Unbelievably, another stonking weather morning on the tops at Leeshaw with full clear blue sky and sunshine on a very light N>1 at 2 degrees but feeling much milder. Clouding by 0945hrs and a heavy rain shower as I was tackling up.
With good amounts of exposed banking now in the SW corner and all along the north bank its becoming very inviting for gulls and waders. Gulls were stretched all along the shore at the north side of the water with several Herring and LBB as well as Black Headed whilst the SW corner shoe held Lapwings and Oystercatchers.
A count of 7 Redshank on the north shore and in the goose field along with 28 Oystercatchers. Around 60 Lapwing with several sitting in the fields now as well as 4 Curlew on site.
As I was driving home, away from Leeshaw and on my way to Oxenhope, a skein of 7 Whooper Swans flew overhead towards Leeshaw but the road was too narrow to stop for a photo. Not to miss out, a quick turn round and steamed back towards Leeshaw where I caught up with them high over the reservoir. It was apparent that they were not going to land so dived out of the car just in time for some distant shots as they continued on >N, possible for Lower Laithe or continuing on their journey.
Back on Long Causeway one field held several gulls whilst across the road, around 20 Curlew were very mobile moving around the fields but unfortunately todays target bird of Black Tailed Godwit was not among them even though there are several moving through at the moment.
Another bright morning forecast for tomorrow on a very light NE at 2 degrees but clouding p.m.
BS