With a cold NW>4 blowing early morn I though Leeshaw to be the best bet being good conditions for moving gulls and a half decent chance of Arctic Tern or even Osprey. Full cloud cover at 4 degrees with good visibility and un-forecast heavy rain by 0945hrs.
The big gulls came through, as expected, with a steady flow throughout the watch all heading >W with several stopping off on the water whilst others continued straight through. Both Herring and Lesser Black Backed were in good numbers along with just a single Common but no Black Headed.
Very difficult to find a Yellow Legged with the gulls being distant and none settling on the gantry. Nice to see gulls again after a very poor winter period with no Caspian, Med or Iceland this year and just a single Yellow Legged, though this species peaks in July in my area.
Many years ago in the early days of B.O.G. Arctic Terns were regularly reported passing through Leeshaw reservoir and even Black Terns were not an uncommon sight.
Wader-wise, 16 Oystercatchers and a group of 20 Curlew were a surprise as I thought they would have dispersed to their breeding areas by now. Just a single Redshank and 1 Common Sandpiper as well as plenty Lapwing.
Otherwise down to the Greylags, Canadas and Mallards as well as the usual species.
A dry and bright morning given for tomorrow with a light northerly at a cold 1 degree but visibility showing as very good.
BS