A very dark start to the morning with black clouds and very heavy rain showers on a W>4 at 4 degrees.
By 0845 hrs the clouds broke up leaving some blue sky and patches of sun.
As I was approaching the Withins a large skein of Pinks were heading >E over the wind farm so a quick stop and jumped out of the car just in time to get a shot before they disappeared into the cloud. This was followed by 4 more skeins as I parked up at the boatyard but these were further to the north of me and all coming through in heavy rain.
A single female Goosander flew >N very high and fast whilst a few Herring gulls headed >NE. Several small squadrons of Starling headed fast and direct in migration mode >NW whilst a single Buzzard and 2 Kestrel were having a hovering competition over the quarry in the brisk west wind.
Nothing on the water other than 2 BH gull and a few Mallard whilst the compound held a single pair of Stonechat and 2 Reed Bunting plus the usual 3 long staying Meadow Pipits.
A good shout from MP late afternoon with 2 Shoveler on Doe Park after the heavy afternoon rain.
Tomorrows weather could go either way with light rain a.m. along with a light east breeze which is usually the provider of fog.
Pink Footed Geese.. 5 skeins >E.......152, 118, 86, 94, 130.
BS