Another stonking birding morning weather-wise at Leeshaw with the scourge of Fly Flatts up on the tops with thick fog. Leeshaw was 50% cloud with hazy sunshine on a light SE>2 and a mild 4 degrees making me remove my top coat, the first time in 6 months.
Similar to the last visit, with 19 Curlew and Oystercatcher numbers up to 25, along with a mass of Lapwing, several now nesting. In addition to the last visit, a second Redshank has arrived and 3 female and 2 male Goosander were on the water.
Again, only a small number of Black Headed and Common gull plus a single Herring. A very poor winter for gulls and a real absence of Caspian, Med and Iceland gulls locally.
A report this afternoon, by a reliable source, of a single Wheatear in a field just across from the cricket pitch on Old Guy Road. He was watching a Skylark when the white rump of the Wheatear caught his eye. I walked on there late afternoon but only managed 3 Skylark . This Wheatear is just 2 weeks earlier than my first at Fly Flatts last year.
A very light easterly tomorrow starting at 4 degrees but keeping dry. Fly Flatts ,of course, will no doubt be smothered in fog.
Just got another report from Andrew K with a Wheatear seen in the Hebden Bridge area.
BS