female Goldeneye flying a circuit.
Looking good at Queensbury as I got up this morning until the thick fog rolled in once again
diverting me from Fly Flatts to Leeshaw reservoir which was clear but dark and murky with drizzle on a light W>3 at 6 degrees.
The area was alive with small gulls this morning as well as a good count of Herrings and 4 Lesser Black Backed but otherwise poor with just the usual Mallards and Canadas so still waiting for an Iceland to appear, but one of these mornings!
Late afternoon and a planned visit to Oxenhope reservoir was scuppered with mist and heavy drizzle rolling back in from the west so arrived at Mixenden where it was as black as night with light mist and drizzle.
A very poor reception committee waiting for me here with a low count of gulls including just 4 Herring which soon moved off to roost. The single female Goldeneye seems settled here as well as a Moorhen and 6 Mallard whilst a small flock of 8 Coal tit were silhouetted in the very dark west bank trees.
How strange it will feel to once again bird in the dry, with bright clear skies above, and use a camera setting of less than 2000 iso. Only 9 days now to the shortest day.
Leeshaw
41 Herring gull
4 LBB gull
c 600 Small gull
26 Canada
15 Mallard
+ usual sp.
Mixenden
4 Herring gull
16 Common gull
22 BH gull
1 f Goldeneye
1 Moorhen
4m 2f Mallard
8 Coal tit
+ usual sp.
Raggalds Flood
42 Lapwing
BS