Dense fog on the tops this morning with Fly Flatts blanked from the face of the earth throughout the day.
Leeshaw was just on the cloud base at 6 degrees on a W>4 but cleared mid watch with some blue sky. By late afternoon it was dull and drizzly with the mist closing in.
A couple of signs of spring today with an early Oystercatcher over in the mist. I could hear the call but struggled to find the bird until it flew briefly through a clear patch heading >NW. The other sign was a Lapwing calling and holding territory in the field opposite the reservoir. 3 pair of Goosander were on the water as well as 11 Canadas and 18 Greylag along with Mallards and small gulls. Only 6 Herring gull through >W today with 2 Cormorant >NW.
Yorkshire Water ,a few years ago, were super keen to get people visiting their reservoirs but now, for some unknown reason have turned full circle and seem to be going all out to keep the public off their land, unless they have a gun of course, in this area at any rate.
Years ago they even build a bird hide at their expense for birders to use at TMR.
The latest nail in the coffin today was at Leeshaw reservoir where YW have placed large boulders across the parking area on the lane where birders park looking over the water. I used to have a permit to enter the grounds here but these were withdrawn and are no longer available. The parking area has been there since Adam was a lad but is no more.
Fly Flatts used to be open to all with a stile by the top gate and public right of way down to the water but a few years ago this was blanked off and the right of way removed with limited entrance only by permit which my permit gets more rules on it every renewal, even down to wearing a high vis vest on entry which is not the best clothing for birding. This is common sense and understandable whilst work is going on up there but it has been made a permanent feature.
TMR is permit only and no dogs allowed.
The NW gate at Mixenden reservoir has also been sealed off now making it no public access.
The problem is YW are just keeping out the good guys and the ones they want to keep out just enter illegally anyway.
Plus, nothing to do with YW but, all parking has been blocked off at Cold Edge Dams also, whats going on ??
Leeshaw Reservoir
3m 3f Goosander
6 Herring gull..................>W
1 Oystercatcher...............>NW
3 Cormorant
11 Canadas
18 Greylag
1 Lapwing in field holding territory
BS