Another good day weather wise throughout starting off at 3 degrees on a light SW>3 with 50% clear skies and sunshine. Late afternoon at Fly Flatts the wind had increased to SW>6 with cloud moving in but good visibility at 5 degrees.
As usual, Leeshaw was alive with birds but very much the same as yesterday with all the Greylags, Canadas and single Pink Footed present in the stubble field before moving onto the water. The 10 Goosanders were on the water along with a pair of Teal way across on the edge of the far banking. The Curlew, Oystercatchers and Lapwings were all vocal with Lapwings starting to hold territory in the fields whilst the only big gulls present were 4 first winter Herrings.
In contrast to that, Fly Flatts late afternoon, was again a disappointment with 1 Red Grouse and 2 Carrion Crows present throughout the watch. The only thing making it worthwhile going up there today was the thrush flock in the roadside field at Nolstar with an estimated 300 Starling, 200 Fieldfare and 100 Redwing . I stopped the car and put the window down to crack off some photos but before I had chance to lift the camera a large female Sparrowhawk glided over putting the whole shebang up dropping over the wall and out of sight.
On the way back through Wainstalls several Magpies were busy carrying twigs and nest building though after the promised forthcoming gales they,ll probably have to start again.
Leeshaw
As yesterdays report less the skein of Pinks, + 1 pr Teal.
Fly Flatts
c 300 Starling
c200 Fieldfare
c 100 Redwing
1f Sparrowhawk.
BS