A good reservoir checking day today with rain and drizzle throughout on a temperature of 7 degrees
and the wind starting off at S>5 this morning and slowly increasing through the day peaking at
near gale SW> 7 which is nobbut a stiff breeze by Queensbury standards.
A good start to the morning with a pair of Goosander just leaving Raggalds Flood as I drove past. These birds had probably roosted there overnight as obviously the water is not deep enough for diving. A new species for this site.
The first 30 minutes at Leeshaw was dry but then came down heavy giving me a nice early morning shower before I had chance to get back to the car for my waterproofs.
Goosanders, which seem to be the bird of the day , were present with 4 pairs on the water as well as a pair of Teal on the edge of the far bank along with several Mallard.
Gulls were slowly moving >W but not on yesterdays scale and this move soon dried up. Again Common and Black Headed were the main movers along with Herrings, LBB and a single Great Black Backed. No sign of Curlew or Oystercatchers today but plenty Lapwing about.
Mid afternoon and the wind, now SW, increasing all the while with heavy horizontal drizzle, ideal reservoir tackle, so off to Fly Flatts in hopes of anything maritime. On the way past Raggalds Flood another hardy species was present in the form of JL gazing over the Flood like a drowned rat. Well done John for getting out and giving it a go.
Fly Flatts was very wild , wet and dark with just 15 Mallard on the water before a pair of Tufted dropped in from the east. A single male Stonechat was sheltering by the diggers whilst a Curlew was in the sheep field.
A stop off at Mixenden on the way back found yet more Goosander with 2 pair on the water along with 4 pair of Goldeneye, 2 Cormorants and 5 Herring gull as well as the usual small gulls.
Looking like another week of strong wind and rain yet which could bring something in but could also slow down the early returners.
Leeshaw
28 Herring gull
3 LBB gull
1 GBB gull
sev small gulls
4 pr Goosander
1 Cormorant
1 pr Teal
+ usual sp.
Raggalds Flood
1pr Goosander
Fly Flatts
1pr Tufted
15 Mallard
1 Stonechat
1 Curlew
Mixenden
2 pr Goosander
4 pr Goldeneye
5 Herring gull
1 Cormorant
sev small gulls.
BS