A few fog patches about this morning but clear at Leeshaw though very dark with full cloud at -1 degree on a SE>2.
Very few gulls to start the day but by 0845 hrs they started pouring in , some landing on the water and some in the fields. By 0915 hrs there were around 600 small gulls as well as a few Herring and LBBs. A tedious job going through the small gulls in hopes of yesterdays Med gull still being present made worse as the gulls were very mobile with work going on around the reservoir conduit.
Luckily, checking through around 200 gulls in the goose field, I suddenly came across the target bird in among the sheep. Just time for a few distant shots before they lifted off and landed in a field out of sight.
After about 30 minutes all the birds came, either onto the water or east bank, but I was unable to re locate it , most of the gulls being distant and all clumped together on the banking.
The goose field also held a good flock of Greylags including 4 whites whilst 2 male Goosander and a Teal were on the water.
Another wasted journey to Mixenden mid p.m. with boats on the water and not a gull in sight. I failed to hear a text from NK midday, warning me of boats on the water, otherwise it would have saved me a journey, thanks for that Nigel.
On then to Ogden with light rain and dark clouds with around 200 small gulls on the water, the big gulls already having left for their roost with several moving overhead all >SW.
Again, a concentrated search through the Black Headeds for Med but nothing here. A group of 43 Goldfinch came in to roost in the car park trees but strangely no Chaffinch which have usually built up to a decent roost count by now.
A skein of Pinks came over Queensbury today at 11.15 >W reported by MP but these slipped through my net even though I was home.
Sorry Mick, failed to find you a Slaty Backed gull at Leeshaw this morning !!!
Leeshaw
147 Greylag inc 4 whites
c 600 Small gulls
29 Herring
6 LBB
2 m Goosander
1 Teal
2 Mallard
1 Cormorant
1 ad Med gull
BS