A bright but icy start to the morning at Leeshaw with blue sky but clouded over by 0930 hrs. A light S>2 increased as the day wore on at 0 degrees early morn.
Small passerines ruled the day with very few gulls and wildfowl whilst passerine were active. Gulls were down from c 500 yesterday to around 30 this morning, all small and mostly Black Headed. This was probably due to frozen fields forcing them down to the low lands.
Just a single male Goosander on the water along with a pair of Mallard.
A group of 15 Meadow Pipits had arrived since yesterday in the goose field whilst a flock of 23 Fieldfare flew over >NW along with 2 Redwing.
Last bird of the morning was a surprise with a single Stonechat on the wall then settling briefly in a track side tree. No geese again today with probably the same reason as the gulls, frozen fields.
A couple of hours snow midday failed to show an impression , turning to rain showers for the rest of the day. Very little time mid afternoon so a check on Ogden to find around 100 small gulls on the water but only one Herring.
The feeders were busy with the 4 common Tit species on the fat balls with 7 Long Tailed of the feeders together at one point. The west bank failed to provide any Tit flocks, Goldcrest or Treecreepers with just Robins, Blackbirds and a single Jay. Also Siskin and Redpoll were noticeable by their absence.
A report today of Pinks moving over the Keighley area with a skein of just over 70 >W at 1130 hrs. Thanks to Keighley birder Andrew for report and photo.
A forecast of rain and snow throughout the day tomorrow on a moderate westerly at 2 degrees.
BS.