Atrocious weather conditions throughout the day with lashing horizontal rain driven on by a near gale force W>5 gusting 6 with full cloud at a mild 7 degrees.
On arrival at Leeshaw first light it was very windy but dry until I got half way up the moor and the heavens opened providing yet another good soaking. The next 30 minutes was spent sheltering behind the tailgate before a 20 minute dry spell and chance to go check the beck and slurry field.
Just a handful of small gulls today and nothing but Mallard and a Cormorant on the water whilst the usual winter thrushes etc were working the fields.
A gull check on the Dog and Gun field only produced 2 1st winter Herring plus 8 Common and 22 Black Headed along with around 50 Jackdaw.
Mid afternoon and a quick check on Bank Top C.P. to review the gull and Goosander situation of which there were just a low count of small gulls and 3 female Goosander.
The usual Mallard, Coot, Moorhen and Canada geese were present but worrying to find only one Mute Swan left from the breeding pair. Both these Swans were non flyers so possible one has succumbed to Avian Flu ?
Possibly a less wet day tomorrow with a light sou'westerly in the morning.
BS.