Decent weather at Leeshaw with full cloud on a light SE>1 at 6 degrees. Rain and mist moving in by 1000 hrs but knocking off time.
First bird seen, as I was approaching Leeshaw along Lee Lane, was a Great Spotted Woodpecker up on a telegraph pole, only my second sighting of this species at Leeshaw. Moments later a Sparrowhawk whistled across the road checking out a empty bird feeder at one of the cottages.
The water and surrounding fields were alive with gulls with around 300 small, c 70 Herring and a single LBB but nothing else on the water other than 2 Cormorant and the usual Mallards.
Very few geese present with just 4 Greylag and 1 Canada though 26 Greylag were in a field on Long Causeway by TMR including the 2 families of whites which bred at Fly Flatts this year.
A few Mistle Thrush and Collared Doves were moving around the wires whilst a flock of 48 Meadow Pipits were moving around the manured fields, possibly over-wintering birds. A Little Owl was in its usual area.
On the way back, a stop off at the Dog and Gun field which held around 50 small gull, 12 Herring and 1 LBB. A good scope through all the small gulls this morning failed to turn up a Med gull.
Looking dry and bright for tomorrow on a moderate SW at 8 degrees.
BS