Drake Goosander
A bright clear morning at Leeshaw with some light drizzle on a SW>3 at 10 degrees.
A lower count of gulls today but several Herrings among them with a lot of gulls in distant fields. A male Goosander was on the water before flying off >SW whilst a flock of Fieldfare headed >NW along with several Starlings.
A few Meadow Pipits are still present which may be planning on over wintering in the area whilst a few Robins and Wrens are present.
A quiet morning but going out with a bang when, just as I was tackling up, BV said,
" whats that big raptor over the moor". The bird was a good distance away quartering the top of the north ridge but too big for a Buzzard. As it came above the sky line it was a surprise to get a Red Kite, a first for me for this site. A good finish to the morning.
A dark and drizzly mid afternoon at the Cullingworth fields where the gulls were making it hard for me by being spread out over the whole of the big field whilst gulls feeding in the second field were at the far end so very distant.
One hours scanning failed to pick out a Med, Caspian or Yellow Legged gull but an interesting educational watch with gulls of every year and plumage variation. Six 1st winter Herring gulls were together and none of them had the same plumage. No wonder gull i.d. is so challenging.
BS