavy rain I headed for Leeshaw where conditions were clear and less windy but heavy rain throughout with real dark skies.
In the conditions I took a change of rig using my Canon 7d Mk1 with a Canon IS L 300mm which is easier to keep under my waterproofs but limited for distance shots which they all were this morning. The 1.4 x and 2 x converters I have don,t auto focus with the Mk1
camera at an aperture of 8 which I forgot about when I took them with me.
Always plenty to see at Leeshaw with 11 Oystercatchers present but no Redshank as yet. Herring gulls were moving through , some settling on the water briefly before moving off >SW whilst 6 Teal appeared from nowhere then after a few quick shots they disappeared as quick whilst I was resetting the camera.
Masses of Starlings were grouping in the fields, probably continentals getting ready to move. I estimated around 300.
c 300 Starling
11 Oystercatchers
2m 4f Teal
14 Greylag
c50 Canadas
4 Curlew with more calling
c 20 Meadow Pipits
+ usual sp.