With much of the snow gone and roads clear up here on the tops I headed for Leeshaw early morning which was clear with drizzle on a N>3 at 3 degrees. Mist was once again over the tops.
First birds seen were 2 pair of Goosander out on the water with a few Mallard and an unusual sighting of 4 white Muscovy type ducks on the water which had just appeared, probably from one of the petting farms nearby.
Just 4 Herring gulls present briefly before heading off >W whilst a count of around 300 small gulls were on and around the water.
Otherwise just a single Dipper down in the beck and 12 Greylag in the big field plus the usual species.
Mid afternoon and a check of Ringby Top with drizzle turning to light rain on a NE>3 now up to 7 degrees with very dark clouds. By 1500 hrs it was too dark to see anything so an early finish although it did lighten up with a good sunset late afternoon as I walked the dogs over Foxhill.
Birds were sparse to say the least with just the common resident birds up on the top and very few gulls with just Commons and Black Headeds.
The only interesting aspect of the visit was watching big gulls in the distance all heading >E , probably to the Eccup reservoir winter roost. Around 150 mixed Herring and LBBs with at least 4 Great Black Backed but very few small gulls.
Hoping to check Fly Flatts tomorrow and replenish the seed if the fog keeps away and the snow is melted sufficiently to get down the track, or more importantly, back up it.
Leeshaw
4 Herring gull
c300 Small gulls
2 pr Goosander
+ usual sp.
Ringby Top
1 Robin
1 Dunnock
4 Mipits
1 Stonechat
16 Goldfinch
18 Common Gull
7 BH gull
4 GBB gull..................>E
c150 Herring/LBB......>E
+ usual sp.
BS