Thick fog on the tops this morning and heavy drizzle but luckily Leeshaw reservoir was below the cloud base and dry on a light S>3.
Plenty activity going on with Lapwings now keeping everything away from the fields and spending their time seeing off gulls and Curlews as well as a newly arrived Redshank.
Oystercatcher numbers are up to 21 along with at least 11 Curlew with several Fieldfares still present whilst Meadow Pipits continue to arrive. A single Little Owl was in its usual spot with a Pied Wagtail nearby.
The water held the usual small gulls along with 9 Herring gulls, a single male Goosander and a few Mallard. Greylags and Canadas were in the stubble field along with a single Pink Footed goose.
Though nothing special, an interesting and busy mornings session.
Late afternoon and up to Fly Flatts in grizzly conditions with a moderate SW>5, dark cloudy skies and fast moving rain showers throughout.
Taking advantage of no workmen over the weekend I walked the west bank checking the feeding area, grass banking and Robin rock for an early Wheatear but nothing in as yet. The going was tough with thick ankle deep mud like walking in rice pudding which is why I left the dogs at home to be walked on my return.
Apart from Curlews and Lapwings on the shoreline no more waders were found and only Canadas and Mallards on the water.
Passerines kept the job going with a distant pair of Stonechat, single Blackbird and a new in Reed Bunting along with several Meadow Pipits. The moderate SW wind tends to keep birds down up there.
Leeshaw
21 Oystercatchers
11 Curlew
1 Redshank
37 Greylag
22 Canada
1 Pink Footed Goose
1 m Goosander
9 Herring gull
1 Little Owl
c 30 Fieldfare
sev Mipits
+ usual sp.
Fly Flatts
1 pr Stonechat
1 m Blackbird
1 m Reed Bunting
sev Mipits
6 Curlew
+ usual sp.
BS