1 swan replaced here after one beaten with a stick last year along with its Cygnets.
Same scenario with the weather this morning with fog on the tops and Leeshaw below the cloud base with a moderate SW>5 blowing at 4 degrees. By late afternoon the drizzle and light mist had returned.
A hard mornings birding at Leeshaw with a good display of gulls but with the strong wind blowing they were finding it hard to perch on the gantry and wall so mainly settling on the water where they were very difficult to view against the bright water.
Part of the Greylag flock was in the field by the track so worth a scan for Pinks or White Fronted but nothing as yet.
Late afternoon and a gull check at Horton Bank Top in the old reservoir basin which is now called a country park but fortunately its has,nt yet been spoilt by paths and cafes etc and the only access this time of year is in good wellies.
The water itself shows a slight resemblance to Redcar Tarn holding good numbers of wildfowl and gulls. I was surprised how many Herrings were present so no reason why this area should,nt pick up a Caspian etc though the school holidays could put the kibosh on it for now. Plenty scope for this site with an extensive reed and bull rush area looking good for Reed Warbler in the spring. 29/04/1995 found an Avocet here with stayed a few days.
Leeshaw
98 Greylag
25 Canadas
c 500 small gulls
4 LBB gulls
c 30 Herring gull
+ usual sp.
Horton Bank Top
9 f Tufted
1 Gt Crested Grebe
1 f Goosander
18 Herring
2 LBB
c 50 small gulls
2 Mute Swan
Coots, Moorhens, Mallards
+ usual sp.
BS