'Argenteus' Herring gull confirmed, Fly Flatts/Mixenden.

 

Oxenhope yesterday.   After a word with MC about the smaller pale Herring gull Mick agrees that it is a ' Herring gull ssp argenteus' with well faded plumage . Probably a female though the smaller size is exaggerated due to the angle of the photo. 

FLY FLATTS            After days of atrocious weather the 2 Ringed Plovers are still

                                present on the east bank.

                                   Barnacle goose on the lagoon

                 Plenty squabbling with the Canadas.

MIXENDEN                  Very poor with just 5 Herrings briefly

After a few mornings of wall to wall birds at Leeshaw reservoir it was hard work to get back into the emptiness of Fly Flatts where every bird is to search for.

                              A light NW>4 at 5 degrees with 80% cloud and some sunshine made it pleasant walking the length of the water but very little in the way of birds and not a gull to be seen.

                              The highlight was 2 Ringed Plover on the east bank which have stuck it out through the gale force winds and rain of the last few days, now into their 16th day at this site.

                                 Meadow Pipits are creeping back with 3 found today as well as a Reed Bunting and 2 Pied Wagtails.

                       With withdrawal symptoms setting in through no gulls I visited Mixenden to catch the last of the big gulls heading to roost but a very disappointing show with just 5 Herrings briefly on the water as well as around 50 small gulls.  

                         After  an hour and a half watching and waiting rigor mortis was setting in as well as boredom so I up stumps and headed home.

Fly Flatts

2 Ringed Plover

1 Reed Bunting

1 Oyk

3 Curlew

1 pr Pied Wagtail

1 Kestrel

3 Mipits

Mixenden

5 Herring gull

c 50 Small gull, mostly BH

1 pr Mallard

BS