Another morning of heavy drizzle on a moderate W>4 at 12 degrees and low cloud base with thick fog on the tops.
I could see from home that there was no visibility at Fly Flatts so a trip to Leeshaw in hopes of gulls and/or Terns moving through. It was just below the cloud base but heavy drizzle restricted visibility somewhat though, as with all reservoirs, the water is up to the overflow with just a few patches of shore.
No waders present with even the Oystercatchers gone and nothing on the water other than Canadas, Greylags and Mallard whilst a Heron was on the far bank.
All 3 hirundines were over the water with Swallow, House and Sand Martin whilst several Meadow Pipits were along the banking. Disappointingly, only 2 LBB gulls came over >W, otherwise very quiet.
By 0930 hrs, wet through and losing the will to live, I up stumps and headed down into the Sladen Valley for a look at Lower Laithe where there was,nt a bird in sight, which is normal for me at this venue.
Driving home, feeling very despondent, I suddenly got a change of attitude when the Dog and Gun gull field had a good flock of big gulls present. A scan through produced 73 LBB, 5 Herring, and there in the middle, partly hidden away, was a cracking Yellow Legged Herring gull.
I moved to a better position where I could see it clearly, though distant and in heavy drizzle, but now I could be certain it was a YL. I,ve been fooled in the past thinking a Herring had yellow legs when it had been stood among LBBs and I,d been looking at the legs of a LBB close behind it.
It just shows how a birding trip can change from bad to good in an instance.
Rain and a light easterly for tomorrow spells fog!
BS