A decent morning at last but still the fog hanging over Fly Flatts. Leeshaw was clear but icy cold at -1 degree on a light SE>3. Full cloud for most of the morning with a quick session of sunshine.
Other than the long staying Red Necked Grebe, gulls were the major feature with several in surrounding fields and in the reservoir grounds. Around 200 Black Headed, 40 Common and 24 Herring along with a flock of 18 Lapwing and 2 Cormorant.
Only a low count of Greylag but Canadas made the numbers up with around 150 in the top field. Strangely, still no Oystercatcher or Curlew which are very slow arriving this year.
Grey Partridge made their first appearance of the year with 4 present, alongside 5 Stock Dove and several Jackdaw and Woodpigeons.
The Dipper was in the beck but otherwise just the usual species.
Lower Laithe was poor with just c 50 Black Headed, 2 LBB, 10 Common and 15 Herring whilst 9 Mallard and a Gt Crested Grebe were on the water.
A brief stop off at Leeming on the way home proved to be the best site for Herring gull with a count of 53 on the water along with c 30 Black Headed and 12 Common but empty water otherwise, apart from the usual Mallards. A Pied and Grey Wagtail were in the overflow.
Another morning of the same tomorrow with a light SE and cloudy at minus 2 degrees. Hopefully no fog.
BS