A forecast today of calm and dry but everywhere I went it was wet and windy with heavy horizontal drizzle and a moderate W>5 with very dark clouds.
The weather took its toll on Leeshaw keeping it quiet with several Greylags missing today including the 6 whites and the Pink Footed. They seemed settled feeding in the big field but as I was tackling up I could hear them getting noisier but I was too far away to get back in time for the big blast off which is a sight worth seeing and hearing.
The water held 5 Canada geese and 2 pair of Goosander as well as 27 Mallard whilst several small gulls were in the fields including 18 Herring gull, all squat down facing the wind. Just a flash past for the Kingfisher today as it headed down the conduit.
Late afternoon and a bracing walk over Thornton Moor with once again heavy drizzle showers in the face as I neared the top of the moor. A nice walk but spoilt by the weather.
Big gulls were piling over towards the reservoir roost with Herring gulls outnumbering Lesser Black Backed whilst 2 Great Black Backed stood out in the crowd.
A single Snipe flushed and 2 Reed Buntings were in a marshy area with 8 Golden Plover and around 40 Lapwings nearby. Very poor sightings of Short Eared Owl this autumn over the tops.
Raggalds Flood held around 30 Lapwings, 4 Mallard and several small gulls as I passed at midday though the water is rapidly receding .
The Foxhill Park winter Common gull flock is now up to 42 early morn.
Only 2 weeks now to the shortest day and counting.
Unless the forecasters have got it wrong we now face a full week of strong winds and rain !
BS