With the overnight fog outstaying its welcome it was a trip to Leeshaw with a hazy start but very soon clearing to leave bright blue skies and sunshine. The strong easterly forecast never developed with a light E>3 at 4 degrees.
A better gull morning than expected for this time of year with a good count of 52 LBB, 12 Herring and 2 Black Headed all sticking to the far north shore. The flock of around 20 Oystercatchers are still present along with 5 Redshank plus several Lapwing and a few Curlew. No sign of the Ringed Plover from my previous visit.
The highlight of the morning was 2 Swallow fast and low over the water heading east but dropping over the dam wall before the camera had time to focus on them. These Swallows were just 2 week earlier than the last 3 years, my earliest ever previously being 4th April.
An extended dog walk p.m. took me to Ogden with target bird Chiffchaff plus a report from CS via DJS, and then later from birder Carolyn of a single Whooper on the water.
I only walked the east bank but soon picked up a Chiffchaff, but only the one with passerine alley being very quiet.
The water proved better with the single Whooper keeping well at distance across the water, whilst 2 Goosanders and a pair of Tufted were also present. Unfortunately the wind was in the wrong direction for any chance of Little Gull, a mega rare sighting for this area.
A similar forecast for tomorrow with plenty sun on a moderate NW getting up to gale force late morning with a temp starting off at 4 degrees.
BS
