Gale force winds and torrential rain put paid to this mornings birding so had to settle for a very wet dog walk around Foxhill park among the Common gulls.
Mid afternoon and much brighter with some sunshine, that was until I arrived at Leeshaw Reservoir in a strong W>5 gusting 6 with heavy horizontal rain and hail.
Although the weather was bad for the birder it was good for the gulls with around 250 Black Headeds on the north shore and water along with 25 LBB gulls, 3 Herring and an adult Yellow Legged Herring gull. This bird is into its second day at Leeshaw seen yesterday by BV.
Very little else about in the conditions other than a few Meadow Pipits but my time was spent scoping through the BHGs for Med gull from behind the car for shelter.
On the way home I stopped off at the newly filled Raggalds Flood and scanning through a dozen Mallard I found a single Wigeon in among them. Unfortunately, now that the farmer has dug out the drain for the field, the water drains as fast as it fills.
Looking at the forecast tonight we could have 4 dry days with light winds but don,t hold your breath.
BS