A very dark miserable morning at Leeshaw with light drizzle on a moderate WSW>4 at 11 degrees.
Just a single Cormorant and a count of 32 Mallard on the water until Herring gulls started coming through, all landing on the water briefly before moving off >W. The majority of the gulls were 1st winters with a few 2nd winters and just 1 adult giving a total of 47.
A poor count of small gulls today with around 50 on the water and none located in the local fields. Several Fieldfare and Redwings were moving around the local fields and hedges.
Mid afternoon was much brighter with broken cloud and sunshine with a light W>3 at 12 degrees on arrival at Mixenden reservoir.
Good to see Goldeneye numbers building at last with 2m and 3f on the water but very flighty with plenty disturbance on the banking which is usual at this location in decent weather. At least it gave me an opportunity for some flight shots as they kept moving from one end of the reservoir to the other.
Apart from the Goldeneye there was just a single Cormorant on the waterand a low count of small gulls along with 2 2nd winter and a 1st winter Herring gull.
The reservoir was well checked again today with DJS in the morning, NK midday and myself mid afternoon till last light, all still hoping the Smew will make a return appearance.
Looking back at records from the days when we used to get regular Smew with up to 5 together at Knotford Nook and Otley Gravel Pits in the 80s and 90s these birds usually stayed around for several weeks and months between November and March, sometime moving from one site to another and were nearly always found where Goosander were present.
With a good Goosander roost at TMR and Goosander found at several locations I believe there is still chance of the bird, or birds, being local. Cold Edge Dams could be a good spot for it to turn up. See what 2022 provides us with.
WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY AND BIRDY NEW YEAR.
BS