Yet another grizzly morning with a moderate W>5 and bouts of heavy horizontal drizzle at 6 degrees.
Another lively morning at Leeshaw even though conditions were poor.
Just a single male Goosander on the water as well as a Greylag and several small gulls. Around 100 small gulls were present along with a 1st winter and 1 adult Herring.
Pinkies were on the move again with a noisy skein of around 40 >W but only
seen briefly between the low cloud. Plenty Mallard in the fields whilst a group of 8 Meadow Pipits and a pair of Pied Wagtails were near the overflow.
A little brighter mid afternoon but still dark and damp on a W>4 at Fly Flatts
though much calmer than my last visit.
About a week too early for anything special to show at this site but always worth a visit on the off chance.
The highlight today was 2 Buzzard up together over to the SW whilst otherwise it was just down to Canadas, Mallards, a single Stock Dove plus a few Black Headed gulls and Red Grouse.
Re my last nights mention of Tufted duck on open water around my area, it appears that this species seem to over winter at sheltered waters, mostly in parks. This was brought to my attention by a report from blog watcher John Bell who visits Chellow Dene most days where Tufted are always present and a visit to Wibsey Park found him an unusually high count for this site of over 30 birds. This report has also reminded me I must check Wibsey Park for gulls and last year, late Jan/early Feb, the lake held a drake Shoveler. Many thanks for the report John.
A bit of the white stuff forecast for tomorrow if they,ve got it right then back to the gales for the weekend, though I suppose we should,nt grumble for this time of year.