A half decent morning weather-wise with a light SW>3 and full dark cloud cover at 6 degrees. A few heavy showers moved over but not causing too much of a problem.
First light, and first stop off was at Lower Laithe reservoir where the 13 Whooper Swans, found yesterday by birder Jacqueline, were still present on the water but noisy and and pre flight head bobbin so probably ready to move on. Otherwise, just Canadas and Mallards with strangely not a gull present.
On then to Leeshaw reservoir where a good count of 3m and 4 f Goosanders were on the water lifting my hopes of a winter Smew at this site.
Just a few small gulls along with 2 1CY Herrings whilst the usual Mallards and Cormorant were on the water with a single Teal tucked under the far bank.
Fieldfare and Redwing were in the distant Hawthorns with a single over-wintering Meadow Pipit in the goose field but no geese to be seen.
Raggalds Flood on the way home just held a few small gulls, Mallards and Lapwings. The increasing winter Lapwing flock now seems to have either broken up or moved on, possibly back to Shelf Moor.
A gale force sou'wester promised for morning with more rain. The roads to Oxenhope were already well flooded this morning.
BS