Interesting wing markings. Suspect 2nd winter bird with black wing tips as far
as P4 and subterminal black markings on inner primaries and coverts.
Correct me if I,m wrong.!
Decent conditions for the first trip of the year with a light W>3 early morn turning N>4 mid afternoon.
Full cloud cover with a slight thaw at 2 degrees but treacherous walking with the snow melting on top of the ice.
Gulls were starting to return to the fields at Leeshaw but mainly Commons with a few Black Headed but no big gulls. Goosanders were down to 3 pair whilst the Greylag flock was up to 210 making an amazing sight as they all blasted off from the field and passed overhead making a tremendous noise.
Ringby was very quiet with no gulls in the fields and just a few fly overs. A pair of Pied Wagtail were present along with 2 Meadow Pipits.
An early finish on the top and off to Roper Lane where a few gulls were moving around over the top fields but, here again, only 2 Herrings. The farmer has been muck spreading a large field off Roper Lane but so far it has failed to attract any gulls.
Raggalds Flood held 28 Lapwing stood on the frozen water as well as 16 Black Headeds.
Leeshaw
210 Greylags
33 Canadas
3 pr Goosander
2 Mistle Thrush
1 Dunnock
38 Common gull
27 BH gull
+ usual sp.
Ringby Top
2 Lapwing
1 Kestrel
2 Mipit
1 pr Pied Wagtail
8 Common gull
2 ad Herring.
+ usual sp.
Roper Lane
1 ad 1 1st winter Herring
29 Common gull
Sev BH gull
2 m Pied Wagtail
+ usual sp.
BS