With another morning of dense fog on the tops I headed to Leeshaw which was just below the cloud base with decent visibility over the water but very low cloud above and hazy with light drizzle on a light NE>2 at 12 degrees.
Amazing how many species there are at Leeshaw compared to next to nothing at Fly Flatts but at this location it is all scope work with everything distant and no good for the camera. Also poor for waders with only the north shore scope-able whilst the south and west shores are hidden from view with no access into the reservoir grounds. YW used to issue permits years ago but that was stopped due to complaints from the anglers who pay big money for Trout fishing.
Leeshaw has always been good for Terns and with conditions looking ideal, and Black Tern as near as Anglers CP, I thought I may be in with a chance but 'not today Josephine'.
Wildfowl are starting to move with 5 Teal on the water mixed in with the Mallards but otherwise just Canadas, Greylags and a single female Goosander on the water. A group of 18 LBB gulls were on the shore, all but 2 being 1 CYs, along with around 30 Black Headed and a single Heron.
Up above, in the mist, 16 Swallows headed >W, 1 Raven >E, 2 Lapwing >NE plus a single Buzzard and Sparrowhawk. Just a handful of Mipits over >SE. Down in the beck a Dipper was present.
First skein of Pinkies were spotted yesterday over Manchester by ex Bradford birder, Simon J.
Looks like a full mashing of fog and rain for the morning which usually happens when the vis mig season is starting.
BS