With the festive fog still stuck solid over the tops I thought I,d try for my hat trick dip on Redcar Tarns Caspian gull with I achieved with no effort.
A better morning up there with decent, if not dark. visibility on a light SE>3 and rain near the end of the watch.
Not a single gull present at first light but then suddenly appearing from nowhere on the water ending up with around 20 Herrings, 4 LBBs and over 100 Common and Black Headed but again, no sign of the Caspian which has either moved on or somewhere around the fields.
Two large groups of Lapwing were giving some spectacular aerial displays over the water whilst the Tufted duck count was up at 33. At least 3 Brambling were in with the Chaffinch flock in Alders by the water along with a small group of 5 Siskin.
Good to meet up with 4 Bradford birders up there also looking for my target bird and they put me on to a flock of around 20 Brambling in Alders less than 1/4 of a mile away but dark clouds and a heavy rain shower prevented me getting any pics as I tracked them down on my way home.
A good mornings birding up there despite another dip which I,m well used to by now.
On my way back, a field on the left of the large sweeping bend above where Sugden Tip used to be held around 300 big gulls shoulder to shoulder but no time to stop and scope through them but another day maybe.
A few years ago whilst working at the garage I used to mend the local undertakers hearse and limos which was just next door to the garage. One day she shouted me round to show me a coffin for an unknown, to me birder, all artistically painted up with birds which looked amazing, mine,s going to have Caspian gulls on it!
Late afternoon and still fog on the tops so over to a dark but clear Leeshaw with just a smattering of drizzle in the air on a light SE>3.
Most gulls had already left for the roost with just around 50 small gulls left and ready for leaving whilst a couple of 1st year Herrings went over >W. A single Cormorant was on the water along with 8 male and 2 female Goosanders, all of which soon headed off to roost along with the Cormorant.
As I was tackling up a single duck appeared way over at the west end of the water getting alarm bells ringing so it was back out with the scope and tripod but as it got nearer in the fading light it turned out to be a female Teal which was good but not as good as I was hoping for.
Looking out of the window tonight the fog has cleared and the wind is set to change to SW so who knows, I may even get to have a dabble at Fly Flatts tomorrow???
BS