One of those exceptional weather conditions for reservoir watching with a gale force W>8 gusting
severe gale 9 with heavy showers of rain, hail and sleet at 5 degrees with periodic breaks of sunshine.
Leeshaw was alive from start to finish with one of those mornings that was overwhelming as to where to look next. Due to the strong wind birds were very unsettled moving around constantly either feeding or sheltering.
My expectation of gulls soon developed when Herring gulls started pouring through all >W into the wind with several staying throughout the watch on the water.
Checking them was another thing with high waves and swell but mid way through the watch I picked out a 2 cy Iceland gull amongst the Herrings which was still present as I left but moved on by late afternoon.
The first Redshanks appeared just 2 days earlier than last year and the Oystercatcher group is up to 22. The Pink Footed goose is still present in with the Greylags and Canadas whilst 3 Teal and 9 Goosander were on the water.
Cormorants were moving >W with 8 fly throughs and 3 on the water.
A truly amazing day at Leeshaw and more strong winds forecast through the weekend.
Leeshaw
c 150 Herring gull ...........>W and on the water
1 2CY Iceland gull
c 200 small gulls
5 LBB gull
3 Redshank
3 Teal
9 Goosander
11 Cormorant.......>W and on the water
4 Stock Dove
1 PF goose
12 Curlew
+ usual sp.
BS