The usual terrible conditions this morning at Leeshaw with low cloud, heavy drizzle and rain on a WSW>5 at 7 degrees.
Very little happening in the conditions with the heavy drizzle blocking the view of the water several times. A single Teal on the water was the highlight of the morning whilst it was a surprise to see a group of 10 Meadow Pipits over >W. A small flock of Lapwings settled on the far bank whilst gulls were a disappointment.
A bright ,sunny afternoon whilst we were shopping in Keighley but by the time I got to Ogden the sky had clouded over and a few specks of rain had started to fall. A last minute decision to don the waterproofs was a wise move as half way round the water the heavens opened with torrential rain and hail cutting down any visibility of the water.
Pointless turning back now as I was already dripping so I decided to head for the Giants Tooth on a Crossbill hunt in the hopes of it stopping. I bumped into NS again who had just spent 30 minutes by the Tooth looking for Chris,s flock of Crossbill reported this morning but nothing found though it was during the heavy rain when Nick was up there.
By the time I got to the top the sky had cleared and the rain stopped so I just managed 30 minutes up there before the next heavy shower but still no sight or sound of the Crossbills which were probably deep in the Back Lane plantation seeking shelter.
Back down at the water and again the rain was lashing so I came away with a few small gulls and a Robin, not one of the best days birding.
Leeshaw
2 Greylag
4 Canada
1 Teal
1 Cormorant
10 Mipits.............>W
21 Lapwing
1 Kestrel
+ usual sp.
BS