Another terrible morning with thick fog on the tops and even Leeshaw reservoir was misty with drizzle throughout on a light NE>3 with very dark full cloud cover at 2 degrees.
Certainly not a photographic morning and hardly a birding morning with poor visibility through the light mist and drizzle.
The long staying Red Necked Grebe was still on Leeshaw but difficult to find in the conditions as it stuck to the banking side way across by the far shore, but constantly diving for small fish.
A poor show on the water with around 100 Black Headed and 10 Common gull along with a single LBB but no Herrings. Otherwise, just 4 Mallard and the single none flying Canada goose whilst around 130 Canada and 80 Greylag were in the big field.
Strangely still no sign of Curlew or Oystercatcher back at this sight making them nearly 2 weeks later than usual.
A Dipper was down in the beck whilst just 6 Lapwing were present and the big flock from my last visit not to be found.
Next stop Lower Laithe which held around 40 Black Headed, 10 Common and 21 Herring with a pair of Tufted and a single Goosander as well as Mallards and 1 Cormorant.
A flock of 15 Fieldfare were in the farm field along with Jackdaws and Wood Pigeons.
A quick check on Leeming produced 12 Herring and a small count of Common and Black Headed and just a few Mallard on the water. A flock of Goldfinch were mobile in the waterside trees plus a Heron on the bank and a Grey Wagtail in the overflow.
I'll put Oxenhope to rest till after the weekend now with a nightmare drive there this morning with 3 sets of temporary lights and 2 road closures plus the main road to Oxenhope past the Dog and Gun is to be closed completely on Friday.
Another day of the same, forecast for tomorrow, with a capful of fog, dark cloud and drizzle on a light easterly at 2 degrees. Only another 8 days of easterlies and fog to face. At this rate it will be March before I get to Fly Flatts.
BS