A much fresher morning at Leeshaw with full cloud cover on a brisk SW>3 at 10 degrees. The sun threaten to appear briefly but it soon clouded over again leaving a good late afternoon at Fly Flatts with dark clouds and a moderate SW>4.
Leeshaw was lively throughout the watch with another morning of LBB gulls coming through >W though none stopped on the water. A single LBB landed on the valve tower and kept flying over the 2 Oystercatcher chicks only to be seen off with one of the adults. The gull eventually landed on the banking and pulled a large Brown Trout out of the waters edge which made it forget about the chicks. Most of the gulls were adults.
Plenty Swallows and Swifts moving through whilst House Martins are nesting under the eaves of the valve tower.
Cuckoos were calling with at least 3 present and 2 little Owls were in their usual spot.
Perfect conditions in the afternoon at Fly Flatts but apart from low counts of the usual species it was mega quiet. I suppose I shouldnt complain with 2 Ringed Plovers resident there but when you,ve looked and photographed them every day, or twice a day, since the last day of February, they tend to get boring.
I,m hoping for a better July onwards up there to make up for a record poor spring.
On the way out, as I unlocked the top gate, a group of 21 LBB gulls came over >SW as well as a few Swifts which just brightened the job up a bit. The gulls were all sub adults.
Leeshaw
1 Grey Wagtail
2 Little Owl
8 Oyks + 2 chicks
61 LBB gulls.......>W mostly adults
1 LBB gull with Brown Trout
3 Cuckoo
1 Cormorant
sev Swallows, Swifts and House Martins
+ usual sp.
Fly Flatts
2 Ringed Plover
1 Common Sandpiper
21 LBB........>SW mostly sub adults
several Swift..........>SW
+ usual sp.
BS