A much better birding day weather wise with a morning of moderate to strong W>5 - 6 with heavy
drizzle showers and some rain with very dark clouds.
With the stagnant weather moved on Leeshaw was back to its lively self this morning with a continuous flow of gulls all slowly heading >W with several stopping off on the water. A good check of the Herring gulls as they came through failed to find any Yellow Legged and hopes of a Med gull in with the small gulls soon fell flat but an interesting morning never the less, that is if you like gulls.
Other than gulls it was just down to Greylags and Canadas and seemingly the Wigeon and Pinkies have moved on.
Mid afternoon at Mixenden was dark and drizzly with the wind still blowing W>5 though the west bank was well sheltered but very boggy underfoot and very dark for photos.
The Mallards from yesterday had gone along with the cracking male Goldeneye and one of the females leaving 1 female and the male in eclipse.
Around 300 small gulls were out on the water as well as 3 Herrings and 2 LBBs whilst a large tit flock is building in the waterside trees along the west bank. The birds were actively feeding and darting between the Alders and the plantation with a group of around 40 birds.
Two Ring Necked Parakeets were flying over the school area with a large Starling flock.
A cool and cloudy day forecast for tomorrow with a light NW wind.
LEESHAW
63 Herring gull
14 LBB gull
c 300 small gull
+ usual sp.
MIXENDEN
2 Goldeneye
2 Ring Necked Parakeets
3 Herring gull
2 LBB gull
c 100 small gull
Tit flock comprising of :-
Long Tailed, Great, Blue and Coal Tit.
Goldcrests
Siskin, at least 2.
BS