A poor morning at Leeshaw with low cloud and drizzle on a moderate SW>5 at 8 degrees.
Very few big gulls this morning and all the small gulls were either in the fields or sticking to the shelter at the west end of the reservoir.
Apart from the usual Mallards there were just 1 female Wigeon and a female Goosander on the water plus the usual Cormorant.
Late afternoon and a trip to check the gulls at Oxenhope reservoir in very poor conditions with heavy horizontal drizzle on a moderate W>5 with the drizzle easing mid watch.
Gull numbers were well down in the strong wind and rough water with many of the gulls calling in then leaving >E towards Leeds and probably the roost at Eccup reservoir. When I left there was an estimated 5000 gulls on the water with several still pouring in but nothing in comparison to my last visit.
Around 500 Herrings were present with at least 1 Yellow Legged, 'michahellis' along with around 300 LBBs of various years. The gulls were at the far side of the water so viewing was through the scope and although I took 163 photos of the gulls none were fit to either publicize or use for i.d purposes with a mix of the distance, poor light , rough water and the gulls blending into the background due to the shine of the water.
Two pair of Goldeneye were also present along with a few Mallard.
A text from MC saying that recent weather patterns could look good for Glaucous and Iceland gulls so living in hopes for a white wing or two.
LEESHAW
1 f Wigeon
1 Cormorant
1 f Goosander
sev Greylag and Canada
+ usual sp.
OXENHOPE RESERVOIR.
2 m 2f Goldeneye
13 Mallard
c 500 Herring gull
1 YL Herring gull
c 300 LBB gull
c 2000 Small gulls
+ usual sp.
BS