A very dark and damp morning at Leeshaw with dark full cloud, light drizzle and rain developing by 0930 hrs. A light S>3 was mild at 5 degrees with thick fog on the tops of the moors.
An amazing journey to Leeshaw in part dark with 6 Barn Owls sighted. Three separate pair were at three undisclosed sites on route plus a single bird way across the moor from Leeshaw, so 7 Barn Owls in total. This species is becoming a common sight now in most local areas after once being a real rarity.
Nothing of great excitement at Leeshaw with very few small gulls and just a single female Goosander on the water along with the usual Mallards and Cormorants.
A flock of around 80 Starling were moving around the fields along with several corvids but no Redwing or Fieldfare today. A flock of 12 Lapwing flew over whilst 4 House Sparrows and 2 Collared Doves were down near the beck, 2 unusual species for this site.
Otherwise, a Pied Wagtail was in the overflow, plus just the usual species around the area.
Rain forecast throughout the day tomorrow on a light sou'westerly then possibly a few dry, brighter days to come but don,t put any money on it.
BS.