A pleasing morning at Leeshaw reservoir with a very light W>2 and clear blue skies with sunshine at 3 degrees. Thick fog lay down in the valleys slowly creeping up but only as light mist and not affecting the watch.
First surprise was 2 drake Tufted on the water, not a common species here, whilst a pair of Goosander and several small gulls were on the water with 18 Herring gulls present.
A Buzzard flew over >N directly over the car but unfortunately I,d walked the dogs down to the bottom of the track at the time so only got it at distance.
The Curlew that I,ve been searching for since I first saw in on the 1st Feb flew over the water and settled on a distant wall so I was able to get it in the camera at last.
Nearing the end of the watch I heard the plaintive distant , and unmistakable contact calls of Pink Footed Geese and a few minutes later picked them up in the bins over the north moor heading >W, always a pleasing sight to see with a skein of 117 birds. A perfect end to a perfect morning.
Hospital appointment for Lynda this afternoon so just a last light dog walk. So far the weather is looking good again for tomorrow as long as the dreaded fog keeps away.
Leeshaw
117 Pink Footed Goose.....................>W
18 Herring gull...................present
2 Oystercatchers
1 Curlew
1 pr Goosander
1 Buzzard
2m Tufted.
c 150 Lapwing
+ usual sp.
BS